Too Much Soup And Sandwich (Venting -- Big Time)

[Guest guest]

Dear Lupie Members, I'm just so overwhelmed right now because either something's not going my way or it's just not fair that it's happening. I had a bad flare up October of last year. I went into the hospital because of it. I had lost a lot of weight because of the flare but I was feeling good about it because I've got a cute little figure. I'm staying with my parents and my mom was so concerned with me not eating that she would make me soup and sandwich every day for lunch. I was having a good ole time ... eating my soup and sandwich and having home cooked breakfasts and dinners. Not that I was eating a whole turn of stuff but I guess it's finally caught up to me. I went from 190lbs to 228lbs. It's amazing what can happen in months. I have stretch marks in places you wouldn't believe. Prednisone is no joke. There you see forever raiding the fridge. My little niece looks at me really funny when she sees me eat. I'll eat like I haven't eaten in days and it's sad. My grandmother has me on Weight Watchers now and this is so terribly hard for me. I'm holding water and it shows when they go to weigh me and they think that I'm not going by the regimen when I really am ... I'm just holding water. I don't think this Weight Watchers thing is going to work with me being on Prednisone. The other week I was weighing 228lbs then dropped down to 221lbs. All water weight. Then I went up to 224lbs. They think I'm just being a pig, but I'm not. I'm at my wits end and really don't know what to do. My grandmother tells me to stop eating so much. It's not like I'm eating a whole lot ... i don't know what it is. I'm just so depressed and what makes that so bad is that I'm on antidepressants for the depression. I just want to lose the weight and go back to my old self. On top of that I have these incredibly painful sores all over. They're in my hair, up my nose, in my ears. Behind my ears. * Sigh * Is there no end to this madness?! I filed for social security last September. They denied me last month. I got a letter from an attorney saying that they would take my case. My grandmother said that they usually don't take any cases until you've been denied two times. I don't know what to do. I have no insurance and am paying for meds and everything else out of pocket. Well, my family is paying for it all and I feel that they are getting sick of me. Well, they're too late because I'm already sick of me. Last month I was diagnosed with having a herniated disk. I'm glad that all this pain I have been experiencing has a name. Since I have no insurance I have to work out a payment plan with these people before they can give me the injection I need to help with the inflammation in my back. We have to discuss payment options before I can get treatment? That's crazy! I don't know what to do! Once again I ask, is there no end to all this madness?! -. ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

[Guest guest]

Dear Lupie Members,

I filed for social security last September. They denied me last

month. I got a letter from an attorney saying that they would take my

case. My grandmother said that they usually don't take any cases

until you've been

denied two times.

Hi ,

I don't usually post much because I am still in the learning process

and the information here is so wonderful. In regards to your social

security case, I live in Michigan and don't know what the Attorney

policies are in your state so I can be totally wrong with what I am

about to say, so don't accept it as etched in stone.

When I was turned down (only once) for social security, I contacted

an Attorney. I was told by him that if I had contacted one before

even filing, chances are I would have been approved initially. My

Attorney also informed me that he will not accept a case UNLESS he

has a reasonable assurance that you will WIN your case. If your case

has been taken you can believe that there is a good chance that you

will win. I was told that 80% of the cases are won on the first

appeal.

Also is there a state disability program where you live? if you are

not sure, or if there is go down to your local Family independance

agency (welfare office) and ask. You may apply and recieve a small

amount plus medicaid and food assistance as well. In some instances

they will deduct the total amount paid to you from your ss lump sum

if you are later approved but it is worth it. If there is no such

program then you may log on to this address and get help

http://www.themedicineprogram.com I run another group and have a

member who is affiliated with the Lupus Alliance. He gave me this

address for reference as well. http://www.helpingpatients.org

I am currently in the process of becoming a medication recipient

through the medicine program. My Dr.filled out the paperwork and I

have submitted everything. The pharmaceutical companies that carry my

medications will ship the meds to my Dr. every 3 months and he will

distribute my meds to me. Also PLEASE contact the Lupus Alliance.

They literally saved my life early on.

They gave me 8 sessions of free counseling with a liscensed

Psychologist who also has lupus, I recieved a free membership because

I couldn't afford to pay for it, I recieved a huge food box, t-shirt,

lupus pin, etc. etc. etc. I am now involved with my local support

group that is affiliated with the lupus alliance in deep

gratification of the help that I recieved. My job is to pass it on. I

also have a group because my mission and passion is to promote lupus

awareness in the African American community. I would never want

anyone to go through the devastation that I endured before being

diagnosed.

Good luck and I hope that I have helped you and others with my

information. qscholar