Subscribe to MedHelp's free newsletter for Community Support, Experience, and Guidance.
The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.
"Disability" under Social Security is based on your inability to work.
The BEST thing you can do is to go to the Social Security site and begin reading and get all the information that you can obtain and then call them and talk with them and let them walk you through the process. I know from experience, it is not an easy process and it takes a long time to get everything done. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 or more years once you apply depending on whether or not you have been turned down and have to appeal the decision.
I had lamendectomy 4,5,Surgery,in 1999,its April,2007,I own a Music Catalog,Forever,Fortunate,and im on Social Security Disability,since March,2004.Im on 2 40mg,of long -acting Oxicontin,and breakaways,5mg,of Ocodone.Im in Pain constantly,i have ,Osteroporosis,i was Recommended for spinal Fusion Surgery,then the DRS,said no.
Please if you haven't done so, apply for social security disability asap. But you have a lot of serious issues and really need to be seen by a good internist as soon as possible. Numbness in your arms sounds serious to me. Did you ever get a pulmonary (lung) function test before you were't able to work? Diarrhea as you probably know can lead to dehydration and irritable bowel syndrome is only one of many causes of diarrhea.
Have you considered gout about your feet?
I have talked to the neurosurgeon who did the surgery and he shrugged his shoulders and said I have no idea and sent me back to my neurologist. He gave me a series of injections in both shoulders and the pain stopped for a couple days but then came right back. Then we tried massage therapy, it helps but only for a short period.Then I have to go back to the massage therapist again and again, my insurance will not pay for that.
I am so sorry your surgery was not successful. I will never let anyone operate on my back ~ I was told a year ago that I need the surgery but I refused it then. Just last week, I saw an Ortho Surgeon for a first visit and he told me "Don't even consider that option". I worked for 20 years at the Social Security Administration and I saw too many failed back surgeries who had to file for disability. So I do understand a little about the pain you must be going through.
I would definitely try other places than the VA, they put me on the streets of Houston, homeless, jobless and with severe congestive heart failure(I'm on Social Security Disability now) simply because I missed 3 bed checks in the Healthcare for Homeless Vets program. I called the manager of the facility I was staying to let her know I was in the step down unit (cardiac care unit) of the local V.A. hospital and she told me I no longer had a bed.
If you are young - and when I say young I mean under 50 - it's very difficult to be approved for SSD (Social Security Disability). It's a long complicated process that requires lots of proper documentation through physician's notes and medical records. The older you are the more likely you are to be approved - again with proper documentation. The younger you are the more likely the process will take years and require an SSD attorney.
They had a wonderful program in a beautiful large secluded home with loads of security. There were others there and understanding workers held meetings and therapists to give us a better understanding of the cycle of battery. Now I understand. Before I didn't. I still feel stupid, but I do know why some can't leave.
After about a month, I was given a choice of where I would like to go to start over.
It does cause all kinds of deficiencies, and problems, including sleep problems, but it is very real. The social security administratin now recognizes it as a cause for disability if severy enough, which I don't think they would do if it wasn't "real". In my experience you have to try lots of different things until you find the right one for you, that is what is so frustrating about this disease. You think you have it under control, and then it changes on youo.
Now I have Severe DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) and was granted SSDI (Social Security Disability) by the time I was only 58 years old. All because of the ruptured disc and the surgery that I had performed. Byt the way my Surgeon is one of the top Surgeons in the U.S. It's unfortunately one of the horrible side-effects that can and does occur following any back surgery. Now add your Grandmother's age to that and believe me your Sweet Grandmother is suffering a lot of real pain today.
You should try to get social security disability again. I got disability with my first application. With the severe symptoms your husband has, I find it difficult to believe he can't get disability or Medicare. My symptoms weren't nearly as bad, but I was able to get it. Good luck.
YES i have plenty i can feel and see but the ones i CANNOT EVEN MOVE THE DUVET.
You should apply for your Social Security Disability. I explained to the judge that the medications did not sit well with me, so I just roll with my emotions. I was 37, married to my second husband, and found out I was pregnant (oops!) with my daughter and "manic depressive" in the same breath from the shrink. Therefore, when I had my nervous breakdown and was hospitalised, it was all recorded.
Anyone who is reading this, if you have to, get Social Security Disability, especially while in treatment. If your spouse has to go to work, so be it. I was a stay at home wife until my husband became ill. His Social Security was not enough so I now work forty to fifty hours a week but do not mind one bit. Along with his hep C he also has Congestive Heart disease, diabetes, and is hard of hearing and must wear hearing aids. My mother died of Hep C.
I've had my diagnosis for many years and it's considered to be severe. In fact, that's what gave me the SSDI (Social Security Disability). I've suffered from severe pain since I was, also, in my 20's. At the age of 27 I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my left hip and needed a hip replacement back in 1973 but they had me put it off until as long as I could because the hip implants were knew then and it wouldn't have lasted longer than 5 to 10 years at that time.
I took better notes in class, I ran farther on the treadmill, my reaction time was better when I played tennis, I studied harder and longer, and at bars and/or social scenes I didn't feel the need to drink as much as when I didn't take a pill before I went out. Soon I began stealing the pills from my brother.
Currently, I am working as an intern - and I realize that taking adderall helps the day go by faster - b/c I am constantly keeping myself involved and active in office business.
I am currently collecting long term disability benefits through the company I work(ed) for. You might want to check with them. Also, you can check with Social Security / Disability. However, I was told that I had to wait a year after my doctor determines that I have a significant disability. I thank God that I was able to get this benefit though my job. I have these benefits for up to a year. I am also continuing my health care benefits through COBRA.
Think hard before trying it. I am going to go back on my cymbalta and pain meds. I just got my disability started, so there is a small hope there. but I am like you all, very sick and tired of hurting. I too suffer from a severe back injury that ended my nursing career. So i have a double whammy with the pain thing. but I had rather try to relieve the pain than put up with this very dangerous side effects of Savella.
Went on Teachers' Disability Retirement and Social Security Disability.
NOW, for the good part. A few months ago I had a nasty car accident here in Las Vegas---woman turned in from of me in the intersection and I hit her going 45mph. Went to ER--had x-rays--nothing showed up. Now, after 10 PT treatments, I had an MRI. MRI showed several areas of disc degeneration (no surprise) and Schmorl's Nodes in the area of my spinal fusions---T 6-7 thru 10-11.
Recommended
