Getting LTD or government disability of any type is not easy. I could tell you several horror stories about what's happened to very sick people I know, and the stress that has caused them. No matter what, unless you cross every t and dot every i, and/or you get a particularly empathetic insurance company . . . it's not usually an easy road.

The most important factor is to have a specialist on your side. You must be sure that he/she is going to be willing to fight for you, and agrees that you are not capable of working. In fact, this is critical.

You do not need to have a MS (cancer, Parkinsons, ALS) dx, although that seems to help the fight considerably. I was told I was a slam-dunk, and had the support of my specialist and doctor, but it was still an extremely depressing and stressful process. The point comes down to whether your doctor is willing to stand up for you and insist that you can not work.

I know it's hard enough making the decision to begin with. It is also very upsetting to have to constantly dwell on your poor health while trying to prove your inability to work. I think that was the most upsetting part for me; when they'd call and I'd have to constantly re-live each agonizing detail about how gross I felt. There were lots of tears in those early days.

I'm sorry you are having to face this. For others (who do have a definitive dx), I found the MS Society (in Canada) extremely supportive with filling out paperwork, etc. I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile for you to talk to a lawyer regarding this, since you might not have the direct support of the MSS . . .?

Good luck and I hope that you can get your doctor firmly on board before you start down this path.

Cherie