SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

[Guest guest]

For anyone who is applying for social security disability beware! After

working 30 plus years I came to the harsh realization that I could not work

anymore. This was hard for me because I have always worked and been

independent but Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia has made it impossible for me to

work. The pain, chronic fatigue, cognitive issues, muscle cramps, muscle

spasms, the medications, etc. - it is so hard for me to admit that I am not

the same person as before and that I need help. If that isn't bad enough -

social security sent me to one of their physicians for an exam. This doctor

saw me for a total of " 3 " minutes - after his staff took my vitals and did

not examined me. All he did was ask me to walk three steps forward and

three steps back. When I asked him if he wanted to see medications (I was

asked by the social security to bring all my meds in their original

containers) he dismissed me by saying there is no way that I could have

Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia at the same time. He proceeded to tell me that

he was done and will send the report to social security. I asked him if he

wants going to check me over he said I am done with. I was in total shock

- my husband had taken the day off to drive me to this appointment since I

was too fatigued to drive. When we asked how he can say that my doctors

from two top institutions in LA Cedars and UCLA were wrong - he sent his

receptionist to talk to me and hid in his office. This was the worst

experience of my life. I was treated like a criminal.

Today I got a call from my doctor who got a copy of this doctor's report.

He wrote in a five page report (out of " 3 " minutes) were he claimed that

not only did I not look sick but he saw no distress that it was obvious to

him that I had mental issues that have yet to be diagnosed. He sent this

report of our three minute meeting where he did not even check my lungs, my

swollen glands, may very painful joints. I have been told that the

government denies your claims automatically.but I never thought they hire

this people to fake an exam. I suggest if any of you are sent to these

exams take a tape recorder with you - take a witness - protect yourselves.

It is bad enough that this disease robs you of so much to have to be told

that you are mental. My doctor who has known me for many years could not

believe what he was reading. I am extremely upset. I am so angry at this

disease!!!

Vivian Cone

I would rather live my life as if there is a God,

And die to find out there isn't, than live my life

As if there isn't, and die to find out there is.

[Guest guest]

Vivian,

I am so sorry for your experience. It terrifies me as I'm also contemplating

applying for SSDI. I have put it off for over a year now, but have come to the

realization that I can't predicate on any given day if I will be bedridden or

have a sub-normal day. My days are never pain free, but trying to find work and

not being able to manage the pain and fatigue isn't working. I fear the same

will happen to me if I apply.

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Vivian Cone <vcone@...>

Sent: Thu, March 3, 2011 5:17:42 PM

Subject: [ ] SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

For anyone who is applying for social security disability beware! After

working 30 plus years I came to the harsh realization that I could not work

anymore. This was hard for me because I have always worked and been

independent but Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia has made it impossible for me to

work. The pain, chronic fatigue, cognitive issues, muscle cramps, muscle

spasms, the medications, etc. - it is so hard for me to admit that I am not

the same person as before and that I need help. If that isn't bad enough -

social security sent me to one of their physicians for an exam. This doctor

saw me for a total of " 3 " minutes - after his staff took my vitals and did

not examined me. All he did was ask me to walk three steps forward and

three steps back. When I asked him if he wanted to see medications (I was

asked by the social security to bring all my meds in their original

containers) he dismissed me by saying there is no way that I could have

Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia at the same time. He proceeded to tell me that

he was done and will send the report to social security. I asked him if he

wants going to check me over he said I am done with. I was in total shock

- my husband had taken the day off to drive me to this appointment since I

was too fatigued to drive. When we asked how he can say that my doctors

from two top institutions in LA Cedars and UCLA were wrong - he sent his

receptionist to talk to me and hid in his office. This was the worst

experience of my life. I was treated like a criminal.

Today I got a call from my doctor who got a copy of this doctor's report.

He wrote in a five page report (out of " 3 " minutes) were he claimed that

not only did I not look sick but he saw no distress that it was obvious to

him that I had mental issues that have yet to be diagnosed. He sent this

report of our three minute meeting where he did not even check my lungs, my

swollen glands, may very painful joints. I have been told that the

government denies your claims automatically.but I never thought they hire

this people to fake an exam. I suggest if any of you are sent to these

exams take a tape recorder with you - take a witness - protect yourselves.

It is bad enough that this disease robs you of so much to have to be told

that you are mental. My doctor who has known me for many years could not

believe what he was reading. I am extremely upset. I am so angry at this

disease!!!

Vivian Cone

I would rather live my life as if there is a God,

And die to find out there isn't, than live my life

As if there isn't, and die to find out there is.

[Guest guest]

One of my friends was denied SS benefits, but she fought it and won. It

took 9 months and they had to pay her from the time she originally

filed. Don't give up!

BTW, my friend is in a wheelchair full time. The doctor said that she

could work as a receptionist or a secretary, since that is what she did

in the past. She is not capable of working, none of the places in her

community are wheelchair friendly, and she takes too much pain

medication to work. I am so glad she was approved. Please hang in there.

Becca

On 3/3/2011 6:17 PM, Vivian Cone wrote:

>

> For anyone who is applying for social security disability beware! After

> working 30 plus years I came to the harsh realization that I could not

> work

> anymore. This was hard for me because I have always worked and been

> independent but Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia has made it impossible for

> me to

> work. The pain, chronic fatigue, cognitive issues, muscle cramps, muscle

> spasms, the medications, etc. - it is so hard for me to admit that I

> am not

> the same person as before and that I need help. If that isn't bad enough -

> social security sent me to one of their physicians for an exam. This

> doctor

> saw me for a total of " 3 " minutes - after his staff took my vitals and did

> not examined me. All he did was ask me to walk three steps forward and

> three steps back. When I asked him if he wanted to see medications (I was

> asked by the social security to bring all my meds in their original

> containers) he dismissed me by saying there is no way that I could have

> Lupus, RA and Fibromyalgia at the same time. He proceeded to tell me that

> he was done and will send the report to social security. I asked him if he

> wants going to check me over he said I am done with. I was in total shock

> - my husband had taken the day off to drive me to this appointment since I

> was too fatigued to drive. When we asked how he can say that my doctors

> from two top institutions in LA Cedars and UCLA were wrong - he sent his

> receptionist to talk to me and hid in his office. This was the worst

> experience of my life. I was treated like a criminal.

>

> Today I got a call from my doctor who got a copy of this doctor's report.

> He wrote in a five page report (out of " 3 " minutes) were he claimed that

> not only did I not look sick but he saw no distress that it was obvious to

> him that I had mental issues that have yet to be diagnosed. He sent this

> report of our three minute meeting where he did not even check my

> lungs, my

> swollen glands, may very painful joints. I have been told that the

> government denies your claims automatically.but I never thought they hire

> this people to fake an exam. I suggest if any of you are sent to these

> exams take a tape recorder with you - take a witness - protect yourselves.

>

> It is bad enough that this disease robs you of so much to have to be told

> that you are mental. My doctor who has known me for many years could not

> believe what he was reading. I am extremely upset. I am so angry at this

> disease!!!

>

> Vivian Cone

>

[Guest guest]

Wow Vivian- you really got the bum's rush. Yes, there are stupid and unethical

Dr's and some of them work for SS. I got sent to one at one point and he wanted

to do a PELVIC on me!!!!! What the H+++ a pelvic would've reveiled, I'll never

know. Doesn't seem to have much to do with RA, DDD, OA, Fibro, Diabetes...etc ad

nauseum. I told the creepy bugger to get bent. They tried to deny me SS based on

his report.. Ha! Like I wouldn't be working if I could.

 

Not to worry, I am sure that you have medical evidence that could fell a mule

like I do. The truth will win- in my case, it did. But I really wonder how these

jerks can sleep at night when they can wield so much power of the life of

another.

 

Hang in and don't worry about it.  in SC

 

 

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say that the doctor I got to do the exam for disability

was not bad at all. He treated me with respect and listened to me. Though

he did seem to want to rush the process a bit more than I would have liked.

To be honest, I think that he was so good because my doctors really went to

bat for me. I was going for disability for mental illness which is supposed

to be the hardest to get. I had about six hospitalizations at the time for

bipolar disorder, but I am convinced it was my doctors, including the best

doctor I ever had, at Columbia Presbyterian, who made it so easy for me. The

counseling center I went to had an employee who worked with those who had

serious issues to get disability. They filled out the forms for me and sent

reports to the government. Prior to filing, I had gone to an inpatient study

at Columbia Pres, where they did a pet scan and an MRI of my brain and hours

of interviews. The doctor was able to include the tests in my chart, the

films showed the deformities and malfunctioning parts of my brain. I think

the dr who I went to for the evaluation had seen the evidence and had

already decided to give me a positive evaluation as soon as I walked in the

door. I believe it was the great doctors that I had on my side who really

made all the difference. I could never have done it without their complete

support.

I would strongly suggest you to first get your Rheumatologist in your

corner.Tell him you want to apply, and have him fill out the forms with you

if he is willing. get all your X-rays and your complete medical history and

get as much help from your doctors as you can. Get them to go to bat for

you, because at least in my case the screeners seemed much more likely to

listen to them than anything I had to say. Had I simply gone in there I'm

sure I would not have gotten it. As it was I got it on my first try.

And thank god I did. It took years of living in group homes, going in and

out of mental hospitals, etc, before I finally found the right medication

and became stable (more " normal') in fact, I was so much better I was

planning to go off the disability and get a full time job. But then the RA

hit and got so bad, and I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't

already had disability. I hate having RA, but I thank God that I got it and

not someone like my sister who has to work full time for a living. I DO

actually do freelance writing from home (I'm allowed to make up to 1400

dollars a month and keep my insurance, though I seldom make anywhere near

that) as long as I keep reporting my income I am fine. But on days that are

bad, I can lie in bed or sit in front of the tv all day and not have to

worry about a thing.

Good luck, and don't lose hope.

On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 2:55 PM, phyllis crubaugh

<phylliscrubaugh@...>wrote:

>

>

> Wow Vivian- you really got the bum's rush. Yes, there are stupid and

> unethical Dr's and some of them work for SS. I got sent to one at one point

> and he wanted to do a PELVIC on me!!!!! What the H+++ a pelvic would've

> reveiled, I'll never know. Doesn't seem to have much to do with RA, DDD, OA,

> Fibro, Diabetes...etc ad nauseum. I told the creepy bugger to get bent. They

> tried to deny me SS based on his report.. Ha! Like I wouldn't be working if

> I could.

>

> Not to worry, I am sure that you have medical evidence that could fell a

> mule like I do. The truth will win- in my case, it did. But I really wonder

> how these jerks can sleep at night when they can wield so much power of the

> life of another.

>

> Hang in and don't worry about it. in SC

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I got my ssd with in 5 mo. What I can tell you get an lawyer that deals with ssd

he will bat for you and you just show up when he tells you too.

suzyl62

[Guest guest]

Becca,

In a wheelchair and she got denied...what a shame!

I have trouble with my hands - my arms- my feet-my hips and he states that I

can lift weights, walk a mile, and stand for six hours. I can't no longer

walk as much - I wish I could, I would lose the weight I have gained from

the Prednisone. I can't stand up too long because of the fatigue.

I will hang in there - Thanks for your reply!

Vivian

Re: [ ] SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

One of my friends was denied SS benefits, but she fought it and won. It

took 9 months and they had to pay her from the time she originally filed.

Don't give up!

BTW, my friend is in a wheelchair full time. The doctor said that she could

work as a receptionist or a secretary, since that is what she did in the

past. She is not capable of working, none of the places in her community

are wheelchair friendly, and she takes too much pain medication to work. I

am so glad she was approved. Please hang in there.

Becca

[Guest guest]

Heidi

From all that has come through today from others on line it looks like

everyone goes through similar situations. The on-line application was easy

and the gentleman that I met at the social security office was very polite

but the doctor they send you too I am convinced more than ever gets paid to

deny all applicants. Be prepared for this, I was not prepared for the

letdown. The doctor did not even examined me...he was genuine quack!

Now I am going to start looking for an attorney that deals with this - to

see what happens.

Hang in there and God bless - Vivian in CA

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I will not lose hope. Vivian

On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 2:55 PM, phyllis crubaugh

<phylliscrubaugh@...>wrote:

>

>

> Wow Vivian- you really got the bum's rush. Yes, there are stupid and

> unethical Dr's and some of them work for SS. I got sent to one at one

> point and he wanted to do a PELVIC on me!!!!! What the H+++ a pelvic

> would've reveiled, I'll never know. Doesn't seem to have much to do

> with RA, DDD, OA, Fibro, Diabetes...etc ad nauseum. I told the creepy

> bugger to get bent. They tried to deny me SS based on his report.. Ha!

> Like I wouldn't be working if I could.

>

> Not to worry, I am sure that you have medical evidence that could fell

> a mule like I do. The truth will win- in my case, it did. But I really

> wonder how these jerks can sleep at night when they can wield so much

> power of the life of another.

>

> Hang in and don't worry about it. in SC

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am on PERS, disability for government employees. It was easier to get

approved, no attorney was necessary, but it has drawbacks since they base it on

your ability to perform your job not all jobs. It has been a blessing though,

and I like you have many days of peacefully laying and watching tv, playing

scrabble, on the net etc. I find that I do much better in prone positions for

extended periods of time, or at least if I am alone, otherwise I just position

my body to have the least stress possible.

 

ladeyangll