You describe your worst day and don't have to have bad pain that day as far as I know but being a Canuck I could be wrong as our Disability system is different! Maybe take someone as a support and no idea why female family member. Also it may be exhausting so good idea to take someone with you!

They should not do anything to you except probably not understand how sick you are. There were some good postings on here a month or two ago and someone that worked for SSD office had posted about an advocate group that also helped at no charge. See if you can find those posts. Tell them your worst days and be sure and place emphasis on how much pain you suffer. Also try and have your doctor records with you and maybe statements from doctors as well. Those other posts were great and I hope you can locate them. Maybe make a post with all caps regarding social security disability ?- something that will capture attention so that those who posted previously will see it. Best of luck, but it took me three turndowns and had to get attorney. My doctors even offered to travel out of state to come and testify. I broke down and just cried and could not stop crying at last hearing because I was so frustrated.
Mine has been a longer time, and I just don't know about current methods.

well I'll tell you my experience,I had my appt with the disability DR. that day came and I was in a major fibro flare,I could hardly walk,had my cane, could not lift my arms up over my head,she's telling me to stand on 1 foot I couldn't hardly stand on 2, so I used my cane,she had me walk around the room,my legs started shaking so bad, I had to use my cane. So when I left I thought wow good she got to see me when I was at my worst, any worse I would have been in bed. My hubby drove which she asked me if some one brought me. So I think things went well, right? I get my denial from diss. and that doctor out and out lied,she wrote I had full mobility and there was no reason I couldn't work. Well needless to say I was livid,for weeks, I thought how could she lie like that,my husband was there he saw me, I guess I still am really upset.so I appealed it in April, and now I just got a letter saying they want me to see a pyschologist,I'm glad for that,cause I have anxiety,panic attacks, and agorophobia to,and they should have sent me to one the first time,so now we'll see what he say's. They can say whatever they want,who's going to tell them(a DR.)oh we don't believe you!! so what did she think I was faking it,YEA I think I'm still mad,sorry to go off like this, but no one wants to believe fibro exsist.

I had a similar experience as Lucky. And I had to go to the same stupid doc both times they sent me, for each appeal. I could barely move, was having horrible foot pain and he asked me to do stupid stuff. Walk on my heels--couldn't do that. Walk on my tip-toes--couldn't do that. Raise arms, bend over, on and on. I made so much noise moaning from the pain, I was embarassed. I answered his questions about how bad is the pain, how often, how does it affect daily activities, and had a bag of about 10 different meds I was taking at the time. He said the same thing as Lucky--full range of motion, condition not debilitating. What bs!

I heard from my attorney and other people that that's what they do. They are paid by disability, so who's side are they going to take? The one good thing--I had an honest psychologist the second time around. He was friendly, so I thought he would not be thorough. He did several verbal tests and said it was clear that my memory, focus and concentration are significant'y impaired. I felt so stupid because I used to give these tests to other people, and here I am barely able to answer his questions. His report was actually positive, and my attorney said it was very helpful in getting my approval.

I would suggest documenting your symptoms, their severity and frequency to take with you. I actually made a list of fibro symptoms that I have (had to look them up in several sources because I even forget the symptoms) and listed them according to frequency and severity. I keep it updated and give it to new doctors or give updated copies to current ones.

Sorry so long--I got carried away. I hope things go well for you.

I would start today (if you haven already) keeping a journal of you pain. I would describe each day. And whatever you do dont make it seem worse for them..they are looking for a reason to say you are faking! If they ask you what your pain level is and you say a 10 and you walked in on your own..they are going to blow you off. I've been twice..the first time I was denied, the second I got my first check 19 days after my meeting with SS. I'm not real good at keeping a journal but I had a calender that had a space to write on each day and I wrote on it each day my pain scale for that day and a general feeling of that day. I also had a translation for my pain scale. I dont go by the ones in the dr office..Mine gives them and idea of what my pain is to me. This will give them an idea of how your days change from one to another. Good luck.

My mom got disability due to fibromyalgia. They basically had her bend down to see how far she could go and measure range of motion of other limbs. They had her describe her pain and they pressed on areas of her body that fibro patients suffer most pain in. She was honest. She wasnt in a flare up...but she did tell the doc that she ached as if having the flu all the time. no matter if a flare up existed or not. She even cried describing the pain that she goes through. Maybe they are having you bring a female with you..for their own protection. Maybe they dont have a nurse or want a womans point of view as to what they witness when you are in pain. Good luck to you.

Try to relax about this even though it is hard to do. These Drs. are paid by the Disablity system and the usually are just a general practioner...not even familiar with Fibro! I think you just go in there and tell it like it is for you. I had my app't on one of my better days also. I explained to him how this stuff works and how it effects all aspects of your life. I had to do the same ol stuff as most of these others have explained to you. He also watched me walk down the hall and back??? Also, had to write a sentence ten times as fast as i could...things such as that. My Dr, did not even know much about Fibro...i had to explain to him. These Drs, usually do not reply to the board in our favor...don't worry though...its just a procedure they have to do. If you have good documatation from your own personal Drs...this is what is helpful. You may have to even higher a attorney if you get turned down a second time. Just be strong, keep in mind the worst days you have experienced...write down things to take in with you as you may be a little nervous and this helps the process. Do take someone for moral support...i never got the chance to do that. I think it would of been helpful. You will get thru this and don't feel alone of you get turned down a few times as almost everyone does. They do make it tough on us chronic pain persons...but, hang in there...you will get it. Be firm and yet cry if you have to...just get your point across at what it is like trying to keep going on everyday in pain and some days are better then others but we never know from day to day! Fibro is more reconignized now...so, this should work in your favor, Good luck, i am pulling for you! Keep us posted and god bless and plez...don't stress yourself out over this!

Hello honey,
I went through this...I just have a really good feeling about this for you. I had to bring someone who knew about my symptoms - the most. The examiner did call that person into the room privately and ask questions about me.

The truth is, I had hard medical facts already that went back years. I went in on a 'good day for me' and was actually smiling a lot out of nervousness. And, the doctor saw right through all of that and asked, how long have you been suffering, and I burst into tears. The word suffering got me. I did feel like an idiot the whole time.

The journal I kept helped which included pain levels, times I took medications and what meds I took, and what activities I was unable to do.

I will say a little prayer for you that everything will be alright :)
Hugs,
Eva

I agree. Make a journal and also use the pain scale and note it everyday. Whoever you take with you make sure they are aware of your pain days bad and good. as they may be able to share infor with the doc. I took someone with me and she was able to recall things I forgot or did not think of.

Take lots of notes with you; it will pay off.
Good luck honey

Put it on paper. List all the symptoms you have, even if they don't occur every day. Across the bottom of the paper write the days of the month.
Then each day, rate each symptom on a scale of one to ten. Put that number over the day of the month at the bottom of the page.

You can even use that information to make a graph that shows the yo-yo lifestyle you have as a result of these symptoms.

All you have to do is take the total you got for a particular day and divide that by the number of symptoms you had that day. That will give you what I call your "Misery Quotient".

Get a piece of graph paper and put the days of the month across the bottom of the page. Then starting from the bottom right going upward, put the number zero. On the line above that put the number 5. Above that 10, above that 15, and so on until you run out of paper at the top.

Then find the place where the day of the month and the Misery Quotient intersect and put a red dot. Do this every day, connecting the dots as the days pass. Then you'll have a lovely graph that will get anyone's attention, especially that of Social Security. I know your appointment is soon. Do what you can with the time you have left and then you will see what kind of picture your fibro makes on your graph. If you need to fudge the numbers in order to make up one month in time for your appointment, so be it. I did this and got my social security, as well as fending off a 5-year evaluation from them. They just sent me a letter and said "Never Mind".. I guess they figure that if someone is going to go to that much trouble to get this disease across to them, they may as well give up!

Be prepared to tell them what an average day entails. Got up, took my pain pills and sat on the couch for an hour until they started taking an effect. My husband makes my breakfast and lunch before he leaves.
I watch tv and read or go back to bed, depending of how I feel that day.
I am 95% home bound. 85% bedfast. I am capable of lifting only ten pounds. I cannot do an action repeatedly because my muscles seize up and stop performing.

You know, things like that. They may have their shrink try to test your memory. Fail the test. Do whatever you have to do to get what you need. We suffer so much from this disease in private. No one could possibly understand. Even the people who live with us don't get it.

Leave your hair straight. Don't wear any make-up. Go in a wheelchair or with a cane. Ham it up. It's your one chance and you must appear to be sick. This is a "look good/feel bad" disease, so give them the show they are looking for. I did and I'm glad I did. But go prepared. Dates, doctors, symptoms and charts and graphs. Otherwise all they'll hear is Whine, whine, whine. If it's on paper and you can talk to them in a scientific way, you are much more likely to be approved. If you don't understand some of this and need clarification, just ask. I'll help if I can.

Mizroze

Correction:

In paragraph 4 of my previous message I meant to say: "starting from the bottom LEFT going upward...."

Sorry for the confusion.

Mizroze

It's good to bring someone who has been a witness to the disabling effects that Fibro has on your daily life.

I don't have any experience with disability but I wanted to say good luck, and it looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice here.

Please let us know how it goes.