I don't know anything about the process, but I just wanted to offer you a word of encouragement to hang in there. Best wishes!

Hello llk ~ Yes that is a process I assumn everyone has to go thru to get disability. In order to keep it you may have to go to the hospital once a year as well. They have a lot ofr weird rules but it's worth it. Good luck & keep inh touch........

I believe this is pretty standard in getting approval for SSDI. I've read where many people have to go to the state doctors. I believe they just do an evaluation of what types of things you can do, bending, lifting...etc. They may also have questions about your illnesses and your treatments.

I would just do the best you can. From what I've read, the social security judges don't give these type of evaluations a lot of credit as they are usually only seeing you one time, for a short visit.

I have an appt. to go to a counselor that they are requiring me to visit in my attempt to get SSDI. I also suffer from depression, so I believe that is why they are sending me to her.

Check with your case worker at Alsup before you go to their doctor. They are you advocate, so don't go until you've gotten the go ahead from them. I'm using Binder & Binder and I don't even take calls from Disability unless my caseworker tells me to. Best of luck!

Hi, I was approved for SS Disability Dec 08. Going to an approved Dr was part of the process. Yes I was denied approval after this exam but I thought the exam was a joke. Like you mentioned one exam is not going to tell anyone all of your symptoms. Just go along with it.

I also had a mental evaluation and again one meeting is not going to tell them if I am insane. I guess I passed that test! ha!

I have talked to friends who are SS caseworkers and they say the average for getting approval is 2 yrs. So, don't let the 3 or more rejections get you down. I don't want you to give up.

Hiring a law firm specializing in Disability is an option. I hired one when I was told I would have a hearing and I didn't want to go it alone. Attorney gets 25% of what is owed to you when you are approved. One time payment paid by social security to the lawyer.

Hang in there!

I was approved for SSDI on initial application last year. A few resources: 1) NOLO's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting and Keeping Your Benefits; 2) the website www.disabilityblogger.blogspot.com and the same author (a former SSA disability examiner) also has the website www.disabilitysecrets.com. I read these resources thoroughly as I went through the process (and without an attorney).

The state of IL has one of the better rates for being approved on initial application. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia, while an approved "blue book" diagnosis for SSI/SSDI, is difficult to get approved for if that's the only basis for application. I don't know if that's the only thing you're applying for, but that's what I discovered. When I applied I mentioned all of my health issues (but I have a lot of them, including over 20 surgeries).

With regard to the CE (Consultative Exam)... the reviewer requests one if s/he feel that your medical records do not provide enough evidence to support your diagnosis OR that you don't have recent enough medical evidence OR that something was mentioned in your medical records that needs to be explored further (for example, if you didn't mention depression, but a doctor mentioned it in your records, then the examiner has to request that it be looked into further in a CE). It's fairly common to be sent on a CE and some claimants are sent on multiple CEs.

What actually happens during the CE varies dramatically depending on the reason why you're being sent for one (the letter should state why) and the individual practitioner who is performing it. These are not state doctors, but doctors who are contracted with the state to perform these exams and you can actually provide feedback to SSA about the doctor's performance.

One thing I did before my CE was google the doctor I had the CE with. Sure enough, I found cases where this doctor's exam reports were cited during hearings and was able to get a feel for the type of reports she did. I also familiarized myself with the doctor's training and background so that I knew what her "bent" was ahead of time. It's the same I would do before I would go to see any doctor actually, so why not? Besides, it also helped me feel less anxious about the process.

Since you're going in for fibromyalgia (and whatever else), be sure to state clearly how you are disabled -- don't make them guess and don't assume that they're going to be able to tell from your exam or state it the way you want it to be said. Remember what you said in your disability application? Be consistent. If you said that you're in pain all the time and exhausted and have trouble getting through your day and this is cause you to be depressed, say it during your CE. Even if the doctor is rude and impolite and may not seem to be the brightest bulb, be polite yourself and just maintain and be sure to point out the things that affect your quality of life. Don't exaggerate or be dramatic or try to appear that you're in more pain or discomfort or whatever than you are because they can tell, but don't be shy about stating what your issues are either.

Good luck!

Flinthill is pretty much right on...get a lawyer if you don't have one...it is worth the money to cut through the red tape and time they make you wait.

The visits with the docs, the shrink and the medical doc, were a JOKE!! 5-10 minutes...they will make you mad with their attitude too so don't expect any sympathy from them. It is like something SSDI requires but is a total and complete waste of time and money...hoping you won't show...anything to get you to give up.

DON'T LET THEM DETER YOU WITH THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD YOUR ILLNESS...THEY ARE WORTHLESS PROFESSIONALLY!!!

Just go to it...IF your lawyer says it's ok (if you have one) and get it over with. Tell them how it is but just don't put much stock into anything they say to you. Mine both said I was ok to work...I got my SSDI though so it didn't matter...it is a weed out tool.

Keep waiting, get a lawyer...your time will come. It takes forever...but it is totally worth the wait. I've had no further communication in the past 5 years regarding my SSDI.

Good luck and remember that MOST OF US HAVE BEEN THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!!!!

xoxoxo

yes you need to not dress up or look anything but sick!! because they will go by your apperrance also. I had to see one twice and a phyciatrist also and both time was horrible the Drs. are not there because they care. They are trying to prove you are not sick, so if you cant sit or stand for long periods, DONT. And make sure you list all of your ailments not just fibro, like depression, IBS, COPD.... whatever you have that goes with fibro. And yes if he dosnt pass you as disabled you will be denied again. So make it good!!!

Before I got a attorney seen both a 1 time doc. and physcilogist set up by soc sec to see. I was denied and got a attorney. I was approved in Jan. of this year but was a long process. I agree you should let Allsup know before attending would get ahold of them right away if you have not already.

Hang in there take care gentle hugs

Thanks so much to everyone for your replies, advice and well wishes!!
I had my appt. yesterday with the state doc...now I am sure it will take forever to hear anything back from SSD...and I have NO IDEA of what the docs diagonsis was. It seemed as if he just asked the same questions that were on the application I had filled out for SSD...was easy to answer....nothing has changed. STILL FEEL LIKE CRAP!!!!.... I also had let ALLSUP know about this appt before going...and as some of you said...is exactly what I told ALLSUP...I think the state is hoping if they put enough pressure on you...you will just give up....AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!.....SO BRING IT ON!!!!. However when one of you said that it had taken 2 yrs....I do get a little discouraged....I have no idea of what to do for income between now and hopefully then!....but that is another story for another day...one day at a time...right?!?
Thanks again to you all,
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Lori

Hi I have applied for social security disability in my state Ohio and they will gather all your medical reports and yes you will have to be examined by a state doctor to be determined of approval. just be your self and if some of the things he ask you to do and you can't do it but with strain don't be afraid to show him you can not do it and if it hurt don't be ashame to show it scream , cry or groan. But what ever you do don't miss the appointment even if you have to crawl out of bed to get their.