RE: disability questions--need some help please

[Guest guest]

Dear Deborah, I can't help you with disability since I've put off crossing

that road yet. I know I would probably qualify but I'm still an active

partner of our business and I have no idea how all that would effect that

situation. I should probably find out instead of just ignoring the problem.

Anyway, on the handicap sticker. My daughter has fibromyalgia and she

simply asked our family doctor for a parking sticker and he gave her a

permanent one without batting an eye. She needed to park close at her

college because otherwise by the time she made the long trip from the

regular parking lot, she was in too much pain to sit though class.

When my PA got worse, I realized I needed help as well. Plus it was so much

easier on my family member who was driving at the time. If they simply

dropped me off at the door and went on for regular parking, they worried

about my falling before they got back to me. So I asked my family doctor

and I had no problem at all. Since doctors are so big on exercise, I would

let you doctor know that you can walk the mall if you don't have to park so

far away. Besides exercising by walking in a cool mall is so much nicer

than dealing with the heat of a parking lot. Also if you are like me at

all, when I do get out, I tend to over do it. So by the time I head back to

the car, I'm lucky to not be crawling there since I'm normally so fatigued

and in so much pain. (I finally did just break down and bought a

wheelchair, which was a big step for me. (Again my family doctor wrote me a

prescription without any hesitation.) I felt like at the time a wheelchair

was almost like I was giving up, but I realized I can still get better, but

I need the help now. It's silly not to use things that are available to us

just because of pride and I just had to get over it. For some reason, I've

found that family doctors are more willing to help you with parking

stickers. Again it might be that rheumatologists simply don't want to take

the time,

(My daughter had one of her rheumatologists, who she no longer sees, tell

her no on the parking sticker because he didn't want to " label " her

handicapped. She told him that not graduating from college was worse than

any label he could put on her, so she left him for another doctor. For only

being 21 she is learning young to stick up for herself and to fight for her

rights. So don't give up if one doctor tells you no.)

Good luck with everything Deb and let me know how it turns out. I think

you'll find once you get the parking sticker, you'll wonder why you went so

long without it. I know I did. Take care, Fran

[ ] disability questions--need some help please

Hello all,

I have a couple of questions about disability. To those who are

presently applying or receiving disability did you make this

decission or did your Dr.? Did you or your Dr. decide that you

needed a handicap parking sticker. My husband feels I need to be on

disability. My kids think I need a parking sticker. They are

probably both right. I have been making a lot of mistakes at work

lately and feel like I am in a fog most of the time. I do clerical

work so my hands, wrist, and fingers bother me alot. I have

difficulty walking any distance. My back is really painful and I

worry about falling a lot. I seem to be unstable at times. I do not

use any aids for walking but I do find that I am able to shop longer

when using a shopping cart to walk with. I have a wonderful rhemy

who I trust completely. I have mentioned these problems to him but

he does not ackowledge it. I am presently taking Enbrel, 10mg

methotrexate, elavil, folic acid, prozac, and fosamax. I suffer

from a lot of fatique. My last sed rate was 50 and my crp was 10.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks for your help - Deb

[Editor's Note: Deb, a few comments: The cognitive dissonance you are

experiencing regarding applying for disability is quite understandable. I am

currently beginning the process, and have many similar thoughts; I'm sure

the majority of applicants' experience contains similar elements.

Your doctor should be a contributor to the decision. I understand that you

" trust him completely " , and that's just great, but what's up with this " he

does not acknowledge it? " Some docs don't want to get involved; if he's

going to be more a hindrance than a help, ask him to recommend a doc who CAN

be of service to you in this matter, and go see her or him. Also: Go to the

website on the internet (type social security disability in your browser and

go from there), and review the paperwork and the links. After doing that,

you'll have a better idea what you want to do. (There are many helpful

screening devices at the website.) Also: It may be best for you to talk to

an attorney who specializes in disability. These things are a good start.

Let's see what the membership has to say.

D.]

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

When I knew I needed a handicapped sticker more than I needed foolish pride, I

simply downloaded a form from my local issuing agency (in my case, the NYC Dept

of Transportation) and brought it to my rheumy. He filled it out, I sent it to

the DOT and within a week they sent a handicapped pass that is good for the next

4 years. The DOT will automatically send me a renewal form about 3 months

before this one expires. Why not get one - you don't have to hang it from the

mirror if there are days where you're feeling well enough not to use it, but I

can tell you that it has made a real difference to me. Now I park near a store

and then get in one of the handicapped electric scooters that many large stores

have available. Instead of dreading shopping, I have come to enjoy it (almost)

because although it burns up cash, it doesn't burn up energy.

Wishing you wellness,

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

I got a temporary handicapped sticker when I had knee surgery 2 years ago.

Right after that all my joints started flaring and that is when I got the PA

diagnosis. After that I realized having the temporary was great since I was

in a great deal of pain and anything that could save my walking would help.

I got a permanent form from the DOT and my rheumy filled it out . As for

applying for disability, I kept saying I was going to go back to work after

the surgery and could never make it back due to pain and fatigue. My husband

was also nagging about money so I decided to apply for the disability.

Never did I imagine I would get it as fast as I did. I have many other

problems and I think that added to the P and the PA. I had a foot of my colon

taken out from diverticulitis and several other abdominal surgeries.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

You would make the decision. Your doctor should back you up.

Go for it.

Take care.