Just filed for SSDI
 

I have been with out any medical insurance for 1.4 years. Have seen an acupuncturist for over 2 years and a chiropractor, started with a nutritionist because I have gastroparesis on top of SM. So I suffer from malnutrition plus all the symptoms of SM. I can't take pain mediation because of the GI dosn't work. So each day is different. How can I hold down a job, with all this. If I don't eat every 2 hours my fatigue is so bad, I shouldn't be driving or doing any thing with judjment. Do you think I have a chance. I hired a lawyer right off. They will handle all the paper work for me. Any advise anyone.

Love to all
Debbieducati

Advice
 

Yes, dear.... Sit back and get ready for the long haul! It's typically a long wait and isn't an easy one for a lot of people, but patience is a good virtue to have during this process! :)

Hi Debbie,

What is SM ?

With a few exceptions, it's not about having a certain diagnosis, it's about how that medical condition affects YOU.

My mom is disabled by her Parkinsons Disease. Michael J. Fox has Parkinsons and is starring in a new tv show. The same disease can present differently in different people.

How bad is your pain and where is it ?

Can you function reasonably if you eat every 2 hours ? The SSA may say that there are some jobs that could accommodate that.

What does your lawyer say about your chances ?

As Nicd mentioned, it is often a long process to try to get SSDI. Waiting is frustrating. Hang in there !

SS doesn't give any weight to alternative medical opinions such as chiropractors, unfortunately.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page11-34.html

Great point, LL. I missed that.

Debbie, I hope that you are also being closely monitored by an MD for your conditions. If you haven't been, best to start immediately. The SSA will look for documentation of disability from a medical doctor.

SM is Syringomyelia. A cystic tumor inside my spinal cord. C4 to C7. I have ICP headaches all the time. Pin and needles all over my body. My hands shake every day. I have bladder issues. My pain every day is a 4 to a 6. I can't control by body temp at all. My voice and vision are effected off and on. FATIGUE can be severe. Since June of this year my legs have been having constant muscle contractions. I can feel the electrical plus. You can see is happening. I was diag. 8 years ago with this. Started with paralysis of my legs and virtigo.
With the gastroparesis the doc doesn't know why my body is not absorbing food. Every day is different.
My lawyer had to obtain all my medical records, they said it could take up to 1 year. They said I qualify???
Even if I eat every 2 hours, most days I don't process the food right, so it's only help about 2%. The diet has helped calm down my GI about 3%. But I am still in the bathroom 20 times a day. If I don't eat I loose weight like crazy. The most I lost in one week was 17lbs. I'm 5'7" tall and only weigh 104.
Thank you for responding. I'ts very hard some days to stay positive when your uncomfortable in you own skin.

If you didn't, no attorney would touch your case. ;)

It sounds like you may also have gastrointestinal issues. Have you been to see a good GI doc? And make that appointment yesterday if you are detecting any blood in your stools. I lost 40lbs in one month from acute ulcerative colitis. Required a week of TPN before they could do surgery, I was so weak and malnourished.

Take care. If you have a GI diagnosis, it might help. I was accepted on my second try.