Just had my Med. exams - Disabilities Message Board

lfoster21 · 03-01-2006, 08:41 PM

Hi all, I was sent to see a Phsycologist (which that in itself was quite interesting

), an internalist and a trip to the hospital for xrays. They all said they would have their reports to soc. security w/i 2 weeks. (I found out that by law, soc. sec. has to provide the reports to your personal Dr. but only if you request it. So, I did do that..I'm pretty curious

). Anyway, it all seemed to go well, although I am not getting my hopes up. This is only my 1st go around.

If anyone has specific questions about these type of work ups...just let me know and I will be glad to let you know my experiences.

Hope all is going well for each of you.

Lorie

stpat · 04-04-2006, 09:44 AM

Hi!

What a great coincidence that I read your post today! (Or as Oprah would say, there are no coincidences!

) I just got my letter with an appointment with a psychologist. What can I expect? I'm new to the board. I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and depression. I'm very interested to hear what you have to say.

Thank you so much!

stpat

lfoster21 · 04-04-2006, 02:01 PM

For me, I have lots of spinal problems, fibromyalgia and depression. The phsycologist just wanted to focus on the depression but most of my depression and anxieties stem from the chronic pain and the fact that I have bladder problems and the fear of having an accident or the anxieties of living like this for the rest of my life...that is my depression part of dissability. (But my main disability are the physical things). She did not want to hear about any of the physical things...at all! She opened a book that had the symptoms of depression and went down a checklist of symptoms. She never looked at me, I sat on the couch and she sat at a desk w/ her back towards me. She litterally just read from this book and asked me if I had any of the following and she read of a list. She named 4 items and asked me to repeat it back to her. She asked who the president was and who the president was prior to Bush. She asked if I was suicidal. She did not seem to care about the fears and anxieties, since I wasn't suicidal or seriously disturbed. I have since received my denial of Soc. Sec. (which I am appealing

) I also asked for a copy of the Drs. reports. I haven't recieved those yet.

Good luck,
Lorie

stpat · 04-04-2006, 04:28 PM

Thank you so much for the information. I'll let you know how it went.

stpat

kaybee · 04-05-2006, 07:35 AM

Lorie, when my husband went through his IME, he had to make a request in writing for the dr. report. Did they ask the same of you? What I find really odd is that those questions that were asked of you by a psychologist were the same ones that the retired orthopedist (clinical examiner SSA sent dh to) asked. Dh had all of his films with him but the examiner didn't want to see any of them. Apparently all the medical records were sent to him by SSA. After dh answered the questions, he then had to go through a grueling physical exam. The dr supported his claim - and I swear it was NOT because I broke down and boo-hooed. We hadn't read one report that the dr had indicating that the neuro was having some doubts about a complete recovery after a lumbar fusion. That really hit home for us and was the thing that started the water works. So, dh ended up with an honest, thorough CE who supported his claim of being unable to work. Social Security denied him, again, however. But, the good news is that the decision ended up being overturned primarily because the administration ignored the medical evidence - including what their own dr. said.

My fingers are crossed for both of you!!!