Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

That isn't very helpful of him, is it? Surely he could have given you the paperwork to get a permananent one? Our system here is a little different, I have a disable parking badge, here we complete our own paperwork and they only contact your doctor if they have any questions. The parking badge, called a Blue Badge here, last three years and then you reapply. Anyway I hope you get what you need. Hugs, Jennie

Your doctor sounds like he was being a bit of a dope. Sure you could have a remission, but unfortunately, I've yet to experience one and it seems for the ones who do it's only temporary. I can't imagine why he thinks you should jump through hoops for a simple parking placard that will help you. I have a temporary one because it's so much easier to get than permanent tags. I could just get it through local police department instead of going through all the red tape of the motor vehicle department. My favorite is that they make my friend who is blind go back and renew hers periodically. Do they think her sight is magically going to come back? Sometimes I take paperwork to my internist instead of the rheumy. She's much nicer and more understanding. I'm not sure what she has but she wears supports on both ankles so I guess she has a better understanding of living with something and trying to make the quality of your life as good as possible. Sometimes I think rheumatologists are a breed apart. I'm seeing my third one next month. There has to be one out there with a heart that beats and a staff that's not totally rude. I just got a couple lemons on my first two tries. I'm willing to drive a little farther if it means better care.
Hang in there Snixy it sounds like your dr. was just being a dope. Sandy

snixy32,

When you state disability are you looking at just the disease disabling you in a sense you can not work or just for the handicapped parking placard.

As for the Placard it was very easy for me to obtain one from my rheumy and he signed off for permanent when I stated if i can not find a parking spot close enough to a building I go home. Not to mention my ankles are also looking like elephant legs when he examines them.

Remember every state has their own laws and rules for doctors to issue the placards so you need to look into them. From my understanding any and all placards are 3 years only the only time they will allow for you not have to continually have it signed off by your doctor is if you register your car and they are on the plates in the handicapped person's name or the primary care taker. We had this for my grandmother but for my father and his eyes he was only granted the placard.

Now the SSDI is harder to get than the placard. There is an extreme amount of paperwork and the SS office will contact all of your medical professionals to grant you the SSDI.

I would go back to your Rheumy and request the permanent placard. As I stated to mine I only need it on days when my ankles are swollen and in pain and can not walk. Though those are days fewer and farther apart now.

Good luck.

My PCP filled out the paperwork for me and made mine permanent. I have had it for about 2 months now and it has made a much bigger difference for me than I thought it would in terms of saving me fatigue. I don't think your doctor did you right. Next time you see your PCP you might bring it up.

Snixy, I have had a parking placard for years. My rheumy never hesitated on signing off on one for me. I also am on SSDI. If you go to the government social security website you can look up what qualifies an individual to collect SSDI. In 2008 RA became a qualified disease. Tessa was correct though, you do have to have cooperative doctors who take the time to fill out the paperwork. I was fortunate to get SSDI approval first time around. Remember that RA can be a silent and hidden disease but professionals recognize that although you cannot always see it, RA can be a disabling disease. Good luck! marcia