[Biggerbetter]

Well I finally had my appointment with a new Dr. for my seizures. I had to wait for this appointment for 9 months, because of the state issued insurance. I go in he spends almost an hour and I thought that was great. But when I asked him if he could fill out a RFC form he said sure."Just make a copy fill it out, and bring them both back to my nurse and I'll fill out the original and you can pick it up". What the heck? I was happy he would fill it out but when he said for me to do it, I was let down. Im not a dr. nor do I know most of these answers. Sure I can write what were the dates of last 3 seizures, have I fallen, or side effects but geez. My lawyer just said it's not detramental to win but helps if the dr. would do it. Well I'm not doing it. Sorry just had to vent. Thanks

[finz]

The doctor is telling you he will write in whatever answers you tell him to because only YOU know how long you can sit, stand, etc......and you are complaining ? He can't WATCH you for a full 8 hours (in a typical workday) to see how you function so he is asking you how long you can do things.

You don't have to be a doctor to complete the answers. You have to know what you can do.....and for how long. YOU are the only person who knows that.

That sounds like the perfect situation to me.

[Biggerbetter]

Not complaining about filling it out, Im complaining that ONLY a DR. can answer some of the questions. But thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

[echoes long ago]

i think Finz is right, the doctor is trying to help you.

[ginnie]

I kind of agree with finz. You know yourself better than anyone. I think this gives you the opportunity to tell all of your symptoms. The only thing he could do to improve on this, would to be to write a personal letter to the disability folks telling them why he thinks you should receive benefits. My doctor filled out the form, after I wrote symptoms, then wrote a personal letter with it. This was enough to grant me disability. It actually was the personal letter that the judge looked at most of all. I hope all works out for you. ginnie

[Shari_W]

Biggerbetter,
Have to agree with the others. You are in the driving seat so to speak and I think it's great that your Neuro will back you up on what you write. As I was told and have told others, answer the questions based on your worst days. Don't go to the extreme but be honest and let them know just how bad an 8 hour work day or however long they are basing their questions on would be on you. I'm sure you have more bad days than good ones.

As ginnie has said, a personal letter from your Neuro in addition to him filling out the form would be great. And finz is right as well, my Neuro always says that I know my body and the effects my disease has on it better than he does so he always lets me determine when I need my next IGIV infusions. Sometimes I have to have them earlier than scheduled according to how bad my symptoms are.

I can understand your frustration with this whole disability process. This leaves us all with many negative emotions about having to prove to Social Security that we are disabled when it is so obvious to us, our loved ones and our doctors that we are. But try not to see the "good" as "bad" in your current situation. This could be just what you need to finally get your approval.

Hang in there and know that you are in my prayers

Shari