Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

[Guest guest]

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the time there was no arthiritis. A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them. ShaulPSC UCSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Marie Nilsson Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800To: < >Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial? Marie Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the time there was no arthiritis. A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them. ShaulPSC UCSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Marie Nilsson Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800To: < >Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial? Marie Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

It is fairly common from what understand. Many years ago, when I

was on disability I had to see the state doctor, I am no longer

getting disability but when the time comes again I believe I willhave

to go through it again because my friend just had the same issue.

The Doctor denied her but she took it to the next level and heard

yesterday that she won.

Dawn

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter

saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common

is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

>

> Marie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass.

> http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_122008

>

[Guest guest]

It is fairly common from what understand. Many years ago, when I

was on disability I had to see the state doctor, I am no longer

getting disability but when the time comes again I believe I willhave

to go through it again because my friend just had the same issue.

The Doctor denied her but she took it to the next level and heard

yesterday that she won.

Dawn

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter

saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common

is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

>

> Marie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass.

> http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_122008

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

New here… I’ll send something about myself later,

but wanted to comment. I think that PSC is so uncommon that most people haven’t

heard of it, and most doctors don’t really understand how much it affects

us in different ways. Heck, my internist came right out and said that she doesn’t

know a whole lot about it. So it’s not terribly surprising that the

doctor totally ignored the fatigue and itching. Worse even, I think, is the

mental fogginess that hits when the old enzymes start climbing. Anyone who has

a job that depends on mental acuity is in deep trouble when they just can’t

think, or remember, or learn.

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of CholangitisSuprt@...

Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied

yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue

and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis

and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and

square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the

time there was no arthiritis.

A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason

being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this

point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them.

Shaul

PSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800

To: < >

Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,

I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need

to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is

this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

New here… I’ll send something about myself later,

but wanted to comment. I think that PSC is so uncommon that most people haven’t

heard of it, and most doctors don’t really understand how much it affects

us in different ways. Heck, my internist came right out and said that she doesn’t

know a whole lot about it. So it’s not terribly surprising that the

doctor totally ignored the fatigue and itching. Worse even, I think, is the

mental fogginess that hits when the old enzymes start climbing. Anyone who has

a job that depends on mental acuity is in deep trouble when they just can’t

think, or remember, or learn.

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of CholangitisSuprt@...

Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied

yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue

and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis

and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and

square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the

time there was no arthiritis.

A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason

being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this

point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them.

Shaul

PSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800

To: < >

Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,

I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need

to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is

this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

New here… I’ll send something about myself later,

but wanted to comment. I think that PSC is so uncommon that most people haven’t

heard of it, and most doctors don’t really understand how much it affects

us in different ways. Heck, my internist came right out and said that she doesn’t

know a whole lot about it. So it’s not terribly surprising that the

doctor totally ignored the fatigue and itching. Worse even, I think, is the

mental fogginess that hits when the old enzymes start climbing. Anyone who has

a job that depends on mental acuity is in deep trouble when they just can’t

think, or remember, or learn.

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of CholangitisSuprt@...

Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied

yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue

and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis

and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and

square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the

time there was no arthiritis.

A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason

being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this

point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them.

Shaul

PSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800

To: < >

Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,

I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need

to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is

this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Marie,

I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday.

I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position.

Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months.

Good luck.

Joe

To: Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Marie,

I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday.

I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position.

Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months.

Good luck.

Joe

To: Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Shaul,

I was advised to add my own medical records to the case file, so that I could keep them on track. SSD is very rigid - not necessarily for the right reasons. There are many factors besides the medical history that they consider including your age and what your job was over the past fifteen years.

Joe

To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22:07 AMSubject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the time there was no arthiritis. A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them. ShaulPSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800To: <@ yahoogroups. com>Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Shaul,

I was advised to add my own medical records to the case file, so that I could keep them on track. SSD is very rigid - not necessarily for the right reasons. There are many factors besides the medical history that they consider including your age and what your job was over the past fifteen years.

Joe

To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22:07 AMSubject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the time there was no arthiritis. A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them. ShaulPSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800To: <@ yahoogroups. com>Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Shaul,

I was advised to add my own medical records to the case file, so that I could keep them on track. SSD is very rigid - not necessarily for the right reasons. There are many factors besides the medical history that they consider including your age and what your job was over the past fifteen years.

Joe

To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 6:22:07 AMSubject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

I know guidelines are state specific. In NY it is very common. I was denied yet my chief issue was totally neglected. PSC effects such as extreme fatigue and pruritis were my chief complaint, I also mentioned an on and off arthritis and colitis. Well the doc I saw reminded me of Ben Stein very monotonous and square rational. They made me take an xray even though I told them that at the time there was no arthiritis. A few weeks later I received a letter stating a denial. They mebtion the reason being that despite colitis and arthitritis I was able to function. At this point I do not have the emotional energy to fight them. ShaulPSC UC

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

From: Marie Nilsson Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:48 -0800To: <@ yahoogroups. com>Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Marie

when I applied for disability in 2006 I was sent to see 2 different doctors by social security. I was eventually denied and had to have a hearing in front of a judge in 2007 at that time to judge issued what is known as a bench ruling in my favor and they had to back date my disability to the time that I applied. Don't be discouraged by this. It will all work out in the end.

Sandi W in VA

To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:02:48 AMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Marie

when I applied for disability in 2006 I was sent to see 2 different doctors by social security. I was eventually denied and had to have a hearing in front of a judge in 2007 at that time to judge issued what is known as a bench ruling in my favor and they had to back date my disability to the time that I applied. Don't be discouraged by this. It will all work out in the end.

Sandi W in VA

To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:02:48 AMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Just my comments, we were approved almost immediately, for my 10 year old son for SSI which is differnt then SS Disability a bit . But, the key is to provide them with an overload of proof. I had letters specifically outlining the disease written by his GI team and Hepatologist in addition to providing copies of the biopsy, ERCP which diagnosed the PSC disease, blood transfusion records and Colonoscopy records that diagnosed colitis. In addition, I included his school records that indicated the number of absentees.. It was a breeze and I firmly believe it was because we gave them every bit of documentation and contact info we had and then the state appointed doctor reviewed these documents but never met with our son. Nor would I ever put my child at the discretion of a state appointed doctor when all the tests, and procedures were already done by our team of specialists.... Be tough..Good luck..........

Stevie Lynn Gedgaudas-Ostos

Joe Berry

Joe Berry

Sent by:

12/31/2008 10:50 AM

Please respond to

To

cc

Subject

Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Marie,

I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday.

I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position.

Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months.

Good luck.

Joe

To:

Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PM

Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,

I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Just my comments, we were approved almost immediately, for my 10 year old son for SSI which is differnt then SS Disability a bit . But, the key is to provide them with an overload of proof. I had letters specifically outlining the disease written by his GI team and Hepatologist in addition to providing copies of the biopsy, ERCP which diagnosed the PSC disease, blood transfusion records and Colonoscopy records that diagnosed colitis. In addition, I included his school records that indicated the number of absentees.. It was a breeze and I firmly believe it was because we gave them every bit of documentation and contact info we had and then the state appointed doctor reviewed these documents but never met with our son. Nor would I ever put my child at the discretion of a state appointed doctor when all the tests, and procedures were already done by our team of specialists.... Be tough..Good luck..........

Stevie Lynn Gedgaudas-Ostos

Joe Berry

Joe Berry

Sent by:

12/31/2008 10:50 AM

Please respond to

To

cc

Subject

Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Marie,

I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday.

I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position.

Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months.

Good luck.

Joe

To:

Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PM

Subject: Social Security disability and doctor's appt

Hi all,

I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial?

Marie

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

-----Original

Message-----

SSI is differnt then SS Disability a bit. Nor

would I ever put my child at the discretion of a state appointed doctor when

all the tests, and procedures were already done by our

team of specialists....

SSI for children &

SSD for adults are totally different animals and worlds apart. SSD is much harder to get approved. Ken was approved within 2 weeks (Texas is different). I put copies of all tests and labs into

a notebook in reverse order (newest first - going backwards). I used 4 different highlighter pens, 1

for his name, 1 for the date, 1 for abnormal labs and

1 for diagnosis/impression/result. I made sure to highlight all of the

correct buzz words – Cirrhosis, PSC, liver disease, varices, etc. (If you buy a notebook and keep these in

order all along - from diagnosis to application, the whole process will be

easier and much faster). Leave out

anything that doesn’t prove your point. (You don’t need to put in every

blood test.) Separate stuff into

two categories, one for MRIs, Sonogram, Ultra Sounds etc

and a separate one for blood work. Ken’s doctors were busy men (they all are), so when I asked them

about writing a letter, I also offered to write it for them, so they could just

sign it. They were more than happy

to do it this way. I kept those

letters very factual and brief – all medical. My husband and I also wrote a

letter. In this one we reported the

changes we had seen in Ken – fatigue, weight loss, memory problems, itching, pain, why

he couldn’t work at his last job, etc.

First 2 pages of

notebook had all his personal info – copy of his SS card, copy of his

drivers license, age, address, phone, where he had worked (with address &

phone #’s) and when, we even included a picture of Ken! (Our thought was to

get them personally involved with the person, not just a name or SS number). Second page had every doctor he had ever

seen for liver disease – name, kind of doctor, phone, address and fax

number. Then the

letters. By the time they

got to the tests and labs, it was clear we all thought he was disabled. The tests just proved the point. One fast glance and SS workers had all the

info they needed in one spot and all highlighted for them. Make it a no brainer - and it will be.

Sadly, no one has an option

of seeing or not seeing a state approved doctor – if they say you must –

you must or you won’t get approved.

We were fortunate and didn’t need to. HTH

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight - Whatever it

Takes!

Son Ken (34) UC 91 PSC 99, LTX 6/21 & 6/30 2007

@ Baylor/Dallas

.._,___

[Guest guest]

-----Original

Message-----

SSI is differnt then SS Disability a bit. Nor

would I ever put my child at the discretion of a state appointed doctor when

all the tests, and procedures were already done by our

team of specialists....

SSI for children &

SSD for adults are totally different animals and worlds apart. SSD is much harder to get approved. Ken was approved within 2 weeks (Texas is different). I put copies of all tests and labs into

a notebook in reverse order (newest first - going backwards). I used 4 different highlighter pens, 1

for his name, 1 for the date, 1 for abnormal labs and

1 for diagnosis/impression/result. I made sure to highlight all of the

correct buzz words – Cirrhosis, PSC, liver disease, varices, etc. (If you buy a notebook and keep these in

order all along - from diagnosis to application, the whole process will be

easier and much faster). Leave out

anything that doesn’t prove your point. (You don’t need to put in every

blood test.) Separate stuff into

two categories, one for MRIs, Sonogram, Ultra Sounds etc

and a separate one for blood work. Ken’s doctors were busy men (they all are), so when I asked them

about writing a letter, I also offered to write it for them, so they could just

sign it. They were more than happy

to do it this way. I kept those

letters very factual and brief – all medical. My husband and I also wrote a

letter. In this one we reported the

changes we had seen in Ken – fatigue, weight loss, memory problems, itching, pain, why

he couldn’t work at his last job, etc.

First 2 pages of

notebook had all his personal info – copy of his SS card, copy of his

drivers license, age, address, phone, where he had worked (with address &

phone #’s) and when, we even included a picture of Ken! (Our thought was to

get them personally involved with the person, not just a name or SS number). Second page had every doctor he had ever

seen for liver disease – name, kind of doctor, phone, address and fax

number. Then the

letters. By the time they

got to the tests and labs, it was clear we all thought he was disabled. The tests just proved the point. One fast glance and SS workers had all the

info they needed in one spot and all highlighted for them. Make it a no brainer - and it will be.

Sadly, no one has an option

of seeing or not seeing a state approved doctor – if they say you must –

you must or you won’t get approved.

We were fortunate and didn’t need to. HTH

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight - Whatever it

Takes!

Son Ken (34) UC 91 PSC 99, LTX 6/21 & 6/30 2007

@ Baylor/Dallas

.._,___

[Guest guest]

-----Original

Message-----

SSI is differnt then SS Disability a bit. Nor

would I ever put my child at the discretion of a state appointed doctor when

all the tests, and procedures were already done by our

team of specialists....

SSI for children &

SSD for adults are totally different animals and worlds apart. SSD is much harder to get approved. Ken was approved within 2 weeks (Texas is different). I put copies of all tests and labs into

a notebook in reverse order (newest first - going backwards). I used 4 different highlighter pens, 1

for his name, 1 for the date, 1 for abnormal labs and

1 for diagnosis/impression/result. I made sure to highlight all of the

correct buzz words – Cirrhosis, PSC, liver disease, varices, etc. (If you buy a notebook and keep these in

order all along - from diagnosis to application, the whole process will be

easier and much faster). Leave out

anything that doesn’t prove your point. (You don’t need to put in every

blood test.) Separate stuff into

two categories, one for MRIs, Sonogram, Ultra Sounds etc

and a separate one for blood work. Ken’s doctors were busy men (they all are), so when I asked them

about writing a letter, I also offered to write it for them, so they could just

sign it. They were more than happy

to do it this way. I kept those

letters very factual and brief – all medical. My husband and I also wrote a

letter. In this one we reported the

changes we had seen in Ken – fatigue, weight loss, memory problems, itching, pain, why

he couldn’t work at his last job, etc.

First 2 pages of

notebook had all his personal info – copy of his SS card, copy of his

drivers license, age, address, phone, where he had worked (with address &

phone #’s) and when, we even included a picture of Ken! (Our thought was to

get them personally involved with the person, not just a name or SS number). Second page had every doctor he had ever

seen for liver disease – name, kind of doctor, phone, address and fax

number. Then the

letters. By the time they

got to the tests and labs, it was clear we all thought he was disabled. The tests just proved the point. One fast glance and SS workers had all the

info they needed in one spot and all highlighted for them. Make it a no brainer - and it will be.

Sadly, no one has an option

of seeing or not seeing a state approved doctor – if they say you must –

you must or you won’t get approved.

We were fortunate and didn’t need to. HTH

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight - Whatever it

Takes!

Son Ken (34) UC 91 PSC 99, LTX 6/21 & 6/30 2007

@ Baylor/Dallas

.._,___

[Guest guest]

I remember seeing the state dr. He told me that he was a internist/ rheumatologist. He assured me that since he was an expert in autoimmune diseases, he knew PSC very well. He looked at my labs elevated LFTs including bilirubin low platelets. He said I was fine since I a$ not jaundiced and that all the symptoms are in my head. Happy New Year!ShaulSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Joe Berry Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:50:23 -0800 (PST)To: < >Subject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt Marie, I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday. I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position. Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months. Good luck. JoeFrom: Marie Nilsson <marie_nilsson17 (AT) msn (DOT) com>To: Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's apptHi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial? Marie Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

I remember seeing the state dr. He told me that he was a internist/ rheumatologist. He assured me that since he was an expert in autoimmune diseases, he knew PSC very well. He looked at my labs elevated LFTs including bilirubin low platelets. He said I was fine since I am not jaundiced and that all the symptoms are in my head, and that it probably is the recession that is giving me all the symptoms. Happy New Year!ShaulSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Joe Berry Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:50:23 -0800 (PST)To: < >Subject: Re: Social Security disability and doctor's appt Marie, I would not consider this a positive or a negative. I too applied for SSD in October. I am in Illinois and have two doctor visits scheduled by the State. One is an internal medicine doctor - not even a GI - and the other is a psychologist. I have went the the psychologist already who determined that I have difficulty thinking when I am tired. I go to the internal medicine doctor Friday. I went to an attorney who specializes in SSD applications who told me that I was in a relatively good position. I was 55 or older, my job over the past fifteen years was the same and my job was a skilled position. My job was also sedentary, but he still felt that I was in a good position. Somewhere on the Internet - maybe the SSD site, there is a listing of how long it takes each state to render their decision. In Illinois it is five months. Good luck. JoeFrom: Marie Nilsson <marie_nilsson17 (AT) msn (DOT) com>To: Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:02:48 PMSubject: Social Security disability and doctor's apptHi all,I applied for SS disability in October, and I just got a letter saying I need to be evaluated by state appointed doctor. How common is this? Is this a good sign, since it wasn't a flat-out denial? Marie Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. Get your Hotmail® account now.

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I have family member who has been recently diagnosed with PSC and UC. Our family is very devasted as he is so young and both PSC and UC have taken a big toll on his life.

I read the posts when I can and since everyone is so good about sharing information, I wanted to share my information about social security. I am an attorney licensed in Washington state and one of the things that are well known is that most SS benefits are denied and that this is the common practice (at least in Washington). I do not practice SS law, but one attorney I know who does has told me almost everyone is initially denied and has to continue through the process to obtain acceptance and if they are accepted, the benefits are backdated. If this practice is as common as she says it is, those of you that have applied and been denied shouldn't be discouraged. Just keep going through the process and don't give up.

Jessie

[Guest guest]

Hi Nita

Same here, every 6 months the Doctor looks at my LFTs and asks if I am

itching...which I don't and in my eyes and asks if I have noticed I am

jaundiced...which I am not...except when I put 'ultra ultra white'

sheets are on the bed and Graham comments I have a very very slight

yellow tinge.

Yet another of PSC conundrums....grin

Best wishes

>Doctors keep telling me I'm doing ok because I haven't lost a lot

> of weight and I'm no jaundiced.

>

> Nita

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nita

Same here, every 6 months the Doctor looks at my LFTs and asks if I am

itching...which I don't and in my eyes and asks if I have noticed I am

jaundiced...which I am not...except when I put 'ultra ultra white'

sheets are on the bed and Graham comments I have a very very slight

yellow tinge.

Yet another of PSC conundrums....grin

Best wishes

>Doctors keep telling me I'm doing ok because I haven't lost a lot

> of weight and I'm no jaundiced.

>

> Nita

>

[Guest guest]

Nita and ,

When my biliruben was over 4, I had the slight yellow tinge. Anything above 8 and I became very yellow – resembled big bird.

As far as infections, I did not have too many of those either. When I got to the transplant stage, my health went all at once. My bili went to 21+, I lost weight, my kidneys failed, and I got an infection.

Joe