Congrats to you!! I am so glad that you are back to posting again, I really missed you. Lisa

Aww, thank you, Lisa! That makes me feel good.

I just sent mine last week and had my phone conference. The SS people are much more pleasant, so far, than the Dept of Labor.

There is hope. Thanks for the encouragement.
pat e

You're welcome. There is indeed hope. Seeing our disease legitimized, recognized by national entities such as Social Security and the National Organization of Rare Diseases, helps in the face of those who still think we're somehow making this up. I only wish that I were..... Like I told my husband yesterday, yes, the extra income from SS is helpful, but it's not like I could feel well enough to spend it anyway. If anything, we'll likely end up spending it on someone to assist with caretaking.

Thanks for the morale booster and congratulations. I applied with no lawyer help and was denied in December on my first try.

I was dx 9 months ago with RSD in upper and lower limb after sympathetic blocks helped the burning, sweating and sensitivity. Since then those issues have not returned (yeah!) but I still have chronic back pain. My lumbar MRI now shows additional bulges and a tear that were not there a year ago. The steroid injections I've gotten have helped immensely. My pain dr said the injections last 3-6 months. I can sit, stand and walk, although not all day, so I really question if I'm disabled in their eyes.

congrats patty! how long did the entire process take from applying to receiving the benefits?

I began in April 2010; finished submitting paperwork in August 2010; was approved on January 26 and had backpay (to April 2010) direct deposited yesterday. Pretty quick, eh?

Yes, after so long without a paycheck and WC Dept of Labor denied my claims for compensation saying my issue is not related to my injury!

We are living so frugally, if we ever do get back pay we could probably do the things we cancelled because of the accident & having to buy another car, cover low compensation rate, ya da ya da yada. I had money set aside for new carpet, ours is 15 yrs old. That money is now sitting in the drive way. But living frugally isn't to bad yet. But by the time they figure every thing out, it may be getting old, but then again so am I.

Have a quiet weekend.
pat e

Hello Mycah,
My steroid block in my sacroiliac really helped with the swelling and 2 1/2 months later is still pretty good, but my brain issues and headaches have returned and I've had another block w/anesthesia. Some benefit, but not as much as hoped for. My husband was disappointed.

I have relief but I still can't wear socks or whole shoes or walk more than 200 yds a day.

My lawyer was pretty confident I'd be ok. I guess we'll see.
Our situations might be different by time for an interview.
Patiently waiting,
pat e

Congrats on the SSI! Amazed that you were approved on the first try. I applied, but was denied the first time even though they didn't look at all my medical reports because they kept "forgetting". I contacted an attorney about 6 or 7 months ago, and he has requested the SSI department reconsider and they actually are requesting more medical now and will set a hearing after that it is received. The attorney feels very good about my situation, as he doesn't understand the initial denial. I have been disabled basically since my first surgery in Dec of 2007, and have medical reports proving that I have been unable to work ever since (I had surgeries in 2008 that even required 6 months non-weight bearing), so that covers the one year disability requirement. I currently am unable to work, I had a spinal stim implanted originally in Sept of 10 and it had to be re-done due to lead migrations and my battery moving to where it was sticking about half an inch out and could not communicate with controller or charging system in Dec of 10. Since the Dec surgery, the RSD has flared/spread and now has affected my back, my arms, hands, fingers and both legs. Some days, I feel like it has affected my head, as I will get "jolts" in my brain and horrible headaches.

SSI initially said I could still perform a sedentary NO STRESS only type job. Now, I can't even sit for long (spine hurts badly where the implant, leads and battery is at), lay, stand or walk for long periods. Not to mention the dry mouth, confusion, anxiety, touchiness, and fatigue. Besides, has anyone really heard of a job that is sedentary with NO stress? I sure haven't...

Congrats again, and hope you have more good days then bad!