had my SSDI doctor appointment today

[LizardKing]

and it went like I expected.
Unfortunately.
Indian doctor, was a sphincter JUST like the doctors back when I hurt my self and went through worker's comp,
all but accused me of being alcoholic or a drug addict because I have long hair, refused to believe I am a design engineer
for the same reason and repeatedly question my employment and qualifications.
I have worked in the Nuclear Weapons Complex. NASA, and most of the big defense companies who STILL call me
all the time for jobs because of my experience.

This is what I can't stand and I will NOT tolerate this sort of BS nicely in the slightest if it goes on.
I had two lifetimes of that during worker's comp and I think I will go for the head case thing at this rate.
This is why I have NOT been treated for FM for the 20 years I have had it.
Cuss one or two of these people out good and proper and tell them what -I- think of them should get me referred.

So, I have a question.
Has anyone with FM who got SSDI see doctors and get stuff added to their medical records AFTER applying?
I have been out of work for over TWO YEARS and was hoping to start working again this year but know I can't hack it.
It has been over a year since the major surgery and I ws supposed to me 100% after 6 months, when it became obvious I
was not even close to 100% I applied for SSDI.
Then started seeing a GP for FM based on a lawyer consult, who won't take my case until I am turned down at least once.
I need more paper work for the government trolls to approve my SSDI and it is seven months later and I don't have a rejection.
Seems that none of the rheumys in this area will treat FM.
About the only people that want to anyone with FM are the chiropractors and acupuncturists which SSDI might even view as a NEGATIVE.

I emailed the two main hospitals and one nat'l FM group stating my case and asking for help.
Not a single response yet.

Yeah, I am going to have to go for the mental health thing at this rate because I am beating my head bloody against a rock wall.....

[Lonesome George]

My rhuemy that syabbed me in the back, and the Indian SSDI doctor both said that I should undergo mental evaluation, which ot course, the woman SSDI sent me to said I was perfectly well adjusted and had no mental issues at all. (shows how good she was) 

She did lie and say I had no trouble walking and sitting down or getting up during our visit.  When I stood up to leave she was at the door to my right.  I couldn't stand straight and weaved around as I do after sitting a while. She saw this, turned quickly, stuck her arm out between me and the desk in case I fell forward, asked me if I needed help standing, moving, or getting to the car.  I told her let me be a minute and I would be able to walk, and by the time I was to the car I would be much better. All the way to the front door she was next to me to be sure I could make it.  Looking back I should have had her hold my arm back to the car and help me in. 

Don't trust any SSDI doctor.  But, if the SSDI doctor does find anything in your favor, then the reviewers ignors it.  The SSDI doc did say I had fibro, and under the rating the reviewers gives for the amount of weight for each doctors opinion, he was listed as "other", the least.  Same as my doc that filled out a lot of paperwork stating my disability. But, any doctor that seemed to lean torward me not being disabled was given "great" weight.

The odds of being approved before at least two turn downs and having a hearing are slim to none, and slim left town last week. If you have several doctors state you have a very fast acting terminal cancer you have a pretty good chance, but other than that, a long long fight.

[looneylane]

I am pretty sure we have all heard this song from one dr or another. Pretty sad

[LizardKing]

My rhuemy that syabbed me in the back, and the Indian SSDI doctor both said that I should undergo mental evaluation, which ot course, the woman SSDI sent me to said I was perfectly well adjusted and had no mental issues at all. (shows how good she was)  

She did lie and say I had no trouble walking and sitting down or getting up during our visit.  When I stood up to leave she was at the door to my right.  I couldn't stand straight and weaved around as I do after sitting a while. She saw this, turned quickly, stuck her arm out between me and the desk in case I fell forward, asked me if I needed help standing, moving, or getting to the car.  I told her let me be a minute and I would be able to walk, and by the time I was to the car I would be much better. All the way to the front door she was next to me to be sure I could make it.  Looking back I should have had her hold my arm back to the car and help me in.  

Don't trust any SSDI doctor.  But, if the SSDI doctor does find anything in your favor, then the reviewers ignors it.  The SSDI doc did say I had fibro, and under the rating the reviewers gives for the amount of weight for each doctors opinion, he was listed as "other", the least.  Same as my doc that filled out a lot of paperwork stating my disability. But, any doctor that seemed to lean torward me not being disabled was given "great" weight.

The odds of being approved before at least two turn downs and having a hearing are slim to none, and slim left town last week. If you have several doctors state you have a very fast acting terminal cancer you have a pretty good chance, but other than that, a long long fight.

Horrible story that  makes we want to don an eye patch, put a parrot on me shoulder, and gut some limeys.
I know two people who were approved first time, never any denials.
One for PTSD in his 30s, his wife for a knee replacement.
They both have a much higher quality of life than I EVER will have.

Soooo, what I am trying to get at, how can I GET what I need to get my SSDI.
How can I get all the doctor/rheumy/shrink reports NOW since I applied and am in process?
Must I get a lawyer and find one that will actually HELP me?
I expect a LOT of help for $6,000 of my meager SSDI awards.

PS - as soon as I have enough documentation I am going to get a politician on my side and I can be VERY persuasive.
Since I am not working I can manage to spend a few hours a day, EVERY DAY, working this thing like only someone who has
designed spacecraft, pulsed power nuclear accelerators, and complex electrical systems for semi-conductor mfg. machine systems can work it.
I really must get my SSDI, I literally have no other choice and everything to lose.
I spent ALL of my savings saving my life from cancer due to incompetents doctors (yes, plural) and now I am in no shape to work.

[foxgrove]

Crap... I hate that this isn't the first time I've seen this song and dance but it ticks me off same as it did the first time.  I don't like that doctor's style not one little bit.  That's stupidly judgmental at the very best and likely a whole lot closer to downright racist!!

I'll keep looking to see what I can find in the way of specialists (you know.. the actual smart ones) and keeping you in my prayers brother.  This fight isn't over by a long shot.  

[LizardKing]

Crap... I hate that this isn't the first time I've seen this song and dance but it ticks me off same as it did the first time.  I don't like that doctor's style not one little bit.  That's stupidly judgmental at the very best and likely a whole lot closer to downright racist!!

I'll keep looking to see what I can find in the way of specialists (you know.. the actual smart ones) and keeping you in my prayers brother.  This fight isn't over by a long shot.  

I am going to confront my doctor.
I hope I get a win or denial soon so I can stop worrying or be able to take it to a lawyer.
considering how my worker's comp lawyer did me, I will be asking a lot of questions to any lawyer I get.

1.) How many people with FM have you represented?
2.) How many of them have you won their SSDI for? (I will find a way to check that answer..)
3.) Will you be able to help me get to the doctors and other people I need to see to win my case?

Still no response to my emails to the two main hospitals here in Augusta, Ga.
That's just great copy for my "I be a poor, sick man and nobodies wants to help me!" sob story I may have to peddle.
I have a few doctors who should be penalized for missing my cancer in one of the hospitals.
How much is a bladder, a prostate, and years out of work for someone who makes over $150k/year plus pain & suffering worth?
Next week I will be looking for phone numbers of people to call at the hospitals to ask for help, then I will go in person the following week.
Documenting it the whole way....

Since I am already dealing with people who are stretching the truth to support their view I will do the same,
though I doubt I will stretch it as far or as liberally.
I really don't need to....

[Lonesome George]

I had almost 2 inches of paperwork and documents, called SS several times, kept sending in extra reports every time I went to the doc, ect.  Getting disability has really gotten hard within the past 5 years.

My old doc (now retired) was at a doc's confrence when he met a SS claims agent.  They got to talking about how people were approved. She told him she had a very heavy load of cases every week, and that she was told by her boss to flat out to deny 75% of cases every week, no matter what the diagnosis.  When my doc asked how she determined who passed, and were people who should get disability turned down, she said they rushed through the casesbecause of the load, did what they could, and definitely a lot of people were turned down that shouldn't be.  She had to stay at 25% or less approval to keep her job.

It's the luck of the draw.  I have a well connected friend who is an ex-state senator and his friend, who is the leading disability attorney on my case, and even they are not able to speed things up. I'm hoping for their connections to help when I do get my hearing.  I can not afford another appeal or I may be living on the street.  I have spent all my savings also.

[LizardKing]

My old doc (now retired) was at a doc's confrence when he met a SS claims agent.  They got to talking about how people were approved. She told him she had a very heavy load of cases every week, and that she was told by her boss to flat out to deny 75% of cases every week, no matter what the diagnosis.  When my doc asked how she determined who passed, and were people who should get disability turned down, she said they rushed through the casesbecause of the load, did what they could, and definitely a lot of people were turned down that shouldn't be.  She had to stay at 25% or less approval to keep her job.

This is a problem.
Did you have any choice about paying into SS?
They TOOK this money out of every paycheck I ever earned.
If you add the total, it is 15% of your income.
This is not an entitlement, the government is not giving you money.
I WILL GET MY MONEY.
It is up to them how far I will have to go to do so....

[foxgrove]

Sadly, there isn't much that can currently be done about the way that SSDI adjudicates their cases.  Yes, in the first cuts, they basically deny cases simply on the fact that they were submitted and ended up in the big pile instead of the short pile.  The second cut isn't much better.  The first point at which people really have a chance past pure luck is on the third go.  At that point you actually have the opportunity to present your case to a person.

The point of it is that it's a waiting game.  It's a horrible soul sucking time wasting costly wait but for those to whom it's due, I can think of no greater tragedy than not seeing it through.  Hang in there guys.  It's due you... the odds are on you if you stick it out.  Your cases are something I pray about daily, hoping to see them come through quickly and with an approval.  Just keep moving forward... of course, being a squeaky wheel doesn't hurt.  At least they know you're out there waiting. 

[ronr]

I'm worried about this long period with no response, even a denial.  Contact your congressman and/or senator.  They can at least track the movement of paperwork.  I fear they may come back with a story of having lost the paperwork so you would have to refile.  That of course then gives you a new start date on the claim saving them money even if it is approved right away.

Yes you can add to the diagnosis and documentation after filing.  Get a chiro or acupuncturist involved if you must.  The more the merrier if they are on your side.

It does not matter what you get approved for so long as you are approved.  Depression is always a given in long term pain cases and just adds to the pile of diagnosis.  Get friends family involved with the paperwork because they can see depression and other things that should be included in your claim.  We get used to just dealing with daily tasks by compensating.  Others can see you struggling but dealing with these daily issues and can comment how they see you compensating.

Read this post and go to the Disinissues website.  They are current and ex agents for the SS and can give you some very good advice.
http://menwithfibro.com/community/index.php?topic=3259.0

[foxgrove]

Yeah.. come to think of it, seven months is long even for the Canadian system.  If anyone knows, what is the normal length of time you wait for a response from SSDI in the States?

[Robby]

Yeah.. come to think of it, seven months is long even for the Canadian system.  If anyone knows, what is the normal length of time you wait for a response from SSDI in the States?

36 to 48 months, if your lucky.

[looneylane]

That is nuts when you are already struggling just to live!

[Robby]

That is nuts when you are already struggling just to live!

Yea while I was waiting we almost lost everything, we managed to hold on to a few things AND eat and have electricity, only because my Mom gave us a lot of money. We still lost our house that we had struggled for so long just to buy, and then hold on to for that three years. I actually got my check started before we lost the house, but after the repairs we had to make because of Hurricane Katrina, there wasn't much left, and we still lost it, after spending all that money. The insurance paid  for a lot of it, but like the roof was 20 years old so they only paid $250 of the $2300 it cost to replace. A few other things that the  insurance only paid part of the cost on. House insurance is almost as bad as health insurance at sticking it to you in a way that isn't pleasant.

[foxgrove]

That's terrible brother.  I hate so much all that this disease takes from us.