HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Just got denied disability benefits...again

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/10/2019 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
For those of you who live in the US...particularly in California and have some experience applying for disability benefits...

So I just got denied for long term disability from my insurance and I was denied for social security disability a couple months ago... I've been sick and unable to work from bart for almost 1.5 years now (since dec 2017) and the last time I tried to go back to work in April of 2018, I ended up in the ER within a week because I was so sick. I'm much better now and about to end treatment and return to work in a month or so but I had to pay for so much out of pocket which has literally left me broke and had to get help from so many people just to afford my LLMD visits and treatment. Apparently the reason why they are denying me is that they don't think I was disabled enough not to work.....umm what?! At my worst point I was bedridden, unable to make it out of my room to the restroom, and barely able to breath for weeks at a time. Not to mention I had about 8 trips to the ER with acute high fevers (sepsis-like) this past year alone. I mean...if this is not enough, I'm not sure what is... My LLMD and primary doctor both wrote letters to the investigating doctor that I was significantly impaired and my diagnostic codes but they wouldn't buy it... For those who have gotten approved from insurance... what does it take for them to believe you? I have had positive IGG antibody tests with Quest, LabCorp, and galaxy dx. For those who have gotten denied like me...is it worth trying to appeal the claim?
Posted 5/10/2019 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry. Im not sure about this and how it all works,but if it was me I would appeal.
This is so unfair.

I am glad to hear you are much better now and returning to work. Just be sure to still get plenty of rest , detoxing and maybe consult with your LLMD about a maintenance program.

Hopefully others with more experience will be along soon.
Take care.
Posted 5/11/2019 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have gotten disability here and it seems like they want an "actual" disability on the application form like mental illness or CFS or something. You know, the whole government Lyme Disease controversy, all BS but you gotta just work your way around it. Sorry to hear you are struggling so much.
Posted 5/11/2019 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately I think since you have already filed and been denied you are going to have a more difficult time getting approved. Lyme and co infections will not get you disability. Wishing you the best of luck.

I posted this when it was first published. https://www.bayarealyme.org/blog/lyme-disease-disability-benefits/
Posted 5/11/2019 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I didn’t even try - the Canadian lyme test (IFA) came back negative and the only diagnosis I’ve had was frozen shoulder.
Doubt if I could get disability with that.
It’s not even frozen anymore but I still have the pain.
Posted 5/12/2019 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
jrpsf - not true. Almost everyone gets denied the first time they apply.
Posted 5/13/2019 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry you are going through this, I know how tough it is. I don't know anyone who was approved the first time. The system is difficult to navigate, and not designed to pay out when you need it. But there is a three-year look back so you will be eligible for retro assistance. It sounds like it is time for you to obtain a disability lawyer. For me: If ever I need to apply again, I will obtain a disability lawyer to help. Years ago, I was on IV Antibiotic treatment for Neuro Lyme, and LT Disability was denied. I appealed and almost a year later I was approved.... the problem is, by that time I had returned to work full time because I was afraid of losing my job. <- In retrospect, I should not have returned to work so soon. I knew I was not well. I should have obtained a lawyer and fought it.
Posted 5/14/2019 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I was denied when I applied. I didn't appeal right away, and didn't get a lawyer, am still struggling, can barely survive on what I hardly make now, can't afford the supplements I used to.

You're right they consider that if you can still do something, anything, lift a finger and move a mouse around, even if you are fatigued, brain-fogged and weak with all the other troublesome symptoms; and yes most people get denied the first time.

My little online business is light lifting and usually low stress but it takes its toll anyway, it's like having 3 or 4 jobs.

They say to get a lawyer, appeal right away, concentrate on what symptoms debilitate you, at the SS office they mentioned Fibromyalgia (maybe CFS too) is the one they see more often. I don't think they have a box to check for "lyme and other tick borne infection, myalgic encephalitis, Masters disease," (funny that) even though these are rather common now.

We list the symptoms and not the disease, but I digress.

I am still in a quandary about this. If I tax my system, I will get worse, any overexertion is bad when you need to heal. But you know, I still pay (sales) taxes, am reasonably productive, but they don't make it easy to get help when you really need it.

Someone said to call and pester someone, like every day until they help. But I'm not sure who to contact. (They got full SSI or SSDI, the American equivalent of disability support they needed...eventually.) However things may be different in Canada as well as Europe.

Post Edited (borrelioburgdorferii) : 5/13/2019 7:04:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/14/2019 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
It's a sad truth that you have to have an "acceptable" diagnosis to get disability. I had to get a lawyer to get mine, and luckily I got it in the first year I applied but I was kind of a special circumstance.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply