Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability and finding a doctor that will support me

I found out I had Fibromyalgia approx 4 years ago.  I did not believe it but it has been confirmed by 3 different Rheumatologists.  I have been to 5 different Rheumatolgists.   I was denied for Social Security Disability.  But I am applying again.  I definitely cannot work and I feel that I should get disability.  The Rheumatologist that I am seeing now however told me that she can heal me and does not think I need disability.  But she has put me on much better medicines than all the other Rheumatologists that I saw.  I really do not know what to do.  I have more diagnoses than just Fibro, like Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, IBS, 4 herniated discs in my back, Osteopenia, the list goes on and on.  This Rheumatologist told me that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis too (even though my blood tests do not show it).  I am presently taking Planquenil, Lyrica, Prednisone, Lortab, Tramadol (Ultram), Skelexan, Multivitamin, low dose aspirin a day, Celexa, Zyprexa, Klonopin, Stool Softener, Vitamin D and Calcium and Alleve for my inflammation.  I cannot think of any more meds.   I have to take Vivarin at times just to stay awake.  My psychiatrist has also diagnosed me with:  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Trichotillomania, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression. 

Unfortunately, I was not diagnosed with any of the above disorders from my psychiatrist until after my disability was dropped.  I had a hard time getting in to see the psychiatrist in time.  Also, my attorney at the time said it looked bad because the 2 years that I was trying to get Social Security Disability I was collecting unemployment.  After I was fired from my job 2 years ago I applied for Social Security Disability and about 2 months later I found out I was pregnant and then after that I got pregnant again.  So now I have a beautiful 18 month old daughter and handsome 3 month old son.  Another bad thing is that while I was pregnant some of my problems got extremely worse and some of them got almost completely better and my attorney said that would hurt my case.  But now after my second baby was born (I had my tubes tied so I will definitely have no more children) my symptoms have come back and they have come back two fold.  They are really bad.  The attorney also explained to me that it looked bad me not going to the doctor while I was pregnant.  I explained to him that I went to a few doctors but none of them would give me meds because I was pregnant.  That was very unfortunate.  I told mhy attorney that I just suffered at home in pain and since I was not working I did not need to go anywhere.

So now I am applying for disability again and my Rheumatologist (who is giving me some really good meds----they however have some bad side effects like dizziness and extreme fatigue making it to where I would not even be able to work anyway) is against me getting it because she says she will be able to help me and get rid of all my pain and she said in about 3 months I will feel like I did when I was a teenager.  I do not know how she can get rid of all my problems with just a few pills. 

I need a Rheumatologist that will help me and agree to me getting disability.  I am wondering if someone out there knows a good Rheumatologist in Florida that can help.  Preferrably someone close to the Jacksonville area.  \

Thanks for your help

Hi, CleoKay, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  Well, in Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum that Karen mentioned, there is a link to good fibro doctors.  And guess what?  There is one in Jacksonville...hopefully he still is there.  He is an Internist and a Rheumatologist..a twofer!    His name is Marc Cohen.  If you go into Fibro 101, scroll down until you come to Finding a Fibro Doctor.  Click on Florida and it will show some doctors with their phone numbers.  I can't guarantee how good he is because I live in the Tampa Bay area but it's a start and he might be just the ticket for you! 

 

Hey!  I just googled him and he works at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville!  I didn't know they had a branch there.  This looks like a good one!

 

While you are in Fibro 101, check out the other links.  There is some good information there for you.  You need to arm yourself with knowledge so you can be your own advocate. 

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon....and let us know if you see him!

 

Sherrine

hey froggy, I was so glad to hear you got approved. I am on Short term disability from work. Getting ready to try for it after off 6 months. I am so worried. Is it true that you dont get any medical insurance for 2 YEARS after you are approved? If so what are you doing for medical insurance? I can keep mine for one year while applying. As soon as I am approved I lose my insurance from work. My Dr. also said I cant sit ir stand etc. for more then a half hour. It is because of my PA also. Its more like 15 minutes now  

Hi, Normal! Sorry I usually only get on here late at night when everyone is asleep but me!

Anyway, you can go ahead and apply for SS disability. It's true that you don't get paid for the first six months but because it takes so long to get it you should apply ASAP. I applied after I was no longer able to work at all, but they considered me disabled before that. When I had to cut my hours to less than full time is when they considered me eligible. Also, the insurance doesn't kick in until 2 years, but depending on your household income you may qualify for medicaid through whichever state you live in. I know it can be a hassle, but it is worth trying for so you can continue with your doctor appointments.

That's another thing, you have to continue with meds and dr appts while waiting for the disability to decide on your case. AND...be aware that you WILL get denied the first time and probably the second time. After that you will get a notice that if you want to appeal the denial you can ask for a court hearing. I applied on-line myself the first time and then when I received the denial letter I hired an attorney to take over the case. I had to pay the attorney after I received my SSD back pay, nothing up front.

It's also a good idea to keep a pain journal. When you go in for the hearing the judge will want to hear specific tasks that you are no longer able to perform. My attorney told me to explain such as "I'm no longer able to wash my hair in the shower without my shoulder being in a tremendous amount of pain. I can't fix my hair (dry it or straighten it or curl it, etc.).

If you want any more info, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm happy to share any of my experiences with the disability process or anything else I can help with.

Normal- I didn't have to see a Dr from social security, but I have known that some did. I did't need a lawyer, but I was one of the lucky ones. I made sure that my Dr's filled out the long term paper work correctly. I went into the office as they asked me questions. I made sure we were on the same page with this disability. Sometimes they get so busy they really dont understand how bad you really are. They just see you only a few min. for appointments. It usually takes about hr. to fill those out correctly. The long term disability is going to be very important for you. This is how I survive financially while waiting for my disability. They are always checking up on me and wanting paper work filled out to this day. It has been 2 yrs and they are looking a way out of paying me. I had severe depression with numerious medical problems at the time of my leaving from work. I still suffer from depression and medical problems. In ak. it takes a long time to hear back from social security. I had to call on the last 2 months and then bring some records to them to make it faster. It took 9 months for me, but I had many hospitilization during all this time I was waiting. I hope I answered some questions.