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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Disability Doctors ...
        
(Message started by: kyitb on Oct 11^th, 2007, 5:49pm)

Title: Disability Doctors ...
Post by kyitb on Oct 11^th, 2007, 5:49pm

So I received a call from my case worker and he informed me that I will receive a letter giving me a time and date to meet with their doctors. Anyone else gone through this? Any advice? What should i expect?

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by phil_h on Oct 11^th, 2007, 7:41pm

Sorry no experience with that yet.......... Stay strong, I'm sure someone will be along to advise you........ phil h

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by Maffumatt on Oct 11^th, 2007, 11:07pm

You won't find many here that are willing to go on disability. Most have full time jobs, even with those that are chronic. Everyones circumstances are different, we all cope in our own ways. With that being said, from my understanding, it is easier to convince the doctors that you are disabled due to the depression brought on by the fear of the next attack and lack of sleep than it is to receive it for the pain. If you need it, go for it, if not, remember that those of us here are footing the bill for you.........

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by kyitb on Oct 11^th, 2007, 11:26pm

I feel the need to stress that I have worked all my short life. Since my 16th b-day. Worked full-time all through college, paid my own way ... This is not an easy way out. It's wasn't easy to make that call or to make that appt. I was prescribed pain killers that improved my quality of life for the week I took them. Didn't call in the refill the ER doctor gave me because pain killers was the easy and wrong way to cope. Asking for help is by far the hardest thing i've ever had to do. I don't have much but I have pride (alot of it, those that know me would say to a fault). I don't have family as a support system. While i'm not working i'm draining my savings not $ that was left to me. I worked hard for every penny never enjoying the fruits of my labor. I'm not enjoying my time off and don't plan on spending my disability checks on vacations. I'm not going to have 8 kids and go on welfare so you can fit the bill. That's not in me. I fought long and hard with the decision to do so. I've had 7 different jobs in the last 3 years, each time having to work my way up from the bottom only to be let go by less than understanding bosses. The $ that comes out of your paychecks has come out of mine as well. Whether I go on disability or not the $ is still going to come out of everyones paycheck.

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by Jill on Oct 12^th, 2007, 8:35am

Hi there...

Going on disability is not an easy decision, I know. But we all have to do what we have to to do in dealing with CH.

There are alot of rumors when it comes to disability like it is very to hard to get on and headaches dont qualify but these are just rumors for lack of a better word. Dont let them get to you because it is a case by case basis.

When you apply, make sure you give them all of your medical records including when you were diagnosed because they back date it. It also lets them know what you have been through and the seriousness of the headaches.

Be prepared to be rejected the first time, I have not heard of anyone who was accepted right away. When I appealed, I wrote them a letter that explained the headaches, their intensity and the amount that I had as well as what came with them such as the anxiousness and fear. I explained why I was unable to work and why I couldnt finish school. It was basically a description that put them in my shoes. For me, that worked and I got disability after my first appeal.

As to the doctors, I never had to see their doctors. My general doctor filled out a form that I sent in with my application. Can you do it that way?

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

And, Matt and others, these is not an easy decision to make for those of us that have to or already have chosen to go on disability. I respect those that can work and be chronic but some of us just cannot. I get hit too hard and too frequently to hold down a job and, let me tell you, I hate it. I dont like having to rely on the government help. Many people that I have talked to that are on disability agree that it takes away some of your self-confidence, pride and independence.

So saying that we are spending ''your money'' does not make any of us feel any better. There are many of us who are hard working, good people who are not abusing the system. We are merely trying to survive.

And, lastly, if you were in our situation than I am sure that you would choose our path rather than have to live on the streets because you couldnt afford rent because you couldnt work.

Just my thoughts...

Jill

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by phil_h on Oct 12^th, 2007, 8:45am

Disability insurance is just that..... it's insurance that you have paid into......nobody is giving you thier money, it's your insurance.................. Let's not hear of anyone collecting unemployment..... false pride is false pride............. Shame on you if you pay into disability and unemployment insurance , then not collect the benefits when you need them............... Do what you need to do ..... You don't need permission or affirmations to apply for your benefits...... You do however need the approval of the system your applying in............ Do not shame yourself or accept the shame of others.............. This board is supportive....not always sharing more than thier own experience and opinions......... I believe you have just one judbe..... and it's not you or us........... peace be with you on your journey my friend................... phil h

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by kyitb on Oct 12^th, 2007, 10:30am

Thanks Phil & Jill. Sorry if I came off as a jerk but, the final comment rubbed me the wrong way. My doctor has sent them all the records he had. They even contacted the ER's i've been too. They have the option to have their doctors look me over and they've exercised that option. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign. Either way it can't hurt to see other doctor. My attitude about it is it's better than getting denied right away.

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by Karla on Oct 12^th, 2007, 11:50am

I am on SSDI for reasons other than ch. I originally applied for SSDI for my ch but was awarded it for another health reason. I had to be checked out by there drs who it turned out asked me a bunch of questions my own dr had. I just answered there questions with as much medical facts as I could such as I have seen these 5 neuros, these 3 shrinks, these 3 hospitals, these ERS, etc. and also explained it great detail how it had effected my quality of life. Make sure you give very detailed info of what you can and can not do and why. I worked from the age of 13 to 32. I made over 65,000/year. It was no easy decision for me to stop working but I just couldn't function any more. Good luck and dont be nervous.

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by schaan on Oct 15^th, 2007, 11:45pm

i do not believe in disability, unless it is truly needed and ch qualifies more than being crippled ( they have wheelchairs for that ) or being blind ( my sis is both deaf and 90% vision loss from retinits pigmintosis ) and shes still working for an insurance agent as a cal transferer. you can lose a limb and get another one and still work.

but how the hell am i or you or anyone else supposed to hold a regular job when all of a sudden the world begins to end all around you again?

i am a gemologist and my main source of income is appraisal work and that is done from my office and home. i cant imagine trying to work a regular job and combat ch at the same time.

good luck with your already paid for ( by you ) insurance claim and i reccomend you video a couple of your attacks and let the panel disregard that.

im lucky, i think my years of misdiagnosis and uncontrolled pain may finally be under control.

but you go get what you deserve.

good luck

and you know you can always go off it if you are ever able to control your ch !!!!!!

8)

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by BarbaraD on Oct 18^th, 2007, 8:20am

I'm already on SS (I'm OLD) and I applied for disability to get medicare and was turned down. Think I"m gonna apply again.

When I met wtih their doc, he was in favor of it, but I was still turned down - go figure. It wasn't like I was I asking for SS - just the damn insurance (can't afford the premiums for private insurance on SS duh?).

When my husband had a stroke, we applied for disability (on his neuro's advice - he never was right after that) and he got the first check 6 months after the date of the stroke (there is a 6 month waiting period). Of course we contacted a Congressman when we first applied and told him to get it thru without a bunch of hassel and he kept an eye on the whole thing (or his assistant did). Bill never had to have a doc check him - he was scheduled for an appointment (ironically with MY doctor) and it was cancelled at the last minute and they sent a letter saying he'd been approved.

so you might want to contact your local congressman's office and send them ALL your paperwork (they love paperwork) and ask them nicely to check on the progress of your claim. Then keep in touch with them. I'm a firm believer in letting the little darlings earn their keep. It's cheaper than lawyers or appeals.

Hugs BD

PS -- I didn't do that with my claim - don't think I was thinking too good at the time - my husband had just died and my mind wasn't working real well... do as I say and not as I did.... :D

Title: Re: Disability Doctors ...
Post by Katherinecm on Nov 10^th, 2007, 2:09pm

My private disability insurance accepted my circumstances immediately, but I'm still duking it out with social security- apparently anyone of my age gets automatically rejected unless a judge overturns it. It's funny, the reasons in the denial are in direct contradiction to what their own therapist said.

My appointment was very helpful, actually. The lady even had some helpful recommendations to try and improve my quality of life.. Apparently there are some therapists in town who help patients adjust to having chronic pain, which I didn't know before hand.

Despite her recommendations, I got denied anyway.

It's funny, if any private insurance company routinely denied rightful claims, state insurance commissioners would have them out of business before the year was out. But because it's a federal program they can get away with it until the appeals process takes them before a judge, which can be years later. That doesn't seem legal, but I don't think there's any getting around it except for possibly getting the media involved. I know there was a little boy here in town born without arms who social security denied. His foster parents contacted the local media with an appeal to help pay for custom prosthetic arms and suddenly social security was volunteering to pay. Doubt local media would be as interested in cluster headache though.

Anyone know if there's a PAC for social security-disability reform?