Dear Heidi (in Mass) and Group

[Guest guest]

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 just 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

[Guest guest]

Hi Doreen,

I really feel for you, there you are full compassion for others, when you are so

bad yourself. Please be assured that I am thinking of you, and I pray that you

get the help you so obviously need very soon. Good luck to you Heidi too.

 

Best wishes

x

From: Mimi <mimi212@...>

Subject: [ ] Dear Heidi (in Mass) and Group

Date: Thursday, 2 April, 2009, 1:10 PM

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 just 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

[Guest guest]

Thank you Heidi and for your kind words. I have an appointment at the end

of the month with my Rheumy - man, is he going to get an earful! I'm so sick and

tired of feeling sick and tired and if he dares to mention my weight again, I

might just slug him (not really, but I sure feel like it sometimes). I don't

know why he hasn't mentioned the patient assistance program through Enbrel.

Maybe he's waiting on me to bring the info to him? Who knows.

As for SSD - I'm going to try and call the main office in JAX again tomorrow.

Its been a few months and this is really getting ridiculous! I busted butt

working all those years - I shouldn't have to wait this long when I need it now.

I have a prescription card through http://yourrxcard.com/ . They discount the

medication and it doesn't cost me a thing to have their card - unlike Walgreens

(which really sucks down here).

Doreen

>

> 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.

>