[Mr.K]

Hey, everyone, I'm new here and have a question about my disability. Question; I am going to have a pain pump implanted in my lower back for lower back and leg pain, will this effect my disability? I don't want to lose my benefits, and worry that SSI may say that I am no longer in severe pain and stop my payments. Any help would be greatly appreciated. (:-)

[ginnie]

I was worried about the same thing after my second surgery on my spine. My pain level dropped and I was worried they would take away my benefits. Your pain pump should not hinder you getting your disability. Your back problem is still there, just being helped by a device for pain. I hope others will respond to you and direct you to the proper information that is more detailed according to their laws. ginnie

[en bloc]

Well, hopefully you will no longer be in severe pain anymore...isn't that the purpose of implanting the pump and the best case scenario? Maybe you will get enough relief that you can return to work and you won't need the benefits.

If you are still limited in other ways (other than pain), and it's documented, then you likely won't need to worry.

I hope it works out for you and your pain is improved.

[ginnie]

May I ask you what kind of work you did do before your back injury? I would not want you to return to work with the device inplanted. This doesn't repair the injury, just helps with pain. You don't want to continue to injure the area in your back in question. alot depends on what kind of work you engaged in. Lifting would be out of the question etc...ginnie

[Mr.K]

Thanks all, I did talk to my pain Dr. And was told that it wouldn't matter, as the damage is still there and not going to go away, only better controlled. So, I guess it's full steam ahead.again thanks.