Usually I'm the one helping with questions asked here but now I need help.
I got the letter stating SSDI requires I go see a local physician. I looked him up on the Arizona medical board site and he has a good record. There's one site where people can do free reviews and they were mixed so that doesn't help me know what he'll be like.
Interestingly he's an internist though my problems are more orthopedic in nature.
Any idea what he'll be asking about, examining me for? I called the office to confirm the appointment and they said to only bring my picture ID and no medical records.
They just do a basic exam, kind of like a physical. I was sent to an internist too, I believe that is what SSA uses. It didn't last too long maybe 10-15 minutes. Actually the doctor they sent me too helped in my case. Best of luck to you and don't worry over it.
Well, it's more like going to a regular doctor for the first time. They ask basic health history questions. Then check for range of motion and balance, reflexes. I was so nervous before, but I didn't have any reason to be. You also can call your ssa and have a copy of this doctors report sent to your regular doctor, who will share it with you so you know in advance what was reported.
Man I wish I could help you like you helped me. Is it your review? I mean how long have you had ssdi? Your so smart and have it all together I bet you will do fine. Its back to that not knowing again but that other reponse seems to really know because she has been thru it. I would think you should take your on medical records with you. And like she said let your family DR. know. And get that DR's notes. please keep us posted I really wish I could help you. You deserve someone like your self to help you.
I went to the same kind of exam last month. You don't bring your medical records, but they did ask for a list of my medications, which I always carry with me. My husband went in the exam room with me, because sometimes I lose my balance. He examined me all over. Checked range of motion in arms, legs, etc...
I had to lay on exam table and he examined my stomach, and again checked the legs. He did ask allot of questions about my health, so be prepared. You might want to go over your SSDI application that you first filled out.
I also had a Psyche. examine 2 weeks after the physical, because of the idea that allot of people are affected emotionally when they deal every day with pain from their illness. I haven't heard anything from them yet. Main thing is just relax, and be truthful. If you have pain when you try to do something, just say so.
I applied for SSDI a few months ago. Then got the paperwork (activities, educational and work history, etc). Then a note about needing the records from my physical therapist and my prior pain doctor. Thank goodness my attorney could get the records from my prior pain doctor as he died unexpectedly this summer at age 51 and his office is overwhelmed with records requests. I had changed pain doctors in 09 to try a different approach so I was lucky in that I already had a new doctor when Dr. K unfortunately died (he was such a nice guy it even brought tears to my eyes).
So Saturday I got the letter from SS telling me to see the doctor on Friday the 15th (thankfully I have no other plans or appointments that day). My attorney rep says this is a good sign. They have not denied me yet which often happens and then on appeal they often send someone to an exam.
Before opening the envelope I figured it may already be a request for a psychological exam since in theory they have two PM doctors information and two Orth Spine Surgeons notes. OR, maybe a NS or other OSS, but it's an internal medicine doctor.
He graduated med school in 1994. Going with the theory that he went to med school right after college it makes him younger than I am (I am 44) which can be good (as he's not a semi retired doctor who isn't truly in practice any more) or it can be bad (as in him not seeing why someone of my age would be disabled).
What worries me is a physical exam won't show much beyond the scars. The pain is the primary problem and the back surgery helped but did not resolve all of it and I may have more neck surgery in 6 months. I look okay, I don't need a cane or help ambulating, etc. I hope to be able to slip in that "I'm glad this appointment was in the afternoon as I have to take pain meds in the morning which preclude me from driving for at least half the day in most cases"
Just a couple of comments regarding your upcoming exam. First, you can request assistance in transportation to/from the Dr.s office. I no longer drive due to the side effects of the pain medications I take and SS provided me transportation (taxi) as the exam fell on a workday for my husband. SS arranged for payment and pickup times, all I had to do was to be ready at my front door.
Secondly, I too have spinal pain issues as the main reason for my disability and have not had spinal surgery. I too was worried that the examiner would not pick up on this during the exam as I do not have problems ambulatating and do not use any assistance (cane). Obviously it must not have been an issue as I was awarded on my first try just a month after the physical and mental (depression from chronic pain) exams.
The only "problem" I encountered with the physical exam was with the results from my latest MRI that I took to the exam on the request of my assigned SSDI case worker. The doc refused to look at the findings saying that SSI rules dictate that he cannot look at, or consider any information that was not provided to him directly from SSI. Even though the SSI case worker requested that I provide him with the report as the MRI results had just been received a few days prior to my exam I'll never know if the doc ever saw them. The doctor made me feel like I had done something illegal despite providing him with the SSDI examiner's name and phone number if he had any questions. Just a "heads up" as after this experience I wouldn't take any info/test results, etc. to the appointment even though it was SSDI that had requested me to do so.
Good luck, I'll be watching for you to post your results!
Man your so knowledgable (misspelled) anyway I really thought you had been thru this process and you were up for review. My husband had to go to a ss Dr. and we took his MRI's. CT scan op report and all the Dr's records we ordered our self he was so Glad he seemed and said he was so thankful to have those on hand we also have his nerve test . We were not in there very long at all. He was really nice I know if that if he is any thing like my husband DR. you'll be fine. My communtity Dr. told me at one time he was thinking about doing work for ss. But he also told me a lot of people that come to the clinic really didn't need ssdi or ssi. I felt a sick feeling in my stomach when he said that because I fell for anyone who put their self in the position of apply for ssdi needs ssdi. Thank- God up above he really believeed I needed along with my husband. Good luck to you please keep us informed please. I think your lawyer is right its a good sign and with all you back problems You'll get thru this fine. My husband got approved in 6 months but after he went to the Dr. it went really Quick. You'll see. I'll be praying for you. It took me 7 months and I have c/p the meds I take make me like I'm in a fog all the time. If I dont take them I spasm all the time without them. Good Luck keep that great confinace and knowledge that you tell people people on this board your great and a very kind person to help so many I hope it works for you. I would go back and read what great things you have told people and just see how many people you have helped. Without your support I mean to tell you I probly would given up and I only had to wait 7 months so I'm here to tell you my family thanks you very much.
I totally agree. Leave all your medical tests at home. I had a lower lumbar back fusion in July, so I completely understand about the pain. I have been on Lortab 10 mg, Neurontin 1,000 mg, and a bunch of other things since last November. I also have been on work comp since Nov. when I fractured a vertebrae in the thoracic region. I loved my job in the government where I was making 40,000 a year, but haven't been able to work since last November.
If you can have someone else drive you to your appoint, do so, because they will probably ask how you got there. Don't tell them what you can do, tell them what you can't do, and be honest. If you can't raise your leg without allot of pain, tell him so.
Reading the other post about taking your test result , It just goes to show you every Dr. is different and every case is different I would take them and wait and see if he ask for them. Are ask your lawyer he may of seen people that had gone to that dr. sometimes lawyer know. I'm hope I'm making since. God Bless you and good Luck.
Wow, it seems everybody had much more detailed exams than I did. My problems are ortho related (DJD and DDD with nerve involvement) but also had to have an Internal Med exam also. What's funny is my own doctor is an Internal Med specialist.
My exam lasted all of 10 min and was cursory, at best. I had to take all my prescription bottles in a bag. After taking a brief family history and asking a couple of questions about my limitations, I had to try to walk heel to toe, walk on my toes, walk on my heels, stand with legs together and twist to one side then the other. The I had to sit in the chair and try to lift each leg straight out then bend it at the knee as much as I could. Then for each hand I had to squeeze a metal hand grip that had a gauge on it (the gauge was turned toward him so I couldn't see it). Then he wanted to see me walk. I had about a 3 ft space to do this in. He wanted me to squat but I told him I absolutely couldn't do that. Then he ordered knee xrays.
That was it. There was no hands-on exam at all. Never touched me. The man's butt never left the seat of his chair.
I applied for disability April 30, 2010. Had the Internal Med exam and a Mental exam Sept 10. My case has been in Quality Review since Sept 25. Still waiting for a decision.
Good luck, Spine. I'll be waiting to read how your exam went.
I live in Northern Az near Prescott and I just got a letter on Saturday for a ss medical exam on 10/18/10. My letter states this apt will include a mental exam and the Dr who i am seeing is a ph.d I do have lower back problems but my main problem is bleeding in the small bowel I have had this problem for over 2 1/2 years so I had to also fill out the paperwork about my work history for the past 15 years. My main Dr is a digestive disease disorder Dr not just a gastro Dr. I applied for ss in June and got denied the first go around, one of medications that i take for severe pain is dilaudid (nasty stuff) but it works. I was told that my type of problem is very rare, my problem is not fixable nor curable, here is what i have to look forward to.. if i have a active bleed that is very heavy and i start to feel light headed or just not right i need to go to the ER stat, cause i could bleed to death. I have an active bleed at least once to twice a month and i never know when it will happen after 2 1/2 years it still scares me to death to see blood coming from somewhere it is not suppose to be coming from (rectal bleeding) i have other symptoms with this problem but the list is very long.. I would love for the people who make the descions on who can get ss and who can not could live in our bodies for 1 week and endure what each one of us goes thru on a daily basis. So good luck with your exam and pls keep us updated cause your exam is right before mine and i would like to know what to expect. Also does anyone know if I should take my meds before my exam???
My letter from SS told me to call the doctor's office to confirm the appointment. I did and at that time the woman said "you need only bring your picture ID and a list of your current medications". I typed up a list and included my pain meds and meds for other stuff as well (thyroid, cholesterol, etc). I'm in north central Phoenix and the doctor they chose is about 10 minutes from me and an easy drive. I have to drive or I don't know what I'd do. When possible I make appointments for early afternoon so my pain meds can kick in and I'll be able to drive 4 hours later and then put off further meds until I get home.
My letter also stated that I need to confirm my appt 72 hrs in advance, I live approx 25 minutes from where this dr is in prescott, but i am unable to drive when I am on my pain meds, so thank goodness my husband will be home. that is a great idea to type out all the meds I think I i will do the same thing and just hand them to the dr, again good luck with your appt. and keep us updated,
I'm lost on this website. Thankfully I found a post from you. I don't understand how to start my own post but maybe you could just help me. I was wounded in combat in 2007 while serving in Iraq. I am 80% disabled. And Iam getting V.A comp. I have a full time job but can't handle.the long 12 hour shifts any more. It is to physically demanding. I have T.B.I./ P.T.S.D/ joint desease, chronic migraine headaches. And a list of other problems. I tried to apply for ssd in 2008 but was denied. My friend who was in Iraq with me was injured the same day and has the same problems was awarded his in 2009 and got back pay for two years. I have recently tried again to get social security disability but now Iam denied because I have a job. Please help me Wat do I do?
After talking to my husband he did have to do like shado1021 I remmber he almost fell . If you have your records just keep them with you just in case if the dr brings it up you will have them if not then no harm done at least you will have them if you need them good luck.
They will call you, back to go into the room- his nurse she'll get your weight, your height, and also will take your temp and blood pruser. You, will then be asked if you are taking any new meds or what you are taking at this time. Ask you questions as well- then the doctor will come in- he will also ask you questions as well, then they will do an exam too see if you are really disabled or not- they will then send the paper work down to the SSDD- to let them know what he found- you then will have a letter sent to you saying the info they found out and it will go from there...
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Last edited by HeavenSent4Love; 10-12-2010 at 12:00 AM.
I'm lost on this website. Thankfully I found a post from you. I don't understand how to start my own post but maybe you could just help me. I was wounded in combat in 2007 while serving in Iraq. I am 80% disabled. And Iam getting V.A comp. I have a full time job but can't handle.the long 12 hour shifts any more. It is to physically demanding. I have T.B.I./ P.T.S.D/ joint desease, chronic migraine headaches. And a list of other problems. I tried to apply for ssd in 2008 but was denied. My friend who was in Iraq with me was injured the same day and has the same problems was awarded his in 2009 and got back pay for two years. I have recently tried again to get social security disability but now Iam denied because I have a job. Please help me Wat do I do?
Theguy001,
You should have no problem to start a new post here since you have signed up to this site. I think at the top it says something like new post and go from their.
As for being a veteran, try to find a website called (veterans benefits network). They have outstanding info on how to file with the VA for disability and also how to file for SSDI benefits.
I did not know that site existed untill last week but wish I had found it back in 2007 when I filed for SSDI.
The vbn website will pretty much walk you through the steps for filing and also show you what paper work is needed and ect... and how to fill out the forms.
That site will be great to you if you are now filing a SSDI claim for the first time.
Hope that helps.
Re: SSDI medical examination 10/15 - HELP 
Re: SSDI medical examination 10/15 - HELP 
