Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group
Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is rare, long-term skin condition that features small, painful lumps under the skin. The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation,...
I have been a member on this site for a while now and enjoy coming back once in awhile to see all the different topics of HS.
I have seen some regarding disability and some of you who have been denied and are nervous about even applying.
The fact of the matter is YES you can get disability for HS.
I have been on SSI for HS since 2008. The HS has to be severe enough that it limits you in your daily activities. With mine, I can barely walk or raise my arms and have been dealing with this horrible condition since I was 22 years old I am now 32 and have stage 3 HS.
I never needed a lawyer, I had a social worker at the Department of Social and Health Services help me file with Social Security. I explained my HS, even lifted my shirt in her office and showed her my armpits.
She was very understanding and sympathetic.
Most people I interact with feel really sorry for me, not that I need empathy, but it is nice to know there are people who care.
One of the things I do ever since being approved for disability is taking annotated and extensive pictures of my flare ups.
My boyfriend helps me take pictures of the lesions I can't reach or see.
You can even have your doctor take these pictures.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
I am here for anyone who has questions or just needs support.
I have seen some regarding disability and some of you who have been denied and are nervous about even applying.
The fact of the matter is YES you can get disability for HS.
I have been on SSI for HS since 2008. The HS has to be severe enough that it limits you in your daily activities. With mine, I can barely walk or raise my arms and have been dealing with this horrible condition since I was 22 years old I am now 32 and have stage 3 HS.
I never needed a lawyer, I had a social worker at the Department of Social and Health Services help me file with Social Security. I explained my HS, even lifted my shirt in her office and showed her my armpits.
She was very understanding and sympathetic.
Most people I interact with feel really sorry for me, not that I need empathy, but it is nice to know there are people who care.
One of the things I do ever since being approved for disability is taking annotated and extensive pictures of my flare ups.
My boyfriend helps me take pictures of the lesions I can't reach or see.
You can even have your doctor take these pictures.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
I am here for anyone who has questions or just needs support.
I do hope that some of your pain will ease up for you. I know how painful this is and I only had it for 3 years. I couldn't image having it as long as some of the people that has. I tried soaking in Epson salts, hot compress but it doesn't seem to work unless I am not doing it enough..
"Did you have to get info from the doctor?"
I had a Dermatologist diagnose me stage 3.
My last doctor was very helpful I was very fortunate to have her considering living in a small town where health and mental health care was scarce.
I recently just discharged my student loan with the help of my doctor who signed what is called a "Physician's Certification"
The form basically describes that I am unable to work, further listing and detailing the disabling conditions, limitations.
Here is the website you can go to and print these forms:
http://www.disabilitydischarge.com/home/
Note that you have to be disabled first to send these forms in for a discharge on student loans and generally your award letter must state your disability reviews are every 5 years, if not than your doctor must sign the Physicians Certification.
Even if you are not disabled yet there are other forms that may help describe your disability like the Residual Functionality Form:
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms/images/SSA4/G-SSA-4734-U8-1.pdf
At the end of this Form it says "Medical Consultant's Signature" that's where your doctor signs.
Hopefully these links work, just let me know or you could actually do the research yourself too.
I just use the Physicians Certification now for my records because it helped me get approved for my student loan discharge which is now one less bill I have.
I don't want to bore you with my story but let's just say armpit surgery for the second time is right around the corner for me too. Today my armpit is really driving me nuts. Itching like crazy.