Disability

[Guest guest]

I've been a member here for some time, but I've only quietly watched from the

sidelines as I am not good at speaking up very well. However, I just received

some news about my disability benefits and I have some questions and don't know

where else to turn right now.

I was on my way to my second back surgery in Oct 2008 when I was diagnosed with

CML at age 35. I was heavily drugged for back pain until Feb 2009 when they did

my surgery and then spent a rough 3 months coming off all the pain meds. I

fortunately had a disability policy and started with benefits at that time.

During this time, we lost our business and insurance and I had to move to Texas

and work for my sister (a little of this and that) to re-establish insurance.

My disability benefits continued as I still had a loss of income and in Aug

2009, I returned home with insurance through state continuation until Feb 2010.

I have continued looking for a job, but I don't think physically I could handle

much right now. My back is still touchy, flaring regularly and sending me to

bed at least 1 day a week and I can't manage a " normal " day as far as sitting -

the muscles are still so weak, the nerves are still healing, and I have

cramping, pain, etc. The last info reported to disability was that I could

return to work with restrictions if my back was stable, but it wasn't

consistantly stable now.

Also, I am EXHAUSTED most of the time. I joke that I have about 4 good hours a

day, but it's not far from the truth. My oncologist told me when we discussed

in November that I would have to slow down to accomodate this - that I had

cancer and was being treated with strong meds that would also slow me down, but

he sent a statement to the disability company that I could return to work with

no restrictions with regards to my CML.

Disability called today and said that as far as they are concerned, based on

doctor statements, I can return to work and they are about to close my case.

When I explained that I didn't think I could find a job that would give me a day

or more a week to stay in bed because my back was flaring, he suggested that I

go back to the doctors for updated, more detailed health statements.

I'm at a complete loss right now. I have (at least I thought quite clearly)

communicated my limitations to my doctors, and I don't feel at all capable of

returning to work, except maybe part time as my back will tolerate. Has anyone

had any experience with disability and if so, do you have any advice for me?

Mindy

[Guest guest]

Hi Mindy: I cannot believe this doctor cleared you with all the problems your

having. Listen to Ted and . You need to get a lawyer. You know the

expression THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL.

You have to make your point, and have copies of all your records etc.

I know someone who has CML and numerous other problems, and she fought until

they finally approved her. I think they refused her 2 times. I hope you get

things taken care of very soon. Do not watch from the sidelines on this topic,

and so glad you posted. Anytime you have a question, just post it.

A

>

> I've been a member here for some time, but I've only quietly watched from the

sidelines as I am not good at speaking up very well. However, I just received

some news about my disability benefits and I have some questions and don't know

where else to turn right now.

>

> I was on my way to my second back surgery in Oct 2008 when I was diagnosed

with CML at age 35. I was heavily drugged for back pain until Feb 2009 when

they did my surgery and then spent a rough 3 months coming off all the pain

meds. I fortunately had a disability policy and started with benefits at that

time.

>

> During this time, we lost our business and insurance and I had to move to

Texas and work for my sister (a little of this and that) to re-establish

insurance. My disability benefits continued as I still had a loss of income and

in Aug 2009, I returned home with insurance through state continuation until Feb

2010.

>

> I have continued looking for a job, but I don't think physically I could

handle much right now. My back is still touchy, flaring regularly and sending

me to bed at least 1 day a week and I can't manage a " normal " day as far as

sitting - the muscles are still so weak, the nerves are still healing, and I

have cramping, pain, etc. The last info reported to disability was that I could

return to work with restrictions if my back was stable, but it wasn't

consistantly stable now.

>

> Also, I am EXHAUSTED most of the time. I joke that I have about 4 good hours

a day, but it's not far from the truth. My oncologist told me when we discussed

in November that I would have to slow down to accomodate this - that I had

cancer and was being treated with strong meds that would also slow me down, but

he sent a statement to the disability company that I could return to work with

no restrictions with regards to my CML.

>

> Disability called today and said that as far as they are concerned, based on

doctor statements, I can return to work and they are about to close my case.

When I explained that I didn't think I could find a job that would give me a day

or more a week to stay in bed because my back was flaring, he suggested that I

go back to the doctors for updated, more detailed health statements.

>

> I'm at a complete loss right now. I have (at least I thought quite clearly)

communicated my limitations to my doctors, and I don't feel at all capable of

returning to work, except maybe part time as my back will tolerate. Has anyone

had any experience with disability and if so, do you have any advice for me?

>

> Mindy

>

[Guest guest]

Mindy, I would just add to what I (and the others) have already written: the

lawyer you obtain is bound to recover his fee only according to SSA rules; and

in case you are worried about an upfront fee, I'm pretty sure he can only get a

certain percentage contingent on his winning your case.  Up to someting like

25%, I think, and his costs come out of his fee.

 

Someone I know who recently filed said his Congressman's office had a special

worker that helped people get help under federal programs.  His congressman's

worker, he also said, was pretty savvy.

From: A <suzzienovember@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Disability

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 4:24 PM

 

Hi Mindy: I cannot believe this doctor cleared you with all the problems your

having. Listen to Ted and . You need to get a lawyer. You know the

expression THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL.

You have to make your point, and have copies of all your records etc.

I know someone who has CML and numerous other problems, and she fought until

they finally approved her. I think they refused her 2 times. I hope you get

things taken care of very soon. Do not watch from the sidelines on this topic,

and so glad you posted. Anytime you have a question, just post it.

A

>

> I've been a member here for some time, but I've only quietly watched from the

sidelines as I am not good at speaking up very well. However, I just received

some news about my disability benefits and I have some questions and don't know

where else to turn right now.

>

> I was on my way to my second back surgery in Oct 2008 when I was diagnosed

with CML at age 35. I was heavily drugged for back pain until Feb 2009 when they

did my surgery and then spent a rough 3 months coming off all the pain meds. I

fortunately had a disability policy and started with benefits at that time.

>

> During this time, we lost our business and insurance and I had to move to

Texas and work for my sister (a little of this and that) to re-establish

insurance. My disability benefits continued as I still had a loss of income and

in Aug 2009, I returned home with insurance through state continuation until Feb

2010.

>

> I have continued looking for a job, but I don't think physically I could

handle much right now. My back is still touchy, flaring regularly and sending me

to bed at least 1 day a week and I can't manage a " normal " day as far as sitting

- the muscles are still so weak, the nerves are still healing, and I have

cramping, pain, etc. The last info reported to disability was that I could

return to work with restrictions if my back was stable, but it wasn't

consistantly stable now.

>

> Also, I am EXHAUSTED most of the time. I joke that I have about 4 good hours a

day, but it's not far from the truth. My oncologist told me when we discussed in

November that I would have to slow down to accomodate this - that I had cancer

and was being treated with strong meds that would also slow me down, but he sent

a statement to the disability company that I could return to work with no

restrictions with regards to my CML.

>

> Disability called today and said that as far as they are concerned, based on

doctor statements, I can return to work and they are about to close my case.

When I explained that I didn't think I could find a job that would give me a day

or more a week to stay in bed because my back was flaring, he suggested that I

go back to the doctors for updated, more detailed health statements.

>

> I'm at a complete loss right now. I have (at least I thought quite clearly)

communicated my limitations to my doctors, and I don't feel at all capable of

returning to work, except maybe part time as my back will tolerate. Has anyone

had any experience with disability and if so, do you have any advice for me?

>

> Mindy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi:  It is contingent on if he wins the case.  If he does not win for you,

then he gets nothing.

Also there are lawyers who specifically work on SS Disability Claims.  I do not

remember what the percentage was that he gets.  Search out everything you can.

From: A <suzzienovember>

Subject: [ ] Re: Disability

groups (DOT) com

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 4:24 PM

 

Hi Mindy: I cannot believe this doctor cleared you with all the problems your

having. Listen to Ted and . You need to get a lawyer. You know the

expression THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL.

You have to make your point, and have copies of all your records etc.

I know someone who has CML and numerous other problems, and she fought until

they finally approved her. I think they refused her 2 times. I hope you get

things taken care of very soon. Do not watch from the sidelines on this topic,

and so glad you posted. Anytime you have a question, just post it.

A

>

> I've been a member here for some time, but I've only quietly watched from the

sidelines as I am not good at speaking up very well. However, I just received

some news about my disability benefits and I have some questions and don't know

where else to turn right now.

>

> I was on my way to my second back surgery in Oct 2008 when I was diagnosed

with CML at age 35. I was heavily drugged for back pain until Feb 2009 when they

did my surgery and then spent a rough 3 months coming off all the pain meds. I

fortunately had a disability policy and started with benefits at that time.

>

> During this time, we lost our business and insurance and I had to move to

Texas and work for my sister (a little of this and that) to re-establish

insurance. My disability benefits continued as I still had a loss of income and

in Aug 2009, I returned home with insurance through state continuation until Feb

2010.

>

> I have continued looking for a job, but I don't think physically I could

handle much right now. My back is still touchy, flaring regularly and sending me

to bed at least 1 day a week and I can't manage a " normal " day as far as sitting

- the muscles are still so weak, the nerves are still healing, and I have

cramping, pain, etc. The last info reported to disability was that I could

return to work with restrictions if my back was stable, but it wasn't

consistantly stable now.

>

> Also, I am EXHAUSTED most of the time. I joke that I have about 4 good hours a

day, but it's not far from the truth. My oncologist told me when we discussed in

November that I would have to slow down to accomodate this - that I had cancer

and was being treated with strong meds that would also slow me down, but he sent

a statement to the disability company that I could return to work with no

restrictions with regards to my CML.

>

> Disability called today and said that as far as they are concerned, based on

doctor statements, I can return to work and they are about to close my case.

When I explained that I didn't think I could find a job that would give me a day

or more a week to stay in bed because my back was flaring, he suggested that I

go back to the doctors for updated, more detailed health statements.

>

> I'm at a complete loss right now. I have (at least I thought quite clearly)

communicated my limitations to my doctors, and I don't feel at all capable of

returning to work, except maybe part time as my back will tolerate. Has anyone

had any experience with disability and if so, do you have any advice for me?

>

> Mindy

>

[Guest guest]

I appreciate the input and help I've received. I was fortunate to have a

private company disability policy when I got sick, so I haven't had to deal with

many of the horrors I have heard about social security disability.

I spoke with the person in the oncologists office responsible for filling out

the paperwork. She apologized and said that they " missed " the fatigue issues

that they should have noted and she re-wrote another letter not clearing me to

go back for work. The back doctor is also working on a letter and I'm hopeful

it will be similar. That will leave everything in the hands of the disability

company to decide after that, but I'm hopeful with two " no return to work "

letters that they will have little choice but to continue benefits.

I thank everyone for their help and I will keep you posted.

Mindy

>

> I've been a member here for some time, but I've only quietly watched from the

sidelines as I am not good at speaking up very well. However, I just received

some news about my disability benefits and I have some questions and don't know

where else to turn right now.

>

> I was on my way to my second back surgery in Oct 2008 when I was diagnosed

with CML at age 35. I was heavily drugged for back pain until Feb 2009 when

they did my surgery and then spent a rough 3 months coming off all the pain

meds. I fortunately had a disability policy and started with benefits at that

time.

>

> During this time, we lost our business and insurance and I had to move to

Texas and work for my sister (a little of this and that) to re-establish

insurance. My disability benefits continued as I still had a loss of income and

in Aug 2009, I returned home with insurance through state continuation until Feb

2010.

>

> I have continued looking for a job, but I don't think physically I could

handle much right now. My back is still touchy, flaring regularly and sending

me to bed at least 1 day a week and I can't manage a " normal " day as far as

sitting - the muscles are still so weak, the nerves are still healing, and I

have cramping, pain, etc. The last info reported to disability was that I could

return to work with restrictions if my back was stable, but it wasn't

consistantly stable now.

>

> Also, I am EXHAUSTED most of the time. I joke that I have about 4 good hours

a day, but it's not far from the truth. My oncologist told me when we discussed

in November that I would have to slow down to accomodate this - that I had

cancer and was being treated with strong meds that would also slow me down, but

he sent a statement to the disability company that I could return to work with

no restrictions with regards to my CML.

>

> Disability called today and said that as far as they are concerned, based on

doctor statements, I can return to work and they are about to close my case.

When I explained that I didn't think I could find a job that would give me a day

or more a week to stay in bed because my back was flaring, he suggested that I

go back to the doctors for updated, more detailed health statements.

>

> I'm at a complete loss right now. I have (at least I thought quite clearly)

communicated my limitations to my doctors, and I don't feel at all capable of

returning to work, except maybe part time as my back will tolerate. Has anyone

had any experience with disability and if so, do you have any advice for me?

>

> Mindy

>