Re: input requested, please :)

May 6, 2002

Mareth,

I hope your experiences are different than mine, but maybe I can give you a

little headstart. I was told the same thing on my first denial (not enough

info) and was sent for the same examinations you face. The appointment with

the psychiatrist is not for you, it is for them. It has nothing to do with

your possible depression, stress, etc. It is an exam that they require to

see if you capable of handling the money (should you win) or if a guardian

would need to be appointed to handle it for you. You don't need to bring

anything. They will ask you to take some memory tests, like repeating back

every detail of a story they will tell you, ask you to count back from 100 by

7's, etc.

By all means, for your physical exam bring whatever you feel is necessary,

but unless you are extremely lucky, do not expect much. These doctors are

paid something like $10 per exam. They will have a copy of the original

papers you filled out with your complaints. I was asked very few questions

and the exam was next to nothing. I was nervous and not one to be assertive,

so I left very unhappy and knowing that this exam would definitely not help

me. My advice would be to speak up and make the doctor deal with YOU and

YOUR problems. Do not let him rush or skip over anything important. Make

him pay attention. Unless a total catastrophe strikes, go to the

appointments on the days and times they tell you. If you ask to change it

will go against you. They will send you postcards after the appointments to

fill out and send back about your experience. Don't know how much credence

they hold, but do it anyway.

Sorry if I sound too negative but, for me, it was not a good experience in

either case. Best thing you can do is get yourself to a rheumatolgist, if

you haven't already been diagnosed by one. They are your best shot when it

comes to Fibro. I hope you do well and hang in there. I filed in January of

2001, was denied twice, and am now waiting for an ALJ hearing which could

take another year. After the second denial I got a disability lawyer. If

you don't have one, find one now. They can help you with the second round of

paperwork, etc.

May 8, 2002

Darcy writes,

> They're out there, it can take

> time to find one.

I was lucky to find one. Mine takes care of my pain medication, makes sure

that I have blood work done when he feels it is necessary. Besides that he

is nice.

He is not on my insurance plan as a rheumatologist but since I had been going

to him for my fibro for quite awhile, they oked him. They also pay for the

morphine and Vicodon that I take for pain.

He is the President of the Arthritis Association and has been interviewed by

our paper about fibro. I also have polyarthritis which is a rare disease and

is arthritis in almost every part of my body, I am glad to have him. Since I

have such severe pain for those two plus peripheral neuropathy, I am glad

that I have someone that is not afraid to prescribe strong pain medications.

My Primary doctor is great too. He did say that I was on a strong dosage of

morphine but he trusted my rheumatologist to know what I needed.

All three of my doctors work together. They send information to each other

when I am in to see one of them. They also have permission from me to talk

to my husband if he call about something that he is worried about. That

includes my psychiatrists.

Take care,

Irene

Books may well be the only true magic

Alice Hoffman

May 8, 2002