[gatorsmomma]

I wanted to ask a few questions but didn't want to hijack the thread with them.

1) Is the pain of RSD not enough to render someone disabled?
2) If so how is our pain measured?
3) Do they only determine our disability on our function?
if so, how can they when we are pushing through pain just to accopmplish brushing our teeth or walking across the room?

I just don't understand the determination process and can't imagine anyone that does not have RSD understanding how unbearable it is at times (most of the time) even with medicine.

Thanks for taking the time to answer!

[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi! I live in Ohio and the determination for my SSDI was the loss of function performing basic living tasks. I have RSD in my left arm, which is my dominant one, and depression and the combination was approved by the hearing judge with no argument from the other members of the panel. Pain factored into it because it keeps me from using my arm for things. This was a long process because of the back log of cases and the fact that about 80% of claims are initially rejected to weed out people who are trying to take advantage of the system, but the benefits were based on the initial filing date. Hop this helps a tiny bit, Lisa

[finz]

Because pain is subjective, and red/shiny skin does not prevent working, I do think it is difficult for us to be approved, but it can be done. My fight was 3 years long (although I did not have the RSD dx til the end) and I won at the AJL level.

The functional report is critical in showing what you can not do.

[bobinjeffmo]

Pain alone can stop a person from having the ability to hold down a job, but because of there being so many people who are doing anything and everything they can so they don't have to work for a living, people like you are being hurt even more. This is the reason why higher standards about what the disability is and what your future holds must be considered by those who are determining your eligibility.

Who knows when our value system got all messed up, but instead of people looking at life as being a journey where we work hard, save a few dollars and plan for the future while making a better present day for ourselves as being the norm, we instead have seen a new generation where people will do anything they can so they don't have to work because they detest getting up early, battling traffic and being held accountable by their employers which can in some situations be less than pleasant. This in return hurts people like you.

Be it SSI or SSD (different systems have different standards), they had to demand more out of the medical documentation proving why a person is not able to work anymore. While pain is more than enough reason, we have to prove more medically then we use to. So long as your doctor has excellent documentation explaining why you're suffering so much and what your prognosis is, then you won't have any problems getting your disability claim through the system. Without the extensive medical background, the only recourse is through the legal system.

I'm sure that your pain can be explained fully, it's just a few hoops still need jumping through. Best of luck, Bob.

Originally Posted by gatorsmomma

I wanted to ask a few questions but didn't want to hijack the thread with them.

1) Is the pain of RSD not enough to render someone disabled?
2) If so how is our pain measured?
3) Do they only determine our disability on our function?
if so, how can they when we are pushing through pain just to accopmplish brushing our teeth or walking across the room?

I just don't understand the determination process and can't imagine anyone that does not have RSD understanding how unbearable it is at times (most of the time) even with medicine.

Thanks for taking the time to answer!

[gatorsmomma]

I am glad that the system scrutinizes the claims to hopefully insure people aren't just sitting on their rear ends collecting SSDI, welfare etc. when they are capable of working. I just wish it wasn't so hard on those with legitimate claims but I guess they have to weed through them to determine who is legitimate and who is not.

The most depressing thing for me has been my inability to do the job I truly loved. When I think of what I have lost due to RSD it becomes overwhelming and it angers me that their are people that chose to deceive the system when so many of us would just love to have our lives back.

GOD has a plan!

[bassman]

Some of my friends and relatives have asked why I have not applied for disability since they see how much pain I am in every day. I think I am simply afraid that I will have a huge battle ahead. If I can struggle through the work day, surely I won't be approved! So, I do what I can - slower and less efficiently than ever, but I am still here at my desk. At the end of the day, I have nothing left. All I do is go home and vegetate.

I hope you can stick with it and get what it rightfully yours. Everyone had very astute comments. It is the abusers, unfortunately, that brought us to this point and makes it so difficult for those of use with real pain and suffering to prove our limitations.

Good luck and God bless.

Mike

[bobinjeffmo]

When I read your comment, I was 100% positive that I'd found a kindred spirit because the worse year of my life was when I too had to give up my job. Here we are working our tails off for more financial security, retirement and a pretty decent life when BANG, we have an accident and our lives change forever.

I've never forgotten the day I went into my specialist office after being told by my employer that because of my medications, liability restrictions would prevent me from continuing my career as a 911 operator/programmer. Even though the nerve damage and RSD had for the previous 27 months aggressively progressed and everything I'd call normal was no longer a part of our daily lives (sailing, sleeping in a bed, sex, the little stuff), I kept denying to myself that things were steadily getting worse. "Doctor, am I disabled and do I need a wheelchair?" "Bob, I knew that until you came to me and asked these very questions, you'd never accept me telling you outright that you're now disabled and will have to live the rest of your life on wheels, but like it or not - that's just the way it is." But hang on! What's going on here?

And so if I'm a betting man, I'd say you're right now at the stage of trying to reevaluated out what in the heck is going on as you start a new battle within your psyche as you try to figure out who you are and what you're going to become, not to mention the little things like, is my health going to get worse, how much cash to I have and what in the world do I do now just to name a few. Retirement is a dream we work our tails off for, but being disabled just isn't the same.

You've got your head on straight so I know you will find a new normal out there somewhere, but don't beat yourself up along the way. This isn't your fault, it's just fate. Since life won't function in a void, you will find new ways within your newfound limitations to still live, only it's just going to be a whole lot different than you planned. Being disabled doesn't mean you don't produce, it just means you'll change the way you do it. I'm betting you'll find yourself getting involved with volunteer organizations, find new hobbies you never would have thought of in a million years and change in ways that will blow you away as you deny, battle and eventually accept these changes your injury and RSD has brought about.

No, you won't get an ulcer while awaiting disability eligibility because your doctor will have documented exactly what the cause of the damage is, where you're at now and your prognosis, hence well documented medical cases are rarely denied. It's only when the doctor haven't really figured out what is wrong with you that these problems arise. SSD will be able to tell in one minute that you're not trying to find a way to spend your days watching MASH reruns and that you really are disabled just by your attitude. Sure, it's time to hang on for dear life, but you've still got some dear life ahead I promise you. Bob.

Originally Posted by gatorsmomma

I am glad that the system scrutinizes the claims to hopefully insure people aren't just sitting on their rear ends collecting SSDI, welfare etc. when they are capable of working. I just wish it wasn't so hard on those with legitimate claims but I guess they have to weed through them to determine who is legitimate and who is not.

The most depressing thing for me has been my inability to do the job I truly loved. When I think of what I have lost due to RSD it becomes overwhelming and it angers me that their are people that chose to deceive the system when so many of us would just love to have our lives back.

GOD has a plan!