posted
When I first got sick years ago, I couldn't work, couldn't drive, could barely get out of bed, but I got to a point where I could work a few hours a day.
Then, I was treated by someone who diagnosed me with a systemic viral infection, and I felt better than I had in years, and I thought I was all better.
Now, here I am, 11 years later unable to work again. I have been told I do in fact, have Lyme disease and treatment should make me better once and for all.
What I'm wondering is, is it worth it to pursue disability. I may or may not be so sick for a full year, and even if I am, I'm going to get better, right?
But our bills are higher than our income, and of course, medical bills are making things much worse. The fact is, I don't know if I will still be so sick a year from now, and am wondering if I should even apply for disability?
I don't even feel like I'm maknig sense right now. Does anybody understand?
-------------------- Sick since 12/98. Finally Diagnosed with Lyme 4/10. Posts: 45 | From IL | Registered: Sep 2010
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
its easier to get disability on something the lyme does to you...like arthritis or depression. many get it for fibromyalgia too.
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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RDaywillcome
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21454
posted
NO
Posts: 1738 | From over the rainbow | Registered: Jul 2009
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Check the website for updates. Provides links for patient advocacy, reduced cost of meds, subsidized meds and nutrient supplements and health care costs, more....
Perhaps there are grants for disabled people's living expenses beyond disability insurance? You could google and see what comes up. Maybe we all would be surprised.
PS I am not a doctor so you should ask for your doctor's prognosis. That said, it would be a rare event indeed to hear of lyme being cured or contained overnight.
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lymeladyinNY
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10235
posted
Go for it - I didn't know how long I'd be sick, either. It takes so long, and you'll probably be denied once or twice. You might as well get started with the long process. If you get better in the meantime - yea!!
By the way, I got Disability 3 years after getting Lyme. I had to hire a lawyer and go before a judge. I'm much better now than I was then, but I still can't be relied upon to hold a job. I can sustain activity at most 5 hours. I easily get exhausted and get headaches, dizziness, etc. I feel I've accomplished something if I clean one room of my house 3 times a week! Sad!
-------------------- I want to be free Posts: 1170 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Thanks! I'll start looking into it. Since it takes so long to get approval, if I get better, I can just stop pursuing it.
-------------------- Sick since 12/98. Finally Diagnosed with Lyme 4/10. Posts: 45 | From IL | Registered: Sep 2010
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
There is a need to demonstrate the presence of a "medically determinable impairment" which is reasonably expected to cause the specific symptoms/impairment alleged by the SS claimant and will last at least 12 months.
For example, a CDC positive Lyme test (objective evidence) can reasonably be expected to lead to arthritis, pain, fatigue, etc.
But what if someone has impairments which are entirely "subjective" in the absence of objective evidence? Lyme can be a perfect example. If an individual has a "clinical" diagnosis of Lyme due to a negative test result, it is important that the treating physician who made the diagnosis justify the diagnosis. Most symptoms are subjective ... pain, fatigue, brain fog, etc. And we all know that there are other labels used to describe these symptoms.
It is very important to obtain as much "objective" evidence as possible.
For example - Document cognitive impairment with a neuropsychological eval
Document fibromyalgia with a trigger point exam by a qualified physician
Document arthritis with x-rays showing inflammation of the joints pics of swollen joints labs showing increased inflammation
When preparing your claim, also focus on longitudinal evidence ... that is, medical evidence generated over a long period of time showing the presence of a specific set of symptoms. Make sure your physician is descriptive in his/her notes. When possible, if you lose a job due to your symptoms, try to get a statement from your employer to help document issues which led to your inability to work.
Also, re: comment by Needing Hope, if a person files a SS disability claim and is out of work for at least 12 months, even if the claim is pending, don't ever drop it just because you return to work. You can still go for disability benefits for a closed period of time. Besides, what if you work for 3 to 6 months, then relapse and have to come back out of work? With SS regs, you can count that as a failed return to work attempt. I never discourage my clients from trying work. Oftentimes, they are not able to sustain the employment and that alone adds credibility to the claim. Be sure to document this thoroughly - have the employer explain what happened in a letter and match the exit from work with medical evidence (office visit notes or LLMD letter) to provide detailed info about the consequences of the return to work.
Hope this helps someone.
Lyme cases can be won with persistence and lots of detailed work. So far, I am still 100% success rate with all Lyme cases I have handled.
ConnieMc
Posts: 2275 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
My judge determined I was disabled based on very long list of symptoms that kept me from doing life, let alone a career. All my sx were caused by what he determined was Lyme Disease and Depression.
I had 1 PCP, 1 LLMD and 1 naturopathic doc that all called it lyme and how it limited my ability to do any job. My ability to do my 28 yr career in what I knew like the back of my hand was lost due to illness that docs could not find meds to help me recover.
It was hard work. The paperwork was like a full time job and it took me hours and many breaks and days away to recover. I was denied 1st time.
Appealed and decided to get a disability lawyer because I could no longer struggle to keep up with all the same paperwork over and over again.
Next day after hiring lawyer my 2nd denial came in the mail. My lawyer went to work gathering everything from all my doc, hospitals etc.
Had me before a judge within 9 mths and I won that appeal. The lawyer wa spaid out of my backpay and there is a cap on what they can charge.
It's almost priceless if you get a lawyer that does their job and does it effiencently. I so wished I had hired him after my first denial.
I'd never been one to hire a lawyer and I thought I could handle the road and fight. OM it's tough.
My husband asked around and I found my lawyer through his union lawyers office and partners. I got a good one. TG!!!
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
Hi You might as well get started now on the SS.
Like you said you can just stop if you get better.
Make copies of everything ,contact your congress persons.And fight SS like %ell.
And don't give up.
MADDOG
Posts: 3996 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2000
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"For example - Document cognitive impairment with a neuropsychological eval"
How do I get a neuropsychological eval? What it is it?
"Document fibromyalgia with a trigger point exam by a qualified physician"
Can my LLMD do this?
"Document arthritis with x-rays showing inflammation of the joints pics of swollen joints labs showing increased inflammation"
My joints don't swell. One of the most frustrating things - I hurt like hell, but there's no visible evidence anything is wrong!
"Hope this helps someone."
It does. Thnak you.
map1131, thanks for sharing your experience with me. A friend introduced us to PrePaid Legal, so I'll give them a call and see if they can help.
Thanks for the encouragement, MADDOG.
The hardest part about filing for disability is that I kept pressing on, trying desperately to hang on and adapt, hoping I'd get better soon. I'm worse now than I was a year ago, when I first started treatment, and taking this step feels like giving up.
-------------------- Sick since 12/98. Finally Diagnosed with Lyme 4/10. Posts: 45 | From IL | Registered: Sep 2010
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