Fibromyalgia and SSI - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Heather_Brennan · 03-10-2006, 10:01 PM

I have fibromyalgia. A few months ago my doctor started me on Zoloft in hopes that it would help with my constant pain. I have not experienced any change yet, so my dr upped my dosage. I had to quit working because the pain is so intense in the mornings that I physically can not move to get out of bed.I contacted my local Social Security Administration office about applying for SSI. I am just looking for a little help because I don't know what to do right now. I cant work but I have a family who depends on me. This pain just kees getting worse and I want to ask my doctor for a presciption for vicodin or some type of pain killer but I dont want to come off sounding like some pill popper. Is there anything to do to help with the pain? Especially in the morning. Any information on either of my questions would be extremely helpful. Thanks

Ani3242 · 03-11-2006, 04:45 AM

Hi Heather, welcome to the boards! With Fibro different people respond differently to therapies to deal with the pain. Do discuss with your doctor your pain levels & stiffness(?) in the mornings and an overall "plan" to help you to be able to function better. Doctors sometimes will do a combo of things like pool therapy, medications like muscle relaxations and or pain pills. Just depends - the exercise component is really important. For over the counter pain meds I found Aleve/Naproxen Sodium to work the best when I didn't have something else.

Has your doctor offically diagnosed you with having Fibro? That's the key part. Especially if you are planning to apply for disability. Also keeping a daily diary of your symptoms. (This is also great to take with you to the doctor's office).

There is also another board here listed as "disabilties" that deals more on that topic. (Also not sure if your referring to a state short term disability program or social security disability. Many states do have programs besides SSD. Applications for both are online & there's a wealth of info as to what they will require listed on their site).

Hope this helps to answer some of your questions - Fibro is a difficult thing to deal with & you have a lot on your plate with 2 wonderful girls. Hang in there!

Heather_Brennan · 03-11-2006, 10:12 AM

Thank you very much I will check that out. I have been officially diagnosed for about 3 months. I don't feel like I am getting better, I actually feel like I am getting worse.I end up at the dr's office about every two weeks. Every time I go,she ups the dosage of the zoloft she prescribed. I havent found anything about antidepressants actually working for fibromyalgia patients. Its very discouraging disease because it just seems like alot of people think you are lying. I never heard of fibromyalgia until my dr diagnosed me with it.Now I just feel like she thinks I am depressed and thats why she is giving me so much zoloft. But I am positive that I am not depressed. I want to be able to take my babies for walks in the park but I physically cant, and that is discouraging but I find lots of other things we can do together within my limits. And thats also where I hit another brick wall. I am a single mother and I am worried that because of my limitations someone may deem that as me not being able to take care of my children. I live in a small town and everyone is kinda in everyone else's business.

Glojer · 03-11-2006, 05:02 PM

Welcome Heather and Ani,

Heather I know it sounds wrong, but taking those walks with your babies will help your fibro. Exercise and stretching is a great help. You have to just start at whatever level you can do and just do what you can. Also I have found muscle relaxers to be a big help. I don't take any anti D's although I know they are helpful to some they are not what I need and really can't take them. I did get started on amitriptyline when I was first diagnosed, but all that did was give me a groggy hangover and no one with fibro needs that, we are foggy enough. Getting a good nights sleep is very important so I do take ambien at night with the muscle relaxers and have been taking a muscle relaxer (baclofen) during the day when needed. Do the best you can with walking your babies, hold your head up and give everyone that 'stay out of my business' look. Let us know how you are doing.

Glojer

jeafra7 · 03-16-2006, 05:38 PM

Just wanted to add a little something for you, first of all I hope you can get some help feeling better. My sister has had fibro for 15 years. She tried for a long time to get on SSI, no deal. Then about 2 years ago she hired an attorney and finally got SSI and of course her medical. Her medicine alone was a lot of money each month so this really helped. Get with your doctor and ask him about hiring a Social Security Attorney, don't wait and do it alone like my sister did for a lot of years. And of course the Social Security Administration now feels that Fibromyalgia is really a sickness now. There are a lot of boards that can help you coup. Good Luck. She is 53 now.