posted
I have a disability review coming up on the 16th. Currently I've been on disability for the last 5 years. I got it because of mental illness and two years ago found out I have Lyme.
My mental condition has totally improved over the last year and I'm actually off of all my anti-psychotics. My psychiatrist thinks I'm good to work again. All his notes in his paperwork is how much I've been improving. However my Lyme is so bad I'm in bed three times a week and have trouble walking.
I defiantly can not go back to work at this time. I'm way too sick from the Lyme. Does anyone know how my Lyme doctor and I can word my review so I can continue to stay on disability. I understand its really hard to get it if you have Lyme which is my main symptom now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are going to be in big financial trouble if I loose it.
Posts: 58 | From Silicon Valley | Registered: Sep 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Even though your mood is better and you are off of psycho-active meds, you may not agree with the doctor's assessment as it seems very narrow in scope. With such a physical illness, mood is understandably not going to be yippy-skippy. You certainly have the right to voice your thoughts on this.
Mood may be fine, under very controlled environment and controlled circumstances. But, if you have to go beyond your current routine, do you think/feel that you can do it? Be sure to that you are heard.
Too bad that being in bed 3 x wk is not a consideration that the psychiatrist can understand. If he was seeing you only for medication and not for counseling, if you had another counselor, that would really help as you would have discussed all matters of health.
Is this with a private insurance or with SSA? Sounds like you have a date to see a reviewer in person?
They will look at everything. Hopefully, your LLMD has experience with this process and, hopefully, you have an attorney who is not only lyme literate (LL) but also has experience with other lyme patients.
Oh, it's not about the dx, it's about function and endurance.
If you have tests results showing any blood or metabolic abnormalities - or stress tests, sleep studies, adrenal tests . . . inner ear or balance tests (sensitivities to stimuli?) . . . whatever sort of things that hamper you . . . that will help.
If you have chemical sensitivities, that will also be considered. Can you get tested for XMRV, a newly discovered retrovirus that is thought to affect "CFS" patients and could be what is holding back lyme patients.
Do you have testing for other chronic stealth infections such as mycoplasma p. or HHV-6 ?
Whether a private insurance panel or the SSA, they will review notes from all your medical files, too, documenting your symptoms along with a letter from your LLMD or other doctors, too.
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