Re: Well it may be time to throw in the towel and file for disability

March 4, 2011

Hi Betsy.

Â

I do not know anything about applying for SSDI, but in lew of your health

issues, I think it would be good for you to do.Â Lots of members here know a

lot about it and can be of a big help to you in filing etc.

Â

Your lung issue is what I have been dealing with for many years.Â Everytime I

get sick, it goes right to my chest, then I get Bronchitis, Asthma, then

Pneumonia.Â So many times I have honestly lost count.Â I do have a Nebulizer,

which really helps me a lot.Â My PCP did send me to a Lung specialist, who I

did see for a few years.Â He discovered I had many, many nodules in my lungs.Â

In time and after many special x=rays, they went away.Â I was so scared in the

beginning because I thought it was cancer etc.

Â

Perhaps you might see a lung specialist to really see what is going on with your

lungs.Â I know nothing about RA lung disease.

Â

Good luck if you decide to go for SSDI.Â I also hope you will continue to feel

better each day.Â Also, try to rest as much as possible.Â I wish you better,

pain free days ahead.

Â

Hugs,

Â

Barbara

From: eafarchette <eafarchette@...>

Subject: [ ] Well it may be time to throw in the towel and file for

disability

Date: Friday, March 4, 2011, 12:31 PM

Â

Hello all...

My subject line says it all. About 6 weeks ago I caught a cold, which quickly

became bronchitis. After numerous trips to the doctor, I'm still having issues

with my breathing and lungs. Air-conditioning agravates the problem. It's like

being on a roller coaster. Just as it seems I'm getting better, it flares up and

I'm right back to square one. My doctor says it is now Rheumatoid Lung.

I'm continuing to have memory issues, and my hands, shoulders and hips are

giving me trouble. I'm having trouble being on my feet for more than a half hour

at a time.

This is my second extended absence from work, as I was out for 3 weeks less than

a year ago for diverticulitis and a colon resectioning. Needless to say, my

employer terminated me from my receptionist position. They say that they have

continued to see my health deteriorate and that I would be better off filing for

disability, and that they would be willing to write a letter of support for me.

If I cant file, answer phones or cover simple office duties, what can I do?

I have noticed that I have improved somewhat since I have been home.

FInancially, I see myself heading for trouble as I have loans and credit cards

to pay. I have come to the realization that my credit may suffer, but I just

might be better off at home.

This is all a little scary to say the least. Any recomendations for dealing with

Social Security????

Betsy in the VI

March 4, 2011

I don't know that much about SSD but you will need your

doctor to write a letter that this is a permanent disability.

It is really a strong letter from the doctor and then most

people really need to get a lawyer. I do believe that just

about everyone is turned down the first time and the second time

you have an appeal with the lawyer. Many lawyers

will wait until you win the case to charge any money.

You want someone that specializes in this type of law.

Pam

>

> Hello all...

>

> My subject line says it all. About 6 weeks ago I caught a cold, which quickly

became bronchitis. After numerous trips to the doctor, I'm still having issues

with my breathing and lungs. Air-conditioning agravates the problem. It's like

being on a roller coaster. Just as it seems I'm getting better, it flares up and

I'm right back to square one. My doctor says it is now Rheumatoid Lung.

>

> I'm continuing to have memory issues, and my hands, shoulders and hips are

giving me trouble. I'm having trouble being on my feet for more than a half hour

at a time.

>

> This is my second extended absence from work, as I was out for 3 weeks less

than a year ago for diverticulitis and a colon resectioning. Needless to say, my

employer terminated me from my receptionist position. They say that they have

continued to see my health deteriorate and that I would be better off filing for

disability, and that they would be willing to write a letter of support for me.

If I cant file, answer phones or cover simple office duties, what can I do?

>

> I have noticed that I have improved somewhat since I have been home.

FInancially, I see myself heading for trouble as I have loans and credit cards

to pay. I have come to the realization that my credit may suffer, but I just

might be better off at home.

>

> This is all a little scary to say the least. Any recomendations for dealing

with Social Security????

>

> Betsy in the VI

>

March 4, 2011

Hi Betsy...just some thoughts, based on my experience.Â If you apply for SSDI,

you are not 'throwing in the towell'.Â I started receiving in 2000.Â Since

then I have been employed at times , based on whether it would be detrimental to

my health or not.Â Once you are established and receiving SSDI, you can still

work as you are able up to between 900. or 1000. gross a month and continue your

benefits, as long as you have not 'recovered' to a point being disabled no

longer.Â Having this option is such a blessing, especially with diseases that

can 'wax and wane'.

I wish you EVERYTHING good...

Cheryle, in Oregon (aka Tess)

March 4, 2011

I've been on disability for a long time now, and there are times I feel guilty

but it soon fades because I end up in a flair and am remainded of why I am on

disability. Support groupsÂ I'm a member of AA, coffee shops, pleasant walks,

shopping, helping otheres, some volunteering, and a little art has helped me a

lot, and of course the internet. lol. There are many people who are jealous of

people on disability, if they only knew the price we pay for it they wouldn't

be.Â I find that I am able to live comfortably on my income by not having a

car, not owning my own home and renting a small but nice apartment in a good

area with utilities included, and having the company of a cat, my therapist

wrote a letter stating she was beneficial for my health and they had to accept

her, or do. I've just started to take up cooking again, and am enjoying the

benefits of better food and the joy of creation. I do have problems with all the

medical procedures I need as I

have a hard time giving up everything to pay for the deductibles and copays but

I do always take my medication,. I still continue to try to learn something on a

daily basis, and to stay a part of society in whatever way fits my health at

that time. I find that college students and the like seem to be the most

understanding of my situation. Yay, for them! Keeping a spiritual outlook and

joy in my life is of the utmost importance and the awareness that life like this

disease changes from day to day if not by moment to moment. Disability doesn't

have to be an ending it can be a beginning to self care, self love, and time to

learn a different way of life.

Â

ladeyangll

From: mercycove@... <mercycove@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Well it may be time to throw in the towel and file for

disability

Date: Friday, March 4, 2011, 3:32 PM

Â

Hi Betsy...just some thoughts, based on my experience.Â If you apply for SSDI,

you are not 'throwing in the towell'.Â I started receiving in 2000.Â Since

then I have been employed at times , based on whether it would be detrimental to

my health or not.Â Once you are established and receiving SSDI, you can still

work as you are able up to between 900. or 1000. gross a month and continue your

benefits, as long as you have not 'recovered' to a point being disabled no

longer.Â Having this option is such a blessing, especially with diseases that

can 'wax and wane'.

I wish you EVERYTHING good...

Cheryle, in Oregon (aka Tess)

March 5, 2011

Thank you all who responded. Sometimes knowing that we are not alone in this

makes dealing with things like this a little easier.

As I live in " unique " circumstances (on an island 26 sq. mi.long) the ability to

again find a job here would be extremely challenging, especially with my current

limitations.

My biggest worry with filing for disability is the fact that my Rheumatologist

is in Puerto Rico, some 90 miles away by plane at a cost of over $200 rt.

Luckily my GP, is well versed in RA and my Rheumy is willing to work with my GP

via fax, and e-mail. My GP really has provided the majority of my treatment

since this all began, with direction coming from the Rheumatologist. My GP and I

have been talking about disability for more than 6 months now, so I know he is

in support of this.

This is more than just a little scarey, and my husband tries, but just doesn't

quite understand what it means to not be able to work. He feels that I should

just stay in bed and rest. I know he means well and only wants me to be ok. But

I have to say that it is a little more difficult than I thought to let go of

this part of my life. But, I also realize that living on pain pills so that I

can go to work, and then coming home at the end of the day too exhausted to cook

or do anything else is no way to live. I was basically " living to work " . I know

that is no way to live. I guess I'm just frustrated right now, and no one I know

understands when I try to explain this.

Thank you all for being here and offering encouragement to any of us who need

it. Sometimes just knowing you are safe to " let it all out " makes the

difference.

Warm Caribbean hugs to all here!

Betsy in the VI

March 5, 2011

I was the most type A personality that I have ever met before my medical issues

surfaced. I worked 16-20 hours a day on salary and was my family's provider. My

partner stayed home and tended the kids- at that time we had our 3 sons and 3

others that lived with us. I lived to work and spend as much other time as

possible with all of the boys. It was my place in life. Then, when I split a

disc in half stepping in a hole at work and the nucleous of the disc squished

into my spinal cord and suddenly I couldn't walk. I didn't really walk more than

a few steps for 2 weeks shy of a year. It destroyed me. My self-image was

instantly changed and I couldn't even wipe my own behind. My partner, who didn't

have to work outside the home suddenly was forced to get a job. I was broken and

useless and very, very angry.

I stayed in my room and shouted at anyone that knocked. I wanted to die, but

then what about the boys? That was in '97. Since then, I have been diagnosed

with DDD, OA, Fibro, Diabetes, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Heart Disease, Kidney

issues, GERD and last year RA. Illnesses no longer define who I am. You will

struggle with the changes, but you will find that slowing down isn't gonna kill

you. Nobody could have told me that in '97.

Today my life is as full as I can make it be. Some days still suck wind and I

get downhearted. Most days I have learned that I can find a reason to live in

the simplest of things. A smile, a laugh shared, some goofy thing a pet does,

the way the light shines in through window. It takes some adjustment- and you

can still have a life worth living. You can still contribute to the people in

your life. You just learn to do it differently. It isn't easy, but it is

something that unless you want to make the people in your miserable like I did-

you will learn to do. I may be the most hard-headed individual in the world and

I learned how- I know that you can too.

I am sorry that this has been long winded, but your statements really touched me

Betsy. Read this not once, but twice -and know that you are not the only one.

AND- don't forget to be grateful for your hubby that is supportive and loving.

Do what you need to do.

Hang in there baby! We are pulling for you.

Gentle hugs-- in SC