Next step trying to get disability-pos vibes please!

I am going back to the Rheum I have been working with for 4.5 yrs. I think they are behind the times and not all that good really but I need them to be on board for my disability paperwork since they have been treating me. Aggressively. For 4.5 yrs. For conditions SS accepts as impairments that qualify. I meet all the criteria and need this. I have a few things to work around...I suspect this group is not going to want to put the effort in for the disability paperwork. And, the only bloodwork that shows the auto-immune problems is the initial stuff. I think being on high doses of all the meds has the labs show nothing perhaps. Who knows. I went to another rheum who diagnosed the same stuff but at first mtg wasn't ready to do the paperwork.

Please send some pos vibes my way. I need my body not pushed beyond what I can do anymore. Thanks!!

Thank you, Melissa! To be honest I did not leave my job yet. I teach online and have done my best to keep going but my hands etc will not allow. The current session ends mid December and that's when I plan to stop. But I am really concerned about getting approved for disability. It's jumping off a bridge with no net...same as all of you have done I'm sure. The companies I have contacted won't talk to me until I am not working. That's why I am trying to see what the Drs will say. At today's appointment the Dr said she does fill out the paperwork when she gets it. I'm diagnosed with qualifying conditions but these autoimmune issues seem hard to 'prove' to me especially since I have been having negative blood work, possibly due to years of treatment. I'm going to try another company. Thanks so much for your time and help!

I know, I am a mess. Can you believe my blood pressure has been high? I greatly appreciate your post. I am really concerned that I will leave the job (there would be no going back) and not get approved because of my lackluster rheums. But I do not think I can continue to do this job without really losing more function in my hands etc. Now I will document the ways the problems are not compatible with working and see what the Dr says. Thanks for the most welcome reality check.

That is good it worked out so well! I don't work for a company I do contract work for a college. so it is contract to contract (4 months) and based on enrollment that is what I get paid. No benefits. I worked for a school board and left (retired) about 5 yrs ago and get a very small amount from that. I won't be homeless but it will be very hard without my check. If my Dr gave me the affirmation yours did I would not worry. I see the Dr next month, I have been seeing the PA who said she fills out paperwork but some people get denied, some don't, some take a very long time and she has no idea why. I got no feedback other than we agreed on my diagnoses. She did not have a problem with the paperwork just did not hear anything really reassuring. And, my lab work generally is normal other than anemic, white blood, stuff like that. Not the auto-immune results that would make this simpler. It is a big gamble so I have to decide if I want my hands or a paycheck perhaps!

Sorry to hear that you've had to make this agonizing decision. I hope it isn't as traumatic for you as it was for me -- my entire identity was wrapped up in my business & my career -- trying to figure out who I was when all that was stripped away has been an interesting journey, to say the least.

However, health wise, it was the best thing I could have done for myself and I don't doubt that for a minute!!

Best wishes that your disability is approved quickly and effortlessly!

Thanks so much for your replies and good wishes, Lynnwood and Melissa. Both of you felt the loss I am feeling. But it sounds like you did not curl up and die and I am not going to either. I think I am stunned right now...When I started this job I had to restart my life due to my partner opting out and life changing financial hurdles. I had to leave my practice and home and friends in another state and start all over with 3 very young boys...one of whom is severely autistic.

Life changes are hard! And leaving due to disability sucks. But at least I went out on a high note and it was my choice not theirs, right? I am going to be busy gathering the things for disability now. I think I will use a company because I am not up to doing it myself (or I might have continued working).

This last job (I worked 2 jobs most of my adult life) was teaching online and it was 24/7. Literally. I never missed a deadline even if on a trip or in the hospital. Nights, weekends, holidays...and not for a fortune either. Hey, maybe I won't be sad. Lol. Thanks again! I appreciate the support so much. I am a loner these days and this support means everything.