Migraines & SSDI
 

Has anyone been approved for migraines? Mine are chronic daily for 9 years. Lost my job finally due to my condition last year. I'm at the reconsideration level and just waiting.

alayna81 have you been checked for chiari malformation

No I have not. But I just recently heard of this. I will bring it up to my doctor.

At what level were you approved? Did it go to hearing?

Be sure to explore the useful sticky threads at the top of the main SSDI page here-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html

YUP! :mad:

Since there is no specific Listing for migraines, it is unlikely you'll be approved for at the Recon stage (which has only around a 10% approval rating anyway).

Unless you're age 50 or older, where the GRID Rules may apply, then you'll need to be approved using the full 5 Step Sequential Evaluation Process.

https://www.socialsecurity.gov/oidap...Evaluation.pdf

You'll want to have significant medical documentation of your functional limitations. If you're denied at the Recon stage, it would be a good idea to request a copy of your file on CD from SS (the first one is free) and after reviewing it thoroughly (some docs keep excellent records and provide thorough notes, and others don't...), you could research hiring a local attorney or non attorney rep and have him/her evaluate your case.

I was just approved, but mine was a long 5 year process. I was denied at initial, reconsideration and first hearing. I then went to the appeals counsel which sent it back for another hearing, and because the requested neurologist was not provided for that hearing ( just a regular M.D.) the judge had to stop the hearing and I had to wait for a supplemental hearing which I just had on January 25, 2016.

But I was APPROVED!! Just on the migraines issue alone, I do not have any other conditions. The main reasons for my approval was that I was consistent on the frequency, duration and limitations. The judge also asked the dr. At the hearing if I was credible and complying with treatment.

I was under the care of a neurologist at all times and I had tried several, and I mean several medications. I am currently on eight prophylactics all for migraine, 3 rescue medications and I also get Botox, which has stopped working.

Oh I am 43 years old. I say even if you get denied keep trying. And keep the dr. Visits and all ER visits. And when you go into the dr. Make sure to tell him/her that you have a headache if you do and to note it in your chart. I went to my dr. Several times with a migraine and it was never noted in my chart. The judge questioned me on this at my first hearing. (This was one deciding factor for my being denied at the first hearing)

No but I was approved for chronic headaches for hydrocephalus. I know the feeling.

Glad to hear you were finally approved. Just curious, how do you cope?? Not sure how many migraines you have a month. I have them every day for almost 10 years now. Is there anything that helps you at all, even the slightest? Everything I have tried has stopped working.

FWIW my 2¢

If with the same dr those 10 yrs, you need a new dr and/or a 2nd or 3rd opinion.
Are you being treated by a neurologist that specializes in headaches & migraines? Headaches & migraines are 2 different medical conditions.

Quote:

Is there anything that helps you at all, even the slightest?

For me yes. However, your treating dr should advise you that what works for one migrainer does not work for others. Treating migraines is a trial & error procedure.
All migrainers should keep a migraine diary.

Took my dr 5 yrs to find the right & correct combinations of drugs to avoid being over medicated. My case was a little difficult to treat as I suffer from 2 different kinds of migraines.

Quote:

Everything I have tried has stopped working.

What has your dr prescribed that did not work? There are quite a few meds & natural treatments out there for you to try. Again, it is a trial & error to find the right/correct combination.

For the past 15 yrs, I have been on a Migraine Preventative Program.....
Timolol Maleate 5mg - Daily (1 1/2 tabs)
Butal-Acet-Caff (Fioricet) 50 325-40 mg - As needed
Sumatriptan Nasal Spray (Imitrex) 20mg - As needed
Promethazine 25mg - As needed
**Bryers Vanilla Ice Cream**


**The ice cream must be NATURAL & vanilla. In my neck of the woods, it's Bryers. You eat it during the migraine. The effect is temporary but I do have relief for at least an hour (must be the black dots in the ice cream :D ).



Strongly suggest that you visit the migraine forums if you have not already done so for suggestions on how to manage same w/drugs or naturally: Headache/Migraine forums


:hug: