Re: Urgent question re: Disability

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

Ask your doctor to write into his statement, what medications you are

on, what you were like before those medications, what your would be

like if you could no longer afford those medications. If you have a

history of needing to change your medications, say from Humira to

Remicade to Enbrel. Or that you have max'ed out on the allowable

amount of methotrexate. SSA does take into account what you would be

like without your medication, ask him to state that as well.

After reading my doctor's letter to SSA, he very dry-ly stated the

damage to my joints. He didn't give a pronosis, but he didn't sugar

coat what my future could be either.

So, yes, we muddle forward with the help of a cocktail of medications.

Stop even one of them and we are a mess.

Now, I recommend that you go to the But You Don't Look Sick website and

check out the Social Security Boards. On the Sticky section there are

several threads on letters samples for doctors.

You are very luckly to have a doctor who is willing to work with you.

Print out a couple of the sample letters than seem to apply to your

situation. Doctors are human and getting writer's block is common when

trying to write a letter that can have a huge impact on a patient.

If you need anything email privately.

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/boards

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi:

I hope your dr. fills out the papers, and that you will get your SSDI.

I also pray you will get your much needed ins. in place. I hate when

the wheels of progress turn too slowly.

Always in my thoughts and prayers. BRRRRRRRRRRRR it was

31 degrees in Fl. today. I have the heat on in the house at 78. I am

dressed for winter today. No shorts or T shirts right now. I hate the

cold!!!!

God Bless you and talk soon.

Monster hugs to you!!!!

Barbara

>

> Hi Group,

>

> My Rheumy called me tonight and told me that he was going to fill out

my

> paperwork for Disability however, he is afraid it could hurt me and

not help me.

> Based on last visit and based on the questions they are asking him, I

am

> doing well. Now, I did not list RA as my only medical condition. I've

got 4

> listed that are on their " list " and about 10 listed all together,

pitiful, I

> know. He wants to know if I want him to fill it out or just ignore it

and

> not send it in. I think he's got to send it in anyway, right? They'll

just

> keep after him for it. I'm so confused. So many things are not going

my way

> right now. I'm scared , I've only got 4 more weeks left of Enbrel, I

already

> can't take my MTX, I still haven't heard from a claims adjuster re:

> unemployment and health insurance, I'm so glad it's high on their

priority list!!!!

> Ugh. Oh well, I'll be waiting to hear your experience with

this....thanks!

>

> Heidi in really frigid Mass.

> **************Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all

time on

> AOL Music.

>

(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?ncid=emlcntusm\

usi00000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

Stan is correct. Applying for disability means you have to learn to

wait. And be patient, very patient.

Not to get your hopes up, but if the worker said he had every thing he

needed from the medical side. That a decision would be coming in a few

weeks is probably, maybe, a good thing. Worker don't like to get your

hopes up only to have them dashed on the rocks. I'd say it's on a

supervisors desk waiting for his recommendation. So, we'll keep your

fingers crossed for you. It's those last couple of weeks of waiting

that is a killer.

Wishing you positive thoughts.

[Guest guest]

Awwww, Stan. Yogi sounds adorable! Please post some pictures so we can

see this adorable little spoiled creature. I'm assuming that a Pomchie

is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua? You can always tell

when a pet is well-loved. Sleeping on his back UNDER the blanket?! How

relaxed is that???? Check out my " Doreen's Babies " in the photo

section. They are what keeps me going.....Doreen

When I say cold in Seattle I mean by our standard which is usually

around 35 degrees. When you say cold it means something different. My

Mom lives in Youngstown, Ohio where it was 6 degrees last week which

is why I live in Seattle. Everyone everywhere as had very strange

winters this year and I doubt it's over yet. My dog's name is Yogi,

he's a nine pound pomchie, he looks more like a chuhuauhauue

(chewwawa? chuahua? Taco Bell dog!) I don't think he knows he's a dog,

he likes to sleep under the blanket on his back and enjoys a sip of

morning coffee. He doesn't go out until properly dressed, he has more

shirts than me. In fact, last week he came out of the bedroom wearing

a red " super delegate " shirt. I had no idea he'd attended the

convention nor did I know he was a republican. I'd tell him he's just

a dog but I can't afford the thearpy that might require, and of course

he would have to have the best.

Stan,

Steattle, Cloudy and cold.