As my illness moves on in me, so many life changes are being made. Even at my young age, life for once seems to be ahead of me instead the other way around.... the way it used to be.
One of those changes is the whole "job" factor. I've worked for 10 years straight earning in the low 6 figures. Now? Now I have a hard time going grocery shopping due to pain, confusion and exhaustion. Plus, I lost my job. Now, in the process of trying to find another I am realizing that there isn't much I CAN do. Atleast, not for long periods. (Typing THIS much is hurting my shoulder)
It dawned on me that THIS is what disability is for. I'm left with the emotional ramifications of that thought and the "how to" part.
I'm not even 30 and feel like a lot has been taken from me. Battled for disability just seems like an ordeal.
Can ANYBODY tell me their story of how/when/why they decided to apply for disability? I've been diagnosed for only 3 months (I never carried health insurance prior to that) And I only have Fibro (that I know of)
I need to hear/read how you transitioned. Did you apply? Why? How did you feel about it? Was it hard? What about your normal income? Family? Were you denied? How long did it take to get approved? How did that mental choice to apply effect you?
I just feel.... alone and robbed. I have a great family etc etc. But... I'm sure you understand.
Thank you to those of you who take the time to respond. I could use the help so very very much.
Hi Linda, thank you so much for being here and for sharing with us. I am so sorry for what you are going through, though I feel that you are so strong and will make it through this life adjustment. Please know that we are here for you and here to help you in any way that we can. Also, I believe that this site may be helpful to you; http://www.myfibro.com/. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda, I am feeling exactly like you and have the same questions. I feel like I need to apply as making it to work is impossible when I have flare ups, but the emotional part of applying for disability is hard. What will I do for the rest of my life?
I do understand what you are going thru. I have it in my arms, hands, neck shsoulder, head and working its way down my back. There is not much I do because ùi know the pain, how it feel, how it can disable me for days. everyone including my hubby and family think that i am just lazy, I donù,t want to work or even try to do it. They all think It is all in my head. yes it is in my head that hurts it is called fybromialgia. i tried to go on ltd( Long Term Disability got for 6 months then they said I can get a job as parking lot attendent and with my past expiriences I shoud have no problem finding work. They just don't get it. just because I used to do the work then does not mean I can do it now because I can no longer do it now. now I am fighting to go on cppd( cnd Pension Plan Disability) they sadi i don't need a lawyer. i will be appearing infront of a lawyer a doctor and a judge. and they say I don't need a lawyer what they think I am supide, I don't think so. I got someone speaking for me.it is coming up in feb sometime.
So good luck on getting the disability.
Hello. I am 48. I was diagnosed 03/2010 with 11 0f 18 points. My doctor said I had Fibro and the only thing she said to me was "research it." I was training for Iron Man when i was injured in at work. I now have three bulging disks in my neck and haven't been able to do any work since 10/2008. I read somewhere that a traumatic injury can bring on Fibro. Is anyone familiar with this? I also have hypothyroidism - 17 years. I am so flipping depressed with the extra 50 lbs of weight gain, serious decline in my health and my husband "expecting" me to feel ok. He doesn't get it nor does he even try. He has also been out of work for close to two years and is not looking for employment. I was healthy, active, fit, 90% organic, six figures a year loosing everything, sleeping in my Expedition for two months and going to the food bank. I am a walking pharmacy and am at the end of my rope. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. BTW - I have no type of medical/health or dental assistance. I do not qualify for any type of state assistance and my unemployment ran out 01/2011.
I just made the decision to apply for disability this week. I also suffer from bi-polar disorder and osteoarthritis so I am not sure how that will play in my acceptance or denial.
I went to the National Fibromyalgia site and it was very helpful. The one thing I learned is that you need to have a rheumatologist or neurologist diagnose you with fibro. Unfortunately the only one that has diagnosed me with that is my GP but from what I read if you are unable to get the correct diagnosis on your own the Social Security will send you to one of their doctors for that.
I talked to numerous people about getting an attorney to help you apply but you have to initally fill out all the paperwork anyway unless your are physically or mentally unable to do so.
My very un-legal advise is to go the the SS site and start it yourself. I did last night and printed out the info from them, The site was easy to use and the list they gave me to use for the information I will need to complete it is concise and user-friendly. I will now have until May to finish the paperwork.
I was like you, I did not want to admit that I was unable to do the work, or even any work on a long term basis. I can no longer use the computer keyboard, stand, bend, lift, think clearly, etc. That is all I have done my entire life. I am still struggling a little with my identity now but it is what it is as they say, I need to adjust and live the life I was given.
I hope this helps you in some way and I will try and keep you posted.
Thank you for responding. no I can no longer work. think clearly, drive long distances by doc orders. yes i have gone thru the hoops with insurances thru work, and now i am schedualed togo before a tribunal sometime in feb. 2012. no one will hire me because of this FM. no pay check coming in at the moment just living off of my hubby's smal pay. no help from my prvious wrkeer ,Union or work insurance. spoke to lawyer he says until i finish with my wsib claim and cppd case there is nothing i can do but tough it out. yesturday I went to my mpp fed and prov. and both are saying not my dept i should be calling fed and the fed say that is a prov. so there goes the gov again passing the buck. oh the cppd is only reconizing the depression part not the FM at all. so I am told that i can get a job as parking lot attendent...lolol the FM is in my arms, neck, shoulders and going down in my back....no momey to eat properly I need to pay heating and hydro bills.... no money for message or physio, or swimming to treat the FM, I also am diebetic, have Essential Nerve tremors. so do they really want me to pour them a cup of coffee?..lolol I am really tired of fighting People that say it is only that i don't want to work, i am lazy, and fighting the gov't on gettign what i paid into for all those years of working.
I am in the same boat! I'm 21 and recently had my first (official) flare up that put me out of work. I had a good job and had recently been promoted to a supervisor. I was out of work, and after a month was told to come back when I was "reliable" unfortunately the company did not qualify for a leave of absence. I also work a part time job in retail and lost it for the same reason. With how sparatic the pain is how do you keep a steady job? My parents have talked about researching ways t o get me on disability. I don't know how I feel about this at my age! Does anyone have any input?
It took me 3 years to get my disability. I had a lawyer. There are so many papers you have to fill out that having someone help is a must. It hurts to write after awhile. But if you apply stick with it. I was 47 when I got approved. Real life changing. Im lucky to of had a supporting husband.But finacally it hurt us. We had good credit but since I wasnt working and all the test and drs. we had to file for Bankrupsy. Good luck and hang in there. As my Mom use to say. "this to shall pass"
I am still in the midst of the long process. If you are thinking about applying- the sooner, the better because it will take quite a while to get especially if fibro is all you have. I am currently waiting for my hearing with the judge which is a third level attempt toward benefits... I started about a year ago and it can take about 18 months from the last denial to get a hearing with a judge (I still could be waiting approx a year from now). ***Get a lawyer involved as soon as you can- represented cases get approved more than those unrepresented and that is for social security or erisa(ltd cases from employers). Some lawyers won't take the case util you've been denied once but you can find some that will work with you from start to finish- if you frustrate easily... it's worth just letting them do it all because they can only charge a top flat rate anyway- I don't remember the limit off hand but I believe it's less than $5000 (you could only be charged up to that amount). Other than that- Excellent medical records with your doctors on board to record all of your ills and if you have the energy keep a diary of your illness and follow all of your doctor recommendations or document why it failed- those are the things that ar helpful in filing. You and only you can really know what you're capable of doing... try not to let others or your head get in the way... mine does from time to time and I have to remind myself just because I have one good day or a few good hours does not mean I can commit to being well and able on a daily basis and sure enough a day or two later my body also reminds me. Have patience and good luck Che~
Good luck to all and bless you. Its a hard journey. you have to fight for your disability benifits after we paid for them, some times it doesnt seem fair. Do sign up for PHizer for your meds its a blessing. They will give them to you free or reduced depending on your income.
Thank you for your responding. I am fighting for my disiability now... I have all 18 points along with essential tremors and diabetes....life is very tough for me.... my fm is all in the upper torso along with the face and head....so you can understand how much pain i am in most times...