Re: Dear Heidi (in Mass) and Group

[Guest guest]

Hi Doreen,

Thanks so much for your good wishes. Here in Mass they move pretty quick,

however, I was told on the 17th, by a claims person, who made me come to her

office because her supervisor wanted to get my appeal going asap, that the

longer it takes, the better it is. That being said, I have not received any

paperwork yet. I have a lawyer on the backburner. This woman at SS commented,

why use the lawyer now, take all your money you have coming to you, don't

give it away should you be approved. I saw my psych on Monday for the typical

how are you doing on adderol, blah blah blah, and he reviewed a

letter/assessment written for me, and signed it. He had commented to me that

with the RA

and Fibro and the sleep issues I'm having he can't imagine me being denied and

would help me. He also wants to send me to a sleep clinic. But anyway,

hopefully soon there will be some answer as I have some funky things going on

with unemployment. Take a job because you think you are doing good and you get

royally screwed.

Doreen, I hope you get your answer soon. It is so unfair that they keep

people waiting so long. I wish you weren't in so much pain all the time.

Did you know that Walgreens has a prescription card? It helps a bit. Maybe

that'll help if your Rheumy wants to add a new medication. Also, if your

Rheumy feels you need a biologic, I know that Enbrel has a program to help if

you are uninsured. They helped me. I'm sure the others have some sort of

assistance. Anyway....hang in there...good days are coming.

Heidi in Mass.

In a message dated 4/2/2009 8:10:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

mimi212@... writes:

I pray that SSD makes a favorable decision on your disability claim soon.

This month makes three years since my initial application. I spoke with my

attorney a couple of weeks ago and she said for some reason, there is a HUGE

delay in the ville (FL) office of SSD. I don't know what their problem

is,

but I hope it is resolved soon. I wrote to my Congressman and he is supposed

to be checking into it for me.

I don't know how things are for you, but I have no insurance, so my

treatment options are extremely limited. I have so much pain in my hands,

shoulders,

lower back, hips, knees and now my right ankle, that there are times I just

don't know what to do with myself. There are times when I just want my hubby

to take me to the ER - the only thing that holds me back is I don't know what

they can do for me - I'm on 10mg of Percocet as it is - the next step would

be morphine and it gives me a headache and they would only refer me back to my

Rheumy for diagnostic stuff.

My Rheumy has recommended that I see an Orthopaedic and a Pain Management

doctor, but I can't afford either and the Pain Mgmt docs in this area don't

take cash/self pay patients - how ridiculous is that?!! He also keeps riding me

about my weight and telling me to walk - but the pain is unbearable to walk,

so I looked up all of my medications to see what is causing the weight gain.

Neurontin and Prednisone were the two culprits, so I weaned off of both. I

had to go back to one Neurontin at night so my legs would calm down so I could

sleep. I know the Prednisone would help to alleviate the pain, but the weight

just keeps climbing when I take that.

So, here's where I am today - 0.8ml MTX injections weekly, 1000mg

Sulfasalazine twice daily, Neurontin 600mg at bedtime, Folic Acid every day

except MTX

day and Percocet every 6-8 hours as needed for pain. Most days lately, I've

had three doses of the Percocet. I jus_t don't know what else to do and I

don't see my Rheumy until the end of the month. Last time I called the office,

he

recommended Pain Mgmt so I know he won't have much else to say until I see

him - and who knows even then.

Ok.....Sorry for the rant - this was supposed to be a positive wish for a

speedy SSD approval for Heidi.....Doreen

**************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a

recession.

(http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)