Does anyone know how you qualify for Disability?

[tinyjennyl2002]

I've had chronic pain and severe migraines since I was 14 yrs. old....I'm 39 yrs old now....it seems the older I get, the worse I feel and hurt....I'm addicted to Hydrocodone, I take 2 pills a day...been on this for the past 5 years.  I've missed so much work and I'm blessed that they haven't fired me yet but I can't imagine continuing on like this year after year....missing work and having increasing back and neck pain...it's getting out of control....I've tried everything....accupuncture, chiropractor, neurologist, you name it...does anyone know the conditions to be eligible for Disability?  I hate to be a wus but I have to come to terms that my chronic pain is never going to go away and it's just something that I must live with the best I can.
Thanks in advance for your help:)

[tisha33]

I have been on ssi my whole life from birth but my disability was severe they were not able to correct my spine I had an 80 degree curvature if ur familiar with scholiosis u may understand the degree of it..it is stil in the shape of an s but without fusing it at least where its at my rib cage was turning and would have crushed my heart and lungs and killed me..I also have club feet the combination of disabilities is actually called milodisplasia..but I am a single mom 2 boys and let me tell u u can't raise 2 boys on what disability pays u..so I wrk 2 jobs partime hairdressing I wrk on a stool and part time office assistant...I have to report my income and they deduct a certain amount from my ssi check...for me the insurance from ssi is themost important cuz independent ins companies dnt like prexisting conditions...as a disabled person I'm proof if u set ur mind to it u can do anything!

[teko]

I used to get migrane headaches and trust me, the difference between them and a tension headache needs no explannation for anyone that has had one. In my case it must have been hormone related because they ended when I had a hysterectomy. I have not had one since then! If I took excedrin or vanquish at the very start of one, I could sometimes ward them off.  Otherwise it was a trip to the hospital for me every time. They lasted for a week at a time. Awful, makes you suicidal just to end the pain.

[austingirl]

I am currently on SS disability and suggest that FIRST you talk to your doctor to determine if s/he thinks you are disabled.  BTW, there is disabled for "your own work" and "for any work".  If your dr is agreeable to your being disabled, your first battle is won.  I completed the application, my dr signed off on her part and I was approved the first time.  

Although I don't remember the exact reasons, I recall that I went without income for 2 years and then was reimbursed for 1.5.  Also, I had to wait two years to qualify for Medicare so I had to continue my former group insurance at my own expense.  Whatever you do, DO NOT LET YOUR INSURANCE LAPSE.  If you do, you'll be plagued by the "preexisting condition" clause for the rest of your life.

Disability is no walk in the park either.  My income is less than 25% of what I was making when I worked.

Sorry to be long.  I wish you the best.  Firstly for a relief from your pain.

[NautyOne]

i think you are referring to me chia.........Jenny and i have talked......she knows I'm not being an a$$..........as  it may appear.  I'm not mean........never......not me?....lol.  Maybe i will get the gift of expression this season.......

Nauty........

[Mikeinthesouth]

Awe you are all being so sweet these days has Medhelp really brought all this humanity out in you all. I learned fast to wear ones heart on their sleeve means to be hurt an awful lot..... LOL Hang in there and dont get discouraged if you are trully disabled than it will work out for you..........

[Dezdon]

Start with State disabilty. You'll need a letter from your doctor. You need documention, documentation, documentation. Your best bet for Social Security Disabilty is a lawyer who specialises in disabilty. Find one that has a track record with migrain patients and chronic pain patients.
  I was denied SSD when "I" aplied, then I lawyered-up and had it within three months. My ailments are not migrains though.
Good luck to you,
Dez

[NautyOne]

Hi Jenny,

They do not put tension headaches in the same category as "migraines"  There is no recourse for tension headaches other than some kind of opiate and they just think your a nut......been there.  After a brain scan, my doctor did see ishemic activity and said that is a classic sign that they see in migraine sufferers.  But, discounted that.  he offered me a sample of Imitrex to see if they were true migraines and they are not.  there is no way in he!! that they will give you disability for tension headaches.  If the vic's work then use them......if they are that frequent.  You can deal with addiction later.....if you say NOTHING else works.  I feel for you, and understand your frustration. Vic's may be your only option.  Its suc ks a$$  I know.  I get around them because I work at home......if I had to report to someone when It feels like someone is try to shove a Iron spear thru my head......I don't know what I would do.....so I reallly do feel for you.  I don't even bother with the Vic's because there is nothing but Ice and time that will take away my grains.......and I can't get out of bed.

Please don't feel that I am attacking you or trying to be rude......I am not a gifted with words, but I am just trying to tell you the truth........

Now that I know they are tension headaces.......you can forget it.  My heart goes out to you, because I know how debilitating these headaches can be. Sometimes I get them for 3 days.......it is the worst........I cringe just thinking about it.........

I wish you the best, and I am sorry that you have to go thru this.  I wouldn't these headaches on my worst enemy, and your doctor is full of chit migraines and tension headaches are completely different ......stupid doctors..........heads up their butts.


God bless
nauty..........

[tinyjennyl2002]

I understand what your saying.....I don't think it would be easy for me to get disability either....sometimes I just give up on myself and I get frustrated with nothing working ..actually they are "tension headaches" but my docs are trying to tell me that now their considered the same thing as a migraine.....I don't understand that one but I just nod my head in agreement when they try to tell me that.  I have tried sooooo many meds that I can't even remember everything I've been on....Imitrex was never an option according to my doc....I'm not sure if it doesn't mix well with blood pressure meds...I have extremely high blood pressure and have been treated for this since my early 30's....
I'm just addicted to these Hydro's and I wish I didn't have to take them every time I get a headache......what are/were you addicted to ?

[NautyOne]

Hi Jenny,

At your request for some constructive criticism .......Sometimes when we condemn ourselves mentally.....its condemns us physically.......constant reinforcement that things will happen......may(will) happen.  

Disability for migraines is almost a joke. If everyone got disability for migaines or bacpain, etc.  There wouldn't be anything for the folks that really need it.  Maybe you can throw in your "depression" and get it for mental instability........you'd have a better chance for that.. then for migraines........

And so lets just say you do get it.  What do you do?  just lay around and do nothing?  Don't you want to find it a mission to find what the problem is.......I believe you say you get them only a couple days a week?.......I'm telling you......I know what a migraine is and completely understand.  I have a friend who has a plate for a spine and can't get it.....or has been trying to get it....even if you do apply.....it can take years to get it anyway, so hopefully the doctors will find the source of your headaches before that so you can remain a productive.....have you been diagnosed with "true migraines" or Tension Headaches.......big difference........have u tried Imitrex ...?? cant' remember the other ones but there are a few medications out there that are life savers to some...what meds have you tried.  

I suffer SEVERE PMS about 14 days out of the month.......Its that bad. Maybe I'll see if I can get disability for that .......fat chance..........

Nauty............

[tinyjennyl2002]

Hi...it's the migraine girl....haha
I have tried everything under the sun, accupuncture, neurologists, herbal remedies, chiropractors, massage, now I am going to a Headache Clinic where they try many different types of pills to figure out which one might actually work for me....but all it is is pills, pills, pills, I take so many pills, 9 altogether...I'm like a walking medication .......I don't feel like this Clinic is really helping me....I spend soooo much money on their meds and visits and NOTHING helps...now the headaches are spreading down into my shoulders and neck and all over my lower back...it's just constant pain...I never know how I'm going to wake up in the morning and the only thing that really helps (at least for the time being) is the Vicodin...if they take that away from me ...I'm scr##ed......I won't be able to function enough to be able to go to work. I'm just scared and it's not like I'm this big wus that is just trying to use the system to get out of going to work.....I just know how PO'ed my employers must be....they have hinted at it and I don't know how much longer I'll be able to get away with calling in when I have a throbbing severe headache.  It seems the older I get ( I'm 39 ) the worse the pain gets every year...when the cold weather hits it's even worse....I can't stand cold....it makes my aches and pains even worse...all I do is lay in bed during the wintertime....it sort of depresses me.....which I am on antidepressents for that as well.  But anyway, I thought I would just explain to you a little more of what I'm going through.....on the outside I can see where my situation doesn't seem too bad, but when your me and your constantly cancelling things with friends, family, calling in sick to work on a regular basis....some people don't get it and they think your just making too much out of the situation...but the pain is actually that bad.  Hope to hear more of your constructive criticism.....it helps me.....Thanks!
Jenny

[Mikeinthesouth]

I agree in that you will n doubt fall into the guidlines of being disabled besides it is a b tch to have to resort to that and leave all in live you have to be on disability. I am gratfull for the system if one is truly diabled physically or emotionally.....

[trippedoutgirl]

You need to get letters from your doctors telling them how bad your are and you can't work any more because of your problem. Then go to the local social security dept. with everything you can bring them showing them that you just cant perform any more. They will  give you a claim form to return to them. What you need to do is show them how much money will be coming in with you not working. How many people live in the house will help you with your claim. If you fall into a low income bracket It will help you with your claim.It's not as hard as you may think.
Happy Thanksgiving And may GOD bless your family , and may the LORD watch over you.

[NautyOne]

First of all.......might I say.........If I would have said what you did, I would have been ripped a new bung hole.......lol.  Second, I do agree with you totally, although I know how debilitating migraines can be.......and, holy chiat they can be, If they were to give disability to everyone with migraines>>>come on >>>lets get real>  you need find the source of your migraines and work with your doctor.  there are so many treatments and medications out there to help.  Have you tried all of your options with your doctor.  It sounds like you have just convicted yourself to a life of pain a couple days a week.  Not the best attitude, but as a migraine sufferer .....Oh, I feel your Pain.....trust me.

I highly doubt you will be able to get disability for this reason.  U said you are surprised your employer has kept you on.  Well, they have.....so, therefore you are able to work. If you explore every option with your doctor and are fired from your job because of this....dont get any ideas.......lol.  ..I seriously doubt you will be able to receive......I hate to say it, but I hope not.  

I would love to hear of all the options U have tried.....and, what your doctor has told you?

I wish you well, and pain free.......

luv,
nauty..........

[scaredmom330]

Unfortunately getting disabilty for migraines and chronic pain is very hard. You have to have documentations out your ying yang to provide showing all doctor visits, hosptial stays and any test ran.  I was blessed, when I applied I have 2 folders packed full of everything, and was approved in less than 6 months.  But the lady who handled my case was understand to migraines and had suffered from them herself. She had reasonly had a stroke and was going through therapy trying to get her speech back to normal. and still trying to work, sitting at a computer for hours on end. anyone who has ever had a migraine knows what the computer screen will do to your vision. So I wish you the best of luck, get all the documentation you can get your hands on, and don't give up, you get 4 chances before it goes in front of a judge.  keep in tough and let me know if you have any other questions I might be able to help you with.


Karen

[dominosarah]

Call them and see what the guidelines are.

[catmagnet]

Maybe I came across as too cranky, I hope I didn't offend anyone.Sorry. Just makes me mad when people are supposedly disabled but they can climb ladders and lift lawn mowers into pickup trucks. I wasn't necessarily implying jenny is one of them. Just hit a nerve...I'll try to be nice...=/  holiday stress

[avisg]

Cat I understand what you are saying unforuntly many people have abused the disability
system .
I think they might be able to help you more over on the pain management site .Check it out med help has a nice one

[catmagnet]

You would probably be denied...too many people claim "disability" without a good reason. People without arms and legs go to work every day. I'm not trying to sound mean, because I'm not, but I think all this is part of this country's problem...=/...ok, go ahead and ***** me out. I've probably made a lot of people mad now.

[Mikeinthesouth]

I would think you have to apply for it and they review it and if they deny your ap you have to appeal their decision which is what mostly happens from what I have been told and have seen.