Re: living in pain & Social Security

[Guest guest]

Rick wrote:

>

> Tim,>

> Have you applied for Social Security Disability,

TIM & RICK,

I was able to get approved first time around with NO PROBLEMS and it

was because I was so anal retentive about providing EVERYTHING they

asked for by going to the website printing off all the disability

criteria for the conditions I have, functional assessment, letters from co

workers, neighbors, my son, and even a special education student I tutored (he

wanted to do something to help me). When they say you don't really have to

provide some things, don't believe them

I typed a chronological format of my disease process, a copy of my job

descriptions and the duties I can no longer do based on the job

description of what I was trained and others so that they realized the changes

and had no doubt in their mind.

I also took the mental health section and faced it honestly bearing my soul,

stating yes, I feel worthless, have thoughts that I am better off dead than

alive, that I am a financial, emotional burden to my family and with my

disability feel I have no purpose in life. I also admitted that I have thought

I am worth more financially dead than alive as if I were dead, I could give that

money so my son wouldn't have student loans and disabled I cannot provide the

financial support I was able to before !

I am being honest here, I would have never believed I could have those thoughts

but I have worked two and three jobs at a time since I was fifteen. I just

think I wore out : )

I filled out a sample financial worth statement and gave a copy of our household

and college expenses we are paying. I listed every doctor, medical facility,

person, with complete addresses, phone numbers and Fax numbers.

I DID bring my OWN MRI's, CT's, and Myelograms to the Social Security

doctors who saw me because I know when a doctor holds up that x-ray

sees the eight inch long screws, two rods, and instrumentation in my

back, there is NO question of why I hurt.

It is a visual pain level validation technique because I cannot moan

effectively. Some providers do not know how to recognize pain by using how the

eyes look and why my blood pressure would be 178/105 because it is not regular

hypertension. It is hypertension caused by pain. When I receive a Demerol

shot, my blood pressure automatically goes down to 120/72 thus proving it is not

an organic problem.

So, I was very lucky I did that and it was very tedious collecting the

information and I was surprised when I was approved and my payments started six

months from the date I filed !

I asked the Social Security representative if that is why and she said Yes. She

said people that are denied are usually the ones who do not fill out the

complete information or take the time to fully consider their limitations and

avoid using the mental health criteria because they attach a stigma of weakness

if they have to admit they are also having mental health problems.

She also said that true disabilities usually have some mental health

components. Just think about it, do pain patients usually have the 100 % I am

feeling great attitude we had before chronic pain, No.

So there is merit in following instructions and I am glad I added

information, they can always give it back to you if they don't need it but they

can not help submit things they do not have. Hope I helped.

Wow, i can relate to don't ever say it can't be worse. I was really

feeling good recouping from my three level spinal fusion with

instrumentation.

I was going to physical therapy for the deep cramps you get as your

trunk adjusts to the position your body is being held, not stooped over anymore.

I am not any model type beauty (once but nevermore, said the raven) and had

accepted the level of capability feeling confident about the

decision I made. I had two and three second opinions and if it made me

functional for ten more years, I had accepted that and it was nice

having no numbness.

I climb into the Buick Roadmaster (the tank) my Dad gave me after my

Mom had just died. He wanted to compensate me for the six hour drives I had made

every Tues thru Thursday I made to relieve the 24 hour nurse while I was working

as full time as I could in my teaching internship on my second Masters Degree

and this jerk with no insurance pulls out in front of me and sets me back for

life. What did he get ? A three hundred dollar fine for no insurance, a

repairable car, and no injuries. What did I get ? A sacral iliac injury I will

have for life, a totaled car that had the hood almost sitting in my lap, a 26

year Air Force Reserve Career stopped (I wanted thirty) and a very real reminder

that, Yes things can be worse !

You will hear these stories repeated over and over. I am sorry this is long but

I felt compelled to add mine. I also found this group about that time and thank

you very much for uplifting these years. I will never forget the personal

e-malls Jen Ziegler (sp) sent me. I hope she reads this and hope she is OK.

We never know what kind words we share will effect someone lives. I

number is endless and my mind is mentally clicking off e-mail

addresses, , the goat lady (Ms Eddy ?), the moderators, all of

them and so many others. I was so surprised when I got the compliment I did the

other day from Sjourenger and thought we can make a difference. Corny but true.

Thanks all Bennie

[Guest guest]

I recently applied for social security and got my letter from them today saying

that I was denied. I thought I had answered the questions thoroughly enough but

I guess I didn't.

I also have a man who was recommended by my LTD. He said that I probably

wouldn't be approved the first time, so I hope I will be hearing from him in the

next couple of days.

It still is so discouraging though. After receiving my denial letter today, I

feel so down in the dumps. How am I expected to return to nursing if I am in so

much pain everyday that I have to take as much pain medication as I do?

Donna

[Guest guest]

>Donna said:

>It still is so discouraging though. After receiving my denial letter today, I

feel so down in the dumps. How am I expected to return to nursing if I am in so

much pain everyday that I have to take as much pain medication as I do? 

Hi Donna,

I can understand somewhat.  I had to leave my nursing career May 18, 2007,

because of a hip injury that didn't get better after 2 surgeries.  My LTD pays

me every month, and my surgeon agrees that I am most likely indefinitely

disabled. 

I was also denied after the first SSD application and my med list included oxy,

prednisone, neurontin, all the meds you're familiar with. 

I'm waiting to see if my second application is accepted, but I wonder if the

people who apply on my behalf are as thorough as I would be if I applied on my

own?  When I had my phone conversation with them to fill out the SSD form, they

kept cutting me off when I described my pain and limitations, saying they ran

out of room on the form. 

I wonder if I'd be more successful filling it out myself, especially since I'm a

nurse and know how to word things. 

Whether we're accepted by SSD or not, at least our LTD insurers have to pay us! 

Good for you for having LTD insurance!

Janie

    

           

[Guest guest]

To those of you battling Social Security

I applied on my own, online.  Told them like it was.  I didn't run out of room

to put anything in there that I wanted in there, got a phone interview not long

after.  I was approved the first time, just waiting for my Medicare to kick in

November 1.

Good luck

Vicky

[Guest guest]

MODERATOR'S NOTE: Vicki, I don't think Donna was suggesting that she wanted to

go back to work AFTER getting disability. She was saying that she CAN'T go back

to work, and therefore qualifies for disability, but obviously the government

didn't agree.

Hi Donna

I am another RN who had to leave her career because of a herniated cercical disc

and chronic pain. Apparently I have DDD all up and down my spine now and have 7

bulging discs - all of the Lumbar and Sacral1.

Even if you got disability, you can't go back to nursing. I couldnt. I tried.

Social security would only allow you to make just so much money and if they

found out you were back to nursing will cut you off faster than you can say

Medicare. I want to go back so bad, but if I do, I am putting myself, and

whoever I take care of in risk.

Then, if you are injured if you go back to work, and they found out that you had

been on SS and they could have prevented the accident by not hiring you you are

SOL - and pray the family doesnt find out. I am a liability working as a

nurse,same as Janie is.

I know this isnt what you want to hear, sweetheart, but this is our reality now.

I had to go through my mourning period because not only did I lose my beloved

career I worked so hard for, I lost my husband, my self worth, and a change to

my life I would have never thought was coming.

I tell you this,because I am hoping that you get some help dealing with this.

It does change your life. And I am so sorry that it happened. It always does to

the best nurses cos we are the ones who care enough to help pick folks back up

off the floor.

May God sustain you during this rough time in your life. You will come through

it. That is what this group is for. Find something to do. I took up my cross

stitch and knitting again, and knit for charity. If I cant be a part of the

medical community one way, there is always a side door. Love and blessings from

a fellow RN(ret) Vicki in Texas

Janie Farrens wrote: >Donna said:

>It still is so discouraging though. After receiving my denial letter today, I

feel so down in the dumps. How am I expected to return to nursing if I am in so

much pain everyday that I have to take as much pain medication as I do?

[Guest guest]

I ended up on n SSI because of the work credit thing and it is just cruel

that they can take that much money way from you. My disability payment is

much lower than it would have been and I an exactly as sick now as I was the

first time I applied 10 years ago. Yes, it took 10 years for them to get me

on.

" Sweet Goat Mama "

Carolyn Eddy

www.goattracksmagazine.com

[Guest guest]

All,

I was in the same boat and I don't know why some get disability the

first time and some do not. I just shared what I did and it worked. I

think the main thing is as others have said is to not leave anything

out. Even if they say don't bring records, x-rays etc, to the social

security doctor, I did.

She looked at them and was grateful for having them to make the

determination. The minute she looked at my hardware, she said, I don't

need any more information, Thank You and I will get this report in for

you.

I had to go to a social security designated psychiatrist because I was

honest on the report and said there were times I felt better off dead

than alive. I have also thought, Wouldn't it be nice to go to sleep and

not wake up. I let him know I had those thoughts. Of course they ask

you if you have a plan and if you would kill yourself how would you do

it. I told him that I have thought of that and I don't like hurting so

I would probably take a lot of pills and just go off to sleep but it

would be my luck, it wouldn't work and I would be a vegetable.

Now, having been in the Nursing and medical field for years, I know

what they want. They want to know what ADL's, every day activities I

could no longer do. This means you have to be honest as others have

said. If you have trouble with toileting, sex relationships, personal

relationships, and others, tell them.

I don't know about others but my life has NEVER been the same. I took

my job description and went through every task listed and justified why

I couldn't do it anymore. I also got letters from co-workers,

neighbors, family, church, and others that have seen me change and what

I am unable to do.

These are things that I did and I also made sure that every time I saw

the doctor they knew this also. I keep a pain diary and have to

document everything so it is easy for me. My medical records had

entries where I said the things listed above. I copied and pasted the

following statement I found on a internet site called disability

secrets.com so it is pretty simple, you just need to make sure you

leave nothing out.

What determines whether or not you will qualify for disability? The

process is fairly simple. If a claimant's medical records indicate that

they are not capable of doing their past work or any other type of work

(after considering, of course, their age, education, work skills, and

the level of their physical and mental restrictions), they will qualify

for disability and be put on benefit receipt status (ie they will be

approved for disability). If, however, a review of their records shows

that they are capable of returning to their past or some type of

suitable other work, they will not qualify for disability and their

claim will be denied.

Obviously, having strong medical records is a key component to winning

a social security disability or ssi disability claim.

I hope that you can go through your original claim and make sure that

you list the things you forgot the first time. I will be hoping it

becomes approved the next time. Good Luck Bennie

[Guest guest]

>

> I'm waiting to see if my second application is accepted, but I wonder

> if the people who apply on my behalf are as thorough as I would be if

> I applied on my own? 

Janie,

I went down to the SSI office and was interviewed there ! They

requested my medical records and I sent in the statements from friends,

co-workers, neighbors etc. I went to the SSI official site and made

sure I included every thing on the checklist form and the other things

that they said you could send but you did not have to.

When I got the notice to go to the social security doctors they

designated for additional information, they said I did not have to

bring any medical documentation. I did. I made sure I had copies of

my MRI reports, my job description and I had typed up a physical

assessment summary as if I was a patient letting them know what

activities I could no longer do.

So the answer partially is yes, use you Nursing background as if you

were assessing a person and their ability to perform ADL's as the

Social Security Department uses the the criteria listed on their site,

just go to the site and make sure you address everything they list.

Your long term insurance will deduct the social security amount out of

your check ! But the Social Security does not deduct the Long term

disability insurance.

If you qualify for long term disability with the private company, you

should with SSI, bring that up to them as they told me the same

criteria is used.

My long term disability company MADE me file for SSI before they would

pay me my LTD along with reporting any other additional income I might

be receiving so just know this.

Good Luck Bennie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bennie,

Thanks for your input.  Thank goodness, I've been receiving long-term disability

checks since January 2008.  So like you said, the social security would just be

taken out of my existing monthly payment. 

The long-term disability insurance company hires an outside company whose job it

is to get people like me onto social security disability.  This outside company

has their own protocols as to how they have to fill out all the social security

forms.  I try to be descriptive about my limitations, but I think they just

don't allow for enough descriptions. 

On another note, I went to a party last Saturday for the nursing unit I used to

work on.  It was the first time I've seen most of my old co-workers for over a

year.  It was good to see them, but hard to be reminded of what I've lost.  I

know you all can understand. 

My old co-workers know that I've had two hip surgeries since I left, but last

winter I was also diagnosed with a blood-clotting condition called

cryoglobulinemia.  This summer, it seems I've come down with some sort of

autonomic nervous system disorder that causes whole body neuropathy and sluggish

venous return in my feet.  I still look really normal, though, and they were all

wondering when I was coming back so I tried to be as brief as possible in

describing my problems.  Most of the time I just said, " Let's just catch up on

what's going on with you! "

Hope you and everyone have a restful sleep,

Janie

[Guest guest]

Yeah, because you know is in charge of deciding, both workers comp and

disability - other RNs. I never felt so betrayed in my life as the RN kept

turning me down. Also another handy tip - did you know that your chart is

YOURS, and you can see it or have copies sent to you. That way you know what

THEY are looking at. Good thing I did because my first doc wasnt sending the

whole chart!! I will be happy to share my experience..maybe it will help you.

Vicki

Janie Farrens wrote:

>

> I'm waiting to see if my second application is accepted, but I wonder

> if the people who apply on my behalf are as thorough as I would be if

> I applied on my own?