To Hiedi

[Guest guest]

I saw your post to and I hope you don't my " two Cents " . I

received my SSDI on my first try also. It took 8 months from the

start to finish. I was only 34 when I was approved. I know that

during my initial phone interview when I was asked what about my

disability would prevent me from working I made sure to tell them

about the CONSTANT diareah, vomitting, and pain. I made sure that my

DR documented that I had these symptoms ALL of time and medications

did not help. I also made sure they understood that due to the pain

medications I had to take I wanted to sleep all of the time, in

addition Compazine and Lomital put you to sleep too. I told them how

I couldn't do my own grocery shopping anymore, and I had a notarized

letter from my mother stating that she had to move in with us to help

care for my two small children because I was soo impaired by the meds

and I was always in the bathroom. I also had my DR document how I

would refuse to see a specialist if it was too long of a drive

because of my bathroom needs. Basically he made it sound like

DEPENDS wouldn't even be enough for me. I am fortunate that my DR

has known me and my family for many years and he took my sickness

seriously. He knew what to write down on the questionaires SSI sent

him. Their first request to him was for ALL of my records, not just

those pertaining to my illness and then about 1 month before approval

they sent him a questionaire asking him what my limitations where. .

I still have the actual questionaire they sent my DR with his replies

if you would like I could maybe fax it to you. " Oh my god " ! I just

looked at it and saw that he also stated that I couldn't sit for long

periods because of raw anal area due to constant diareah. Maybe that

was enought ot make them feel really for me and got me my approval.

Also I know that they did contact my employer (retail and

construction glass and window sales) and asked if there was alternate

work available for me. My employere of course told them I would not

be a good canidate for work with them due to my " impairements " from

the pian mediactions. They stressed it would be too dangerous for me

to around glass while on pain medications. I was lucky and did not

need an attorney but I can tell you, SSI hated me! They knew my

voice because I called them EVERY week, When my examiner was out sick

for three weeks, I called his stupidvisor. I bugged, bugged, and

bugged. I wish you luck in pursuit of your hard earned benefits. If

I can help you at all please feel to let me know. I will be happy to

fax you the questionaire also.

Simi Valley, CA