SSDI and Medication Side effects
 

I have applied for social security disability, citing anxiety attacks, depression, and bi polar disorder as my claim root. I take 120 mg seroquel,120 mg geodon,2 mg clonezapam, 60 mg. cymbalta , and 1 mg alprazalam per day. Obviously there are side affects. I was wondering if anyone knows if the SSA considers side effects in their decision process?

The fact that medication may have side effects is not material, but how it affects you may be if it impacts your ability to function in the workplace. But medication affects everyone differently and not everyone has the same reaction to the same medication.

No they do not care about side affects. I have taken everything you have taken plus 50 other different combonations to try and treat whatever mental disorder I have. They only care if it keeps you from working. You have to have good doctors and good notes. Your doctors have to believe you are disabled. Also you will have to see their specialists as well. And if you go before the judge there will be a psychologist there for the judge to interpret your records for them. I won with a mental disorder as well as a bum knee. It can be won but it can be a LONG and difficult process.

side effects
 

Yes they do take them into consideration BUT, you need to make sure they notice them by explaining thoroughly in your daily activities form from them that you have the following ...side effects bec of.

The judge flatly told me he didn't care how they affected me as long as I could work. That was the first point he made with me. Maybe each judge is different . I had to prove that I could not work on dr. evaluations.

My judge took into consideration my meds..I am on 5 of them...one being a tranquilizer and that certainly affects my ability to function in a workplace...I can't even drive.
I would certainly think clonapan and seroquel (sorry about the sp) would affect your ability to do work....they are tranqs..orr like tranqs right? If I am wrong, please accept my apologies.

All medications can have side effects. SSDI will care about them IF you can show that the side effects impact your ability to work

Side effects that do not preclude you from working do not ( and should not) matter to SSDI