Hello everyone,

I have had my SSI hearing. The judge is sending me for more testing before he makes his final decision. I have a lawyer, whom was highly recommended but has been nothing but a problem to me. I would say my hearing did not go well. My lawyer advised me to lie (she didn't use the word lie she suggested 20 minutes) on how long I can sit. The judge became angry on 2 occasions during my hearing. He didn't want explanations only straight short answers. My lawyer didn't discuss how the hearing would go just told me what to say about how long I can sit. So I was very unprepared.

I have Spinal Stenosis and Arthritis in my hands. My L4 & L5 slip to the F,B, L and R. This causes the Stenosis to be different on a daily bases. I have good day's and very bad days. It is never the same. In my right hand I have limited feeling in my fingers and Arthritis wrist pain and bone popping when writing. Typing, I use my ring finger\ 4th finger on my right hand and my left hand fingers are fine.

I have 3 appointments in the next month. So I have some questions and need advise. Here they are

1.Appointment #1- X-rays, feet, ankles, knees, hips, entire back and wrists. I am not worried about this appointment however, I have MRI on my back and 2 set of these same X-rays on file already. Why do this again?

2. Appointment #2- Physical Exam and Specialist Testing
Does any one know what this is and what I will be doing?

3. Appointment #3- Psychological Evaluation and Specialist Testing
Does any one know what this is and what I will be doing?

To be perfectly honest in court I felt like a lier. I answered the questions on a worst case scenario. My lawyer has never handled a Spinal Stenosis case so she had to research it herself. The sitting is very limited if I am in straight backed hard seat chair, stool or office chair numbness and pain could be 10 minutes to 30 minutes. If I am in my recliner or comfortable arm chair I can sit about a hour. The nerve impingement is based a lot on my body positioning and activity.

If anyone can give some advise or explain these tests I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, Dedee