Hi, Gail! Gee, I'm so sorry you lost your job. I have to commend you for lasting this long...with fibro and Crohn's. I do have both and I'm also diabetic and have a major hearing loss, among other things, but with all this I got Social Security disability the first time I tried...and I did it myself, too. Because you have Crohn's along with fibro, you most likely will have an easier time of getting disability.
First thing I did was go to my local SS office. They set up a time for someone to call me for a phone interview. At that time I could still use the phone. The interview lasted about a half an hour. Then I was sent forms to fill out and also had to have my various doctors send my medical records to them. (I had an Internist, Gastroenterologist, and an Otolaryngologist) The forms ask you what medications you are taking, what things you are able to do, how difficult is it to do daily activities, etc. Be honest but don't be a "hero" either! LOL I always think I can do a whole lot more and really push myself. But just answer the questions honestly and be realistic, too. They also sent forms as to whether or not I wanted the money automatically deposited or be sent a monthly check if I was awarded disability.
The next step was to see their doctors. They have doctors in your area and, most likely, they aren't nearly as good as your own doctor. LOL At least the doctors they sent me to weren't. (The doctor they sent me to check my hearing was in a bad part of Tampa. The office was in a house with bars at all the windows and they took me down in the basement and tested my hearing using the old fashioned device in the briefcase that they used to use when I was in elementary school nearly 60 years ago! Even the headphones were made of hard plastic! LOL) I was also sent to an Internist for my Crohn's and fibro. It was a very primitive exam...trust me!
Lastly I had to wait to hear from them. I never called them or bugged them. I actually didn't think I would get disability but my doctor said I was a good example as to why we have disability. Anyway, about four months passed and I got my bank statement one day and money had been put it my checking account! No one called me but I didn't care. This was wonderful. Then I got the info to sign up for Medicare which was the whole reason I needed disability. I couldn't find an insurance company that would give me health insurance because of all my chronic illnesses. I was insured through my husband's work but when he died and COBRA was running out, I got desperate.
So, Gail, this was my experience. This all took place 12 years ago. It took me roughly 8-9 months from beginning to end. I hope you are successful with this, too.
Sherrine