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Anyone talk to there Rheumy Dr. about vouching for disability

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 4/27/2012 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

sorry I've been absent for quite some time. My husband passed away a year ago in April sad   and it's been a long road so far. 

Just wondering if anyone has spoken to their dr about securing disability benefits due to their diagnosis with RA?  I've been dealing with RA and Fibro pain for over 2 years.  It was the reason I left my last 2 jobs.  The first of those jobs being my 25 year career as a hair stylist.  The second was an attempt to do more of a desk job at a landscaping company. I left both due to physical problems, pain and the inability to do my job. 

I'm at a loss as to what I can do.  If I have a good day and attempt to do more than usual to get things done I feel like crap for 2-3 days after.  How can I explain this to an employer and would anyone really hire someone who goes in to a job with contingencies.  The only formal training I have is hairstyling.  Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Peace & Blessings,

Debbie a.k.a. 1flwrchild :-)

Posted 4/27/2012 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry about the passing of your husband. My husband died not quite 6 years ago. The road of grief is long and I'm not sure it ever ends. It does get easy as one goes along.

I would ask your rheumatologist if they would support your claim if you file for Social Security Disability. That should give you an indication. Also, you don't need your doctor's permission to file. They will have to send in your medical records. They also might be asked to fill out a form indicating your physical limitations.

If you are over age 60 you qualify for Social Security benefits as a Widow. No need to prove disability. Also if you are disabled and over 50, you also qualify for Widow's benefits.
Posted 4/28/2012 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the information. I will talk to my dr on my next visit, which is coming up soon. It's embarassing for me, I know I shouldn't let it be but I've always worked and just find it frustrating that I'm limited now.
Thank you again.
Debbie
Posted 4/29/2012 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
 So sorry about the loss of your husband.  I cant imagine how hard that must be.

I am waiting for a hearing with an SS judge because i was denied in the first 2 parts of "the whole process"  Ive been told that

is very typical and that its rare to get it right off.   I havnt asked my rheumy to back me because although my internal medicine DR suspected  RA since 05

I like a dummy never went to the lab to get a blood test for it.  So my rheumy thinks im in the beginning phase of RA and minimises my symtoms and has told me things like you will be my easiest RA patient of the day. Even though i hobbled in on crutches because my ankles were in to much of a flare to put all my weight on them, and when i broke into tears about my inabillity to function like i used to and that i  feel like a burden to my new husband of 3 years....she told me... well we can check sjogrens off your list of possible side effects(Ive allready had a corneal tear due to the chronic dry eyes) I dont know how i was able to make the tears but i was devastated at her lack of feelings.  So ive not solicited her help in my case. Im just going to be honest with the judge and let him know how much i miss my work and would love to be back to doing it. but i just cant. and my records and my family will vouch for me as they have been my lifeline in all of this and that i was a very hard enthusiastic worker .  and if i dont get the help ive paid into for all these years..??? im going to never give them another dime.!!LOL (RIGHT)...   wouldnt that be sweet. If i am denied i really dont know what to do any repetitive work with my hands throws me into a terrible wrist flare. I was a massage therapist for 16 years and did factory work for 15 years prior to that. it would be great to be able to trade places with them for a month so they can see how it hurts..  Ok im done with my mini rant and i wish you the best and hope your DR. is very sympathetic to your case and that you get the help you need and deserve. take care.                    

 

Posted 5/2/2012 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have an appointment tomorrow with my rheumatologist and I'm going to see if he'll support my disability claim. I'm a little nervous, because my doctor always seemed to be oblivious to my pain when I tried to discuss it with him. I'm going to be firm, and find some way to make him see that I'm really suffering. I tried to find a new doctor, but none will take me without health insurance... mad He has to see me, because he's prescribed the Cimzia that I'm taking. I'm having a real hard time working, and I want to quit my job and try to get disability from PERS (public employees retirement system). I hate it when the doctors trivialize the pain. I guess they think we're just a bunch of cry babies who don't want to work. I'm very, very nervous about this appointment.
Posted 5/2/2012 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! I was wondering about that also. I just got diagnosed and am not in severe pain, but its getting bad. I hope it won't ever come to be that bad that I can't get to work, I have 2 young kids to care for, but if it does, will I be able to get disability. I would be interested to hear.
Posted 5/3/2012 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Flower.. I am so sorry to hear of your husband passing :( I have had RA since 06 and when I couldn't teach any longer, I eventually went back to school for lack of anything better to do with my time. After that, started volunteering and ended up with the job I now have currently. I know you mentioned that you have only been a hair stylist, have you considered going back to school? Trying something different? School helped me focus less on the RA and gave me an outlet. Like Krock said not being able to work, I only work a few days a week, but at least it is something and it gives me spending money...that and I would be insane sitting at home all day everyday! I hope you are able to get your RA and Fibro under control and not be in so much pain, for many of us that is an ongoing struggle! Often it is about the right meds, which can take a lot of trial and error!
Posted 5/4/2012 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
My visit to my Rheumy went great! He was very sympathetic and said he would be very supportive of a disability claim for my RA. My other doctor, my gastroenterologist also said that he would be supportive for my Ulcerative colitis. At least that is the first step for me...now I need to begin to get paperwork. Not sure whether I should quit my job before I start. Any suggestions?
Posted 5/4/2012 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
You need to make that decision for yourself but i do know if you are working then you are not disabled in there eyes.

the questions i received in the 1st 2 phases were like how much do you do around the house. do you need assistance opening things. can you bathe on your own....etc.    so if your working then im sure they will think you have a way to go befor your disabled.    but if you have the help of your DR. that helps.

Posted 5/6/2012 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a Cosmetology student. I went to school for about 8 months before the crap hit the fan and I've now been on medical leave for 4 months. I go back to school next week and I'm terrified. I have type 2 Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, severe vitamin D deficiency which is leeching the calcium from my bones and causing all over body aches and pains. Normal vitamin D levels are around 40, mine is 11.8. I'm having a bone scan done Monday to see how bad the damage is to my bones. I'm having blood work repeated to see if my inflammation number goes down, it was at 40 in March. My rheumy suspects Spondylitis and possibly a thyroid problem also. I can only stand for a certain amount of time before it hurts my lower back, right hip and left knee to the point where I have to sit and rest. If I can't hack being in school I'll have no choice but to quit and lose $12,000. I was on unemployment but my extension ran out a week ago so I now have no income. I really wish my Doctors would get on board with disability or even partial disability for me but they keep telling me I'm only 33 yrs old and that we'll eventually have all the answers to these medical problems I have and we'll get me on the right pills/injections to make me feel better. In the meantime I'm receiving Food Assistance from the state so my children and I can eat. I wish so many people weren't working the system so people who honestly need disability could get it easier. darn dishonest people.
Posted 5/6/2012 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
 

Yes, my Rheumy was the one who suggested to me about getting a disability pension, shortly after he dxd. me.  I thought he was nuts and I was in denial for about 4 or 5 years and had planned on going back to work after my last Child was in Gr. 2.  I thought RA was just a sore joint here and there like the older folks usually had that I had seen with Arthritis.  Boy was I wrong.  He knew what he was talking about.  He signed the forms no problem. 

I was refused 2 times by the first ladies at the Disability Department, mind you.  They said my Hubby made too much.  Dummies!  I took them by their word and gave up.  My hubby called the 3rd time for me and the nice lady who answered that time said "Yes, she definitely qualifies for a disability pension".

Don't give up and Good luck to you. 

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