^^^I know. I shared it with my GP and I have no intentions of sending a copy to SSA. But thanks for thinking of me. I often do pretty dumb things so it is nice to know that others are 'watching my back'.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oidap/...Evaluation.pdf

"An individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his
physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity
that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot,
considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any
other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national
economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate
area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for
him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For
purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual),
“work which exists in the national economy” means work which
exists in significant numbers either in the region where such
individual lives or in several regions of the country."

Word of caution:

This is for any and all applicants for disability through SSDI.

Never assume that you will qualify for benefits and be counting on them. Everyone needs to be prepared for the possibility that they will NOT be approved and should always consider what they will need to do if that is the eventuality.

Everyone's situation and need is different but there is always the possibility that one may be denied and everyone should prepare a back-up plan should denial be the end result.

Excellent advice!!!!

I am just not sure where to start in responding to these series of posts.

However, my last neurologist told me that he has 'hundreds of patients that have SFN, and they all work." This was said in the context of me asking and handing him a few papers to fill out for my SSDI.

Many people with many disabilities, conditions and diagnoses, including but not limited to SFN, go to work at full time jobs every day. Blind, deaf, paraplegic, schizophrenic, cancer, renal failure, etc.


I have talked to others who know about SFN, and they have said the above statement by my FORMER doctor is without merit. Unfounded. Silly. Illogical.

Do any of these 'others' have medical degree?


It seems like I read somewhere that the SSA could care less if there are any jobs in one's area, for one's limitations. If you can work part-time doing non-demanding work . . . then FIND IT. I had the impression they could care less what is available in your area. "You can always move." Your thoughts?

First; the Social Security Administration has no 'feelings' about you one way or another. That is the job of your family and friends, not a government entity. The employees are there to follow the rule of law - so SSA is not able to 'care'.
Second; Why not look for work where you can find it? It is not the mission of SSA to support you to live in the city or state you want to live in if you could find work elsewhere. This IS a federal program that all working people in the US pay into.


They can't see the trees for the forest. A person would just get sicker and sicker cut off from their support system . . . Heartless b*stards...

Again, not the job of SSA and SSA haves no 'feelings'. You are also making assumptions about everyone that may not be accurate at all. Some people actually thrive away from home. SSA is not your mother.


I hope you understand that your feelings about law and regulations have nothing to do with whether or not you will be found disabled.

[QUOTE=Janke;1167814]I am just not sure where to start in responding to these series of posts.

However, my last neurologist told me that he has 'hundreds of patients that have SFN, and they all work." This was said in the context of me asking and handing him a few papers to fill out for my SSDI.

Many people with many disabilities, conditions and diagnoses, including but not limited to SFN, go to work at full time jobs every day. Blind, deaf, paraplegic, schizophrenic, cancer, renal failure, etc.


I have talked to others who know about SFN, and they have said the above statement by my FORMER doctor is without merit. Unfounded. Silly. Illogical.

Do any of these 'others' have medical degree?


Janke you missed the point of his statement.First the doctor is telling him that he has hundreds of patients with SFN. This statement is highly doubtful. Even in large metropolitan areas no single neurologist has hundreds of SFN patients. Its not That common. Second he says that all of his hundreds of SFN patients work, every single one. That on its face is ridiculous. There are varying degrees of severity of SFN, some have it mildly, some moderately and some severely. Out of those hundreds of SFN patients he has surely some that must fit into each category. what are the odds of everyone he treats being mild. Most people who are eventually diagnosed with SFN are at least moderate and many are severe. Most of the mild cases dont go to a doctor at all or if they do they are usually misdiagnosed multiple times before the SFN becomes severe enough to be diagnosed correctly. In fact for the definitive testing done to diagnose SFN and PN itself for that matter, you need a level of damage for the tests to even detect that there is damage.
Basically the doctor is full of it and just didnt want to be bothered to fill out any forms.

I have talked to others who know about SFN, and they have said the above statement by my FORMER doctor is without merit. Unfounded. Silly. Illogical.

Do any of these 'others' have medical degree?

YES.

Most people who are eventually diagnosed with SFN are at least moderate and many are severe. Most of the mild cases dont go to a doctor at all or if they do they are usually misdiagnosed multiple times before the SFN becomes severe enough to be diagnosed correctly.

BINGO!!! We have a winner!!! 2.5 years of many misdiagnosis' (foot docs, neurologists, GP's, PT, EMG/NCT, Ultra-sound, custom-made orthotics - wow was that ever my biggest waste of 185 bucks, etc., etc...) until I was in so bad of shape that I was told not to go on walks of more than 10 minutes in length. Finally, via a skin bio, I got the correct DX. Still waiting on an effective TX . . .

In fact for the definitive testing done to diagnose SFN and PN itself for that matter, you need a level of damage for the tests to even detect that there is damage.
Basically the doctor is full of it and just didnt want to be bothered to fill out any forms.[/QUOTE]

YES.

I could go on and on about all the mistakes in his written summaries that a smart high school student could point out. "Symptoms are milder." Yet that same day he increased my Gabapentin from 900mgs a day to 2,400mgs per day . . . and before you ask -- yes, a medical doctor did tell me that that was an irresponsible sudden increase in my dosage . . . . and if my 'symptoms were milder' why would I need a dose increase in Gaba of over 100%?!

Let's try to keep this thread on topic.

Reminder of site guidelines -
[This is, first and foremost, a self-help support and education community. That means if your message (post or PM) isn't about offering support or information to another person or asking for it, it's potentially not appropriate for our community.]

*
I understand your emotional state when you have pain and are frustrated that you seem to be unheard by others, especially docs.... BUT, I do not think it is proper to speak so unkindly to people on NT that are just trying to help you.

Janke was NOT being judgmental in the least bit..... just FACTUAL. The point was there is no emotional involvement by SS when determining your eligibility for benefits.

Just because the FACTS were not sugar coated does not translate into a judgmental statement.

I understand your frustrations. Been there. I just ask that you be more respectful of the people here that are just trying to assist you and show you how things are viewed from the "other" side of the coin, the SS side. If you can look at your own case from their eyes, you will see and understand more and that will help you in your claim.

Many of us have tried to present that view to you which is a huge assist in getting through the process.

I am sorry if I sound a bit harsh but I think you may be harsh in your assessment of others that continue to try to help you.

The frustrations you may be feeling are valid and appreciated. Just don't take them out on the members that have done nothing but attempt to assist you and that includes Janke's post.

I believe the original topic has run it's course in this thread, so I am closing it.

We may decide remove a few posts if they are found to not fit with guidelines.

Original poster may want to make a new thread with some new questions or new topic.