Hi all, I know I've been MIA for a while. (Got a new boyfriend)... anyway, I saw the specialist that was listed in the Bay Area PN Awareness Day that was held in San Francisco.
I finally got an appt. with him and he ran "more" tests, I will have more answers at the end of this week. In the mean time, I am unemployed, (got let go from my job three weeks ago) wasn't sure if I should file for disability or unemployment. Doc says he won't agree to disability yet, he wants to rule out all options of fixing the PN first.
So far, he says it's, Small Fiber, idiopathic PN. I do NOT have Diabetes, Thyroid, B-12 deficiencies, or any of the other "obvious" reasons. Now he is looking for less obvious reasons.
He is one of the leading specialists in the San Francisco area, and I sure hope he can figure it out BEFORE my unemployment runs out. My lease is up on my house soon, and I pray she doesn't kick me out before the doc makes a decision.

I hope some of those more familiar with the disability rules will read this and respond to your post, Terri. It was my understanding that a doctor cannot get disability for you, nor can he keep you from getting it. However, I don't know how this affects your particular case. I think maybe Kmeb knows a lot about this.

Anyway, it is good to see you posting again, and I love the fact you have a new boyfriend after the last one was not so nice. We should have figured there was a new man in the picture when you disappeared for a while...

Take care,
Cathie

I know nothing about disability, so no comments for you there.

Glad you have a doctor to is actually researching!!!!

Seams:

Your doctor has nothing to do with your applying for Social Security Disability. That is what you are talking about right??

You go down and apply, fill out all paperwork (I believe you can even do this online). You will be given an appointment for a complete medical exam. You will be given an emg. When the guy giving you the emg sees how numb you are, then whatever he writes in the report, is what the deciding person will have to go on.

When Alan had his emg, the guy kept going "oh my god," Alan was approved in 6 months. So don't let any stupid doctor keep you from applying.

All they can do is say no, and you can appeal. I appealed twice and got it on the third try. But that was many years ago (for my arthritis).

I know they make it tougher today because so many baby boomers came down with various things. But if you are entitled to disability, then by all means apply for it.

Melody

Good to hear about new BF! and that you are seeing a good doc! A few thoughts - in the iterim while he is doing tests - could you go on CA SDI? (based on the fact that now you are unable to work until more tests can be completed) - more financially beneficial for you....

Also, Melody - I think you got really lucky when you applied for SSDI - because funds are getting tighter and tighter (and also varies by where you live and your age representing to the govenment a certain length liability) - you have to have doctors standing behind you to get SSDI (social security disaiblity income).... I had signed statements from leading nuerologists that I would not get better, montains of doctors notes, abnormal biopsy results, abnormal NCS's etc., and it still took two years and two hearings to obtain....

And, the govenment will review all your medical records during this process - so if your docs contradict what you are saying - its a rough road!

Hang in there SLS!

I applied for my disability 17 years ago. Got it 15 years ago.

Alan applied 5 years ago and was approved in 6 months. Didn't get the money right away but heck, every little bit helps, right.

When I went, I had doctor's notes up the kazoo. X-rays of my wrists, and back, and when I went for the medical examination part (by the disability people), the person told me to do a squat. Now I have degenerative joint disease in both knees. I CANNOT DO SQUATS. I told the guy this. He couldn't care less. He said "do the squat".

I tried to do the squat, my knees gave out, I ended up on the floor and people had to get me up. I still got denied.

Had to go in front of a judge after two turndowns. Got a disability lawyer.

I will never forget happened. Alan and I are sitting at a table, with my lawyer, there's this judge up on his pedestal. I just turned and asked Alan a quiet question, and the judge barked at me and said 'no talking in my court". I said to myself "I'm dead". And this happened on my birthday no less, November 4th.

So my lawyer gets up and does his thing, the judge asks me certain questions (I don't remember any of that part).

What I do remember is what followed and I will never forget it.

They tell us all to please step out. Then my lawyer remained behind, in the room with the judge. For about 20 minutes or so. Then we hear laughing. Alan and I looked at each other and said "these guys know each other???"

Then my lawyer comes out and says "we'll get a decision soon".

A few weeks later, I got a letter indicating my decision was favorable, and do I want to appeal?. Now why on earth would I want to appeal a favorable decision. I decided it was a form letter (the first part of the letter), and then all the personal stuff (why they found me disabled, blah blah), followed on subsequent pages.

But I never forgot my lawyer and the judge, laughing in the other room.

You can't tell me that there's nothing FUNNY, going on behind whether or not we get decisions.

It's probably all changed now, many years later.

Here's hoping things work out for Seams.

Melody

Hi. I'm sorry for your troubles. I know nothing about disability. I do think though on renting it takes awhile for them to be able to kick you out. Your credit will go down hill but to get thrown out I think they will have to go through the courts. So that may buy you some time. I could be wrong. Good luck.

at NT:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

I hope these will help you learn what you need to know to get the help you need.

I'd check out and see what the state does offer for the short term tho...money found and gotten, if money!

Good luck! - j

SLS, did you have any disability insurance as a benefit with your job?

Disability is such a common word. I think most of us knows what it means, especially as it applies to our self. However, the legal definition of disability actually varies tremendously depending on who is defining it and which agency or court has legal jurisdiction.

In my practice as a clinical psychologist, I had many occasions where I was asked to make determinations about patients and whether they met the relevant particular criteria for disability. Social Security defines disability very simply: the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity. However, the system they have set up treats disability in a very complex manner.

Technically, it does not take a doctor or other qualifying practitioner to make a statement that an applicant is disabled. And just because a doctor does declare a person disabled, will not qualify that person for SSD. The doctor must submit the qualifying data that will meet Social Security's definition. But the way the system works, in fact, the primary treating physician must truly believe that the applicant is disabled, or they will absolutely be denied. And not denied just at the beginning, but all the way through, even with a hearing before an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge).

SeemsLikeStitches: I see that you are in CA. The disability law and requirements in CA are like night and day from federal guidelines. All it takes in CA is for any qualified practitioner to fill out a simple form and declare the person to be disabled. And almost all of the time, that's it. Technically, the state can require an independent examination, but it almost never does so -- it is just too expensive. So the state pays out the claim.

Virtually all workers in CA are covered for SDI (State Disability Insurance). Normally, employers are responsible for paying the fees. Sometimes employees do not even know about this benefit. There can be problems if an employer fires an employee, and then the person files a disability claim. The employer will have to fill out an employment form, and the state may get suspicious. But usually not, even under these circumstances.

The amount of monthly disability compensation depends upon a formula . . . the most important criterion is the recent monthly salary. Benefits generally last about 9 months, but can be less, depending upon employment history.

If you think you might qualify for SDI and/or are thinking of applying, you are welcome to PM me. I can give you some more advice and info . . . stuff that I would prefer not to post about.

rafi