Anyone won a fibro disability case without an attorney?

I filed for disability in August of 2010. Since then I was turnrd down, appealed, and turned down at the appeal level too. Now here I am waiting to get the appointment go before a judge, which will probably be sometime in the next few months or so.  I know this process goes very slowly.

Here's my question... Do you think it will help my case to hire an attorney?  I know this question has probably came up many times before, but my memory is so very bad! (I should get approved if they would only test my memory! lol!!)  Any input would really be appreciated.   I am filing because of fibro and osteoarthritis, the arthritis probably gives me worse pain than the fibro.. or maybe it is both of them together, who knows.

With me, it was like I was living my life feeling great, till I turned 53, very healthy, than bam, here came fibro, and then bam here came very painful arthritis.   Also all my medical records so far are all from a health center where I was treated by about 4 different primary care docs, over a span of about 4 years, so I do have those records.  Was sent to a Rheumy.. took 5 months to get in to see him... then he totally dismissed my fibro.  I know many of you can relate to this type of rejection. It really stung, and I was very disappointed. He said he did not treat fibro cause it cannot be proven.

Anyway fast forward to the present, and one good thing is yesterday I was given my very first appointment to see a pain specialist. I am excited about this because I got to see what he is like when I went with my husband for him to see him.  A nice young, caring doctor..., I asked him during Jims visit with him if he treated fibro, and he said yes, and he told the secretary to set me up to see him, so I do have some hope. I will be seeing him on the 14th.

I am also going for my first appointment on the 13th of this month to see a mental health specialist.. this was not an easy appt to make. Pride can get in the way at times, as it did with me, it was hard to admit I may need help because of anxiety, and yes, even some depression. I know this is not my fault.. life circumstances can get the better of even the healthiest of us, yes? I don't want to be doped up, but I may need a little help to cope with the chronic pain I now live with every day, and the fact that my husband has a rare cancer. 

Anyhow I am hoping these two doctors, one or both will help strengthen my disability case.

Sorry I did not mean to drag on so long!  You all take good care and I hope to hear from a few of you regarding your own disability stories.

Warmly, from Debbie    

I did have one doctor fill out a residual functional capacity form, that was sent to SS when I first applied. They did not even mention it in my denial letter.  They actually said they thought I could still do the same work I did before which was working in a school cafeteria. It was very hard labor and I actually took the job back then because I wanted to stay in really good physical health! Little did I know then....  Before that I used to work in child daycare.    I know I cannot possibly handle those type of jobs now, not any type as I could not even manage to care for my own Mom. My fibro fog is thick, short-term memory is shot. And I would be terrified of taking even the simplest of jobs.

Oh well, I will see the pain specialist and mental health people this week. I'm hoping this will help my case. I am not asking for a handout, I am wanting some back of what I paid into the system now that my health has deteriorated.  Why do they have a way of trying to make you feel like your doing something bad or wrong for applyting for disabilityfor petes sake?

I will start trying to find a lawyer. I guess it should be one who knows a little something about fibro.

Thanks for replying.   Debbie