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Dr. said he would have to agree!

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Posted 8/24/2010 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
  

 

Thanks so much all of you for the replys and encouragement about me telling my doctor I felt I did not think I could work any longer. You helped give me some confidence, which I realy needed.

So even though it was only his second time seeing me since my sweet lady doctor moved, (one reason I was so nervous) And get this, he has not any experience treating fibro. So i decided to help him out and printed 5 pages all  about fibromyalgia from the  American College of Rheumatology. Had no idea how he would respond.... but was hoping and praying for him to be receptive, and he was. He smiled, took it, and looked through it, then prescribed me an antidepressant from the med list for fibro, which was Effexor. Hoping it helps.

I recapped for him all the symptoms I'm dealing with, and then told him with all I'm going thru physically, and emotionally  I do not think I could sustain a full or even parttime job right now, and asked him what he thought, and he said, I would have to agree! Huge sigh of relief!!  Unfortunately he also said he will be leaving in 2 weeks. He's the third doctor I've had there in 1 year.  I think it will all be fine, because the local SSDI here has been calling me, and emailing me to get my paper work in so they can start on my case. Is that weird or what!?

So I am thru with the application, and will submit it tonight, and they will have a good report from this doctor. Phew, talk about stress. I'm exhausted from it all.

One more thing, I've been waiting to get an appointment to see a Rheumatolagist. They called and gave DH my appt. Not till March 16, 1011. Only 7 months away, so I guess they only have one here and he's really busy.

Again, thanks so much for the prayers and support, it helps more than words can say.

Blessings, and hugs,  Debbie 

Posted 8/24/2010 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad that he agrees with you on your ability to work. Im sorry he is not staying around though, changing drs. is the pits. But hopefully he will be able to fill out the paperwork before he leaves.
As far as the Rheumatolagist that is quite the wait for any kind of dr. Maybe you could ask if they would put you on the list for if he has any cancellations. Still sending prayers your way.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 8/24/2010 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
What a weight off your shoulders. I'm so glad this was a positive meeting for you. It is a huge shame that he is leaving, but it might be wise to call him before he leaves and make sure that the replacement is as fibro friendly and savvy as he is. He might have suggestions for you. Seven months for a rheumy? Wow. And I thought it was bad when the derms were booking 3-4 months out! The rheumy I saw is only booking 1 week out.

I have read that once you send in your paperwork to start your case for SSDI, and once the case worker actually gets to your file and starts processing it from among the stacks of files on their desks, you will want to complete all their requests "toot sweet." I have read that they like to have everything they need in hand to make their life easier, they aren't as happy to have to put a case down and later figure out where they were on due to info coming in late. Anything you can do to make friendly relations with your case worker is very important. ( I have only read this - not speaking from experience!)

Congratulations on your excellent work today. You kept your composure and did what needed doing! I hope you give yourelf some sort of reward. I've decided I'm going to do something nice for myself for getting through my appointment too. (just something little!)
Posted 8/25/2010 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
 

 

   He said he is leaving in 2 weeks, so I'm thinking of calling the local SS office here and ask them to send what they need from him right away. Is there a specific form your doctor has to have from SS ?  At least I get to see him next week.

And so far at this health center, when one of my other doctors left, they had no clue who the replacement would be. I was blessed to have this really nice gentleman who listened and took me seriously.

Chick did  your PCP diagnose you with fibro?  I really wanted a rhuemy to see   me too, as I've heard SS takes an experts diagnosis more serious.

 

They told me it will take about 120 days for an answer. I was surprised cause I've heard it usually takes a year or more.  This kinda stuff is so exhausting, I really feel a flare coming on, but its worth it to get all this done and over with. It took me 3 days to fill the application out online, and the instructions said it would take 2 or 3 hours to do it all! That was a laugh.

I had to take alot of breaks, cause I get so stiff sitting here too long.

 

Shirley thanks for the great idea, I will call them tomorrow and ask to be put on their cancellation list.

 

I had me a big fat bagle w/ cream cheese and strawberry jam for a reward. Chick, Make sure you reward your self too. It sounds like you did a great job today!

 

Nite ladies, I'm dragging myself to beddie by.

 

Blessings, Debbie S     

Posted 8/25/2010 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

Go to this site and scroll to the very bottom of this very long page:
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/

It talks about a form you can download for your doctor to fill out on your behalf. I'm not entirely clear about the when/where/why of its use yet, but considering your doc will be gone soon, it might not be a bad thing to have - just in case.

Yep, my first diagnosis was by my primary. I wrote a thing about that for you in my topic about my rheumy today if you want to check it out there.

If I understand it right, I think they have 120 days (or something like that) to make their initial decision on your case. If you're one of the 30% who gets through at the first try, then you're done. If they deny you, then the whole thing could drag on for another year or two because you'd have to go through the appeal process. (I *think* that's right)
Yummmmm @ the bagel!

And - thank you.
Posted 8/25/2010 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
I first applied in November 2008. I was turned down last summer and filed an appeal. I didn't hear from them again until after the first part of 2010. I had to get additional medical reports covering last summer, fall, and winter. After you get turned down, they send you a disk with all the information they have on you and you can review what your doctors have said. I found out my PCP had written to them and told them I was a "malingerer" and could be a productive member of society if I wanted to be. I WAS SO MAD! He had never even hinted to me during all the years he has treated me that he felt that way. The psychiatrist they sent me to gave a positive report about me and said he believed I was in pain and didn't have any deep emotional problems.


I talked to my doctor's PA and was told my doctor doesn't "believe" in fibromyalgia. However, over the past five years, I've seen his PA more times than I've seen the doctor, so the PA filled out the physical disability form that has to be sent in with the appeal, detailing everything I can and can't do. I think it was March when I sent it in, and I haven't heard anything else from them since then.

Oh, you DO have to send things in quickly when they send you letters and ask for more information. I faxed them a lot of stuff. They want to know every doctor's appointment you have with any doctor, any changes in medications, etc. They even sent a letter to my husband one time to ask him if I got a letter from them. We didn't think he had to reply to that. Then when I reviewed my disk, they said they had tried to contact him and he hadn't responded. I was furious!

I hope you are approved the first time. I saw a lawyer before I ever applied and he said I would stand a better chance of getting SSD if I was already 55. I was 53 at the time.
Posted 8/25/2010 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

I wanted to tell you something in private but I see that you do not have an e-mail available for me to contact you. Could you please e-mail me? My addy is in my profile.

Blessings  :-)

Shari

Posted 8/25/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you had such a good appointment!  But, you went in prepared and that makes a huge difference.  With proof in  your hands from wonderful organizations that back up fibro as a true illness, any doctor would be foolish to then tell you that it's all in your head.  You are taking a pro-active part in your health and that is wonderful!

 

Now, on to getting your disability check!

 

Sherrine

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