still waiting on my first decision. Should hear sometime end of October to sometime in November.

In communicating with my adjudicator to see that they have everything they need, and asking a question here and there, she made a couple comments that I would like to run by our "experts" here to see if they might be in my favor.

She told me that I "did an excellent job preparing my case - have not seen a case this well prepared in a year or more" and that having all the records going a back almost 10 years showing a steady progression of my disease was very helpful. She asked if I ever worked in the medical field in any way, and I said once when I was 17 I helped a veterinarian out once in a while when he needed someone to help hold a horse or something like that but otherwise, no. She said it was a very complete file. I told her that since I have a rare disease, I have always kept all my records in case I needed to copy them for a new doctor, so I already had most of them when I was ready to file, going back to when I first got RSD in 2001.

Then, she must have been on vacation for a couple weeks - or somewhere out of the office back in July. During that time, I got a strange phone call. The woman was from the SSD office and thought she was calling my neurologists office. I gave her the number, and she said while she had me on the phone, was it ok with me if they needed me to see an IME. I said I didn't think I had a choice, so yes, I would see one. I never heard any more about that from my regular adjudicator, so when I was calling to make sure my rehabilitation pain psychologist had sent in her paperwork, I asked the adjudicator when they would schedule the IME. She said that my medical history was so complete they would not require any further appointments with their IME's.

Per her request when I had first filed, I had been sending in updates when I was going to my doctors and she told me last week that I didn't need to do that any more unless I had any significant tests done (not just bloodwork), or any new diagnosis was made. She said that I had "so much going on" that updates were not needed, unless something new was discovered.

She said my file is in queue to be reviewed, but that it may take longer than the original date of mid October, because I have "so many records and so many complicated health issues."

So, my question is.... do you think these comments sound like there might be a chance I may get a favorable decision first time around? I don't have one of the "automatic" diseases, but do have several major things going on.

I don't want to get my hopes up, but ...... she does sound positive when I talk to her, without really saying anything. I know it is not up to her, but I would think the adjudicator would have a good idea on what cases the medical people will approve?

It is so hard to sit back and wait. At least if I get turned down, I know I have done all I can do.

tap....tap....tap....tap....

I wouldn't hazard a guess, but my fingers are crossed for you DL !

I was approved!

Congrads DL !!!!!

I am so happy for you !