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Posted 2/28/2018 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

After two long years of waiting for my disability hearing, it is finally approaching. Even though I've been to some of the best doctors in the country and I have a binder of medical records, my lawyer thinks my odds of winning my case are very low. He says in his experience the younger you are, the less likely you are to win because social security doesn't want to support you for 30 plus years. So I am preparing to re-enter the work force in the likely event I am denied.

Has anyone found a line of work that is doable with Fibro? Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks!
Posted 2/28/2018 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Do your doctors feel that you should get disability? My husband died when I was 50. Because of all my health problems, I couldn’t get health insurance. I talked to my doctor about the situation and he said to apply for disability. I sad I wasn’t disabled and he said oh yes you are. It’s people like you that disability was written for. So I applied, not using a lawyer, and got it in a few months. I can’t believe your lawyer is so negative! He is the one that needs another job.

If I did go back to work, I could do things like being a receptionist or an office manager. If you have good computer skills, there is a myriad of jobs for you...and some might entail working from home. You can always gain those skills through online courses.

I just know I couldn’t be on my feet all day long or do anything that required lifting. I do wish you the best of luck with the disability case. Fibro is listed as one of the illnesses that is covered by disability.

Sherrine
Posted 2/28/2018 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Akkami, it can be very difficult for someone young to get SSD. Besides the physical limitations, they look at the person's age & education. They have vocational experts review your file to determine if there is any type of work you can do within your limitations. Do not be surprised if one attends your hearing. I know of RN's that have had spine surgeries & were denied benefits because the VE said they could be retrained for other work!! This was people in their late 40's & early 50's. I honestly believe some states are harder than others to get benefits.

Anyway, I do hope your hearing goes well, you just never know it may all work out for you. Good luck.
Posted 2/28/2018 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I sure didn’t think of myself as disabled and only applied because my doctor suggested it. If your doctor/s feel you are disabled, that’s a big plus for you. If you have other illnesses besides fibro, that’s another plus. They look at what type of work you did in the past also. For me, I was a teacher but now have a severe hearing problem so I can’t hear children’s voices. There is a lot they look at, as Susie mentioned, but apparently your doctors feel you should apply for disability. Oh, the government sent me to their doctors to be checked out. Did they do that with you? My doctors were far superior to the doctors I was sent to.

But I wonder why your attorney took your case if they lose these frequently? I hope they only get paid if you win.

Sherrine
Posted 2/28/2018 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Akkami: I hope things turn out well for you. I was once told I couldn't get disability just because I don't have a cane! I didn't go anymore beyond that and my husband works full time, but now I do a little occasional writing for cash and am trying to put more effort into some crafting. Fibro, as you know, can flare and get in the way of things, so I must admit it's much more slow going than I like, but I'll keep at it.

Just want to add that the topic of work while having fibro comes up occasionally. It's a great question: What line of work is do-able with fibro? I just did a quick search here on "jobs, work, fibromyalgia" and there are several posts. But I'm probably not telling you anything you didn't already know! Just thought it may be helpful to any newbies.

Wishing you the best and praying all goes great in your current endeavor.
Posted 2/28/2018 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the comments everyone. I was at my previous job for over 10 years and it was office/phone work. When my symptoms started my supervisor fudged the numbers for as long as she could to keep me employed. I even went out on short term disability twice just to prolong my employment. Eventually though I had to put my two weeks in so in the off chance I recovered, I could still work there again. I was working less than 15 hours a week on average for a job that was supposed to be 40 hours a week. I never know when or for how long a flare will but me on my rear. I could be ok for a few weeks and then miss an entire week all of the sudden. What sort of employer is going to want to deal with that? I know they aren't supposed to discriminate but I feel like telling them about my health issues will keep me from even getting hired. That being said, it's not exactly like I'm looking forward to getting disability. A life of $700 a month isn't very appealing. But I have racked up a considerable debt having to live off credit cards for two years, so at this point, any income is welcome.

Unfortunately since my initial onset of symptoms I also had optic neuritis which permanently messed up my optic nerve. I am already blind in my other eye since birth. So looking at computer screens all day is tough. In addition I recently injured my back. That makes sitting more more than an hour difficult. But I guess i see what you're saying. They are going to say I could bag groceries or something. Honestly at this point I'll just be happy to be done with the waiting, win or lose.
Posted 2/28/2018 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have all the information about your eye problems along with doctos’ records? All of this should be presented in court. If you don’t have them, i’d get them and reschedule your court date. Your lawyer needs to talk about the pain and fatigue of fibro and then add that you are blind in one eye since birth and now have an optic nerve problem that is causing vision problems in the other eye. I can’t believe that with all the health issues you have that you would be denied disability!

Were you sent to doctors by social security? I was. I gave all my health records from my various doctors and they still sent me to doctors of their choice. That was a real farce. But apparently they agreed with my doctors.

It looks like you can work part time in certain circumstances and not lose disability. I just looked online. So, if you get disability maybe you can do something like watching children after school until the parents pick them up. Trying to live off $700 a month sounds nearly impossible. I have a friend who is a cashier and only works part time and makes decent money. its to help subsidize her social security check. She loves the job!

Sherrine
Posted 3/1/2018 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You Sherrine! yes I have extensive records regarding all my medical issues including the optic neuritis. I will touch base with my lawyer again before my court date to make sure he brings it up. SS did send me to their own doctors and they determined I was able to work, though the exams were nothing more than a physical and a few logic questions. My lawyer did say that I could work part time while on disability, but he said i need to wait a year after first receiving it.
Posted 3/1/2018 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Please let us know what happens. I’ll be praying for you.

Sherrine
Posted 3/2/2018 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Akkami: Sorry you're dealing with so much! sad Ditto on prayers for you.

Being you have some extensive background in office/phone work, it sounds like, maybe you could be something like a home-based customer service agent or virtual assistant. Just a thought.

I hope things fall into place for you soon.
Posted 3/4/2018 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Document, document and document is one of the big keys. Have updated medical records from all of your health providers. Get letters from friends and family explaining in depth how you're different now than before you were DX'd with fibro. Getting a letter written by your Dr. is even better. Make sure you list every single issue you have whether it's related to fibro or not. Write a letter explaining in depth why you can't work.

RE:I can't be on my feet because the pain is debilitating. Explain everything that you can no longer do and why.

These were tips that a lawyer (as a friend) told me to do. I got approved on the first time but I will say I was older and have not worked in 5 yrs.

Mostly, much, much luck to you.
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