Re: [PsoriaticArthritis] Re:Hi Everyone
In a message dated 1/24/2007 7:12:47 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
deannaacarrigan@... writes:
I have good disability ins thru my work
that I think would carry me thru until the SSD kicked in. I have
worked full time for 30 years and am 49 years old. Any insight anyone
has on this would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Deanna...I went on long term disability a few years after I got diagnosed
and before I figured out all of the medications. If your rheumy won't help
you, do you have another doctor that can? My rheumy who did the initial
disability paperwork retired, so my primary care doctor picked it up for me as
the new rheumy was not overly sympathetic. The disability was the best thing I
did to take care of myself...I had the doctor write it so that I could still
work part time but the extra rest really, really helped get myself better.
If you can't get your current rheumy to help, find a new one...it's worth
it:-)
Rachel
I will second this!!! I started out on short term disability as I had to
have female surgery done, I had to go on it a month earlier than my surgery
however because they had to take me off all my meds before hand which was a
nightmare, I couldn't walk and was really feeling rough. After surgery I
thought I'd be back at work, however I was shortly thereafter diagnosed with
Addisons disease and have went on to take advantage of my long term
disability. Luckily I paid the extra 1.00 per pay period to get the larger
of the %'S (60%) of my pay, and I will be on that until either social
security disability is approved (I messed up though, and have had to appeal)
or 17 mos which is what is left of my LTD plan. I agree it is the best
thing I have done to take care of myself. I can't imagine having to work,
and as it stands right now, my endo and my primary care have both deemed me
disabled. I feel blessed, very blessed to have this time to rest and take
care of myself, and my family. Good luck with the SSD!!!
Melissa
In a message dated 25/01/2007 03:12:46 GMT Standard Time,
deannaacarrigan@... writes:
This is going to sound really stupid but how do you get on disability?
Do you just have to insist on it? Will the Dr. ever suggest it? I
have degenerative osteo arthritis and PsA as well. I just don't know
how long I can keep this up. I have good disability ins thru my work
that I think would carry me thru until the SSD kicked in. I have
worked full time for 30 years and am 49 years old. Any insight anyone
has on this would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Deanna,
Welcome to the group. I know exactly how you feel about trying to work when
you are struggling with this. Although it can be done it's not easy. I stopped
working around 3.5 years ago after having worked for 16 years with PA. At the
end I was going in for a 12 hr+ shift after not having slept the night before.
I am in Scotland but it sounds to me like it is the same idea here as it is
there. (Are you in the US?) You have to fill in a lengthy questionnaire. You
answer the questions going by how you feel when you are at you worst no matter
how well you are actually feeling at the time and you will probably need the
back up of your doctor and/or your Rheumatologist and maybe someone else who
knows you (That's the way it is here anyway) It takes a long time to be approved
and there will probably be an 80% chance of them knocking you back the first
time. If this happens don't give up.
You have probably been told this already by some of the others. I'm
forgetting I'm still about two weeks behind. lol
Best of luck to you,
Take care,
Martin
I have just walked through this hell with disability
with a friend. he was 3rd degree burned on his hands
at his job in the kitchen and could no longer be a
chef- clear case ? not so fast-two years later he was
still being denied. we finally got an attorney and 6
weeks later he was on
get an attorney
at first problem
good luck
G
Same here... I went and got a lawyer and within weeks they had me on SSDI...
They don't like going to court, so that may help ya...
Love and Peace Always, Shaun and Barb...