Re: Stuck in a hard spot

[Guest guest]

Bren,

Hi sorry to hear about you predicament but you are not alone. Have you tried

your local state run vocational rehab? Many times they have programs which

if your doc makes a referral you can attend and get possibly food stamps and or

welfare assistance until you complete the program and get a job which you can

do.

If you have applied and been denied the next step is seek the assistance of

either an attorney or legal mediator to appeal your case. In almost all cases

of SSDI or SSI they deny you the first time. do not give up keep appealing.

Make sure your doctors are documenting and sending in your medical info. This

process can be long from 1-5 yrs for many.

Next step to getting meds that are not covered under your insurance plan is

check out free and needy meds. Go to Enbrel.com they have an area where you

can read about the program for those that can't afford meds. You sign up and

your doc may have to sign some forms. If you qualify you will get your meds

either free or at a very low cost. The next option is if your insurance won't

pay for enbrel check and see if it pays for any of the other Biologic DMARDs.

You may be able to get remiciade or humira if you have not tried them.

Next if you are still even working do you get short or long term disability?

If so those may help give you in income while fighting to get your SSI case

heard. At your age you are not old enough to qualify for SSDI which depends on

amount of time worked. SSI is income based, low income program.

Do you have family or spouse that can help with your care? If you have not

had a pyschic eval..ask your doc if he can send you for one. this also can

help in getting any sort of disability payments. Many who suffer from chronic

pain also suffer from depression as a result of all the pain. And the pain can

cause further depression which also makes the pain appear worst..I think you

get the picture...its a vicious cycle.

As far as pain relief. Ask about going to pain management doc if you feel

you doctor is not managing your pain well enough.

I used enbrel for 12 weeks it did nothing for my RA but did provide some

relief from the fatigue. I hope if you do get on enbrel it will help you.

My next suggestion would be if you are 21 yo then you either just finished

college or are stil attending college. If you can go talk to counselor about

you career options. Also you may be able to get free mental health sessions on

campus. If you can move home with family that would also help from a

financial standpoint until you can sort out your next career move.

Next learn to pace yourself in your activities. Do try to do too much at one

time. Also when you have pain you do not sleep well get the pain addressed

with meds and maye even meds for sleep for short time until things get settled.

Good luck

Toni

In a message dated 2/15/04 4:41:07 AM Central Standard Time,

writes:

> Message: 1

> Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 06:14:05 -0000

> From: " " <bren41882@...>

> Subject: Stuck in a hard spot.

>

> I don't know what to do. I " m only 21yrs old and have severe

> rheumatoid arthritis and can't work. Yet the state won't give me

> social security benifits. I have insurance that only pays for

> selected meds and can't get the Embrel my doctor thinks I should be

> on. The lady at the SSI office actually said " You're stuck in

> between being to disabled to work and not disabled enough for SSI. "

> Isaid " What's in between? Nothing that's what. " . She just

> said " Well I don't know what to tell you. " I live with severe daily

> pain and fatigue and can't even get the meds I need to get a little

> releif. I spend many days in tears cause I hurt so bad. I don't know

> what to do. I'm at my wits end I can't live like this. HELP! E-mail

> me at Bren41882@... if you can help.

>

> Thanks,

> Bren

>