Re: Disability physical

November 19, 2009

Thanks Doreen,

There was no blood work at all, though I tested RA positive on all my other

blood work. The doctor didn't evenÂ look my wrists, hands or feet which were

painful at the time of the physical. He said they ordered the lumbar x-ray only

and that's all he could do. He did look in my ears and throat, and had me walk

across a 4 foot room, lift each arm over my head, and lift both legs, and ask me

if I could feed and dress myself. That was it.

What is stressing me out is that I'm 61, single, and lost my job the end of

September, along with my health insurance. I'm getting unemployment right now,

but in this state you have prove you are searching for a job (three per week)

and to be ready, willing, and able to work full time. If offered a job, any job,

whether you are physically able to do the job or not, if you refuse a job, the

unemployment stop. I'm looking for full time work, something I'm able to do,

which is severely limited because I can't stand for any length of time, and my

hands are questionable at best now showing signs of deformity on my left hand.

Â

The best job I can hope for is a receptionist type position with light typing.

In this town, hard hit by the economy, the jobs I'm qualified for are slim to

none. Received notice yesterday from the unemployment office that I have been

chosen for their. My doctor tells me that no one is going to offer me a job at

my age and in my physical condidtion and they can't stop my unemployment if I'm

not offered a job.Â Then more good news. I received a letter yesterday from the

unemployment office. I have been selected for their job training, placement

service, with classes etc. If I refuse or miss any of the classes, my

unemployment stops.

I've been a secretary with a good job, the same job,Â for twenty years. I turn

61, my RA goes nuts, is finally diagnosed and I just started treatment, then

lose my job and insurance 2 months before I turn 62!!!!!! My SS payments start

the end of January but starting regular SS this soon, my payments will barely

cover the mortgage, no utility bills covered, no medications, no food, etc. With

disability and SSI if I can get it, money would be extremely tight but I could

at least live.

I have to look for work and if I'm offered a job I can't do, my unemployment

stops. If IÂ take a job, my disability process stops. I'm in a position where I

damned if I do and damed if I don't.

Â

As for health insurance, I have three years before I qualify for Medicare. I

don't qualify for Medicade because my daughter moved in with me temporarily to

help pick up the slack the unemployment doesn't cover, so there is too much

income in the home even though she has her own bills and is helping me out the

best she can. The only state sponsored plan I quailfy for is so cost prohibitive

it's laughable. No individual plan will accept me because of pre-existing

conditions and I couldn't afford it if they did. There is one state plan though

that would be doable but I have to be without health insurance for six months.

Just keeping my fingers cross that I can hold outÂ 4 more months and don't end

up in the hospital. I am looking into what I can do about help for the

prescription situation, now that I'm no longer employed.

Â

As you can see, I'm stressed to the max and scared to death about how I can even

live. Sorry to vent but I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I'm trying to hang tough

and take it one day at a time, but there are some days when I cave.

Â

Kay

________________________________

From: " rascalsniche@... " <rascalsniche@...>

Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 8:49:31 AM

Subject: [ ] Disability physical

Â

Hi Everyone,

Hi Kay...I live in Ohio and while they did take time with me...I noticed

that the lab test of rheum factor was not checked on the bloodwork they did.

So, I checked it to be run.... I know some people have a negative factor

but mine was positive and I knew it. and you know when I finally got approved

was when the judge told my atty that he was going to turn me down again

until he read my rheum factor which was 492 and should be under 15. Goes to

show sometimes they need to adjust their testing to fit the individual. or

make sure they're running all the right labs for you.

I also did not take my pain meds the day of the appt so they could see how

sore I am without the drugs. I even cried when I told him what I was going

thru.

It took me 2 1/2 yrs to get mine approved. I had to go to cleveland with

my atty three times and the judge didn't even see me. what a nightmare it

can be. Its not right many times....its like they want to deny people and

hope they don't come back to try again. Hopefully you'll be able to redo the

appt.

Hugs and good luck..a

November 19, 2009

Hi Kay,

Were you aware that the government is currently paying 65% of COBRA payments

through the end of this year (will they extend, I don't know) from the stimulus

money. This website has a little info on it, http://governmenthealthplan.com/ .

I hope this helps.

in PA

Re: [ ] Disability physical

Thanks Doreen,

There was no blood work at all, though I tested RA positive on all my other

blood work. The doctor didn't even look my wrists, hands or feet which were