NeuroTalk Support Groups - 'Work attempts' while SSDI is in appeals

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- Social Security Disability (https://www.neurotalk.org/social-security-disability/)

- - 'Work attempts' while SSDI is in appeals (https://www.neurotalk.org/social-security-disability/225488-attempts-ssdi-appeals.html)

Dean, the problem that's going to come up is that you were capable of working as a PE teacher within the last year, which is a much more physically demanding job than sitting behind a desk. Since your BP was also a factor in why you were unable to continue working, that also will make such a claim appear less credible.

It makes no sense that you don't have a placard, at least for medical appointments if walking is causing you problems. Also, the first step a patient with trouble walking would usually start with a cane to determine how much that will help. Then they'd move on to a walker, and then a wheelchair if they're incapable of ambulating very far.

You need a doctor to spell out your work restrictions and or limitations. Again, having a Functional Capacity Evaluation will help your doctor/s determine what those restrictions and limitations are.

While working from home is certainly an option, telecommuting or working online aren't currently factored into the jobs Vocational Experts consider for SSDI eligibility, based on current rules and regs. This may change at some point.

Swimming is considered the best exercise for those that have problem with weight bearing.

If you haven't been posting in the PN forum which includes SFN, here is the link: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

the function of a cane or walker is to assist balance by increasing a persons base of support so as to not fall, not to increase the ability to walk longer distances. Not all people with PN have severe balance problems or develop severe balance problems later on as the disease progresses. Many people with PN do get tired very easily and very quickly while standing or walking. The pain levels also increase for many after standing for a while or walking more than a short distance. For example my legs start to get a very heavy feel, like im lugging around tree trunks and my feet feel as if the bones are broken. A cane or walker will not help that. My balance was not severely compromised, though i did have problems, in the early part of my PN but has gotten progressively worse. I know a number of people who have PN and who dont use a cane or walker and have won their SSDI or SSI cases.

[QUOTE=LIT LOVE;1168994
You need a doctor to spell out your work restrictions and or limitations. Again, having a Functional Capacity Evaluation will help your doctor/s determine what those restrictions and limitations are.

[/QUOTE]

this is excellent advice. this is actually crucial to your case. it cant be stressed enough.
In my opinion you need a positive evaluation by a neurologist to help
win your case.
A GP may be ok to treat the pain of peripheral neuropathy, however a GP is not going to carry the weight of a neurologist in the evaluation of a neurological disease for your appeal or hearing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by echoes long ago (Post 1169004)

the function of a cane or walker is to assist balance by increasing a persons base of support so as to not fall, not to increase the ability to walk longer distances. Not all people with PN have balance problems or develop balance problems later on as the disease progresses. Many people with PN do get tired very easily and very quickly while standing or walking. The pain levels also increase for many after standing for a while or walking more than a short distance. For example my legs start to get a very heavy feel, like im lugging around tree trunks and my feet feel as if the bones are broken. A cane or walker will not help that. My balance was ok in the early part of my PN but has gotten progressively worse. I know a number of people who have PN and who dont use a cane or walker and have won their SSDI or SSI cases.

The poster specifically stated that he had trouble with balance, albeit about taking a bike ride outside. See post #15 in this thread. To me, the balance problem, may not only relate specifically to the bike.

i have no idea if he has a balance problem or not. my point was that not everyone with PN has a severe balance problem , not everyone with PN uses a cane or walker and that people with PN who do not have severe balance problems or do not use canes or walkers do win their disability cases because of the limitations on their ability to work caused by the type and severity of the PN that they have .

Quote:

Originally Posted by echoes long ago (Post 1169013)

Dean has said he has balance issues when walking, but it might have been via pm. I was maybe making assumptions that might not apply...

I don't think that I implied he'd be denied if he didn't utilize an ambulatory device. I'm trying to point out issues that an ALJ will likely question. --None of us will see his medical records, or lack there of, and our opinions are based on what he chooses to reveal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by echoes long ago (Post 1169007)

this is excellent advice. this is actually crucial to your case. it cant be stressed enough.
In my opinion you need a positive evaluation by a neurologist to help
win your case.
A GP may be ok to treat the pain of peripheral neuropathy, however a GP is not going to carry the weight of a neurologist in the evaluation of a neurological disease for your appeal or hearing.

OK. I will check into getting this done. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1169022)

Dean has said he has balance issues when walking, but it might have been via pm. I was maybe making assumptions that might not apply...

As Echoes has pointed out - weakness and pain when walking is typically a problem with PN. That is the case with me. So, that is the primary - which causes the secondary of 'thinking' one has balance problems. Well, when your feet feel like they are encased in cement that makes one's gait off. This gives a sense of a balance problem.

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]For example, just yesterday - I must of stumbled into, tripped over the top of one of my seated daughters at least 6 times yesterday. This did not happen prior to the onset of my sfn.

One foot doctor gave me a DX of 'abnormality of gait'. Caused by what? I would guess weak muscles and pain. And, sensory sensations of having cement feet that tingle and burn. So, I think my balance 'thing', is a case of SENSORY symptoms causing what appears to be a slight balance problem. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]Another foot doctor had me walk down and back in his hallway several times. He had a puzzled expression on his face. We talked. "You have foot drop", said the doctor. "What is that?" I asked. "Your feet hit the ground too quickly with each step you take", he said. Looking back, I imagine that was a muscle weaknesses problem. Who knows . . . in addition to sfn, maybe I have some large fiber problems to. The first EMG/NCT stated I did. I was given a DX of TTS. A year and a half later, another EMG/NCT stated I didn't. Then, they pulled blood. It as fine. Then they did skin bio. "Hey! We found something here. SFN."[/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]I have played tennis for over 40 years. I played on the HS team and the college team and from age 8 - 16 prior to that. I used to play about twice a week during the summers every since I began teaching. At one school I taught at I coached the HS tennis team for a year. However, I have NOT played tennis ONCE since the onset of the sfn. Why? Pain, mostly. And that weakness feeling that Echoes wrote of. I would stumble, bumble all over a court that I once gracefully flew over . . . And if I played for just 20 minutes, I fear and dread the 'feet hangover' that would no doubt surely following. This hangover could last up to two or three days.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]Yes, I understand. A desk job does not require one to play tennis AT ALL. I'm just trying to paint word pictures of what I have described as 'balance' problems.
[/COLOR]

I don't think that I implied he'd be denied if he didn't utilize an ambulatory device. I'm trying to point out issues that an ALJ will likely question.

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]And, I would answer them as I have above. I think that would be adequate. It is not a 'far jump'.[/COLOR]

--None of us will see his medical records, or lack there of, and our opinions are based on what he chooses to reveal.

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]I have ADD. We tend not to hide much. The symptom is called impulsivity. If you have a question that you think might help me win my case (to which I HONESTLY think I am entitled to) please ask away. I imagine even without the ADD, I would not hide. That just isn't my style.
[/COLOR]

What do I do wrong to cause my formatting to look as it does above? I pick a color. I type a paragraph or two and then I highlight the paragraph and pick a color for the text. Then I move on and repeat the above process until my comments are complete - but generally just the first paragraph is the only one that has the colored text. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1168969)

Working from home is a possible option. There are many courses that may be taught online these days.

Sometimes one must think "outside the box" so to speak. There are MANY ways to earn an income from home where one can have the flexibility to rest when needed, take days off completely when needed, avoid having to walk to a place of employment from their vehicle, etc. It may not be an income that would exceed SGA levels, but it could be of some financial benefit to a disabled person.

My limited experience in looking for the jobs as you have described above has not been promising. If one googles it, many of the articles it pulls up are to the effect of: "Watch out for SCAM 'work at home' jobs . . . most make pennies a day . . . not dollars a day." With that being said, if you could lead me and/or provide a list of jobs that meet or exceed your first paragraph - please do so. I would be eternally appreciate! Thanks.