Social Security Disability

[Dianne in NC]

I recently applied for my disability since I am no longer able to perform the work I use to do. I worked in textile, no high school education so my job abilities are limited.

Does anyone have any advise for me, or can tell me about this process...any help will be greatly appreciated.

[JohnWayne]

Dianne I was forced to apply for my Disability in 2004 due to my R.A. and I wish I could tell you that it wasn't any problem.
I worked in the Printing Industry and really loved my job but after a severe car accident and my 2nd knee surgery none of my Drs. nor the Company Dr. would allow me to return to work. I applied for my Disablity 7/23/04 and was finally approved in 10/07.

[leighdu]

All I can say is get ready for a hard process. I wish this wasn't the case but most cases just drag out. I would seriously suggest getting an attorney to help you speed up the process.

[Mockingbird]

It can be very difficult to find a doctor that will be willing to state you are disabled. then you may have to see another doctor to confirm this position. It can take years to qualify. I agree a lawyer can be of help.

[Colorado Gal]

I am getting ready to apply, I cant take the pain anymore. Mornings are so difficult. I also am in so much pain and cannot sleep. I was dx 3.5 years ago was an unemployed single mother,I was able to get unemployment and Medicare which covered my meds.
I now have a job with too expensive health insurance. I dont know what Im going do my job as an office manager is getting harder and harder to perform without meds. I ran out of metho about four weeks ago and now my feet and hands are very swollen, as my meds run out, I think my condition will get worse.

I have investigated getting meds from Canada, has anyone done that?:confused:

[leighdu]

I am getting ready to apply, I cant take the pain anymore. Mornings are so difficult. I also am in so much pain and cannot sleep. I was dx 3.5 years ago was an unemployed single mother,I was able to get unemployment and Medicare which covered my meds.
I now have a job with too expensive health insurance. I dont know what Im going do my job as an office manager is getting harder and harder to perform without meds. I ran out of metho about four weeks ago and now my feet and hands are very swollen, as my meds run out, I think my condition will get worse.

I have investigated getting meds from Canada, has anyone done that?:confused:


Good luck and I understand exactly what you are going through. I really wish the process of getting approved was easier, but all I can say is hang in there. I've never heard about getting meds from Canada but if you find anything interesting I would love to hear about. I have taken myself off RA meds but several family members still swear by them.

[kageyd]

I know someone who used to work in the Soc Sec Disability offices. She says that almost all claims are turned down initially, but that a very large percentage are then authorized on appeal. So Definitely Plan On Filing An Appeal!!! At the first step they are just trying to get rid of the scammers.

[naturelover]

Colorado Gal wrote:

I am getting ready to apply, I cant take the pain anymore. Mornings are so difficult. I also am in so much pain and cannot sleep. I was dx 3.5 years ago was an unemployed single mother,I was able to get unemployment and Medicare which covered my meds.
I now have a job with too expensive health insurance. I dont know what Im going do my job as an office manager is getting harder and harder to perform without meds. I ran out of metho about four weeks ago and now my feet and hands are very swollen, as my meds run out, I think my condition will get worse.

I have investigated getting meds from Canada, has anyone done that?

I would like to say that in todays heftic med bill and insurance, you won't believe, me and my wife,(who is suffering from RA) have decided very seriously to follow a very very strict diet to keep control of the pain. I know this hard to do, but the other person at home - my sister who is running with pain for the past four years, she never thought of the any medical bill and our GP is wondering how she is able to do this.

I learned from her that she is very strictly following a good diet regime and do some very basic exercise to keep the pain at bay. Hoping, that as days go by she is not developing much pain and any serious issues. We all are ill-fate persons to suffer from this chronic disease of RA and to fight with the recurring med bill to keep it at bay with soring Med ins.

[kageyd]

Could you give us details on what is in the "good diet" you have said is effective for your sister. Everybody has her or his own opinion about a good diet.

Here are examples of what I have heard described just recently as "good diet":

a. Almost no carbohydrates ("low carb diet")
b. Fat below 30% of calories (which sort of contradicts item a)
c. No alcohol
d. No artificial sweeteners (no Diet Coke, No Equal or Splenda)
e. No meat of any kind (or at least very limited protein)
f. No processed foods (e.g., like bacon, sausage, boxed cake mixes...)
g. Only "organic" foods (but organic means different things to different people)
h. Only wild fish, no "farmed" fish
i. No caffeine
j. No dairy products
k. supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids
l. No vitamin supplements unless diagnosed as vitamin deficient
etc., etc., etc., etc.

So it would be helpful to know what is in, or not in, the "good diet" that is helping your sister. Maybe her diet would work for other RA sufferers. Thanks!

[crimson]

I guess this republic act should be put through action.

RR OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9442,

An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise known as the
“Magna Carta for Persons with Disability as Amended, and For Other Purposes”
Granting Additional Privileges and Incentives and Prohibitions on Verbal,
Non-Verbal Ridicule and Vilification Against Persons with Disability

though I know that it is a very long process but wishing for someone sakes this should be acted more swiftly. I guess here's another link that you can browse although I don't know if will be a good help. Filing a disablility (http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/medicine-medication-prescription-drugs-rheumatoid-arthritis.html)