anyone had luck getting ssi with uc?

Ive been off work for a year now due to stress and uc. My last state disability check came last month. Ive hired an attorney to try and get ssi. Ive had uc for over 20 years and this is the worst its ever been due to my work environment, i work at a prison. I spoke to an attorney yesterday and she told me to get another job, and that shes never one a uc or colostomy case. She said get the surgery or find a less stressful job and that no judge is going to have pity on me because of the uc or the economy. Im by no means trying to get out of working, im a single parent and have supported myself and children for the last 20 years of my life. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My gastro has no compassion and told me i can live with the pain or have the surgery. Im not able to take prednisone, asacol, or colazal, ive tried them over and over again and they make all my symptoms and pain worse. I take ativan, bentyl, hydrocodone and ambien. Thanks for any advice and God bless you all!

Do you see a counselor related to your stress? It can help a lot to have a mental health professional provide an evaluation to submit to social security in addition to your medical certification. You will likely be denied up front. Almost everyone who applies is. It's their way of weeding people out, because many people give up at that point. If you can get compelling evidence from mental health professionals to go along with the medical evidence though, your odds of winning an appeal are a lot better.

It may still be a hard sell, but you really need to stay with it to get results from Social Security. If you're truly not able to work, stick with it and don't give up!

If I were in your shoes; I'd opt for surgery.  If your quality of life is so low that you can't work, you will be amazed that surgery will give you your life back.  I have never regretted my decision.

 

Sue

I have just starte to try and get my ssi myself . My dr has been a great help he seems to think just by how many times i go a day would be enough to get ssi. I guess i will have to wait and see but i also have seizures . Find you a dr that will help you and don't give up.

I think you should be able to get ssi for UC and Chron's.  What employer is going to let you go to the bathroom 10-20 times a day.  I have a neighbor who has never had back surgery.  He has two herniated discs in his back and he is sitting on ssi.  He is outside working on his car and having parties until all  hours of the night.  Now if you ask me he is someone who can work and he is getting ssi and then there are people who really need it who can't get it.  I know he hired a lawyer though.  You might have to do that. Good Luck!

I don't know much about this topic but it does make sense to me that if you have severe UC you should be able to get SSI. Afterall, we can be extremely uncomfortable and unable to function in a work environment. On the other hand, if you have good insurance, surgery could solve a lot of your problems. I don't think getting another job would change things too much. I was working at a more stress free job with mild UC and I was still suffering with a lot of symptoms, embarassment and bathroom trips. You can always speak with other lawyers. There have to be others who are more confident.

So sorry to hear all this. Sounds like a very frustrating process for people who really need the ssi and can't get it.
Butterfly, I think that the suggestion to try another doctor is a very good one. there are a whole bunch of medicines you haven't tried yet. I would give them a shot before going for surgery.

I hope things get better for you.

I was a juvenile corrections officer with crohns so I understand about the stress of the job. But I was very open about my disease and able to get accommodations so that I could have constant bathroom access. Have you tried that route? Also, like others have said, I think it is harder to get disability for UC than it is for Crohns because technically UC can be cured by removing the colon. Feel free to chat w/ me about your job in the prison. Were you a CO? And if so, could you switch to third shift? Many people at my old job w/ medical conditions moved to third shift because the job is just a breeze. On third you literally are making sure everyone is breathing every 15 minutes and that is it.

Thank you all for your advice and support. I work in medical records at a prison. Im scheduled for a colonoscopy next month one the 7th. I havent ever been hospitalized for my uc. But i can honestly say its gotten worse. Ive had this condition for over twenty years and its never been this life controlling. I honestly am getting paranoid to leave my house. Now im wondering if ssi is going to be stopped completely due to the economy. Im so depressed about returning to work because im so sick but at this point i dont have any other choice. My lawyer is supposed to be one of the best, but now that shes telling me it will be over a year before i go before a judge, i have no choice but to try to go back to work to support my 10 year old son. Please just keep me in your prayers, i feel like giving up on life, but i wont due to my faith and i wouldnt ever do that to my family. Thank you all for being there.

Hi Butterfly24,ma
I've been on ssi for almost 6 yrs now i'm 37 now. It took me a few times but I did get on it. I was so sick that my doctor was kind enough to put the request in for me. I live in MASS. USA. It may depend on your state or country maybe on the requirements to get on it. But if you are sick enough talk to your doctor and it will take a few times for them to except you.
Good luck
kepe us posted.

Donna