Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
I am im the final phase (hearing phase) of applying for SSDI and I have a question about medications.
One of my disabling conditions is delayed Orthostatic Hypotension. I have tried all different meds for this condition and all of them make me feel worse.
The only thing I can tolerate for this condition is over-the-counter Licorice Root, which basically does the same thing as the medication Florinef (increase blood pressure and blood volume)
My doctor agrees that this is best for me and has indicated this in his office notes, but his notes are hand-written and hard to read. (I am going to try to get him to fill out a RFC form for CFS and indicate this on the form, which will hopefully be more legible.)
Would they accept that I can't tolerate the meds? Or would they think I'm not trying to get well? I'm afraid that the fact that I use an herb may be unacceptable to them.
I still can't endure prolonged standing or sitting upright, but licorice root helps to keep me from feeling like I am dying.
Thanks.
P.S. I tried out all the meds several years ago.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Not sure how this idea will be received, but here it is anyway. Can you have your doctor write a prescription for the meds that the SSDI will want to see, fill the scrip (don't forget the refills so there is a record you were following doctor's orders) and then just never take them?
I know there have been a couple of anonymous prescription drug drop-off events near me recently, so you could dispose of the meds safely.
My stepdad went through a disability hearing after he was seriously injured on the job as police officer. He said they looked into everything, including wether or not he was picking up his prescriptions, so he had to be sure to fill them all and the refills, even if he didn't need them all.
-------------------- Untreated Lyme for 25+ years. Two kids, too much pain & fatigue, no hope of ever being able to treat. Posts: 310 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2010
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Thanks MamaBear11. I guess I have been too honest. On my disability application, I explained that I had tried all the meds but that they made me fill worse.
I guess I could ask the dr. for another try.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Many people cannot tolerate medicines. You've discussed this with your doctor and, as you take a food (licorice) that works, that's great. You are being proactive. That's what matters.
When I applied, my naturopathic doctor supplied records for all sorts of supplements that I took instead of pharmaceuticals that I could not tolerate.
Having the diagnosis of 2 kinds of porphyria helped to a degree as many meds are not well tolerated by patients with that liver dysfunction.
If you have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) that will also help explain problems with meds. More in this thread about all that:
posted
As far as disability is concerned the reality is that the reviewers are not medical docs and they do not know what the proper meds are for many conditions. I really do n ot think that will be a deciding factor in any decision.
The most important issue is to get a doc to agreee that you are disabled and to put that in writing.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Thanks everyone. It is so scary trying to win this, afraid of what I should or shouldn't say. But I am simply being honest with them.
Thanks Keebler for the link.
Also, are there tests to determine chemical sensitivity? How is this diagnosed?
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I could be wrong, but I don't think they take into account...."why isn't she taking XYZ?"
Like if you say you are very fatigued, they won't fault you for not taking Adderall or Provigil. Right? (I don't know for sure...I went through this process a lonnnng time ago).
I am not sure why exactly....but what really matters is just that you prove to them how severe your condition is, and prove that it prevents you from working. They don't really care about the "solutions." (again, I could be wrong, but this is my perception). I think the assumption is that if you are applying for disability, it's because meds/supplements are not controlling whatever is wrong with you.
Please don't take anything I say too seriously though......I am just offering my two cents.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Maybe it differs from state to state, but I'm sure they did not check all those things while trying to make a decision.
The deciding factor was mostly what my doctors had to say. I think alot depends on how well your docs do on their paperwork.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Well my doc writes his office notes out by hand, and they are hard to read.
I found a good RFC form for my condition that could help, I think. I will show it to him next time I see him.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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