doctors & lack of assistance

[puppybreath]

  Hi everyone, I suffer with sjogrens and have applied for disability, been denied and now must schedule an appeal hearing.  I'm on oxycodone 4 times daily, suffer with fatigue and couldn't keep a job, even part time if I wanted to.  I rarely drive because I get foggy from the pills.  My attorney asked my Dr. to fill out a form and she said she had no evidence of me having dissability!  Last time I saw her she criticized me for applying and told me my life would be miserable on disability, as if I had a choice.  I don't understand why she is so against me.  My rheumy didn't respond at all to my attorney.  I am so upset.  Can a person win a claim without Dr. support?  I feel like throwing in the towel and living on the street.

[cinmac]

Hi, Yes you can win ( if you r talking the US of A) but it is much harder.  I had to get a lawyer and it took 3 yrs.  However u don't have to pay the lawyer if u lose so for me it was worth it.  I had to demonstrate that I had Sjogren's and I had an inconclusive diagnosis, so I had to focus on the eye issues.  My doctor did not fill out paperwork for SSDI but I had the records detailing how dry my eyes were so that ruled out using a computer for long periods, being outdoors etc.  I also had to go through an eval with a SS doctor where I emphasized again how all the aspects of caring for and protecting my eyes made holding a normal job impossible and I gave her true life examples.  Plus I had like 2 doctors appts a week so I said how could I do that if I had to work.  Finally I said that I was so depressed by it all that even if I lost my case I would not be working any time soon, which was absolutely true.  I was in pain and miserable.

Why anyone would want to go on disability if they didn't have to is a mystery to me.  Maybe the doctors think we get the big bucks.  I used to make more in a week than I do in a month from SSDI, but getting Medicare has saved us from bankruptcy with medical bills.

If you see a lawyer bring in articles like from Merck manual about the functional aspects of Sjogren's and proof that you have severe dry eye or mouth whatever your case is.  He or she should make the case for how these would effect you in the workplace.

Good luck.  Fighting for disability was one of the worst experiences of my life but I am so gald I didn't give up and go away, which is what the government wants u to do.  The money and the insurance has made a huge difference in our life, so battle on if u can.

Cinmac

[Dolly Dimples]

  Hi Puppy Breath,  There are many on this site who have had the same problem.. Here in the UK one must have their Doctors support when claiming disability..
         
Can't say about other countries , except to say most of us have great difficulty in getting anyone to understand our problem, let alone Doctors!
 
 I'd find out if there is anywhere you could go for advice in getting someone to heed your predicament..
     
Hopefully someone here can answer that ...
                                                                   Good Luck. Dolly
   

[jonnell]

You might want to try a psycologist, sometimes they understand the whole anxiety and depression issues.  You might be able to get a mental or stress disability.        Hugs and Kissess   Jonnell and Jenna

[wednesday mc haggis]

puppy

wow! youd think it was comming out of your doctor own pocket, id go to a different doctor, if you can, get a second opinion, terrible that is !!  i dont know how they can legally get away with not responding to the lawyers request .

   thoughts with you honey wish i had more advice , but im in UK and your system isnt familiar to me, hoping something gives for you soon

T x

   

[puppybreath]

Thank you so much for all of your replys!  My nerves get so worked up about this thing so when I hear kind words, it's like a hot bath!  You are all my angels.

[djean87]

i just started getting disability last week it took from aug last year till now.was denied first time.got attorney second time,am also 55 yr old.but also contacted local representives that also helped,can request copies of med records ,have family an friends write letters stating health problems and things you longer can do.get psych evaul .sometimes just getting attorney to send forms to doctor they will go ahead an take care of papers for disability once they know you have representation.wish ya luck.if can help any further will sure try