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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> short term disability question
        
(Message started by: 5-string on Aug 19^th, 2003, 4:44pm)

Title: short term disability question
Post by 5-string on Aug 19^th, 2003, 4:44pm

Has anyone ever had do deal with a short term disability company
because of clusters? I'm a mechanic and unable to do my job because it involves alot of physical activity(lifting heavy objects,bending over with my head up grabing things,etc....) kind of hard to do when these things are hanging around. I've been out of work for 4 weeks now(short of going in for an hour or 2 here and there) and I've been waiting for this to go away.It's never lasted this long before. The short term disability co. says they don't have a "cluster headaches" section in the book. So they hav'nt paid yet. Any advise would be much appreciated.
thanks,
mark.

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by tsayswhy on Aug 21^st, 2003, 4:08pm

mark: try changing cluster to migraine on the form to fill out. It works for me. I do know they dont like to give time off for what they think is just a headache i work 3 shifts and i am coming out of work now for the next 4 week thats how long they last. I hope this works for u
I really feel for u :'(

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by don on Aug 21^st, 2003, 4:17pm

I hate to say it but, yeah, putting migraine will probably help but after that educate them about CH.

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by 5-string on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 9:52am

Thanks both of you, I'll try it, I might have to see if my doctor will help with this one. It's kinda hard saying"Sorry I can't pay rent this month, my head hurts." Does'nt go over very well.
Thanks again,
Mark

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by don on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 10:32am

Nope, dont go over well at all and thats why you have to do what you have to do to get the disability. Even it means saying MEEEEEEEGraine.

At least the lunkheads at the insurance company can understand that.

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by 2late on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 8:10pm

after 2 weeks of fightin' i just got approved for std (cluster's not migraines) my neuro fought his ass off fer me! he would call me in the evenings cause he was so busy during the day . my advice is as long as yer neuro backs you stating you can't do yer job because of this you should have a good shot at it. also call the ins. co. every day! my wife was amazed that i got it fight yer ass off & best of luck to ya!!! ..............Jack

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by Patrick_A on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 8:18pm

I dont know why it aint standard. I put in for it 3 years ago and got it no problem. I didnt put in for it this time because i have been able to get it under control. I guess it all depends on whose doing the recommendations. Sorry, i aint no help. I just know that i was able to get STD for CH specific!

Patrick

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by 5-string on Aug 24^th, 2003, 4:34pm

Thanks everybody, I have an appt. with a neuro. next week. I'm sure they've been faced with this question before. we'll see what happens.
Mark.

Title: Re: short term disability question
Post by Zonie on Aug 24^th, 2003, 10:03pm

Yes, it is possible to get short (and long) term disability. It is essential that your doctor helps, but quiet honestly I filled out my own forms for the doctors signature. In my case I emphasized the fact that I could not work on a "regular" basis due to (1)the headaches; (2)sleep deprivation; & (3)side effects of medications. All of the above are very true and should be emphasized if the same affects your ability to work on a "regular" basis. The facts were that I was everything but dependable due to absences or inability to efficiently perform work tasks when I was able to drag myself to my job. I realized that the quality of my work was suffering terribly (as was I) and after I exhausted all of my accumulated leave time (paid), I was forced to go on leave without pay at which time I filed for STD. I was fortunate in that I had tons of assistance from my Human Resources Dept. at work. I have now been on Long Term Disability, along with Social Security Disability for approx. 6 years. It is an ongoing process and every year my dr. has to fill out all of the paperwork again. Believe me I would prefer to be going to work daily, but my clusters have been cronic for about 7 years and I worked as long as I could drag in to work with 1 or 2 hours of sleep. I agree with the others who advise you to use the term "migraine/cluster" headaches. I also listed all of the drs. that I had seen and all of the different medications that I had tried.

I hear of suffers whose clusters just vanish after years of pain and I'm more than ready for mine to hit the road.
Keep the faith....I never dreamed that anyone could get disability for "headaches" (and that's what I told my HR Dept at work). But to maintain my tenure I was forced to file so we know that it can be accomplished. Feel free to email me at any time if I can be of further assistance to you. Good Luck