Actually back date it to when you stopped working.
I'd say you have no choice but to file for it. Back date it to when you finished treatment. You can file it online to open your case. It all boils down to your medical records. Be sure your doc records your current problems. We've all been there and for me it was the virus itself that made me lose touch with reality but I thought it was the damage I had. Also for some reason they stall and deny you if you have a lawyer. I don't know why. So it's not difficult to file and have your records speak for you.
Cirrhosis, Portal vein, and spleen issues is a direct YES to getting disability.
Hi Kat
Are you under the care of a Hepatologist? Do you know how much liver damage you may have had? If yo uhave cirrhosis it could be you are suffering from Hepatic Encephalopathy and require treatment that may relieve your symptoms.
Also as HE is one of the specifically qualifying disabilities you would qualify for Social Security disability.
If you do have cirrhosis I urge you to see your liver specialist to check out if you have HE.
Best of luck to you
Lynn
It is like chemo-brain. I have neuropathy in my legs, contractures in my hand and have hepatic encelopathy plus I have cirrhosis. My ammonia was sky high. I received SSDI after working 35 years as I could not hardly remember my name. I did not even get turned down. I hate it, but in no way can I remember things to go to work. I am a mess. I have prohibited from driving which *****. This whole disease *****.
I have been of SSDI disability for quite some time. I did my first 3 treatments and still worked, but after the unsuccessful SVR and then, having to do the repeated treatments, it really messed up my mental abilites. Add that to the depression, back problems, muscle/bone aches, fibro-type of symptoms and I was unable to be able to do any of the type of work that I previously did. I even tried to get a part-time job at a bread shop/restaurant (popular chain, but don't wish to say which one). It was humiliating because I couldn't remember the instructions, the coffee types, couldn't keep up with the customers the 20 somethings were pushing me out the way, getting annoyed with me. But, even with all of that, said, I was turned down the 1st and 2nd time, but on 3rd attempt, with a lawyer I got it. It's not really that easy to get, but honestly, I don't feel that guilty because I know I tried and also because I did pay into the system. I worked from age 16-o age 40, so it's not like I was completely freeloading. But, I totally know how you feel, the helplessness feeling. It also makes one feel depressed, or it did me. When the SS doctors did their own testing, I did not 'pass' their mental tests and their own doctors even said that I was disabled, but I was still turned down, w/o the lawyer to help me. You need to go into it fully prepared with all your 'paper' documentation, medical records, etc.,etc. I can say that you won't be getting rich on Soc.Sec. Alot people have the mistaken notion that when you're on it that you're getting 'all this money' for doing nothing. Really? 'All this money?' Not quite. Anyhow, I just wanted you to know that I understand. Susan400
Hi there! First I would like to say you are not alone. Others have had problems post interferon, incivek. I had problems that have slowly subsided though it has taken a while. It has been almost 3 years since I finished tx. Have you thought about filing for Social Security Disability? A couple of our members have said that there is something called Post Interferon Syndrome. I believe it. I was removed from my job 6 months after finishing the first tx with interferon, riba and something else, part of a trial.
I would suggest that you post this question here on the Post Tx Forum, you will get a lof of information there.
I am sorry this has happened to you. Dee
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-C-Post-Treatment-Issues/show/1670