Hello. Recently diagnosed and I have to admit that my feet are QUITE painful. There are days...MANY recently where I'd be very happy to sit on my couch all day because of the pain, but I don't. I work full-time and rarely take off. I go, go, go, and in the evening, my feet burn and swell and turn
I just wonder...why in the world wouldn't you be considered disabled with this? It feels much like a disability to me.

Are you taking anything for the pain? I have profound Peripheral Neuropathy and have to have braces to walk, and SFN in my arms, hands, fingers, face lips and tongue.

I take Cymbalta, Aleve, and 3600 mg of gabapentin.

I hope you find some help for your pain, but SFN would probably never be considered a disability.,

It is painful, my osteoarthritis, PN, SFN, are all very painful. but I control my pain fairly well

It takes a lot of trial and error, but I surely do hope you find help.

Hugs, ElaineD

Hmm, under what criteria/according to what body is it not considered a disability? That's just ********.

I'm sorry you're suffering so much.

Hi folks,

I'm currently receiving employer- based disability for SFN (I've also submitted a mandatory application in for SSI....almost a year now!) Granted, I have both autonomic and sensory neuropathy. ...with the former being the most disabling (I can't sit up for longer than two hours at a time on a good day.....I have severe orthostatic intolerance). However, as Elaine suggests, I'm sure intractable pain would be an acceptable reason for disability if the evidence is there that confirms work is impossible.

The disability thread here on NT has lots of good information, and, of course you can ask questions. My employer insurer demands frequent updates....full statements from all physicians, test results, etc. every six months, and shorter forms from main docs more frequently. They've been great. Getting SSI is far more problematic (vastly underfunded). I've read it's probably best to get a lawyer if that is to be your sole source of support.

But be careful about what you wish for....I miss my job terribly. I feel my grief and depression about giving up a career I loved (seven years of grad school!) are making my symptoms so much worse...I had thought until very recently this was a leave..... I do have the option to return part-time, but my neurologist told me just today to forget it. I'm 61 now, so I'm trying to be philosophical....but I thought I would work until I was doddering.

Differences between SSDI & SSI-
[The main difference between Social Security Disability (SSD, or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fact that SSD is available to workers who have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits, while SSI disability benefits are available to low-income individuals who have either never worked or who haven't earned enough work credits to qualify for SSD. ]
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page5-13.html

If you are considering an SSDI claim, I really suggest exploring the useful stickies on our SSDI forum page before hand and to make sure you qualify-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html
Don't start your claim unprepared!!-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread148967.html

I meant SSDI in my post.

there are many people receiving SSDI and/or SSI as a result of the effect that peripheral neuropathy has on their ability to work. Not to sugar coat it but it often is a long term chronic progressive debilitating disease.

Thank you to everyone! I was doing some reading about SSDI but I guess that I got confused.

I'm not thinking of applying. I do need to get my feet pain under control because everything seems really hard right now. But I need to work another 15 years (at least).

Dear dreamer,

Needing to work, wanting to work, and being "capable" of work are not all synonymous.

You may as you stated but sometimes life does not go along with our PLANS nor our needs.

One other comment, .... just because a medical condition is not a "LISTED" condition does not preclude one from SSDI benefits. There are times when several conditions are combined to meet eligibility.

And more importantly to note,.... It is not that one HAS a medical condition, it is how the condition affects their ability to work at any job.

A person can have a listed medical condition and still not qualify and some qualify without meeting any one specific listing. SSDI is not that simple and clear cut.

Wishing you the best. That includes the ability for you to be able to work another 15 years or longer. Life is a lot better if one does not NEED the aid of disability and can still work.

Truer words.......I never saw this curveball coming at me....I wish you the best of luck also dreamer!