Re: Notice of Disability Examination

[Guest guest]

Hi Katrina,

I went through the same process....... I saw one of " their " doctors.

It was a waste of my time. He and I did not communicate very well

and if he actually knew anything about spinal problems, you couldn't

prove it by me.

So, what I suggest is, go in there prepared. Have a clear

understanding in your mind about how your life has changed due to the

injuries you have suffered. Because the doctors will ask you. Also

be sure you can tell them what your typical day is like and how the

pain increases or decreases. Tell the doctors about the medications

you take to deal with the pain and how the medications affect you; do

they make you sleepy, fuzzy headed, do they affect your ability to

remember things........ What other kinds of things do you have to do

to be able to get relief? Be VERY specific!

Also be aware that they truely are NOT on your side. That is an

absolute truth. Also, know that you cannot get another medical

opinion, you are stuck with the opinion of their doctor.

The reason they are sending you to one of their doctors is they have

concluded already that they DO NOT have enough evidence to grant you

disability. This is a normal part of the process because the

government absolutely hates to add yet another person to the diabled

rolls.

If you go into this appt. well prepared, you will not have any

problems. Plus, there are certain types of health problems that are

just plain evident....... my husband was approved first round because

the x-rays clearly showed he had emphysema.

So, go in to this prepared, not scared!! You will do just fine.

Best of luck!!

in NC

>

> I received this in the mail today and they have an appointment set

up

> for March 29th. I am sure this is a normal thing to have happen.

But

> I wondered if anyone could shed some light on it for me.

> What to expect? Is it good or bad that this is happening after

> applying just a few short months ago? My appointment includes a

> Neurology Examination. Does this mean that my Docs didn't supply

> enough info? Should I be worried? I thought they denied you first

> before doing anything further and that you had to appeal to get the

> ball rolling.

> Any insight anyone can give me will be very much appreciated.

> All this has me very nervous.

> It was so hard seeing the defense Doc when I knew full well he was

> not in my corner. They paid this doc to find the things wrong with

me

> to not be the fault of the accident.

> I don't have the strength with in me right now. Normally I would.

> I guess I am hoping someone will tell me it is not that big a deal.

> That it is routine. But if it is a big deal tell me that too. :-)

> This too shall pass, right?

> I hope that everyone is finding their pain at a minimum.

> TIA

> Katrina :-)

> P.S. One good bit of news. My hubby got a job. :-D

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much ! This is all very helpful. Knowing what to

expect in just about anything can sure make the world of difference.

How is your case going? Are you still going through the process?

I hope everything is going favorable for you!

Take care and thank you for your post,

Katrina :-)

>

> Hi Katrina,

>

> I went through the same process....... I saw one of " their "

doctors.

> It was a waste of my time. He and I did not communicate very well

> and if he actually knew anything about spinal problems, you

couldn't

> prove it by me.

>

> So, what I suggest is, go in there prepared. Have a clear

> understanding in your mind about how your life has changed due to

the

> injuries you have suffered. Because the doctors will ask you.

Also

> be sure you can tell them what your typical day is like and how the

> pain increases or decreases. Tell the doctors about the

medications

> you take to deal with the pain and how the medications affect you;

do

> they make you sleepy, fuzzy headed, do they affect your ability to

> remember things........ What other kinds of things do you have to

do

> to be able to get relief? Be VERY specific!

>

> Also be aware that they truely are NOT on your side. That is an

> absolute truth. Also, know that you cannot get another medical

> opinion, you are stuck with the opinion of their doctor.

>

> The reason they are sending you to one of their doctors is they

have

> concluded already that they DO NOT have enough evidence to grant

you

> disability. This is a normal part of the process because the

> government absolutely hates to add yet another person to the

diabled

> rolls.

>

> If you go into this appt. well prepared, you will not have any

> problems. Plus, there are certain types of health problems that

are

> just plain evident....... my husband was approved first round

because

> the x-rays clearly showed he had emphysema.

>

> So, go in to this prepared, not scared!! You will do just fine.

>

> Best of luck!!

>

> in NC

[Guest guest]

I went thru the same thing here in PA in Early Jan. I came prepared with

list of Meds, List of all previous exams, and treatments, Plus How I

tried to continue to work, and how the pain impacts daily living. One

problem that has always hurt me with exams is that my Range of Motion is

normal, but I'm still in huge amount of pain. He didn't say whether he

felt I qualified or not, but he did tell us, if turned down keep appealing

and don't give up trying.

One thing I have for my appeal which will take a year to get, is a pain

log. A SSI officer told me in 2002 that I should keep a daily log

recording my pain, what I tried to do to help it, and what I was and was

not able to do. If your all interested I could post a typical entry for

you. Right now I need to see a New Pain mgmt Doctor, and a Psychiatrist

to give them new information when I go in to my hearing.

I'm righting this at 2:00 am because my right shoulder pain is off the

charts 10+. So I'm waiting for an extra Med to kick in, and I will do

another round on the Shiatsu pad b4 trying bed again. All of the the Court

hearings scare the hell out of me, but my SSI Doctor was very nice. Though

I new his job was to make you not qualify.

Dave

PS if possible bring your spouse or significant other so they can mention

things you may have forgot.

[Guest guest]

Dave, You mentioned some shoulder pain, what are you diagmosed with? I'm still having a hard time with PT for my last knee replacement, it's inflammed still, and not straight enough, they keep manipulating it every which way so I won't end up with a limp, and now the MFI for my left shoulder shows it's been dislocated somewhere along the way, and I have bone spurs, bursitis and arthritis. They want to go in and clean it out. But I can't even have PT on both limbs on the same day, how can I possibly try to get them healed at the same time? I am sooo frustrated. I'm spending my life at PT. But further down the road, disability wants to see that you are attempting to keep healthy and take charge of your problem whatever it is. Between dr. visits, pain meds. and vitamins, I keep busy and broke using up gas. Well, thanks for letting me vent. I hope you don't have the same shoulder problems I do. Sincerely Jeannie Cruikshank

<d.cruikshank@...> wrote: I went thru the same thing here in PA in Early Jan. I came prepared with list of Meds, List of all previous exams, and treatments, Plus How I tried to continue to work, and how the pain impacts daily living. One problem that has always hurt me with exams is that my Range of Motion is normal, but I'm still in huge amount of pain. He didn't say whether he felt I qualified or not, but he did tell us, if turned down keep appealing and don't give up trying. One thing I have for my appeal which will take a year to get, is a pain log. A SSI officer told me in 2002 that I should keep a daily log recording my pain, what I tried to do to help it, and what I was and was not able to do. If your all interested I could post a

typical entry for you. Right now I need to see a New Pain mgmt Doctor, and a Psychiatrist to give them new information when I go in to my hearing. I'm righting this at 2:00 am because my right shoulder pain is off the charts 10+. So I'm waiting for an extra Med to kick in, and I will do another round on the Shiatsu pad b4 trying bed again. All of the the Court hearings scare the hell out of me, but my SSI Doctor was very nice. Though I new his job was to make you not qualify.DavePS if possible bring your spouse or significant other so they can mention things you may have forgot.Jeannie

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[Guest guest]

At 11:42 AM 3/15/2006, you wrote:

>Dave,

>You mentioned some shoulder pain, what are you diagmosed with?

My Worst pain is in my Right Shoulder blade and now it's starting on

my left also. After many test not finding a pinched nerve etc, they

came up with the cause as Myofacial pain and or Faccets disease. It

appears to be more muscular skeletal than nerve. Whatever it is it

had me up with my Shiatsu massager until 4:30am last night, and it's

hurting now. More than likely because the weather here dropped from

70's to the 30's in 24 hour period. Dave