This is topic Am I screwed or what??? in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
 
Hi Gang, Am I dissabled ?? YES

I have a herniated disc.
I need a hip replacement
I need shoulder repair surgury both sides
I have a tendon torn in my right carpel tunel.
All of these can be fixed.

BUT,I don't have the bucks to get them fixed!!!!!!!

So ,Can I get dissability??? Or will I be turned down because these things can be fixed?
Again There is no way I can pay for the repairs!!!

I can't keep working in this amount of pain from these things!!!!
MADDOG
 


Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
 
M.D., I do not know but most likely Tincup could help you after the MD bills are introduced this week..She has been overwhelmed with that..Just hope she holds up and is not the worst for wear after the job slows up.

Hope you have something that helps with the pain to get you thru. Lymemomtooo
 


Posted by cootiegirl (Member # 3216) on :
 
Hey Dog,
I think I would give the disability process a shot. I understand what you are saying, and I don't really have a clear answer. But let me just say, I know a woman that was severely overweight. She had back problems. Now I don't know which order things happened - back problems, then weight gain or weight gain then back problems, but she did get disability. Could some of this been repaired or prevented? Probably. But she was declared disabled, had gastric bypass and lost a massive amount of weight...

You might want to check the SS website and see what they have to say. I do remember that when I was going thru the process, there were a lot of people with back trouble.
cootiegirl
 


Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
 
Hey there Maddog,

Sorry that things aren't going well for you right now.

You know all those tendon/ligament problems are probably lyme related.

I'm still waiting on my 3rd shoulder surgery but since I found out I have lyme now I know why I didn't recover from the last 2, so count your blessings there my friend.

Also have a totally screwed up ankle that won't heal either.

Just kinda think that you're biding your time until you get better then tackle the surgeries.

With both of my shoulder surgeries I developed tendon thickening cause of good old lyme.

This is how I look at it. I can't afford it right now either but at least it can be tackled after this more important battle.

Course, easy for me to say cause I'm only working part-time.

When I tear a tendon, I splint it if possible and try not to use affected limb as much. I take Vicodin and Zanaflex for pain and an over the counter anti-inflammatory.

Also try alternating hot and cold compresses to the affected areas. That's suppose to help with blood flow to the area and speed healing.

What I do is get an old sock, fill it with about a cup of rice and tie the end closely to the rice, but not to tight. Then I nuke it for a minute and instant hot compress. For the cold I just use an ice gel pack.

Hope this helps my friend.


 


Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Workman's Comp? Would they pay for any of this? Guess not....but thought I'd ask.

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

 


Posted by yankee in black (Member # 4309) on :
 
Hi Maddoggie!!

I'd be mad too, if I had all that going on and no insurance

Maybe you could contact your local support group and see if they are aware of someone---disability advocate, or SSDI lawyer, who would take your case right off the bat

This way your paper work will be filed properly--and you may not have to go through 200 yrs of denial from the SSA system.

The doctors--if they support your claim---can connect the dots and state how and why you are disabled.

Others will come along with more advice, I'm sure, to help you out.

Take Care!!!
 


Posted by beach4so (Member # 3832) on :
 
Maddog,

I feel for you.

My brother in law has disk problems in his back -- having surgeries and is considered disabled thru social security.

My best friend has knee trouble and needs a replacement. Dr's say she is to young (38) but yet, social security disabled her due to her knee problems.

maybe there is hope for you.

Starr
 


Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :
 
Hi MADDOG,

I'm sorry about your situation , wish I could help in a real helpful sort of way, but I'm afraid I can't. But, I do hope it works out somehow!

DLL
 


Posted by Loribelle (Member # 6293) on :
 
hey Maddog

sorry all that stuff is going on for you. i too have connective tissue disease, i feel for you...

i have no idea about soc sec stuff, all i can do is give you a "hug". [ ] there...

 


Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
 
Maddog,
First of all I am "NOT" going to give you a hug so dont worry about that.
My ortho doc even before I knew I had lyme told me anytime I wanted to be called disabled, just ask!!! he sounded like I qualified ten years ago. If I saw him now wonder what I would hear?
Anyway for you my river friend, do you have a good pcp that you like and trust? Or an ortho doc that isnt too bad to deal with? I think thats the place to 'start' anyway. If not journey on out my way and I will borrow you mine, he is a peach!!!
Wish I had more answers but they come hard here these days. because I am --just don--
 
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
 
Check out this site: http://www.binderandbinder.com/
I am not advertising this firm, but they do have a good site with answers to all your questions.
You need a lawyer who knows all about social security disability and how to get results soon.

Ann - OH
 


Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :
 
MADDOG, please go to this site and sign up...it's FREE! Read the below carefully.

In the links, look for the FEMALE DRS. DETAILED info she attached to her SSDI app and was approved on the 1st step on 1st try!

She gives wonderful examples of things you are NO longer able to do. MD, it's not about having surgeries to do this & that..

It's WHY you can't perform you job. Read the below carefully.

Sarah Shapiro is the moderator and EDITS everything sent to her. It's not a discussion board like this is. She gets very nasty on private emails. You don't want to tangle with her, but you NEED to look at the many links there, but the female drs. will give you a good idea of WHAT YOU NEED TO BE APPROVED by DDS!


Subject: [Disinissues] File - Links on Disinissues website


This message is sent upon subscription, and again monthly.
Please let the moderators know if any of the links have changed.

There are several links found by clicking on 'Links' on the website or by going directly to
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There are many more links, as well as advice, in the "useful" messages
in the Files area of the website. Go to
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and click on Files.

These links are a compilation of several areas of interest which are
commonly requested and mentioned. They reflect the collected wisdom
of this group. Check them out - you just might find the information
you were looking for!

Take a look at Files that are not specific to
your situation, because they might be helpful anyway - what works for
Social Security may work for LTD claims, what applies to CFS may apply
to your medical condition.

You must register with Yahoo to use the website, but note:

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I'm logging off today.
Betty G.....I know this will help you. You could win this yourself without hiring a lawyer for $5300 taken out of your 1st check!
 


Posted by Cheryl (Member # 75) on :
 
The website Ann posted may have some useful info. However, I've observed others who have used the actual firm, and I strongly feel they aren't worth the time of day.

Here's some additional info on disability issues:
http://www.lymeinfo.net/insurance.html
 


Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :
 

Just fillout the disability forms, and submit them. They'll set you up with appointments with appropriate docs.

Good luck,

pq
 


Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :
 
pq,

I totally disagree with your statement.

The better you prepare for this knowing what you are getting into the better off your case of WHY you can no longer do any type of "sustainable work for 12 months" will HELP you be approved the 1st time around.

We have invisible illnesses; they reject them every time. THEIR drs. are there to help SSD/DDS deny you...not to examine thoroughly you.

Been there, done that for 4.6 yrs.

Bettyg, Iowa

I haven't had time to check Cheryl's site out on her link, but will this weekend.
 


Posted by MammaLyme (Member # 1257) on :
 
First off, call SSA and tell them you want to file for disability. This way, the date you call is your protection/filing date.

Are you still working? If you are, you might be turned down. You will need a doctor to say you are totally disabled in writing. Then you should not have any problem. Most people do not have this in writing from a doctor and are turned down right away.

I worked for SSA until I was bitten.
 


Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
 
Thanks everyone for your replies!

Mammalyme,I havent quit yet,i am trying to get things in order financially first. I will loose even the very poor health care that I have,upon quiting.

I don't have a doc. that will put it on paper that I can't do my job.

I barely even have a doc., that I can afford to goto. MADDOG

 


Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
 
Hang in there Maddog. Turn the wrenches as long as you can for ALL the reasons you have already said. We always think we cant do this and that but if nothing else just do it a little slower, but just keep doing!!!--just don--
 
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
 
MADDOG,
Get disability is a long process. You can call up SSA (like was mentioned) and start the paperwork. You also might want to check out if you qualify for Medicaid which is a separate agency and has strict income guidelines for attaining medical assistance.

If you are approved for disability, you wouldn't get medical coverage for a year from the time you are approved, so the best bet is to see if you might qualify for Medicaid (or whatever your state has) to help low-income people afford medical care.

Good luck. It really sucks that you are in all kinds of pain trying to deal with all of this.

hopeful123
 


Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
 
MADDOG,

Here's the link for medicaid information:


http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/pdf/08102.pdf

hopeful123
 


Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :
 


Maddog,

Please accept my sincere apology for making the process sound so perfunctory..."easy"...
I should not have replied to this post at that time as I was mentally fatigued, and physically exhausted. That was a bad post.

The process is not as my prev. post might imply, and I went through major assaults on my psyche,both from family, and the contacts I had in the process of application. Major assault on my self-esteem; they will brook no chance to demoralize, humiliate, you and wear you down.

Bettyg is absolutely right.

I'll add more, which is probably redundant:

Take pictures, video. Photocopy pictures, and keep originals.

Show writing material of your spelling mistakes.

Got official documentation where you wrote the wrong year, crossed it out, and put in the correct year?

I once mis-spelled my own last name;too many times, I wasn't sure what year it was, and hope I don't get that way again.

I have exam booklets, and notes wherein you can see both the steps taken to correctly/incorrectly solve integral calculus problems, and arithmetic mistakes!

Save that piece of paper where you did the arithmetic operation, other than the intended one. Checking account errors?

How did your handwriting change?

Broken plates, dropped mugs, tea cups, banged your shin, or top of your tibia moving in/out of the car, and the pain was way more intense than expected for that kind of bumping into an object.
Turning,only to walk into door the jam door jam?
Tripping up and down the stairs?
Putting things in the refrigerator that don't belong there, like the tea kettle, and/or you happened to catch yourself doing this?

Asking personnel at the supermarket to get something for you, because....

Leavingshopping cart at the end of the isle, walking into isle to get item, to minimize joint pain on pushing cart.
Using handicapped shoppping cart, and feeling every g.damm bump in most of your spine?
Joint pain standing on snow ice, or uneven ground(lawn)?
Just some of my experiences.




 


Posted by Sylvie (Member # 188) on :
 
Hi Doggy! Ask for this disability please, you can't go on like this, you need to protect yourself and look forward. In five years from now you will be glad to build computers rather than crawl under cars and breathe toxic fumes all the time. Do it!


I pray that your future computers won't look like this one:


Breep-breep!

[This message has been edited by Sylvie (edited 15 March 2005).]
 


Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :
 
pq, those were wonderful examples you gave MADDOG and the rest of us! Thanks for your thought-provoking post.

Glad you were not upset I took issue with your earlier post. We all have days when we are brain dead here vs. our better days!

bettyg
 


Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
 
Hi Lymie Gang, Thanks for all the advice. I go on working in an atmosphere ,of chems and Tobaco smoke,all the while my natural killer cells are allmost at Zero.

I work with 6 addicted people 2 0f which are chain smokers.Today I watched one of them ,I call him Stew ! First name Stew last name Pidity. Pull a gas tank ,and light up a cigarette right beside it,with gas dripping on the flore.

I allmost wan't a fire to happen it would end this nightmare, burning my workplace.

I gave the owner of my workplace a doctor excuse stating that due to a cronic illness I should not be subjected to second hand smoke.they ignore it!!!

I await my lung cancer ,that will get me dissability. MADDOG



 




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