Re: Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction/SSDI to Curt&Mardi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated Wednesday, October 30, 2002 1:47 AM Curt&Mardi Sauve:

>>>How would someone go about getting disability for pancreatitis?

When do you know if it's severe enough? I've been off work almost

4 months this past year due to being ill with pancreatitis. Sphincter

of Oddi dysfunction to be exact. I'm being treated at Mayo Clinic and

my doctor has been great. My home doctor is also very supportive. Does

anyone have any answers...The pain has been unrelenting, worse in the

mornings after not taking pain meds for several hours I can hardly get

out of bed or even sit up. Does anyone else have most of their pain

located in their back?...>>>

Dear Curt & Mardi;

I don't really have an answer on the disability. However,

many times my pain is worse in my back that in my abdomen.

A lot of times my pain will start with a dull pain in my back

and progress to a full blown attack. One of my doctors thinks

my problem is SOD and/or the bile duct. The other doctor thinks

there are adhesions causing problems. My problems began again

in July of this year. I don't think I've managed more than 3

days in a row at work since this started back. I managed two

full days this week, but today I am not feeling well. I'm not

having severe pain but I'm still going to stay home today in

hopes I can keep it from reaching the severe stage.

Take care,

W

[Guest guest]

In a message dated Wednesday, October 30, 2002 1:47 AM Curt&Mardi Sauve write:

>>>How would someone go about getting disability for pancreatitis? When do you

know if it's severe enough? I've been off work almost 4 months this past year

due to being ill with pancreatitis. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction to be exact.

I'm being treated at Mayo Clinic and my doctor has been great. My home doctor

is also very supportive. Does anyone have any answers?...<<<

Curt & Mardi

I have applied for Social Security Disability benefits recently so I'm just

learning the process. You can fill out the initial application over the

Internet and download the form that's required for your medical information.

I have been off work since May of 01 but I am on long-term disability from

my employer which is paying the bills for now.

I have had pancreatitis since 1965 when I was in an auto accident. My pain

is almost always in my back and not the abdomen. I have had several

surgeries to remove or drain cysts and have also had the tail sewn into the

stomach but the pain is still there. I've had a morphine pain pump since

February but still have to take oral narcotics for breakthrough pain. I'm

beginning to wonder if the pump is working correctly.

I read with interest those posts about enzyme testing because except for the

initial injury in 1965 mine have never been elevated and I have been

hospitalized numerous times. I have also had to put up with ER doctors who

rule out pancreatitis because of the blood test's only to have a CT scan

show otherwise.

I can sympathize with you having too much pain to work. I loved my job and

did it well for 36 years but as hard as I tried there was just no way the

pain would allow me to continue. I thought the pump was the answer but now

I'm not so sure.

Good luck!