I'm approaching 1 yr since MVA that resulted in lower limb RSD--My wife is terminal with Cystic Fibrosis and I have a 7 month old // Have applied for SSDI and so far WC covering medical but I'm showing no improvement and they are expecting me to return to work--If I try to do this/ and I don't believe I can sell cars without walking-- will it have a negative impact on my case with SSDI??>> Can I just refurse to try to work?? Im just starting on cymbalta but very depressed/ angry and unbearable pain that keeps me from concentrating, sleeping, or doing "anything"

Sorry to hear about your wife. We have a 10 year old daughter with CF. so I know what that entails. I am also taking meds for depression and so far no luck for me. I would think if they offer you some type of work you would have to attempt it. But only if it is something you can actually do. I was hurt in a factory and they offered me work for awhile but I kept getting worse(4 knee surgeries) until there was nothing for me to do. Whatever you do, do not give them a reason to fire you. You know that's what they want to do to you. I applied for SSDI and have been turned down 2 times. I go before the ALJ in June. Some 3 3/4 years later. Good Luck!
This is what my employeer tried to do to me.

SSDI doesn't care if you can't sell cars........they care if you can do any job.

Do your doctors say that you are unable to do any work ?

I'm sorry that your family is dealing with so much........I can't imagine how difficult dealing with chronic pain must be with everything else you are dealing with. Have you checked out the RSD forum here ?

Get an appointment with your state department of Vocational Rehabilitation (it's free), it is their job to find you a new job if you can no longer perform your old one. How can you test drive a car with a customer now? How can you manuever between the tight rows of cars in a w/c? etc. VR can also provide free therapy and job training.

Hi all,
i just wanted to give a quick bit of info on situation. I am 36 yrs. old and lost my job back in 2003 due to a work injury causing me to have rsd. I have been living with this nightmare and it just seems to get worse. I am slowly loosing function of my limbs. My left hand which is my dominant hand has no feeling except for the pain inside my right hand is doing to same and my lower legs to me feet are swelling and very weak. I have to use a cane or walker but right now since i am fighting wc I am paying for all my meds so I can't afford any of that so i am using my specially made crutch to help me walk. I have applied for social security disability about 5 times and have been denied every time. I just got myself an attorney to help me appeal and see what happens. ssdi says i don't need anything to help me walk and of course my age plays a factor. Not only do I have rsd but I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and acid reflex. Acid reflex is due to all meds I am taking for my rsd and my ptsd which is due to my rsd. So I am hoping I can get somewhere with ssdi. Yes I am also fighting wc because they are liable for my injury. I was just wondering if anybody here has tried for ssdi as many times as I have and have been unsuccessful?

Sincerely,
Tracy

U need to have a pain mgmt dr.to okay u off work then keep getting written notice everytime u see him till u get ur SSD thats what I did to save my butt I use to work the medical field it's weird believe me.............But get u a dr. to pronounce u disabled and go for ur SSD..........Hope I helped Shey

Some cities have medical needs items for free {a charity/ volunteer /non profit thing}- we found out about it when BIL was in late stage cancer.
A coordinator or case worker at the hospital told us about it.
That was in Stockton CA, but I'll bet other larger cities have something like it too.

We were able to borrow a hospital bed, wheelchair, bed pan and foam wedge - when the things are not needed any longer you return them.

Thrift stores sometimes have nice walkers and rollators etc

Hi Tracy... I also have RSD and have since Oct 2007. Mine was from a fall and hitting my shin on my left leg. It is now in my entire left leg all the way to my hip and my right leg from my knee down. SSDI also told me I did not need an aide to ambulate. And like you my age was also factored in (I am 38) and also my college degree. I use a crutch if it a short walk, but otherwise I use a mobility scooter that I was fortunate to have donated to me through the Knights of Columbus. I lost my voice Jan 2007 and then the RSD since Oct 2007. I have been fighting since March 2007 and still not have been successful. I started using an atty in Nov 2007 and I let them handle EVERYTHING for me. I just had a functional capacity evaluation done last week and the results will be sent to my atty and they in turn will use that with my medical records and they are going to ask for an on the record review with the social security judges in my area and try and get it approved with a bench decision rather than make me wait another year for a hearing. Right now it is just a waiting game.

hang in there it took me since 05 and i was turned down 6 times and finally SSI got it right get a good lawyer who understands RSD send me your email I will send something that might help you to get SSDI that you can show the lawyer good luck RSD31