I just don't understand....I picked up 2 currents doctors reports today and even though I had a 15 minute conversations with both of them, they skim over what I consider the important things we talked about and what would actually help me in my reconsideration appeal.

Don't we pay them enough for them to put detailed notes in ?

Thanks for listening....just very frustrated with this whole process.

Debi from Georgia

Hi Debi,

Oh, there is so much I would like to say in response to your post. I understand your frustration. Not only do records lack a lot of information, they also sometimes contain erroneous information and opinionated information. I have even typed things out and faxed them to my doc before my appointment so that there is written evidence, I don't forget to mention some items, and it is complete, at least on my end.

In obtaining copies of my records for disability claim purposes, I was shocked at what I discovered.

For purposes of medical records, there are different schools of thought and variations on what should and should not be noted.

If it is not written, it did not happen. Don't write any more than is absolutely necessary.

The above is what I was told by a nurse once about what is charted.

I have found notations in my records stating I was on medication that I have never taken or even heard of and have been referred to physicians I have never seen or met. I have also received records within my own that were for other people.

Two of my doctors have changed over to electronic records instead of paper charts as is now being required. A big advantage is you can read it since it is typed and most docs have handwriting that no one can decipher. The problem is when they move from screen to screen, they have a much greater chance of entering information in the wrong location and you wind up with erroneous records. This has happened to me. When I was at an office visit in September, my doc referred back to my prior visit from August. He was still in the August screen and did not realize it and posted the September details under the August visit. You would think no big deal but it looked like I had treatments before I had treatments and results from treatments were indicated before the treatements were performed.

I could go on and on and there have been many discussions in other threads about medical records.

Sorry I got so winded. I just wanted to say I do understand your frustration.

I've been seeing my PCP for almost 6 years. She and I have a great relationship but she WILL NOT fill out the ss forms for me. She keeps saying ss will send me to their dr's and that it's obvious I can't work. (Oh how I wish ss would send me to one of their dr's !)I did get her to put in my visit notes that I am disabled in her opinion. I also saw my onocologist and he put in his notes that due to the neuropathy I was unable to drive, grocery shop or basically leave the house. That's about as far as I got with them. They did both not that my neuropathy was caused by my diabetes and chemo treatments.

finz: My foot dr did the skin punch biopsy and the results were positive for SFN. He said my results were 0 out of a possible 15 and that it shows my feet are devoid of fibers A and C. He also went on to state that my only option at this point is to see a pain mgmt. specialist who might be able to improve my quality of daily life enough to at least let me drive and grocery shop. He put NONE of the above in his report. Said he went over the results with me and was referring me to a pain specialist. I was stunned when I got the records and called his office advising I really needed him to put in the records what we had discussed. She said the results of the test were enough for ss.

Guess that gives you an idea of what I am dealing with. My symptoms are getting worse. I now have swelling on the bottom of my feet, the numbness is worse and so is my balance. I've also noticed the hair on my legs is not growing like it was...I'm only 51 you know ?

I do not have an attorney....I did talk to an advocate locally and he put some wording for me to use on the reconsideration. Basically said it was a crap shoot. Depended on who looks at my reconsideration, how they feel that day, if they feel like I'm on the fence as far as approving they may approve if they have already denied a lot.....just on and on.

My whole life has been completely turned upside down in 1 year.....1 YEAR is all it took....crazy......lost job of 26 years, 2 months later I was having chemo that didn't end until March of this year and then BAM....a month later I couldn't walk. I say I still have chemo brain but I'm wondering whether it's the SFN working it's magic.

Thanks for coming back to me and if you read this response and have more to add please do. Neurotalk is the best thing that has happened to me this year !

Debi

tell the pcp that you will pay her for her time filling out the forms that you need. that may change things. otherwise your relationship with your pcp really isnt as good as you thought it was.

[SIZE="3"]I have offered to pay a fee if needed to get some help from her with my forms. She works for a huge company (Emory) and since they took over our local clinic the dr's are afraid to breath the wrong way !

The neuro, I only went to once, did not even want to talk to me about disability as he said I could wake up the next day and it could be gone......I wish ! That was before the skin punch biopsy. Most of my medical problems have been regular stuff prior to this past year. Sinus issues, had gallbladder taken out, the usual. I've never had any dealings with a neuro, a foot dr or a pain mgmt. dr. And I've had to decide on my own to go to these dr's. I also had to ask for the biopsy but am so glad I did. It was a relief to get a diagnosis even though it sucked.

This has been so rapid in it's progression it scares me but I don't tell the husband or kids. The bottom of my feet are now swelling, the numbness is worse and spreading....aching to my knees and my hands are starting up again and too much more to list. I also have what I call 'female cramps' but had a hysterectomy so is that SFN too ? So many dang questions.

When I say rapid I mean starting approx. May 1st of this year ! Diabetes/chemo related.....had taxol/carbo for 6 rounds and the chemo nurses said it was strong and they aren't surprised I'm having this much trouble. Wish the nurses could fill out ssdi paperwork...lol

Please comment...I learn so much from all of you...Great peeps

Debi (nice and cool this morning in Georgia)[/SIZE]

The following is NOT based on personal experience but on research I have done.

I would not put too much hope on reconsideration unless you have provided additional information as the number of claims approved during reconsideration level are low. An ALJ hearing is the place for more hope.

I do not mean to sound discouraging, just do not want you to be crushed if not approved at the reconsideration level. Several states have omitted the reconsideration level completely. You go straight to ALJ after initial denial if you appeal.

Going to one of the SSDI docs may not be helpful. From what I have read on some threads on neurotalk, you get a brief exam, seldom get to talk, etc.

As I said, both of these topics, "reconsideration" and "their doc" are not things I have any personal experience with and only offer info that I have read. Hopefully, someone with more experience will be able to give you better information.

I certainly wish you the very best and hope that you can obtain assistance from others here, from your physicians, etc.

Keep us posted. A lot of us are in the same boat. Wish we had some life rafts.

not to put too fine a point on it, but if your doctor wont help with any paper work, then they are pretty useless to you now at reconsideration stage and in the long run when you may have a hearing before an alj or even later if you are found disabled and have to fill out long form cdr's. since you will always need your doctor to fill out one form or the other, you should be out looking for a new one. most of us have had to do so. i had a great pcp but since that doctor moved to another state i have been through five and am on my sixth in the last 4 years. its just too important for those of us on ssdi or applying for it to have a co operative doctor.

Here's a link to provide an RFC form for your doc/s to fill out. This should not take her long.

http://www.ultimatedisabilityguide.com/rfc_forms.html

Expecting a SS doc to advocate for you is very unrealistic of your doc. They'll review your medical records and not sabotage your claim if you're lucky. You want to have RFC form/s in your file before you see the SS doc/s.

Thanks echoes long ago. You are very correct about Debi needing a doc that WILL help with paperwork not just now but in the future with the continuing reviews once approved.

I think Debi is in a difficult situation as it is hard to change docs in the middle of an appeal.

I do not know Debi's financial situation or insurance coverage but maybe seeking a "second opinion" from another doc, including her quest for a new, more willing doc, might be beneficial.

Finding the right doc is not an easy task.

echoes long ago makes a very good point.

Debi, would you even consider another doc since you have a good relationship (other than the lack of cooperation of paperwork)? Maybe you could approach your doc with the tactful message that you NEED a physician that is supportive and although you wish to remain your docs patient, you really need his/her help.

I feel your frustration and do not have an answer. (Wish I did.) I know how difficult it is to seek out a new doc when you like yours, but you also need their help with more than your immediate health care, you need them to document your health. Finding one that you trust and will complete paperwork is a daunting task. Good luck with whatever choices you make.

Hi Debi,

A lot of information that SSDI wants about your limitations are generally not included in doctors notes. The way to get that information in front of SSDI from your doctor is through a Medical Source Statement, similar to an RFC used by SSDI.

An RFC is very similar to a Medical Source Statement except an RFC is completed by SSDI and an MSS is completed by your docs and submitted to SSDI.

If you do not have these type of statements from your docs, only copies of your medical records, I would strongly suggest that you have your docs complete Medical Source Statements as soon as possible.

I had a doc very supportive of my claim but it took 3 months to finally pin him down long enough for him to complete the form for me. Another one of my docs filled it out during one of my office visits on the spot. It all depends on the doc.

Hope this helps.

I forgot from your prior posts, are you represented by an attorney? If not, you can get a medical source form from the internet and take it to your docs. If you do have an attorney, he can supply you with a form or he can send a letter to your docs with the form asking that they complete it. Patients usually get a faster response from docs than attorney request for it.