Hi lilred,

It sure is a frustrating process !

I wish there was a magical formula, but damned if I know it.

The only advice I casn give is to focus on functional limitations. It's not about the list of diagnoses, it's about how those medical problems interfer with your ability to do a job.

For example....the vast majority of people over 40 have osteoarthritis somewhere and are not disabled by it. Where is your's and how does it affect you ? The ladies on the Lyrica commercials srolling around Rome and working in the cake shop are working despite their fibromyalgia.....why can't you ? Not that I need an explanation, I have both problems too, I mean explain it to ssdi.....no need to defend yourself here ! We all get it !

It matters a lot what your doctors write on the ssdi forms too. Have you seen their documentation ? If they just list the problems without explaining what you can't do, you are screwed.

Are you using a lawyer ? I think that really helps.

Best of luck to you, especially with your upcoming surgery