Should I register as disabled ???

Holly1982

New Member

Joined : Apr 2012

Posts : 4

Posted 4/30/2012 6:31 AM (GMT 0)

Hi i am wondering if i should register disabled

I have had a facet joint condition for over 5 years under pain management with pain clinic and a large handful of drugs to help . Although the Doc recently changed the drugs causing me to take time of work asi am in agony now ...groan . I am nearly 30 years old and suffer with chronic back pain that climbs up my back as the muscles go into spasm causing pain in breathing and not sciatica going right own to my ankle ....yay!!!

My partner has to do all cleaning and cooking which I feel so guilty for . I am always tired as the drugs make me sleepy ! It hurts the sciatica to drive and I fall asleep at the wheel having to pull over and sleep ... Nightmare when you need to drive to work . At work they know about my condition it make no help . I struggle to stand for long or sit this is difficult ! I am so tired at work and struggle with the workload as I need to sleep when I get home and the pain is all consuming

Should I apply or disability ?

I finally had to face this is a lifelong problem that will need pain managements and had to accept the limitations

straydog

Forum Moderator

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 19850

Posted 4/30/2012 7:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Holly and welcome to the chronic pain forum. I am sorry to read that you are having such a difficult time and having so much pain. Hopefully since the dr has changed your medication it will kick in soon and give you the relief you need. How long has it been since the dr changed your meds up? A lot of times when our meds are changed we need to give it a little bit of time for things to smooth out.

As far as filing for disability none of us here can really say one way or the other if you should apply for SSD. You will need yo have medical documentation from your drs stating that you are disabled from working and will be off of work at least one year if not permanently. Your drs have to be in agreement this is what you need to do. Also, you have to pay in so many quarters to be eligible for SSD, which amounts to I believe working 10 consecutive years. If SSD agrees you will be off work a year or more and decide to award benefits without a hearing they will start paying after you have been off of work 6 months.

It can be a long lengthy process before ever being awarded benefits, some people have had to wait up to two years to get a hearing before one of the ALJ. Most cases are denied in the very beginning and then its best to hire an atty to assist you on the claim. Usually an atty will not get involved until you have been turned down the first time. Another thing SSD looks at in individuals is their age and if the person can be retrained into another line of work that will fit with their limitations. Filing for SSD because of how medication makes a person feel is not going to get the claim awarded, they will say wait and take the medication when you get home from work, seriously. I am not trying to discourage you from filing, but you need to know up front what you are up against and one of the key issues for most of us is being without an income for two years or longer. I suggest that you go to their website and read up about what all needs to be done, I believe their website is SSA.gov. If this is incorrect you can look in CP101 at the top of this page and locate their website there.

Anyway, I wanted to pop on and tell you hello and welcome aboard and share some of the things I know from dealing with SSD. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.....Susie

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply