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Fibro and disability

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Fibromyalgia
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Nanners
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 14999
Posted 1/12/2012 10:58 AM (GMT -8)
Anyone here on disability for their Fibro?  Can you share your experience?

The reason I ask is because I was laid off after 22 years on the job lastweek.  I also suffer with Crohns Disease for 36 years now.  I have decided to call it a day in the work world becuz really who is going to hire a 54 year old woman with so many health issues.

Please share your experiences!  How hard was it? etc

Thank you,

Gail

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Sherrine
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18425
Posted 1/12/2012 11:25 AM (GMT -8)
Hi, Gail!  Gee, I'm so sorry you lost your job.  I have to commend you for lasting this long...with fibro and Crohn's.  I do have both and I'm also diabetic and have a major hearing loss, among other things, but with all this I got Social Security disability the first time I tried...and I did it myself, too.  Because you have Crohn's along with fibro, you most likely will have an easier time of getting disability.

 

First thing I did was go to my local SS office.  They set up a time for someone to call me for a phone interview.  At that time I could still use the phone.  The interview lasted about a half an hour.  Then I was sent forms to fill out and also had to have my various doctors send my medical records to them.  (I had an Internist, Gastroenterologist, and an Otolaryngologist)  The forms ask you what medications you are taking, what things you are able to do, how difficult is it to do daily activities, etc.  Be honest but don't be a "hero" either!  LOL  I always think I can do a whole lot more and really push myself.  But just answer the questions honestly and be realistic, too.  They also sent forms as to whether or not I wanted the money automatically deposited or be sent a monthly check if I was awarded disability. 

 

The next step was to see their doctors.  They have doctors in your area and, most likely, they aren't nearly as good as your own doctor.  LOL  At least the doctors they sent me to weren't.  (The doctor they sent me to check my hearing was in a bad part of Tampa.  The office was in a house with bars at all the windows and they took me down in the basement and tested my hearing using the old fashioned device in the briefcase that they used to use when I was in elementary school nearly 60 years ago!  Even the headphones were made of hard plastic!  LOL)  I was also sent to an Internist for my Crohn's and fibro.  It was a very primitive exam...trust me!  

 

Lastly I had to wait to hear from them.  I never called them or bugged them.  I actually didn't think I would get disability but my doctor said I was a good example as to why we have disability.  Anyway, about four months passed and I got my bank statement one day and money had been put it my checking account!  No one called me but I didn't care.  This was wonderful.  Then I got the info to sign up for Medicare which was the whole reason I needed disability.  I couldn't find an insurance company that would give me health insurance because of all my chronic illnesses.  I was insured through my husband's work but when he died and COBRA was running out, I got desperate. 

 

So, Gail, this was my experience.  This all took place 12 years ago.  It took me roughly 8-9 months from beginning to end.  I hope you are successful with this, too.

 

Sherrine 

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ak angel
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2011
Posts : 3197
Posted 1/13/2012 1:45 AM (GMT -8)
I felt better going down to the office to talk with someone. I never had to see one of there Dr's. It took 9 months for me. I was in and out of the hospital while my claim was being process, so I had to make sure they got those new notes. I had to call them at the end because they kept telling me that they were waiting on one last hospital notes. I had actually went and got it for them. I was very sick at the time. This was my second try. I went back to work after the first try. I became sicker and almost died. The first time I tried I didn't know nothing on applying. Knowledge is extremely important here!
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Fox7
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 839
Posted 1/13/2012 9:38 PM (GMT -8)
Nanners, I'm in the process right now of filing for disability. I filled out everything online, but then I also went to the office. I was then set up for the phone interview, which took about 15-20 minutes, I sent all of my doctors records, filled out the 8 page questionaire and sent that in. They also had my mother fill one out too because of my other issues with anxiety, panic, ocd, ptsd, depression, etc...LOL! But then i was sent papers to go to their doctors because they supposedly didn't have enough information from my doctor. I went to the first appointment last Wednesday, and the second one this past Wednesday, the 11th.

So now I guess it's playing the waiting game to hear back from them, which I heard it could take months, and i've been out of work since October. I'm expecting to get turned down, because almost everyone does the first time, so I may have to get a lawyer to fight it. We'll see what happens. I'll keep you informed.
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Nanners
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 14999
Posted 1/14/2012 8:50 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences. Anyone else with something to share is greatly appreciated.

I have an attorney, as all this paperwork seems too daunting to me. I get all stressed out then get sick. I am sure you all understand that.

We have some rain coming tomorrow, and I can tell. Everything is hurting alot today. Not working now it seems as if I must have been able to block alot, because I am in so much more pain now, and my Crohns is more noticeable too, Sigh!!

But thanks again for sharing your experiences. I hope to hear more.

Hugs
Gail
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