Disability?

Why wouldn't you opt for surgery rather than disability? Surgery can give you a full productive life.

Sue

According to MissK's signature, her UC isn't severe. Why would she opt for surgery when she doesn't need it?
My local hospital social worker told me that UC is listed as one of the possible Social Disability conditions(didn't get into the specifics though), not quite sure about just disability.
Maybe I'll call and find out. I want the disability sign for my car just in case there's no parking spot when I'm in a hurry.

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21 male
-Pancolitis in 2008 Jan
Recent hos. discharge on 5/23
-Began LDN 6/7
-at least 60min cardio everday
-Pentasa 2g, 30mg Pred(tapering from 60mg), Canasa(2x a week), Questran
-No HFSC, sugar/preservatives/additives, red meat, chicken(bloating), shrimps(antibiotics), non cooked veges
-On white rice+meat/fish+avocado+blueberry+homemade yogurt+steamed carrots
-stopped all supple/vitamins

Yes, IBD is recognized in the list of disability. Sometimes it can be hard to get though and you may have to fight for it.

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SHERRY
Moderator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UC
~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**
Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(50mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds~OA-Tylonel Arthritis~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis~GAD-Klonopin (.25mgs)~Rosacea-Metrogel/Elidel~IBS~Diverticulosis~Fibromyalgia

People have gotten a SS disability for UC but it isn't automatic(like kidney failure). You will have to prove that you are unable to do any productive work and all treatments have been exhausted.

UC is covered under the American's with disabilities act which gives you some protection from firing due to missing work or limits at work due to UC

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Diagnosed with proctosigmoiditis as my 50th birthday present Dec 2009
4.8 grams Asacol HD plus 1000mg canasa daily for 8 weeks. Went to 1.6 gr Asacol for 8 months. Tried sulfasalzine for a month got adverse reactions

On 3 g/day generic Colazal now,fish oil, homemade yogurt(VSL#3), pscillium husk,glucosamine sulfate,curcumin,ginger,milk thistle, boswellia.

I applied for it when I was really sick and missing time at work.  I was denied.  I applied myself though and didn't use a lawyer.  If I ever get to that point again I may use a lawyer. 

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Sally (40yrs old)
UC since 2002
Humira and Remicade (discontinued), Asacol, Immodium, Rowasa, Canasa,Proctofoam,Transdermal LDN, Calcium, Vit D, Folgard, VSL#3, 6 Metamucil capsules daily, Culturelle

Check out this posting for all the conditions and what you need to qualify:

I just looked at the criteria and I wouldn't meet it. I have a friend who collects for ADD.

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Co-moderator: Ulcerative Colitis
Diagnosed with Pancolitis & Migraines. Battling Extreme Exhaustion | Past Meds: Prednisone + Cortifoam + Asacol (3600) + Canasa + Rowasa + 6mp + Allopurinol
Currently: Asacol (3200mg) + 6mp

Post Edited (notsosicklygirl) : 6/12/2011 4:45:15 PM (GMT-6)

That would be hard because surgery is an option.

I too would like to have a placard. Urgency is usually the first thing I experience when I start to flare, even if it is very mild, and the last to go. My digestive system is also very sensitive to certain ingredients, especially HFCS and artificial sweeteners. If I eat the "wrong" things by mistake, then I might get a bout of diarrhea.

I agree though that if urgency has become an every day issue, then it could be time to think about surgery.

Post Edited (subdued) : 6/12/2011 4:49:27 PM (GMT-6)

I don't think it's fair to say that we can "cure" this with surgery. There aren't any guarantees with surgery. I am not willing to lose a major organ to find out if it makes me feel better. If they said I have to lose a mole or my appendix or tonsils, it would be something to consider but a colon? that's as invasive as it gets. There are many body parts and organs that I would prefer to lose over my colon. Colon is pretty close to the top of the list of things I'd like to keep if possible.

I used to feel even more strongly but since reading the ostomy board and seeing many people with good surgical results, I feel less attached to my colon. For that, I am thankful, reality is, one day I may lose it.

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Co-moderator: Ulcerative Colitis
Diagnosed with Pancolitis & Migraines. Battling Extreme Exhaustion | Past Meds: Prednisone + Cortifoam + Asacol (3600) + Canasa + Rowasa + 6mp + Allopurinol
Currently: Asacol (3200mg) + 6mp

It's listed as a disability but you still need to qualify. You'll need several years of history showing the inability to keep a job. You doctor will need to support you...then there's going through the process which is long and rough...more stressful than what it's worth. I had a friend go through due to back problems and because he did some light dusting the morning of the disability hearing (they smelled lemon oil on his hands) they said he able to work!

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Diagnosed July 2010
flaring as Jan 2010
As of 5/25/2011 procitis is now pancolitis!!
Pred 40mg, started 6/4/2011
Transdermal LDN 4.5 mg 4/23/2011
Energy Multi-Plex / Vital-Zymes Complete / Microgestin (birth control), Magnesium for leg cramps

For me, it's the possibility of infections. I get them easily. Hopefully, I'll never have to get surgery though because fecal transplantation works for me.

I meet the criteria for disability but I doubt I would be able to get it. I don't have enough work credits according to the website. I think I need 20 and on my last SS statement, I had 18. Or is there a way around that?

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SHERRY
Moderator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UC
~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**
Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(50mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds~OA-Tylonel Arthritis~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis~GAD-Klonopin (.25mgs)~Rosacea-Metrogel/Elidel~IBS~Diverticulosis~Fibromyalgia

thanks everyone...i did apply....im going to at least try....surgery hopefully will never be an option for me....its risky and its my biggest fear!

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missk
mild/moderate ulcerative colitis
diagnosed 1992
currently on no meds.....
turmeric...this works!
no dairy!


Being happy doesnt mean everything's perfect.It means you've decided to see beyound the imperfections! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter & without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears & light for the way

I am on disability and have been since 2008. I was turned down the 1st 2 times from social security and had to request a trial which had a 2 year waiting list. Luckily my work disability covered me for 2 years. My doctor said not to be discouraged because practically everyone is turned down the 1st 2 times and have to request a hearing. My problem is I am allergic to Mesalimine which is the main ingrediant in the drugs (like asacol) that keep people in remission. I told the judge at my hearing (which I did get a lawyer to represent me) that I was going to only do surgury when I hurt so bad I didn't care if I lived or died since the surgury is a major one. I mean people are dying from complications just getting a face lift. I also am hoping I can hold out long enough for a cure. Once the colon is gone there is no going back. I had records to show where I had been to several different doctors and tried several different drugs to control my UC, including trials at Cleveland Clinic. I also showed my work absentee records which I got from the payroll department.

I asked my doctor for a parking perscription and then took that to the department of motor vehicles to get the handicap parking card. The doctor said she was sorry she never thought to offer it to me, so you should ask your doctor for one.

Please don't let others make you feel like a looser for trying to get disability I had sever depression after I couldn't work anymore and still have self esteem issus. We have enough to deal with just trying to manage our health problems. Some times someone will say to me "Oh you just sit around home all day, it must be nice" which makes me feel horrible but my husband came back with a great reply "she suffers terrible pain and embarassment for a living and would gladly trade jobs with you any day!" so please keep that in mind. The fact you are asking about disability tells me how bad you feel. Hang in there.

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U.C. sufferer since 2002

thanks Lady Vicodin...i do suffer...and i have been for a long time....i feel like the quality of my life is gone sometimes...i cant just pop up in the morning and run out the door....i want to sometimes....but i have to go right away to the bathroom...more then once....so if ur driving somewhere and get stuck in traffic....what do u do? i have to wait until i feel better to leave the house....come on!

thank u for words of encouragement....we r all on here going through the same thing....i applied for disability in hopes i donot have to fight for it....i just dont have the energy...thanks again!

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missk
mild/moderate ulcerative colitis
diagnosed 1992
currently on no meds.....
turmeric...this works!
no dairy!


Being happy doesnt mean everything's perfect.It means you've decided to see beyound the imperfections! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter & without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears & light for the way

Glad to hear! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

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Taking Lialda (Was 2, now up to 4 pills daily) and Canasa.

Protonix, 100 mg Synthroid, Migraine meds when needed

Also taking Probiotics and Fish oil supplements

I left my job last year-early retirement. Major corporation ( I won't name). I rcvd a letter in the mail from a company that represents my old employer. They are a company called ssdc. They asked if I had any health issues that could prevent me from working. long story short, they took all my info and advised me they feel I could get it. They have filed on my behalf. Just did this 2 weeks ago. Apparently my old employer will benefit from this because they still carry my health insurance. I will keep you posted, but this will take some time. SSDC claims a 75% success rate on first time applications and 98% success upon appeal. They did pre-screen me b4 taking my application to determine my eligibility. My financial advisor has also informed me she has a client in my pants(shoes) that applied and was accepted.

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neupogen twice aweek (causes bone pain and flu like symt's)



Prostate Cancer 2003



lung cancer 2007

I've been on disability for 8 yrs now. It took me two tries and I got finally got excepted. My doctor would rather me have my intestines and colon then get the surgery. Hes not one to jump the gun to cut me up.
To me that is a good doctor. I feel safe being on disability. I do miss working but I dont miss calling in sick all the time and worring.
So if you need to go on it try. There is no shame in it.

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HAVE HAD COLITIS SINCE I WAS 16
REMICADE- STARTED JUNE 15 2011
IMURAN - 2 1/2 PILLS DAILY PANTASA - 3 X 4 DAILY
LEXAPRO - 30 MGS DAILY FOR SANITY

..just a question....im still waiting...but i did get a ltr....i have to sign a medical release form....and they ask me about ssi....i have a phone appt set up for that...they said incase i donot get ssa i can get medicade help and supplement income.....but my question is....if i do get disability...how much is it...does it depent on your work history?

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missk
mild/moderate ulcerative colitis
diagnosed 1992
currently on no meds.....
turmeric...this works!
no dairy!


Being happy doesnt mean everything's perfect.It means you've decided to see beyound the imperfections! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter & without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears & light for the way