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Only 10% of people with fibro are on Disability??

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Posted 7/23/2009 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! I recently went to my rheumy and talked to him about going on disability. I have been going to him for a couple of years now and I am about at my wits end. I am having such terrible pain and still trying to work part-time. I have come to the point where I just don't think I can do it anymore. I am in so much pain and cry all the way home after work. Sometimes I have to go to the restroom and cry at work because the pain is so bad. He told me only around 10 percent of people with fibro are on disability and that if I go on disability I will just get worse. I know inactivity makes it worse, but what do you do when you just can't work anymore? How do I get help? I have worked my whole life. I have been at the job I work at now for the last 20 years. It's not that I don't want to work, but just don't think I can anymore. Help!
Posted 7/23/2009 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder where he got that number from? I don't know what the percentage is, but I'll bet it's higher than that. I may be wrong, though.

I am in the process of trying to get disability for my fibro, bad shoulder, depression and anxiety. I just met my lawyer yesterday. I did not have an attorney when I first started this process, and I was denied right away. But I'm not giving up as the lawyer said my case deserves a hearing.

I know I can't work anymore either. I have much fatigue, pain, and lack of cognition (among other things). I would suggest that you get an attorney right off. They don't charge unless they win your case. My lawyer only handles disability cases, so he is an expert at what he does.

I hope you can get the help you need. I haven't worked in 2yrs, but just started the disability process 2 months ago. Don't wait so long like I did if this is what you want to do. And don't feel guilty! That was a hurdle I had to get over.
Posted 7/23/2009 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with your doctor about going on disability. I am always much worse on my days off and vacation.

Another arguement is this: stress aggrivates FM and money (lack of it) is one of the most common sources of stress. Going on disability will greatly decrease your cash flow creating a financial burden....makiing yyou stress more...making fibro worse....

What kind of work do you do?

Find a job that can tolerate your fibro.....secretary, receptionist, hostess, anything so that you are still active, still relevant, and still bringing in money.

Posted 7/23/2009 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not on disablility but should have started the paper work in Jan and still haven't, it's something I dread taking on but I have to. I talked to my doc in Jan about it and he agreed that there is no way I could work with all my problems. Applying for disability isn't going to make me feel any better or any worse. We know our bodies better than anyone else but your doctors have to agree that you are disabled in order for you to get it.

 

Once again if we only had magic powers to let these docs feel what we feel on a daily bases. devil

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 7/23/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Also....I did not get worse when I quit working. I actually was finally taking care of myself, and my stress level improved. Only you know if you can't work anymore. My doctor encouraged me to quit working. He was looking after me and listening to me. I was sorry when I had to move away from him this year.

Listen to your heart.
Posted 7/23/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm currently in the process of applying for disability. I got rejected for it once before and that was actually before I got my fibro diagnosis. Now that I have my diagnosis the social security office seems to be taking it more seriously and they actually sent me extra paperwork to fill out to further describe my disabilities which they never did the first time I applied. When I got that paperwork I described my symptoms as if the worst case scenario is what I actually experience everyday and I really hope that it will be enough to get me approved. If I do get rejected, I will get myself a lawyer and fight it this time.

I am working now, but only 8 hours a week and even the 8 hours feels like it's too much so I really do need disability for extra income. So wish me luck and I wish you the best of luck as well if you decide to file for disability.
Posted 7/23/2009 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Waterbaby, from your signature I see that you have a lot more wrong with you than only fibromyalgia.  That would all count in your favor.  I am on disability but, as you can see from my signature, I have a lot more going on, too.  If you decide to try for disability, have all of your doctors send all of your health records to be reviewed.  Plus, if you are close to retirement you can probably get it.  I'm drawing on social security early.  There is a penalty, though.

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/23/2009 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
When you go on disability you will have more time to care for yourself, which is what you need. You will be able to exercise more often, prepare healthy meals and relax. If your job was stressful you can learn to pace yourself and have a lot less pain.

Your doctor's 10% analysis is based upon fiction, not fact. However, usually multiple diagnosis will enable you to get social security. I agree that all of your doctors should fill out your medical forms.

Donnaeil
Posted 7/23/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
The only real person who knows whether you can work or not is you. And saying that working will help..well maybe for some people but not at all for all of them. Pain is pain and we all have varying degrees...if you've worked 20 years at that job then you surely should know if you can do it or not. Leaving the workplace does not mean stopping all exercise by any means.

Also, I agree 100% with Marlee. When others cant comprehend my pain...especailly my husband...I tell him I just HOPE you feel what I'm feeling right now at some point in your life so you can understand. He stops and thinks on that one as if I'd cursed him. And in truth...I really dont wish this on anyone.
Posted 7/25/2009 8:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Waterbaby, My last day to work is the 31st and I will be sending in the paper work for disability, I have 3 doctors that have told me enough. I do not feel like Im going to have that much of a problem getting SSDI, I found out through this web site that you must have all your T's crossed and all your I's dotted and the strong support of your doctor. and it doesnt hurt to have the support of your employer because SS will check with them also. I'm a man 60 years old with fibro and depression and Osteoarthritis and It Is No Fun At All.

It is true that the people at the SSDI office would like to see something in the blood or in an x-ray but they can't with fibro, so it brings up the big (?) so make sure you have the support of everyone befor you apply. smilewinkgrin Ed

Posted 7/25/2009 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone ! IT"S Saurday !!!!!!!!!!!
Ed
Posted 7/25/2009 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
hi,
I was off for six weeks until earlier this month and i nearly cracked up at home. I can go on dissability but the doctor is reluctant to sign the forms. I'm 32 and live in the irish countryside, family and friends are a drive away. There were days when i went without seeing anyone till my husband came home, and sometimes that wasn't till latre at night.
Dissability wouldn't work for ME just yet, but i'm not at the point of crying in the rest room. I've cried in the car, while swimming and on my bike alright....looking really sane i'm sure!

I can only work as i went back on a 4 day week of 6 hours each day. I can only maintain this by eating well, avoiding as much stress as possible, not babysitting much (my nephews) and just really taking care of myself.

I have a really understanding boss tho, i can take a break if there'e enough staff and i don't do any heavy lifting, shelf stacking or cleaning anymore. I work in a chemist and get a 25% discount on my meds and vits.

If you don't want to give up just yet could you reduce your hours or make some difference in the job. Being there 20 years, they might be very acommodating.

But as above, it's your body and you know you're limits, if it's that ahrd you can't stay working.

I hope it all works out for you.
Boo
Posted 7/25/2009 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am on disability and have gotten worse since I stopped working, but I feel that is from the fibro and not from not having a job any longer. I also have major clinical depression.

I got my disability the first time I applied and I did it without a lawyer, but I enlisted the help of my daughter because my brain function has decreased quite a bit. I was very specific in answering the questions and found myself repeating a lot of information the way the questions were posed. But.....if that's what they want, then so be it. I quantified every answer and I think that helped. They also sent me to their physicians for an evaluation and both people supported my claim I do believe.

I suggest you get started with the paperwork though, as it takes a while to go through. I got my disability in six months, however, which is not bad compared to others I am told.

Good luck and may God bless you.

Lindaloo
Posted 7/26/2009 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
HI ALL.

I will keep busy I plan on makeing a day planner and follow it everyday I took one day and just laid around the next day I was a mess. cry I hope you all had a good weekend please email me at my email and I will tell you how my SSD paperwork is going.

Ed

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