News from SSDI - Kimber please read

[Guest guest]

As many of you know, I submitted my first appeal to SSDI early in

October '03. It's been several months now of waiting, and I've

been watching the mailbox with more anxiety these last few

weeks, because this application has taken much longer than the

first time, leading me to believe that they are looking into my

history much more thoroughly this time. This is what I was

hoping for.

Today I received a letter from SSDI directing me to go to a

consultation with a firm called Behaviorial Associates next week,

to discuss my depression issues. I presume this is some kind

of mental evaluation. While I didn't list depression as an

impairment on my application, I was prescribed antidepressants

over a year ago, and do need to take them faithfully to keep

myself on an even keel. Naturally, they are listed on my list of

medications, and I did mention in my cover letter to SSDI that I've

had problems with it. I think that's pretty understandable for

anyone with two chronic diseases, it's not exactly something that

brings great moments of happy enthusiasm.

I know that others that have applied for SSDI have had to go to

one of these consultations, and I'm curious to know what kind of

information they'll be looking for, and what kind of questions to

expect. Can anyone help me out with this?

Kimber, I know you had an evaluation just before your appeal

went through. Can you send me an email offline and tell me

about it? Maybe this will be the last step for me, and maybe this

time it will work out in my favor. I'd really appreciate it if you could

recall the questions you were asked, and what kind of

comments you were expected to make.

I hate to get my hopes up, but I need the financial help more than

ever now to help pay toward my outrageous pharmacy bills. It

seems that every time I turn around I'm spending even more at

the pharmacy than at the grocery store.

I'd appreciate comments from anyone that can help with some

information to help me get through this. Thanks.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.