e1ectric,

I think you'll end up with a never ending headache if you keep trying to replay the exam to try to figure out what it means and how that doctor may have been leaning.

That said, did I take that advice and stop worrying when it was me with the WC IME doc ? Heck no ! I was a wreck and the stress just made the pain so much worse.

It sounds like that doc was more focused on the physical aspects of your abilities/disabilities than your pain and cognitive issues. Maybe he copied the info about your pain and cognitive issues from your other records. While I think that's a poor way to conduct an exam, that shouldn't hurt your case. If he just skipped addressing your pain and cognitive issues, that could hurt your case. If he exclusively focused on a functional capacity form and he feels that you could complete those physical tasks, his impression could be that there is some menial job that you could do, even if you obviously cannot fulfill the responsibilities of being a pharmacist.

The thing is, you don't even know EXACTLY what he wrote. You can drive yourself crazy trying to GUESS what he wrote. Try to relax about it. It's out of your control anyhow.....

Are you working with a lawyer ? That can make it easier to assign him/her to get a copy of each part of your SSDI record.

You know that you are disabled. You know that if at first you are denied, you will keep fighting for your disability benefits. Try to have faith that eventually you will have all the documentation that you need to convince the SSA and get an approval. Prepare for a LONG wait.....and be happy if they find in your favor soon.

Also remember that your age, 57, works in your favor for not having to meet as stringent requiremets.

Stress just isn't good for us at any age, though, so try to relax and focus on other things