Brie57
04-09-2009, 10:42 AM
Anyone with this condition able to get SSDI?
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neckpatient
04-09-2009, 06:58 PM
Skeletal problems like this are on the list in that book that they use to evaluate cases. But it isn't just that you have herniated discs, it will be based on your daily condition, the nature/extent of your disability, etc. and inability to hold a job they consider gainful employment based on your case. There is a good disability board on healthboards. The key to actually winning SSDI case is to have the physical condition, the medical proof, good records showing consitent and continuous care, and the doctors opinions about your ability to work. Lots of the doctors don't like to get involed in these cases as they don't get paid for their time helping you, that's when it is good to have a self paid functional capacity exam by a professional evaluator to be on your side and do most of the paperwork for the doctor. Most people file, get denied, start an appeal and get a lawyer to help them. Social Security makes it a lengthy process for two reasons, one- some people get better and go back to work, the other is people trying to abuse the system give up frustrated. It makes it really hard for the people that really need it! The lawyers can only charge up to $5300 max and they get paid only if you do.
Brie57
04-09-2009, 07:12 PM
Skeletal problems like this are on the list in that book that they use to evaluate cases. But it isn't just that you have herniated discs, it will be based on your daily condition, the nature/extent of your disability, etc. and inability to hold a job they consider gainful employment based on your case. There is a good disability board on healthboards. The key to actually winning SSDI case is to have the physical condition, the medical proof, good records showing consitent and continuous care, and the doctors opinions about your ability to work. Lots of the doctors don't like to get involed in these cases as they don't get paid for their time helping you, that's when it is good to have a self paid functional capacity exam by a professional evaluator to be on your side and do most of the paperwork for the doctor. Most people file, get denied, start an appeal and get a lawyer to help them. Social Security makes it a lengthy process for two reasons, one- some people get better and go back to work, the other is people trying to abuse the system give up frustrated. It makes it really hard for the people that really need it! The lawyers can only charge up to $5300 max and they get paid only if you do.
Thanks so much for your feedback. I had an epidural done last night at a free clinic and that Doctor responded to me as if I will be as good as new with the herniated discs, he said to go back to welding and I was shocked! He said, can't you use a welding shield? He knows nothing about welding, being in the trades or anything else about what I am able to do. Just the thought of a welding hood and bobbing my neck up and down and bending back to overhead weld makes me cringe! I got these herniated discs from a motorcycle accident that killed my husband, from a broken neck, and have worked in in the trades to raise my family as a widowed mom. I feel my work has contributed to my discs finally getting herniated. What does one do when the docter spends 5 minutes with you and sees you as being 'fine', when in no way, shape or form could I possibly present myself to a forman as being capable of doing a job? I would have to lie!
Where does one find a profesional evalulator? I mentioned ssdi to the free clinic doctor and his attitude towards me changed imediately, as if I was trying to pull something, yet my mri clearly shows herniated discs. I am confussed.
Thanks so much for your feedback. I had an epidural done last night at a free clinic and that Doctor responded to me as if I will be as good as new with the herniated discs, he said to go back to welding and I was shocked! He said, can't you use a welding shield? He knows nothing about welding, being in the trades or anything else about what I am able to do. Just the thought of a welding hood and bobbing my neck up and down and bending back to overhead weld makes me cringe! I got these herniated discs from a motorcycle accident that killed my husband, from a broken neck, and have worked in in the trades to raise my family as a widowed mom. I feel my work has contributed to my discs finally getting herniated. What does one do when the docter spends 5 minutes with you and sees you as being 'fine', when in no way, shape or form could I possibly present myself to a forman as being capable of doing a job? I would have to lie!
Where does one find a profesional evalulator? I mentioned ssdi to the free clinic doctor and his attitude towards me changed imediately, as if I was trying to pull something, yet my mri clearly shows herniated discs. I am confussed.
Nicole74
04-09-2009, 10:31 PM
Brie, I'm so very sorry about your husband. The epidural shots do not cure a herniated disc. They may help the pain for a short while. I really don't know much about SSD. I hope there is a way you can find another doctor and get a second or maybe third opinion. Good luck.
neckpatient
04-10-2009, 03:08 AM
Brie How long has this been going on? Do you have a copy of the MRI report that you could type in the summary text here? Have you been out of work - for how long? Because you have a physical job based on what has been going on it might be an easier process for you than people who have desk jobs. Also your skills are so unique. Are you younger than 50? Type in the MRI and tell us a little more about your condition!
Brie57
04-10-2009, 11:14 AM
The accident happened in 1986, they destroyed the med records after 10 years. Being widowed, I had started working in the trades when ssi ran out when my daugher turned 18 in 2003. I had severve challenges imediately after the accident, lost my teeth, head injury, back, ect., but it was not ok for me to not be ok, no family support, had to rasie daughter, no insurance, no knowledge of any services to help. Now, 22 years later, I am thinking after a fall I had in Feb., the pain started dwon my left arm and never went away even though I have had this pain periodically over the years, it always went away. I could no do certain things, which got my bosses mad, but I told them my neck could not take the activity, like lifting heavy things or overheard welding. I was laid off 1/08, thought I would do a 180 and get out of the trades and become a Licensed massage therapist, which I did accomplish. It was in this school where it started to get bad. Their air conditioning unit was briken an we had to sit n this freezing room for 7 hours a day for weeks. I told them about my neck, even that I would put cardboard over the duct, but that is another long story, bottom line is they did not do anything. We did posture evaluations also and mine was really screwed up, so I went to a chiro 6/08 when I had insurance, saw an xray for the firt time and e was amazed at what he saw. He said I was 1/4 inch off from breaking my neck, and I had bone spurs and degeneerative discs, C5 and C6, now, the xray showed C4 -C7 discgeneration and bone spurs all over, the doc, who is treating me like an idiot or a liar, would not tell me the details of my MRI, just that the discs were herniated and the worse one was between
C5-6, pushing on a nerve root. He did a simple strength test with my hands and arms and said I was fine, I am a strong girl, in pain, but I have some strength. So he said I was fine and everything will be as good as new after the epidural. As I type, the pain is back, same spot, even going down my left leg to some degree, everything I remember bothering me years ago is flairing up. I will call to get my records an update. Thanks for your interest, I have no support, no family except my 23 year old who does not want her mom to not be ok so she does not want to hear what I am saying, deny, deny then it shold go away, right?
C5-6, pushing on a nerve root. He did a simple strength test with my hands and arms and said I was fine, I am a strong girl, in pain, but I have some strength. So he said I was fine and everything will be as good as new after the epidural. As I type, the pain is back, same spot, even going down my left leg to some degree, everything I remember bothering me years ago is flairing up. I will call to get my records an update. Thanks for your interest, I have no support, no family except my 23 year old who does not want her mom to not be ok so she does not want to hear what I am saying, deny, deny then it shold go away, right?
neckpatient
04-10-2009, 03:56 PM
It sounds like you did a good job in your life.The first step to figuring out how to help yourself was coming here to gather information.
You are entitled to your medical records. Get a copy of the MRI. They cannot withhold it from you, they can charge you a small fee to print a copy.
You can also call your local social security office to inquire if you qualify to apply for disability benefits. There are some work criteria for adults.
You will find lots of support on these boards-kids don't understand physical things like this, they tend to think everyone is indestructible!
You are entitled to your medical records. Get a copy of the MRI. They cannot withhold it from you, they can charge you a small fee to print a copy.
You can also call your local social security office to inquire if you qualify to apply for disability benefits. There are some work criteria for adults.
You will find lots of support on these boards-kids don't understand physical things like this, they tend to think everyone is indestructible!
azblonde
04-21-2009, 06:51 AM
Brie
i am going thru something similiar with my husband, he has been a union worker for over 31 years, alot of heavy lifting involved, he started having problems in 2005 with his neck and left arm, he went tru the epi shots did not touch the pain he had physical therapy nada at that time he was told he had stenosis c5 c6 he changed jobs and went into light maintaince he lost his job oct 2008 and he started to loose the feeling the left arm so we started over ct scans mri finally got final diagnosis stenosis, recessed disc and bone spur all c5 c6 they keep pushing surgery after researching the surgery we decided to apply for dissability, got all the paperwork filed and had the phone interview now we are just waiting on the new medical records since i gave them copies of all the 2005 records, he can not do the job he has always done, and he even switch to a less active job that made his symptoms worse he did not have the spur or recessed disc in 2005, because of the union pension we had to apply for ssdi so now it is a waiting game.
i am going thru something similiar with my husband, he has been a union worker for over 31 years, alot of heavy lifting involved, he started having problems in 2005 with his neck and left arm, he went tru the epi shots did not touch the pain he had physical therapy nada at that time he was told he had stenosis c5 c6 he changed jobs and went into light maintaince he lost his job oct 2008 and he started to loose the feeling the left arm so we started over ct scans mri finally got final diagnosis stenosis, recessed disc and bone spur all c5 c6 they keep pushing surgery after researching the surgery we decided to apply for dissability, got all the paperwork filed and had the phone interview now we are just waiting on the new medical records since i gave them copies of all the 2005 records, he can not do the job he has always done, and he even switch to a less active job that made his symptoms worse he did not have the spur or recessed disc in 2005, because of the union pension we had to apply for ssdi so now it is a waiting game.
Brie57
04-21-2009, 12:27 PM
wow, I know I am scared to death to start a job that may further my injury. Someone mentioned I should file a workman's comp claim against the last 2 construction companies I worked for. Have you done that or do you know if that is possible? I have heard that same thing about nerve damage if continued use of arm is done. Yikes, I am waiting for SSDI decision and in the meantime, went to a Dr. that gave me an epi and nothing is getting better, in fact, I feel it in my throat! Have to go again on friday. I mentioned SSDI and he said, I would be fine and to use a welding shield when I weld(if I could even find a job!!!) what the hell is he talking about! I am going to another Dr. to get another opinion.
I am going to see a therapist from the depression this is causing, this is a tough one, not being able to do what I have been trained in and being 51 to boot!
Does anyone know if ssdi determines eligibility on previous work or just if you can work at any job, I have no office skills, and even if I did, I can not sit up for more than a few hours without needing to get the weight of my head off my neck. How would one pass a drug test on pain management drugs anyway?
I received my medical records and they say: There is mild degenerative retrolisthesis C5 over C6 and markedly diminished disc space C5-C6 and C6-C7. Prominent osteophyte formation from C5 caudally. No evidence of acute injury. No significant foraminal stenosis.
Has anyone had a Dr. that did not want to deal with their ssdi case or that diminished the pain they were in?
If this took 22 years to affect me to such a degree, will I get continually worse?
This forum is a wonderful thing and I thank all for replying and support.
I feel so alone and discounted. Looking at me you see no injury, but on the inside, I am miserable!
I am going to see a therapist from the depression this is causing, this is a tough one, not being able to do what I have been trained in and being 51 to boot!
Does anyone know if ssdi determines eligibility on previous work or just if you can work at any job, I have no office skills, and even if I did, I can not sit up for more than a few hours without needing to get the weight of my head off my neck. How would one pass a drug test on pain management drugs anyway?
I received my medical records and they say: There is mild degenerative retrolisthesis C5 over C6 and markedly diminished disc space C5-C6 and C6-C7. Prominent osteophyte formation from C5 caudally. No evidence of acute injury. No significant foraminal stenosis.
Has anyone had a Dr. that did not want to deal with their ssdi case or that diminished the pain they were in?
If this took 22 years to affect me to such a degree, will I get continually worse?
This forum is a wonderful thing and I thank all for replying and support.
I feel so alone and discounted. Looking at me you see no injury, but on the inside, I am miserable!
azblonde
04-22-2009, 04:56 AM
Brie
not sure about the workmans comp it does not hurt to kind of check it out, my husband is in the same boat union carpenter for 31 years, even the light maintaince job was not a union job, he is not trained to do anything else i have tried to teach him basic computer skills forget it, he also loves to work on cars, but he can do that either,, his chevy truck had a seal go out in his transmission, my husband is a very big guy very strong in the past handling a 150 pound tranny was nothing i had no idea he was even outside doing that, well as he was lifting the transmission out of the truck laying on his back he lost the feeling in his left arm and the tranny fell on his chest, then he did not have the strenght to lift it off of his chest he had to roll out from under neath it. I do know with the disability we applied for my husband can not work at all, if he returns to work they drop his application. I can sympothize with you cause i see the pain that my husband is in, and i understand about the pain meds and drug testing,, the big question is will they find you a liability on the job site, that is my hubby problem if he is lifting something and looses the feeling and drops it and it hits another co-worker?? Or a tool?? Then what,, i am here and understand keep me updated
not sure about the workmans comp it does not hurt to kind of check it out, my husband is in the same boat union carpenter for 31 years, even the light maintaince job was not a union job, he is not trained to do anything else i have tried to teach him basic computer skills forget it, he also loves to work on cars, but he can do that either,, his chevy truck had a seal go out in his transmission, my husband is a very big guy very strong in the past handling a 150 pound tranny was nothing i had no idea he was even outside doing that, well as he was lifting the transmission out of the truck laying on his back he lost the feeling in his left arm and the tranny fell on his chest, then he did not have the strenght to lift it off of his chest he had to roll out from under neath it. I do know with the disability we applied for my husband can not work at all, if he returns to work they drop his application. I can sympothize with you cause i see the pain that my husband is in, and i understand about the pain meds and drug testing,, the big question is will they find you a liability on the job site, that is my hubby problem if he is lifting something and looses the feeling and drops it and it hits another co-worker?? Or a tool?? Then what,, i am here and understand keep me updated
Brie57
04-22-2009, 10:00 AM
exactly, safety is everything now! I got a part time temporary job at home depot in garden, I had to ell them I can not lift the bags of mulch ect, and they let me go. I guess that helps the ssdi case because it shows I can't get a job. Thing is, the head trip this put on you is crazy, it's like I lost who I was. Has your husband got any therapy? ssdi looks at the mental aspect also. I know for a fact, as a union Ironworker, if I can't do what the forman says to do, your screwed. They won't put you on a job if your are injured. That's why this dr. that said, no problems, just use a welding shield, I thought he's not supportive. It's as if your between a rock and a hard place, you want to work, but you can't do what you know, so you sit and research, but in this economy, you need skills for a living wage job, then you don't have the skills so I should go to school but how do I support myself doing that and then It's hard to sit up for hours at a time at a computer, on and on! That's why ssdi is so important to get, I cold at least pay rent while I go to school. I f I could get a position where I could work on pain meds, maybe I would be ok, but your not supposed to drive...holy cow...I hate this!
airedale mom
04-22-2009, 02:15 PM
Anyone with this condition able to get SSDI?
Hi Brie,
I got SSDI last year. I was really lucky I received it so fast - I applied at the end of November and got it in January. I waited until I was 55 to apply. The neuro told me to apply - I had cervical myelopathy and a cord contussion in addition to my discs. Mental status and pain account for a lot. If your pain medicines make you think fuzzy or dangerous to drive put that on the application. Also depression is counted and chronic pain. Do you have trouble with motor skills and weakness - if you have any physical therapy evaluations include them with your application. Good luck. Mary Anne
Hi Brie,
I got SSDI last year. I was really lucky I received it so fast - I applied at the end of November and got it in January. I waited until I was 55 to apply. The neuro told me to apply - I had cervical myelopathy and a cord contussion in addition to my discs. Mental status and pain account for a lot. If your pain medicines make you think fuzzy or dangerous to drive put that on the application. Also depression is counted and chronic pain. Do you have trouble with motor skills and weakness - if you have any physical therapy evaluations include them with your application. Good luck. Mary Anne
Brie57
04-22-2009, 05:00 PM
boy do I ever have trouble with motor skills and fuzzy thinking, all I can do is vegitate when I am on them, but without them I am miserable. What is weird now, is after the epi, my throat feels like it is closing up or swelling, only on the left side which is where I have the numb arm and leg. I called the nurse and she said no big deal. I am now enrolled in an intensive outpatient program for depression. All I know, is that I would rather be working than dealing with herniated discs, this is a horrible way to live, I feel as if my quality of life has gone down the tubes.
SpineAZ
04-23-2009, 12:05 AM
SSA makes their determination on the person's ability to do any job - not just ones that you may be qualified for. So if someone was a lawyer and now can not do so, but is deemed able to work as a receptionist by the SSA - then they can deny your benefits. Each year, a few months before your birthday, you should get a statment from SSA that specifically addresses you and tells you what your retirement benefits would be if you retire early or "on time" and also what your SSDI benefit would be if you were to become disabled.
Keep in mind that disability for SSDI can only be proven via medical records, proof of significant impairment, and possible individual medical exam by the doctor of their choice. If you really feel unable to return to any type of work then contact an attorney that specializes in SS applications and appeals. Often they can give you an idea if there is a chance of approval and will work with you. Their fee is paid for by the Social Security Administration I believe.
The SSA site has a great deal of information on how to apply for SSDI, etc.
Keep in mind that disability for SSDI can only be proven via medical records, proof of significant impairment, and possible individual medical exam by the doctor of their choice. If you really feel unable to return to any type of work then contact an attorney that specializes in SS applications and appeals. Often they can give you an idea if there is a chance of approval and will work with you. Their fee is paid for by the Social Security Administration I believe.
The SSA site has a great deal of information on how to apply for SSDI, etc.
azblonde
04-23-2009, 02:14 AM
Brie
i do not understand what a welding shield has to do with anything,, like i said you and my husband are both union workers, once yu are deemed a libality forget getting refferals for another job, my husband has not really been depressed, he is more fustrated, mostley with his right heel he has a bone spur and they will not remove it due to his diabetis, even though it is under control his heel is swollen like a goose egg and he has a very hard time walking, as far as the pain in his neck he has gotten to the point where he is just livivng with it, he hates dr's, he hates taking meds, but i can tell he is in alot of pain, as far as re-training for another job that is a laugh his neck is so bad he can not hold it straight up for very long so he looking down all the time, he has been in the union since he was 17 and he will be 48 in july, like i said i have tried to train him on my computer, he just can not comprehend what is being taught to him,, he can not even work my cell phone (lol) he is a union man thru and thru, but like he says he hates the idea of not doing it but he has put his time in, and it is not worth hurting another crew member or himself. Again good luck keep us updated,,
i do not understand what a welding shield has to do with anything,, like i said you and my husband are both union workers, once yu are deemed a libality forget getting refferals for another job, my husband has not really been depressed, he is more fustrated, mostley with his right heel he has a bone spur and they will not remove it due to his diabetis, even though it is under control his heel is swollen like a goose egg and he has a very hard time walking, as far as the pain in his neck he has gotten to the point where he is just livivng with it, he hates dr's, he hates taking meds, but i can tell he is in alot of pain, as far as re-training for another job that is a laugh his neck is so bad he can not hold it straight up for very long so he looking down all the time, he has been in the union since he was 17 and he will be 48 in july, like i said i have tried to train him on my computer, he just can not comprehend what is being taught to him,, he can not even work my cell phone (lol) he is a union man thru and thru, but like he says he hates the idea of not doing it but he has put his time in, and it is not worth hurting another crew member or himself. Again good luck keep us updated,,
Brie57
04-23-2009, 08:49 AM
Your husband has definitely done his time, he should do whatever it takes to make him happy. I was in the union for a couple of years, and do not want to go back to ironwork, but used to work in a shipyard as a Boilermaker and am on the list to get in with them. When I signed up, I did not have this condition, now I do and like you said, what am I supposed to do, as an older female, my edge has been my welding certs, now for me to tell them, by the way I have pain 24/7 with herniated cervical discs, have to take pain meds, but put me on the job, I'm your gal! I don't think so, they will look at me like what the heck are you doing here, 51, can't weld, can't be a strong grunt for a journeyman, what the F, you get it, I respect everything about union, but the bottom line is safety, if I cannot work safe, why would I jeopardize me or anyone around me.
I talked to an attorney yesterday, he said the same thing about being able to do any job that makes $200 a week, they will not find you disabled. He also said because the nurse said she thought this was from welding, not from the motorcycle accident I was in, that I might be able to file work comp. It all depends on a doctor willing to work with you, the attorney said many drs. don't want to deal with the system so they will say you are ok, just to avoid getting involved, that seems wrong, we paid into this ssdi, didn't we?
I talked to an attorney yesterday, he said the same thing about being able to do any job that makes $200 a week, they will not find you disabled. He also said because the nurse said she thought this was from welding, not from the motorcycle accident I was in, that I might be able to file work comp. It all depends on a doctor willing to work with you, the attorney said many drs. don't want to deal with the system so they will say you are ok, just to avoid getting involved, that seems wrong, we paid into this ssdi, didn't we?
airedale mom
04-23-2009, 09:29 AM
Your husband has definitely done his time, he should do whatever it takes to make him happy. I was in the union for a couple of years, and do not want to go back to ironwork, but used to work in a shipyard as a Boilermaker and am on the list to get in with them. When I signed up, I did not have this condition, now I do and like you said, what am I supposed to do, as an older female, my edge has been my welding certs, now for me to tell them, by the way I have pain 24/7 with herniated cervical discs, have to take pain meds, but put me on the job, I'm your gal! I don't think so, they will look at me like what the heck are you doing here, 51, can't weld, can't be a strong grunt for a journeyman, what the F, you get it, I respect everything about union, but the bottom line is safety, if I cannot work safe, why would I jeopardize me or anyone around me.
I talked to an attorney yesterday, he said the same thing about being able to do any job that makes $200 a week, they will not find you disabled. He also said because the nurse said she thought this was from welding, not from the motorcycle accident I was in, that I might be able to file work comp. It all depends on a doctor willing to work with you, the attorney said many drs. don't want to deal with the system so they will say you are ok, just to avoid getting involved, that seems wrong, we paid into this ssdi, didn't we?
Hi Brie,
That's right - we paid into this and there are a lot of people who are collecting SSI who never paid into anything!!! My husband's niece who has a teaching job, her husband is an auto mechanic - is getting $ 600 a month for their daughter because of ADD ( attention deficit disorder.) Illegal aliens are getting it - people who never worked or paid taxes at all. SSI or getting the government's money is easier than trying to get your money back via disability.
Mine was also work related so I had a good workman's comp lawyer. He told me to fill out the application myself - so I did and saved the lawyer's fee for getting disability.Like I said, i was really lucky. I have a friend who is totally disabled from the VA and he had to wait over a year and get a lawyer. But, illegals and scheming parents can get SSI (our money) real fast.
If you find a good workman's comp attorney - he will send you to a doctor who will testify your injuries were work related. Find one with a lot of years experience in workman's comp.
My cousin was either told to quit or be fired her hospital job over a year ago. She was taking painkillers for her back. She even tried working at another hospital but was fired. My lawyer took her case and found a doctor to testify that her back was work related. She is going to settle for 240 thousand in May. Good luck. If you live in PA or Delaware I would give you the name of my lawyer.
Take care, Mary Anne:angel:
I talked to an attorney yesterday, he said the same thing about being able to do any job that makes $200 a week, they will not find you disabled. He also said because the nurse said she thought this was from welding, not from the motorcycle accident I was in, that I might be able to file work comp. It all depends on a doctor willing to work with you, the attorney said many drs. don't want to deal with the system so they will say you are ok, just to avoid getting involved, that seems wrong, we paid into this ssdi, didn't we?
Hi Brie,
That's right - we paid into this and there are a lot of people who are collecting SSI who never paid into anything!!! My husband's niece who has a teaching job, her husband is an auto mechanic - is getting $ 600 a month for their daughter because of ADD ( attention deficit disorder.) Illegal aliens are getting it - people who never worked or paid taxes at all. SSI or getting the government's money is easier than trying to get your money back via disability.
Mine was also work related so I had a good workman's comp lawyer. He told me to fill out the application myself - so I did and saved the lawyer's fee for getting disability.Like I said, i was really lucky. I have a friend who is totally disabled from the VA and he had to wait over a year and get a lawyer. But, illegals and scheming parents can get SSI (our money) real fast.
If you find a good workman's comp attorney - he will send you to a doctor who will testify your injuries were work related. Find one with a lot of years experience in workman's comp.
My cousin was either told to quit or be fired her hospital job over a year ago. She was taking painkillers for her back. She even tried working at another hospital but was fired. My lawyer took her case and found a doctor to testify that her back was work related. She is going to settle for 240 thousand in May. Good luck. If you live in PA or Delaware I would give you the name of my lawyer.
Take care, Mary Anne:angel:
sammyo1
04-23-2009, 12:36 PM
I am sorry, that is a shame. No an ESI is used more of a diagnostic test to see if or where you may be having problems. It does not take care of the problem. Have to wonder what the heck some of these doctors are thinking or why they are even doctors. I could not imagine having a job like yours with cervical problems. NP gave you great advice. I would follow through as best you can. Use these boards for support if need be. I really feel bad for you & I can see where your daughter would be afraid. Sounds like it has been the 2 of you for along time. Also makes me realize how lucky I am to have my husband. Somewhere on one of these posts someone gave excellant advice on how to obtain your records. I believe it may be under one of Matt3507s threads. Not sure if that would help you out but just in case its there somewhere. I would get any reports on any tests, MRIs & anything else you have had done & put them in a binder. You are entitled to a copy no matter what.
I really wish you the best. It sounds like you are a strong women & worked hard for yourself & your daughter. I give you alot of credit. Good luck, Sammy
I really wish you the best. It sounds like you are a strong women & worked hard for yourself & your daughter. I give you alot of credit. Good luck, Sammy
azblonde
04-24-2009, 08:36 AM
Brie
just hang in there,, i know my husband started having problems in 2002 when he was working for kitchell he was up on a ladder using a nail gun kind of upside down when he felt the pull but at that time it was not bad,, my hubby speciality is installing office systems, and the makeup bars you see at the big department stores, from 2003 to 2005 he traveled around the country due to lack of work in az plus being a supervisor he got that states wages, az union wages suck 22.50 an hour, but when he gets on disability then he will be able to get his retirement out of the hall, he will get one lump sum that has to into a cd and a monthly check plus his disability check,, i know yesterday he had a very very tough time he was in alot of pain more, so let us know how it goes. Susie
just hang in there,, i know my husband started having problems in 2002 when he was working for kitchell he was up on a ladder using a nail gun kind of upside down when he felt the pull but at that time it was not bad,, my hubby speciality is installing office systems, and the makeup bars you see at the big department stores, from 2003 to 2005 he traveled around the country due to lack of work in az plus being a supervisor he got that states wages, az union wages suck 22.50 an hour, but when he gets on disability then he will be able to get his retirement out of the hall, he will get one lump sum that has to into a cd and a monthly check plus his disability check,, i know yesterday he had a very very tough time he was in alot of pain more, so let us know how it goes. Susie
Brie57
04-24-2009, 09:11 AM
Thanks for the support, Susie, it means a lot. I need to re-define who I am and what I can do. I went to this group for depression and there were a lot of folk in there for chronic pain, but they have their ssdi and don't have financial worries. If I can tackle that hurdle, it would make a big difference. I could pay rent and go back to school, maybe.
They were saying that stress pays a huge part in pain and it helps to talk to people that know your situation. Strees seems to find a place in your body to 'hang out' so to speak and it makes the pain much worse. Hope the hubby has a better day today!
They were saying that stress pays a huge part in pain and it helps to talk to people that know your situation. Strees seems to find a place in your body to 'hang out' so to speak and it makes the pain much worse. Hope the hubby has a better day today!
azblonde
04-25-2009, 05:13 AM
Brie
i completly understand my hubby has not worked since oct 2008, he does get a small unemployment check of 265 a week, i am a student and i do not work, it is the waiting for some one to tell yu yes or no on wheather yu can work or not, i have 17 years in the medical field and and for some to tell yu well ry going into a different line of work, um hello wake up, my 2 cents if someone such as yu or my hubby has a problem where they can not do the job they have done due to injuries, give them what is due to them. This waiting months and months is a joke, you can not pay bills on a maybe. I completley understand the depression, i know everyone is different when it comes to handling pain, and yu are 100% right about the stress, it is hard enough being sick but even hard enough wondering if and when yu will get that check. Please stay positive and i hope everything works out for yu, as for school if everything goes to plan and yu decide to go back go for it, i am 41 and i am loving it.
i completly understand my hubby has not worked since oct 2008, he does get a small unemployment check of 265 a week, i am a student and i do not work, it is the waiting for some one to tell yu yes or no on wheather yu can work or not, i have 17 years in the medical field and and for some to tell yu well ry going into a different line of work, um hello wake up, my 2 cents if someone such as yu or my hubby has a problem where they can not do the job they have done due to injuries, give them what is due to them. This waiting months and months is a joke, you can not pay bills on a maybe. I completley understand the depression, i know everyone is different when it comes to handling pain, and yu are 100% right about the stress, it is hard enough being sick but even hard enough wondering if and when yu will get that check. Please stay positive and i hope everything works out for yu, as for school if everything goes to plan and yu decide to go back go for it, i am 41 and i am loving it.
Brie57
04-25-2009, 01:55 PM
I was researching the ssdi system and the history of how it got so messed up, it is amazing. There was a story of a drug addict who shot himself in the foot, applied and got it the first time around, a women who was shot 5 times by her husband, then killed himself, she was turned down 3 times, got it after she had died, several stories about people fighting for it for years, dieing and getting it after passing or living a few months after getting it and then dieing.
With so many people needing jobs, they could at least hire more folks to get the job done quicker.
I went to another dr. yesterday and he said I have arthritis in my neck. Again, I felt as if I was just a 'no one' talking to him. I was in and out in 5 minutes, told me to get a nerve block, no prescription for pain, I guess that is thru another pain management dr. Why so many dr.s?
With so many people needing jobs, they could at least hire more folks to get the job done quicker.
I went to another dr. yesterday and he said I have arthritis in my neck. Again, I felt as if I was just a 'no one' talking to him. I was in and out in 5 minutes, told me to get a nerve block, no prescription for pain, I guess that is thru another pain management dr. Why so many dr.s?
broke as a joke
04-25-2009, 03:26 PM
Thanks for the support, Susie, it means a lot. I need to re-define who I am and what I can do. I went to this group for depression and there were a lot of folk in there for chronic pain, but they have their ssdi and don't have financial worries. If I can tackle that hurdle, it would make a big difference. I could pay rent and go back to school, maybe.
They were saying that stress pays a huge part in pain and it helps to talk to people that know your situation. Strees seems to find a place in your body to 'hang out' so to speak and it makes the pain much worse. Hope the hubby has a better day today!
You and AZ both,, will come to resent the system most likely before you get help,, its so frustrating, i just went thru 3 years exactly to get a hearing and decision. they say its longer now since the economy has flopped. but truely stick to ya'lls guns, i felt like i was screaming(inside) and noone was listening, I,d sit and cry for what i put my family thru even though it wasnt my fault. i felt like( everytime my wife and kids looked at me) i was holding them back because of the waiting,,
i will give you some advice,, get you a small notebook and document all doctor visits and therapy and procedures, dates and names and results,, it will make it easy for you getting records if you need them,, and its a good posibility you will. All the evidence you get will only help your case. i wish both of ya'lls families the best and hope you and your family gets thru this tough time, but remember your husband or wife(whichever) needs you to stand by them at this tough time in there life, i know its hard but trust me the one that is disabled knows what your going thru and like me ,,, thats what made it alot worst on me
They were saying that stress pays a huge part in pain and it helps to talk to people that know your situation. Strees seems to find a place in your body to 'hang out' so to speak and it makes the pain much worse. Hope the hubby has a better day today!
You and AZ both,, will come to resent the system most likely before you get help,, its so frustrating, i just went thru 3 years exactly to get a hearing and decision. they say its longer now since the economy has flopped. but truely stick to ya'lls guns, i felt like i was screaming(inside) and noone was listening, I,d sit and cry for what i put my family thru even though it wasnt my fault. i felt like( everytime my wife and kids looked at me) i was holding them back because of the waiting,,
i will give you some advice,, get you a small notebook and document all doctor visits and therapy and procedures, dates and names and results,, it will make it easy for you getting records if you need them,, and its a good posibility you will. All the evidence you get will only help your case. i wish both of ya'lls families the best and hope you and your family gets thru this tough time, but remember your husband or wife(whichever) needs you to stand by them at this tough time in there life, i know its hard but trust me the one that is disabled knows what your going thru and like me ,,, thats what made it alot worst on me
SpineAZ
04-25-2009, 08:01 PM
Broke:
Thanks for the notebook suggestion. For the first time in my life I'm looking at possibly having to go on a long term disability. I've been on Short Term Disability before for up to 6 weeks but right now have so many back and neck and knee issues it may be time to consider going on disability (possibility of lower back surgery and spinal cord stim for upper cervical area). The suggestion of a notebook is great as I'm getting to the point as I can't remember who I saw when, what they said, what imaging facility did the MRI, etc.
THANKS!
Karin
Thanks for the notebook suggestion. For the first time in my life I'm looking at possibly having to go on a long term disability. I've been on Short Term Disability before for up to 6 weeks but right now have so many back and neck and knee issues it may be time to consider going on disability (possibility of lower back surgery and spinal cord stim for upper cervical area). The suggestion of a notebook is great as I'm getting to the point as I can't remember who I saw when, what they said, what imaging facility did the MRI, etc.
THANKS!
Karin
airedale mom
04-25-2009, 11:11 PM
I was researching the ssdi system and the history of how it got so messed up, it is amazing. There was a story of a drug addict who shot himself in the foot, applied and got it the first time around, a women who was shot 5 times by her husband, then killed himself, she was turned down 3 times, got it after she had died, several stories about people fighting for it for years, dieing and getting it after passing or living a few months after getting it and then dieing.
With so many people needing jobs, they could at least hire more folks to get the job done quicker.
I went to another dr. yesterday and he said I have arthritis in my neck. Again, I felt as if I was just a 'no one' talking to him. I was in and out in 5 minutes, told me to get a nerve block, no prescription for pain, I guess that is thru another pain management dr. Why so many dr.s?
Brie,
Don't tolerate a Dr who makes you feel bad or doesn't believe your pain. I went through many doctor's in the past two years until I found a great Pain Dr. He and a Rhemuatologist I started seeing finally are getting me somewhere. They sent me to an experienced Neurosurgeon in Philly and I am scheduled for surgery in May. They also realized I was not on adequate pain meds and together decided I needed extended release Morphine plus my other meds.
I went to a so called pain center at the university of Penn and was treated horribly. The reason being is that these are anesthesia people (they aren't really educated like medical doctors) who do not want to pay the high malpractice insurance. So they go into this pain business and make a fortune doing injections. They are not interested in giving you medication (there is no money in it.) I was told this by my physical therapist.
* removed *
My pain doctor is a Physiatrist. A Rheumatologist is also someone who will give you the right treatment.
Good luck. Mary Anne
With so many people needing jobs, they could at least hire more folks to get the job done quicker.
I went to another dr. yesterday and he said I have arthritis in my neck. Again, I felt as if I was just a 'no one' talking to him. I was in and out in 5 minutes, told me to get a nerve block, no prescription for pain, I guess that is thru another pain management dr. Why so many dr.s?
Brie,
Don't tolerate a Dr who makes you feel bad or doesn't believe your pain. I went through many doctor's in the past two years until I found a great Pain Dr. He and a Rhemuatologist I started seeing finally are getting me somewhere. They sent me to an experienced Neurosurgeon in Philly and I am scheduled for surgery in May. They also realized I was not on adequate pain meds and together decided I needed extended release Morphine plus my other meds.
I went to a so called pain center at the university of Penn and was treated horribly. The reason being is that these are anesthesia people (they aren't really educated like medical doctors) who do not want to pay the high malpractice insurance. So they go into this pain business and make a fortune doing injections. They are not interested in giving you medication (there is no money in it.) I was told this by my physical therapist.
* removed *
My pain doctor is a Physiatrist. A Rheumatologist is also someone who will give you the right treatment.
Good luck. Mary Anne
broke as a joke
04-25-2009, 11:18 PM
Broke:
Thanks for the notebook suggestion. For the first time in my life I'm looking at possibly having to go on a long term disability. I've been on Short Term Disability before for up to 6 weeks but right now have so many back and neck and knee issues it may be time to consider going on disability (possibility of lower back surgery and spinal cord stim for upper cervical area). The suggestion of a notebook is great as I'm getting to the point as I can't remember who I saw when, what they said, what imaging facility did the MRI, etc.
THANKS!
Karin
yes and the second you see a lawyer he is going to want time, dates , and places of everyone of your medical records and what procedures,, and you will be the one that has to make sure you have them,, its very important for you to keep these, trust me, yes after a while it wears on you,,,
the longer you have to deal with all the doctor visits everything gets really blurred,, times , dates ,, so its important for you to keep up with it. it will help your case tremendously for you to have all your records,
i wish you all the best and hope you have a better experience than i did with the ssd system
Thanks for the notebook suggestion. For the first time in my life I'm looking at possibly having to go on a long term disability. I've been on Short Term Disability before for up to 6 weeks but right now have so many back and neck and knee issues it may be time to consider going on disability (possibility of lower back surgery and spinal cord stim for upper cervical area). The suggestion of a notebook is great as I'm getting to the point as I can't remember who I saw when, what they said, what imaging facility did the MRI, etc.
THANKS!
Karin
yes and the second you see a lawyer he is going to want time, dates , and places of everyone of your medical records and what procedures,, and you will be the one that has to make sure you have them,, its very important for you to keep these, trust me, yes after a while it wears on you,,,
the longer you have to deal with all the doctor visits everything gets really blurred,, times , dates ,, so its important for you to keep up with it. it will help your case tremendously for you to have all your records,
i wish you all the best and hope you have a better experience than i did with the ssd system
SpineAZ
04-26-2009, 10:55 PM
Anesthesiologists who do Pain Medicine are "real doctors" (MD or DO) and have all the same training as other doctors - and then specialize in their chosen field - so they do fellowships and everything else. Many do some interventional pain management which includes surgical procedures like Spinal Cord Simulators, Pain Pumps implanted, etc.
airedale mom
04-27-2009, 04:49 AM
Anesthesiologists who do Pain Medicine are "real doctors" (MD or DO) and have all the same training as other doctors - and then specialize in their chosen field - so they do fellowships and everything else. Many do some interventional pain management which includes surgical procedures like Spinal Cord Simulators, Pain Pumps implanted, etc.
And I am just saying THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR THEM IN IT!!! A LOT!!! Some might be really good, but if you go to them for "medical " pain management, they are not interested.
And I am just saying THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR THEM IN IT!!! A LOT!!! Some might be really good, but if you go to them for "medical " pain management, they are not interested.
azblonde
04-27-2009, 06:49 AM
Everyone has such good advice,, i worked in the medical field for over 17 years so from my experience in the past the people i dealt with really needed to be on ssi or ssdi, and they went thru denial after denial, then what gets me is there are somepeople that do not need to be on it but yet are getting it, which makes it harder for those who do need it, i have been sticking my husband 110% in fact he mentioned that he almost felt that he needed to go back out of the union hall due to 265.00 a week just is not cutting it, i put my foot down and said no way i told him that as much pain as he is in and the injuries he has i am afraid that he would hurt himself even more,, he finally agreed. Brie as far as dr's i agree their is a dr out there that will listen, just do not give up, do not settle for here do this and do that but this is all i can do for ya,, bull have yu thought about a lawyer?? My hubby and i did and decided not to go with one,, so we shall see hang in there
Brie57
05-05-2009, 10:08 PM
I was sent some forms to fill out from ssdi, does anyone have any suggestions on what to do or not do? I have only a few days to complete them along with a third party to evaluate me. Thanks for any advice.
neckpatient
05-06-2009, 12:56 AM
airedale mom - When you say "medical" pain management could you explain what you talking about?
All the pain management doctors in my town are highly trained and skilled MD's - who have primary specialties in anesthesiology (which by the way is a fully accredited medical degree just like family practice, internist, etc.). They went on to work at places like Mayo clinic and Cleveland Clinic - doing Fellowships to become Board Certified Specialists and are certified pain management doctors. I do not know anyone but a medical doctor who can do injections unless you live in some other country. In the US only doctors can do these injections.
All the pain management doctors in my town are highly trained and skilled MD's - who have primary specialties in anesthesiology (which by the way is a fully accredited medical degree just like family practice, internist, etc.). They went on to work at places like Mayo clinic and Cleveland Clinic - doing Fellowships to become Board Certified Specialists and are certified pain management doctors. I do not know anyone but a medical doctor who can do injections unless you live in some other country. In the US only doctors can do these injections.
neckpatient
05-06-2009, 01:12 AM
Completing the forms advice. You only have small space, you need to be able to clearly desribe what is keeping you from working and how it is impacting your total life and what you are doing to treat your health situation. Answer the questions honestly, they can see through exaggerations. Keep it simple. and use words that you will use time and time again as you speak to the evaluators and anyone else. So the picture is consistent and clear and matches the documentation (doctors visits notes, tests, etc.).