Thinking maybe it is time, where to get started?

[Lizardwoman85]

So I currently living in Illinois. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for about a year, along with a chronic injury to my hand and ankle. I also suffer from severe depression and anxiety.

I have been fighting this and resisting this, but after my last surgery, I've been off work and I've gotten so much worse (even with trying to keep up with exercise) that there is no way I am going to be able to return to work. I've had the pain get so bad a few times I have nearly passed out, just walking short distances. And now my doctor is starting me on some intense therapy that will take away the majority of my work hours anyway.

So I guess I just need to know where to get started. I know this is going to be incredibly hard because I'm young, and haven't been diagnosed for very long.

I'm terrified and so depressed at this point over all of this.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
-Liz

[armyofone0508]

don't sweat it. i'm pretty young, too (24), and i've was diagnosed in sep 07, but started really affecting work in jan 09. i was approved in april 09 after applying in feb 09. start by filling out the application and adult report online. then they'll give you a call and go from there.

[deb53]

Hey Liz,
I too struggled with the decision to apply for SSD. Getting approved is USUALLY quite a long process so go ahead and get started. Get all of your doctors names, addresses and phone numbers together, a list of all your meds with dosages and frequency. Think about all the side effects of your meds and how these side effects could keep you from working at a job. Have everything all together and then start your application online. You don't have to do it all in one sitting, you can save it and come back to it. It is a long application. After you send it online (save a copy for your records) the social security office will call and ask you for anything else they may need.
Remember this...just because you apply doesn't mean you are committed for the rest of your life. If they find a cure for fibro or find the right combo of drugs for you, you can stop SSD and go back to work. Sometimes it is only a temporary thing for people.
By all means go on and apply though. In my state the average length of time from applying to approval is ~ 15 months!!

Good luck!

Deb

[hessie28]

Gool luck with your claim. Your age will be a big part. So, please prepare yourself to wait. I'm 44 and just got approved after 2 1/2 years of appeals.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is keep going to your doctors on a regular basis so everything can be documented.

I filed online and then hand delievered all my related paperwork. My husband works near the SS office.

I can't think of anything else right now.

Good luck with your claim. Hope you feel better.

[Executor]

Originally Posted by Lizardwoman85

So I guess I just need to know where to get started. I know this is going to be incredibly hard because I'm young, and haven't been diagnosed for very long.

I'm terrified and so depressed at this point over all of this.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

What you're experiencing Liz is normal....We've all been through it....But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the disability process is like chopping down a big tree....You gotta start swinging the ax and chop slowly and eventually the big tree will fall. And when it does, it's a great feeling. But, like the others have said, it takes some time, especially for younger people.

The best place to start is with your Doctor(s). The more medical documentation you have, the better. And specifically, it's best if you have a Dr. firmly in your corner....One who will proactively help you / back you in your disability claim. This doesn't mean someone who will give you good office notes / paperwork, but rather, someone who will say on the record that you are disabled....Either write a letter, fill out a form saying so, and etc.

When you've got a Doc like this, then SS has to point blank try to rebut this person.....And Docs don't like to disagree with each other as it can present all sorts of problems for them. Conversely, the path of least resistance is for a Doc to agree with another Doc.

However, if one's application only has the office notes, general medical information, and your statements / assessments, then SS really doesn't have to disagree....They can say that based on the information you've provided, you aren't disabled. Needless to say, this is a much different situation than one who has a Doc or two firmly in their corner saying they are disabled and here's why....yadda, yadda, yadda.

So, the best place to start is to visit with whatever Doc you think is most likely to back you and have a heart to heart with him/her as to why you want to pursue this avenue and ask for their support. The sooner you get a Doc's support / help and the sooner you get all your paper work and etc turned in, then the sooner things can get started and so on.

Keep in mind that some Docs don't like to get involved with disability....Whether it's the time, the paperwork, putting themselves on the spot, or whatever.....Some will weasel out of supporting a patient. Oh, they'll say all the right things behind closed doors, but when it comes to filling out paperwork or writing a letter, they just won't go there. So, if this happens, don't get frustrated or take it personally....Try to find another Doc. If whatever Doc is treating you currently does agree to help, then all the better. A lot of Docs will help, but some won't, so I just wanted to let you know up front just in case.

Lastly, there are a ton of posts out there from me and others who know the system, and I'd be glad to direct you to them and help as much as possible. So, you'll probably come across what I'm about to say.....The biggest mistake applicants make in applying for disability is focusing on the "condition" rather than the "effects" of the condition. I won't go into detail here, but will send you to a post where I do:

Thread: "Does Having Fibromyalgia Qualify for SSDI?"

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=4092513#post4092513

Please let me know if I can help further. I'd be glad to assist in anyway that I can.

Best of luck to you! Stay strong!

Regards,

Ex