I applied for disability and the adjuticator seemed to keep leaning on the fact that I am on anti depressants and I got the impression she couldnt accept me for disability on lyme disease...as on the call she kept going on and on about suicide depression, etc... Now...as I waited for a accept or deny letter I get a letter ordering me to see a another doctor...this time a disabilty shrink doctor.
What gives? What should I do? I do recall getting wacked phyco symtoms years ago, but I am SURE it was from barts dreaded rare side effect called toxic phycosis. Hearing voices etc. I am wondering if I should go in there crazy. But I know its just TBDs.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Sometimes it is easier to get the Mental dx for disability than for Lyme Diseases.
You have had some trouble psychologically that you have posted about. This doesn't have to mean that you look or are "crazy".
But if your illness has caused you psychological stress, document it. If you are taking psych meds dociument it. If you are troubled by sounds, light, document.
If you have trouble with agitation, maintaining relationships, anxiety, depression, document it.
If you are unable to be with people document it.
This is all part of the spectrum. Leave nothing out. They want to know how well you are able to function in the work world.
If these things hinder you, mention them, do not hold back.
My SSDI ended up being approved on Mental with lyme being secondary.
the more that you are able to "prove" that you cannot function outside of your narrow world, the beter your chances are.
If you have a doctor to back this up in writing, all the better.
good luck, Feelfit
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Tell the disability doctor the truth, but bring records to back all claims you make.
If the doctor suggests "psychiatric" illness as disability, accept it. It's a lot easier to get disability for established conditions that are routinely diagnosed. Go with the flow, not against it.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
james, GO TO IT!
as others stated above, mine too was for MENTAL...
IOWA and other states do NOT want to deal with LYME DISEASE! they would rather use MENTAL since that is in their LIST OF ADULT IMPAIRMENTS !!
so all my lyme info, etc. was NOT even looked at.
i would have my primary card dr. do a RFC, residual function capacity form, it's in my newbie package links in SSDI info towards the last 25-30 pages there!!
anyway that asks how many hours you can in these increments:
0-2 hrs; 2-4 hrs; 4-6 hrs; and 6-8 hrs.:
sit, stand, climb, bend, crawl, lift, use your hands, etc.
that's what i'd make sure i had also!
let them give you mental tests and DO AS GOOD AS YOU CAN; NO FAKING! it will be very clear to them where your deficiencies are!!
i hope you don't have to take minn. multi....test; 365 T/F questions where they add:
and, but, either or and answers can go either way.
i had 3 separate tests; first 2 were best.
minn. test had so much false info it wasn't even funny.
i also had to have ALL LIGHTS OFF, go to restroom as needed, NO CHEMICALS AROUND, etc. and make sure they know about chemicals before your appt. and ask them not to wear perfume, hair spray, after shave, and NO SMOKERS be around you ... smoke on their clothing; i can't breath at all.
good luck. **********
LYME is mentioned in 14.09 of adult impairment list, but they did NOT EXPAND UPON IT AT ALL; that's why they don't use it too!
Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
James,
I agree with the others!!! They will probably test your memory. So if you have problems with memory, that will help you.
Make sure you take your rx'd meds with you, and explain the side affects.
Go for it, it will should help you get approved.
Good Luck.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Blake was just sent for a four hour neuropsych test by SSDI. I had to have one too. It is very standard that they do some sort of psych evaluation.
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
Yep, I got SS disability for mental illness. If that was the only way I was going to get it, then so be it.
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
act bonkers and go for it.
i had 50+ pages of info on lyme and they didnt care it seemed.
call my physcologist (who mis dx me initially and owed me big time like do what i say or lose your license) so he filled it out.
little did i know i have ocd, severe depression, gad, anxiety, and much more!
for some reason ssda and ssdi love the mental crap but when it comes to a legit illness its tough.
elaborate on the physc issues real or not and it could happen.
if it goes through 1st time you join the ranks of less than 20% of applicants.
i am one of those thank god.
good luck man
to the girl who asked about chelation:
reference mikes suggestions. get to a chelating specialist.
on your own, the following can be done.
xymogen makes "chelex" no rx needed.
take it with binders such as chlorella and nutramedix algas.
this is currently dr H's metal protocol. worked and works well for me.
4 chelex (WORK UP TO THIS...) 7 drops algas 10-30 chlorella
many other ways, this is cheap and relatively safe.
good luck
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I agree... go for it.. for the reasons stated above.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Is this for SSD or for a private disability insurance claim?
They don't understand lyme (would not even accept it in my state). They have this other narrow window . . . so, like others say . . . if you have trouble functioning be sure to tell them exactly how.
But, be honest and do not try to be dramatic or it will look like a show. I think just being honest as far as your symptoms and your ability is key.
They don't care about the underlying reason (and you can still work to get better) - the bottom line revolves around symptoms and capabilities.
Forget infections for this line of assessment. How well do you function? That is the question they want to explore.
Now, if you see your own therapist or counselor, they may accept that and I think it's better to see someone they don't hand pick but whomever you see, call first and find out about the physical environment and ask for whatever accommodations you will need.
good luck.
-
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Be very careful here.
The plan is to document mental illness in Lyme patients that don't get better on the standard treatment...
Then as they said in their last BAD article... they plan to write another BAD report for the medical journals...
And treat us all symptomatically ONLY.. using NO antibiotics- just psych meds... and they will do it using the data YOU are giving them.
They can use it against you and against us all.
A HUGE warning sign should fly in your face when they do like James company did and push you to do neuro psych tests... especially out of the blue.
If YOU don't ask for them or YOUR doctor doesn't order them... be VERY careful.
Be sure you tell them you want any and all forms that will have to be filled out at least two weeks PRIOR to going. Including all of their consents for release of information forms.
Then READ them carefully before you sign anything.
Some are actually saying you give up your rights and they can share your neuro psych records with ANYONE!!!
Head's up!
Help yourself.. but try not to let them use the info against you and others.
And they will and they already have been doing so.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
derek, what's GAD? thanks! Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Lyme patients are not the only ones having a hard time of it:
Private insurance companies hire their own doctors to discount what other specialist say. And the insurance doctors often don't even see the patient but can write a bad report - that the patient might not ever see.
Now, in this case, the patient has been dx by many specialists with MS (and, yes, often that can be undiagnosed lyme) but for the purposes of this article, the point is that insurance companies don't even listen to the "established" medical experts - and they sure don't listen to the patients/clients.
'GMA' Gets Answers: Man With MS Fights for Long-Term Disability Insurance
Critics Say Insurance Company Doctors Pave the Way for Claim Disputes
By CHRIS CUOMO and GERRY WAGSCHAL Feb. 26, 2009 --
- article at link.
You can go to their "print" page for easier reading.
-
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
I would be very cautious about this.
Psychiatric "diagnoses" are no joke. They are used to pump up $$$ for harmful antipsychotics and other psychotropic drugs with bad adverse event profiles.
They can be used to deprive you of liberty and any say over your treatment, up to and including electroshock and brain surgery without your consent. They can be used to "blackball" you from employment in a professional field. They can be used to keep you away from children, or take any children you have away from you. In some states, your ability to get any kind of license can be destroyed.
I am speaking from years of investigative experience here--I have seen all these and more happen.
If you have any other way of getting the disability status you need, you would be doing yourself and every other person with disabling Lyme a big, big favor.
Going along may seem to help in the short term, but sets you and others up for exploitation and deprivation of rights down the road. And, you will be feeding an area of corruption that has cost states and individuals billions for incorrectly prescribed drugs (not to mention the cost of treating the adverse reactions) and has cost many people their lives.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Yada, Yada, Yada, One does what one has to do to survive.
I think you speak of things such as psychosis.
Electroshock and brain surgery for anxiety, panic,ocd ?????? I have heard of electroshock for unresponsing severe depression....Brain surgery????? Wow.
Anyways Lyme? Mental Illness? what's the difference? In the end they often go hand-in-hand. Chronic illness can really weigh heavily on one mentally....lots of us have experienced this.
I really do not care what my approval was based on. Sorry, it was survival for me.
feelfit
Posted by jamescase20 (Member # 14124) on :
No, its for SSDI, no insurance company has anything to do with this. I never even made any claims on my insurance. Its a mega high deductable anyway so I dont even bother with it unless somehow I end up in the ICU I dont need to worry about insurance.
Posted by jamescase20 (Member # 14124) on :
My lawyer told me that the govt cannot tell insurance anything.
BTW thanks everyone for advice.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Cass A makes some very valid points. I had said "go along with it" but, after more thought, here's another way you might proceed. Oh, I'd still be honest, of course, but I think it is important to note that any depression would be secondary to your situation (if that is true, as with most of us).
I'm also careful to use different words.
Depression for me is not the right word but "disappointed" and "saddened" by having to be out of the loop.
As for anxiety, if that is it, then be honest but so much of what is labeled as "anxiety" is the inability of a nervous system to handle stimuli. You might focus on that part of then, or "easily exhausted" - or other terms that more accurately fit.
Some CFS patients who could not explain CFS were awarded disability benefits from results of sleep studies, inner ear tests, etc.
And a sleep study test not only helped a friend get the support she needed to be able rest, it helped her get a CPAP machine and is getting better sleep now.
So, if you take your worst symptoms and can document that they exist for some sort of diagnostics that may help.
-
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
cass, thanks for sharing your INVESTIGATIVE job skills you know about to help ALL LYME patients! xox
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Cass,
Can you fill me in on your background? Investigative what?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey feelfit..
Cass is 150 percent right. Two thousand percent right actually.
You said.,. "Electroshock and brain surgery for anxiety, panic,ocd ?????? I have heard of electroshock for unresponsing severe depression....Brain surgery????? Wow."
Yes.. absolutely. I've personally gotten involved with parents whose children were being forced to under go this GARBAGE to help them save their children.
One mother was not allowed to see her child. Plain flat out not allowed to see her child.
The parent thought the child had Lyme and the BIG hospitals wouldn't listen. Because the mother kept trying to get the child help for Lyme and mentioning the word... they refused her entrance to see her child who was locked in a psych ward after going in for routine "neuro-psych" testing for insurance.
We've had to get run around geeting attorneys, legislators, etc involved. It was a crisis situation you don't EVER want to experience.
We've had several cases like this... one that a wonderful support group leader I know just recently prevented from happening.
It was so close to this story.... and she got them to read this story...
And after seeing it and giving them the facts... they got the child out at the last minute and went to get help with Dr. J in CT.
The IDiots and others deny Lyme or take people off their meds for Lyme... or refuse to treat for Lyme...
And instead they opt for electro shock therapy after the child (person) is depressed from being so sick...
And they do this usually after they've pumped them full of megga doses of adult antidepressants that don't work.
I just found (always fun to find something) an article that may help.
So please listen to Cass and take her seriously. She is trying to help you all.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
A truly horrible world we live in TIncup. Well, what's your alternative as an adult? Not claim psych issues and let everything get lost and live in a cardboard box in the ghetto? We have to face facts...few, if any, outwide of this piddly small group of 3,000+ (note U.S. population exceeding 250,000,000) believe this is a real disease. Sometimes members here live in a bubble and it's hard to see outside of it.
If you don't play your cards right, you can be in a bad predicament either way. It's a lose-lose unless you're lucky, have lots of $$$, time, resources, etc.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I had to go to a psych when I applied for a Fibromyalgia disability. They tested my cognitive skills. The guy was very nice & he said I should get it due to my cognitive issues but they rejected me anyway.
Lots of people said I should be on disability but it was a fight & I decided to give up after 2 rejections. I think they want you to do that but I figured I might be able to survive somehow without their money. I worked hard for 25 years & paid into their system... What a joke.
I think it's easier to get disability for trying to commit suicide or being psychotic. They don't want people who may shoot up a MacDonalds or shopping mall running around in the world without meds... even though we don't really know if the meds may be causing this behavior.
You do have to be cautious of this sort of game. They might do all sorts of things in the future based on a psych diagnosis. You don't know what the future may hold for this kind of label.
I don't blame anyone for going this path but I would rather try some other way to survive - if possible. The less the gov't knows about you, the better - in my opinion.
It's already a nightmare with a Lyme, Fibro, or CFS diagnosis.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
I don't think the sky is falling in James's case. It'll be straight forward. I had to do the same thing.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Sparkle, TC, Cass,
Sparkle some people have no future w/ a lyme dx either....guess you were saying that regarding the "nightmare".
I guess I am naieve. That sounds like stone age treatment to me. Something that I have never heard of or witnessed. I do have a mental health background, though minimal (BSW).
James, no one has ever bothered me. I have been reviewed for SS one time since 1996. That is it.
As far as future employment goes, no worries here. I appear to be a non-responder so far in regards to Lyme anyways. If I did not have SSDI I would be homeless, uninsured, and probably toothless.
I really don't see how they could take parts of my brain away if all of my thoughts are based in reality.
I really think you MUST be speaking of something more serious...psychosis etc. where thoughts are not based in reality.
And Metallic Blue is correct, SS usually will do a psych evaluation as well....regardless of claim if any mention of anti-depressants.
Feelfit
Posted by hcconn22 (Member # 5263) on :
My wife got approved for SSDI based upon Lyme Disease as her Dx.
I have more objective tests and am equally as sick-- Today I got my 1st Denial Letter. On Monday im getting a PICC line and just again last week tested CDC positive after a year of oral abx. I also have very positive tests for babesia and bart. Im not giving up-- as I have paid much into the system and would make a whole lot more if I was not sick and could work. I fault the system for letting me and others get so sick by not recognizing this earlier or at all
Hang in their James. The Truth prevails in many cases.
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
yall are over reacting about the whole physc dx for ssdi/ssda arrpoval.
either the ones opposed to this were denied their own application because they couldnt swallow their pride and get evaluated or you all just like to whine.
either way, what needs to be done needs to be done.
it is what it is. simple
getting a physc dx does NOT in any way fuel the EVIL PHYSC MED MRFGS ETC.
come on people. et phone home
dont TAKE the meds if you DONT WANT THEM
betty- gad is general anxiety disorder.
in case i was too sarcastic and you all missed it those are what i was diagnosed with. ie- this NEEDED to happen to get my $$$.
i dont care if they labeled me anything really, as long as im getting paid and can afford treatment to get well they can call me a smurf, eskimo, or physopath!
cheers
Posted by lymeloco (Member # 7192) on :
HOW FREAKING SAD! I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAS COLLECTED FOR FIBROMIALGIA, BUT I CAN'T GET A DAMN THING, AFTER WORKING MOST OF MY LIFE.
I'VE WORKED 17 YEARS IN A SCHOOL SETTING, AND WORKED BEFORE THAT, BUT YET, I CAN'T GET A DAMN THING! WHY? I WASN'T A BUM, OR A HOMELESS PERSON, BUT YET, I'M PENALIZED. WHY????
MY FAMILY MEMBER STILL COLLECTS AND IS ENJOYING HER SUMMER HOME IN FLORIDA, AND HERE I SIT WITH SO MUCH TO BE DONE BEFORE IT ALL FALLS APART, AND I'VE WORKED MOST OF MY LIFE, AND YET, I'M THE ONE WHO WILL PROBABLY BE HOMELESS BEFORE LONG.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
loco,
please convert your all caps to lower case or regular typing; it's considered shouting for an entire post of any length, and for us NEURO folks; impossible to read or comprehend.
please click on pencil, 3rd icon on right, to edit it so it's legible for us all..BIG THANKS! Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Remember everyone, if you organize your medical records chronologically, collect them from the physicians you've visited over the years, and then build a case by speaking to your current treating physicians -- letting them know that you're filing for disability, you can then also contact a disability lawyer.
They will not accept a case unless they believe -- based on the evidence you have, that you'll be approved. They will do the majority of the leg work for you, but the inital stuff you need to do.
You need to understand your own case.
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
very interesting read guys,, thanks. i have meet
with disability agency myself just recently
what she told me was this: you are one of those
the govt. considers as a good, productive job.
you are the kind that they will deny and you
will have to fight all the way, they (govt) needs
your good tax dollars and looses when a
proffesional gets on SSD. so, basically nope for
you the govt says, get back to work!! ur income
\feeds our system!! i so hope this is not true,
but seems like it is the more is read. my neuro.
and LLMD both told me to get lawyer (i did)
and get neuro[pysch testing-===- need to schedule
now that i have meet out $2500 deductiabile agter
port a cath surj. lawyer did say to have neuro
doc.on depression as one of meds for neuropathy
aslo can tx depression. meet with psych. once
and had prob. with even mini-mental so ..guess
neuropsych test should help prove not safe to
work in medical profession anymore??? hope so,
really dont want to be labeled crazy--call it
pride or whatever. i wanna hope to get better
and go back to work after get well!!
Posted by jamescase20 (Member # 14124) on :
THANKS DMF you other guys/gals where freaking me out man!!!
HAHAHA...there not going to lock me up. But I did have visions......etc....=)
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
It's not a pride issue with me... I don't have psych issues. I do have cognitive issues.
My original application was for Fibromyalgia. I didn't know I had Lyme then. One doctor I had said I was in just as bad shape as other people he knew who were getting disability. He encouraged me to apply.
Other doctors I had wanted nothing to do with recommending someone for disability... they didn't want the gov't poking around in their files. They flat out said they would not recommend anyone for disability. They didn't believe in it. Some were too lazy to fill out the forms.
The thing with having a mental disability is that you don't really know who may be considering it in the future & for what reason. I just don't want something like that in my records.
I'm not afraid they will experiment on me or give me a lobotomy... It's just the uncertainty of what it may mean in the future to be given a mental disability diagnosis... I don't want that risk.
If you have no other choice - it's not a bad thing. My sister has a mental disability... She gets SSI. I think it's alot easier to get a mental disability than one for Lyme or Fibromyalgia.
If they see you were employed or have any kind of job skills - they do figure you can do some kind of work. Anything, just to prevent you from getting disability.
I happen to have alot of work & employment experience doing very different jobs in the past. This was not to my benefit...
It has not been easy for me as far as finances. You have to do what you can or what you have to. I'm not judging anyone here. I know it's rough!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
My3Boys:
Interesting about your having been told: " . . .the govt. considers as a good, productive job.
you are the kind that they will deny and you will have to fight all the way, they (govt) needs your good tax dollars and looses when a proffesional gets on SSD. . . . ."
Every time I am reviewed for renewal of SSD I write to tell them that they really should put pressure on doctors to learn more about lyme so that others don't become as disabled as I have.
I doubt it matters to them, but if the SSA put pressure on for better treatment of lyme patients, I could see benefit in that.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Well, what's your alternative as an adult? Not claim psych issues and let everything get lost and live in a cardboard box in the ghetto? We have to face facts...few, if any, outwide of this piddly small group of 3,000+ (note U.S. population exceeding 250,000,000) believe this is a real disease. Sometimes members here live in a bubble and it's hard to see outside of it.![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)