Good luck with your appeal Ann. I know the wait is terrible but keep fighting.
Hugs!
Jo

I had the interview and it wasn't too bad. I emphasized fatigue, malaise, involuntary weight loss, which are mentioned by social security regarding lupus which is "?lupus" at the moment. It's still a year for a hearing. I told here I maybe homeless, since I'm running out of money and I don't have any idea where I'm going to go if I have to leave my apartment. The lawyer I talked to said maybe it wouldn't be a year, so I'll hope for that.

Thanks for your thoughts and support.

You need to get copies of your medical records and read them. What you say must be backed up in your medical records. If your drs haven't written down certain things in your medical records, you have between now and the hearing to make sure that they do. After you get all of your medical records and talk to your drs about what is left out, get a copy of your medical records for each visit after that. That way, you can have your drs make any corrections and/or add any details at your next visit. This is not something your attorney can do because you know what was said between you and your dr, your attorney doesn't.

Another thing to consider is that most of us FM sufferers are also diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Don't leave those out, and you will need to see a mental health professional to show you are being treated for those things, if that is one of your diagnoses.

You also need to show that your condition is so unpredictable that even if you can type really well one day, that doesn't mean you will be able to do it two days in a row. You can walk pretty far sometimes, but often you can't get out of bed, etc.

I was denied the first time even with a lawyer. They just do that, hoping you'll give up. The Psychiatrist SS made me go to told me that. Also, I was about to lose my house, and there is a form to file to get an expedited hearing, be sure to tell the lawyer you want to do that. Get in front of a judge as fast as you can. I spent 45 minutes talking to the judge, and within a week I was approved and my back pay was in my account a few days later.

Funny story, I went to a store called Game Stop and sold them my $350 iPod for $180 so I could buy my daughter Christmas presents, not knowing that $30,000 had been deposited into my checking account the day before!

It stinks that at a time when you feel least able to cope, you are the one who has to stay on top of all these people who are supposed to be helping, but it's the truth. I hope things work out for you!

One thought about medical records and documenting your condition - my doc always asks how i have been doing since the last visit. i tell him if i have missed work or have been non-productive because of my diagnoses. i tell him when i am not limber enough to do personal hygiene tasks (any task from showering to makeup) you might do the same if the doc will actually include it in the medical records. if they keep electronic records, you might ask for a copy after each visit and ask them to correct omissions or errors.

Yes, since I've had this so long, it seems silly to keep complaining about stuff that has been tested for and complained about. But I'm realizing I need to make sure I complain about everything for the records. Then the next part is getting them to listen. I don't know what to do about all the mistakes and misrepresentations in my hospital records in particular.

Lisa is referring to a Dire Need Letter. It may get you a hearing a little sooner. Be sure you tell your dr the details of what you're having trouble doing a well as the things you can't do and have to have others do for you. Tell your dr at every visit and get a copy of what was written in your medical records for that appointment after the appointment. Also read to see if the limitations/restrictions your dr has given you are written in your medical records.

Critical Cases-(See 4. Dire Need Case (DRND))
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-02/I-2-1-40.html

There is so much good information here. Thankfully, the gov will help. Prayers for you, AnnNY Isabelle1954

I've been denied many times and then I got a lawyer, went to court and still got denied! So we appealed and we're still in the process a year later. I will NOT give up this fight and have my pain and suffering be invalidated by the system. No matter how long it takes! Gah!

Ok, rant over.. :)

They ask questions like that to see if you're able to function properly in any sort of work situation. They asked me the same sorts of questions and decided that I could be a laundry lady which is what got me denied in court with my lawyer. It was totally ridiculous! Anyway, it's important to just tell it like it is and in as much detail as you can. Let them know what it feels like to be you.

Best of luck to you and keep fighting the good fight!

Thanks for all your prayers, good thoughts and great information. I know I have got to be clearer to my doctors, but clarity isn't my strong suit right now. Because I'm pretty intelligent and even though I often have trouble reading I still manage to absorb information, I don't think my struggle with brain fog is understood by my doctors. Also, I keep assuming they understand things and then find out misunderstandings are rife and sometimes out right lies. I asked for my hospital records the for an overnight for chest pain, and a doctor goes on about a conversation about statins. I'm sure there was no conversation about statins.

If you can drop everything and prepare now it would be good. I wouldn't worry about what's in your medical record from the past, but rather document how your functioning is right now.

Think back to your worst flare-up or flare-ups. How long could you sit? If the pain gets really bad, I am usually pacing. You have a unique set of dis-function behaviors which you need to capture and relate to SSD.

I'll give you my examples:
I couldn't lift a spoon to feed myself at one point. I had so much pain in my back.

Air-conditioning caused instant severe pain. I could only type for less than 5 minutes due to wrist pain. I had to take several naps a day, etc. etc.

Don't give up the fight!

One other comment, give specific, worst-case detail of what has happened on the worst days to help illustrate your condition.

I just got My disability last August.. took me like 6 yrs to get it.. You need a lawyer.. when I finally got one .. I got it... They do consider you age.. which I think is wrong..

I am 56 which I was on some boarder line . but the judge gave it to me.. finally... My advice get a lawyer... he got half of my back pay which was not much.. but I didn't care about that,... least now I can help my hubby pay some bills...

and also.. Never give up.. that is what I did .. and trust me.. you do not want to do that.. Good luck and I hope you get it. :)

AnnNY Honey,

Try not to panic. File your appeal and try again. It is not unusual for people to appeal a few times. You are allowed 4 appeals, so go after each one, if you need to.

Good luck