Fibromyalgia Community

The social security process is a mess. I asked during my initial interview why it took so long and I was told that there is huge back log and that it takes time to gather medical information. It is such a long process. We pay into social security our whole working life and they make it so hard to be approved. They are very careful about fraud but it makes it tough for those of who really need it. Sorry you are having such a tough time. Can you draw unemployment? That is what I am right now while I wait. I recently lost my job too. Been almost 3 months now. I love being home and my DH loves me being home too. Even though we have to pinch our pennies for a while. We frequently have money discussions because I feel guilty about not working but my DH always assures me that it is worth it. He says that I am a different person now. More relaxed. I look better. Less stress.

I hope this info helps and that you know you are not alone.

Kim

I am sorry I have not gone down this road, but I would have a SSD Lawyer if I did. They then worry about all the who-ha and I don't have to. It is their knowledge and fortitude to obtain what is needed for you.

If you are so in need please look into the social services arm for help with medicaid? Food stamps? and help with living...

It is amazing how some people know this system and can use it well in a heart beat and those who are average people who know nothing of the services out there fail to get ANY help and struggle to live and get by.

Good luck with this .Nancy B

Hi PainMemoirs, Kim is so right, it's a backlogged system that has so many parts to the application process for SSD that it does take forever and one day to get on or not. Many times you will get denied and have to reapply with a lawyer's help. I don't know the percentage for those that have had to do that but I am betting it's about half that apply.

Many times people who think they've done everything SS wants finds they have one or two last medical things to do because their own medical records didn't have anything on them. If you haven't had an psychiatric eval they will send you for one. I know that cause they did it to me. But not because I hadn't had one.

Way back when I applied for SSD I had my records sent to SS for SSD evaluation for benefits and in my medical records there was a year and a half of psychiatric sessions that I was sent to do when I got the Fibromyalgia DX.

Back then doctor's had a medical theory that fibro was more a head issue thing rather than a nerve/ muscle thing so my doctor followed along with that and thought I need psychiatric intervention because I was just making myself sick with non fibro related issues: eyes, stomach/IBS/ fatigue hearing and balance issues and migraines and that the Fibromyalgia in of itself was more a mussel thing. The rest was in my head. So he sent me to get some. UGH.

Anyway, that was the prevailing theory on how to treat patients who were DX'd with fibromyalgia back in the day and for those of us who had been DX'd we had to deal with doctors who followed it we had not choice but to go along with it. Now we won't.

And we had to deal with so many non believers, naysayers and just rude doctors and people in general along the way who didn't believe fibro was even an illness, it was hard. Being sick and not being believed was hard. I tell you this illness makes you tough. I don't have many friends who could have handled what I've had too and handle fibro as well as I have! Fibro ain't for sissies.

Anyway, so back then getting onto SSD saying a medical condition of Fibromyalgia was debilitating was almost impossible and SS made you jump through hoops to get on. So don't dismay you will get on you just have to run the course with them and Know you are not alone in your journey for SSD benefits. We all have horror stories about ours, you will get on and if you don't get a lawyer and re apply.

Good Luck and Gentle hugs going out to you. Linda R

Thank you all, ladies. You've been very helpful. Yes, I am in looking into other means of assistance but the unemployment process here in Gwinnet Co, GA is starting to seem just as long. Hopefully if falls, through cus unfortunately when we're backed logged on bills its not okay like when they're back logged on assisting the worthy citizens! I will be patient & follow through w| all thats requested of me. I just know I've been in a very dark place mentally as of late & I dont know how that'll change things. My herniated disc, scoliosis, & pinched nerves along w| FMS & trying to go back to work multiple times should more than enough prove I didnt even want to admit this illness to myself for yrs.

Hello Pain Memoir, you are right about social security disability. But in my case there was good news for me right after the psychiatric interview. Just be yourself. After my interview with the psychiatrist within weeks I was allowed disability. It took me 7 months to be approved and when you are, they pay you from the time you applied. I did this without a lawyer, I had to submit paperwork repeatedly and finally I got it. I know just how feel going through it myself. I have FM and chronic pain too. If you need to vent I will listen and Im sure others will too. This place is new to me and I love it. Take care.....Roxanne

Really Roxanne? That makes me feel alot better cus I keep hearing how I'll probably get denied but you guys are definitely giving me some insight for people like US in particular. Thank you, much & the same you Roxanne. Loving my new found fibro fam,

Hello and welcome....MiMi in NC....sorry that you are having so much to deal with....as a lot of us have been down the same journey....I can tell you this much....the system to very broken....The economy is bad and the SS people want to make the process as hard and as difficult as they can, hoping that people will just *give up*....so I would indeed encourage you to *keep on keeping on*...you will probably get denied the first time...or even the 2nd time....do not worry though...just appeal the decision and make sure you follow the *timely schedule*....as they will not honor the ones who do not follow this...you have just so many days to get the appeal back to them...

My issues started back in 2005....I was laid off 2 days after I had my first left hand carpal tunnel surgery...and I was stranded for quite a while...unemployment benefits are for people who are able to work..and who can not find a job...it is not for people who are disabled....at one point and time I thought that I could go back to work....but that did not happen...

The SS department will send you out to appointments....be sure and make sure you go to these...it is part of their process...

It is sad that when we, FMers, have so much to deal with and then have to also deal with so much more stress in getting the benefits that we have paid for anyway...

Hang in there and good luck...

I am sure you will get approved....sooner or later...

It just sometime takes a long time to do this...I am one of the people who did not use an attorney....but the system charged me for using one anyway..(another story)

MiMi

PainMemoirs:

I'm so sorry to hear you are having a difficult time to say the least with disability. I don't understand how anything works in the U.S. as I live in Canada so I have no helpful advice to offer...but I wanted to say keep pushing...don't give up..and we all care about you!

Best of luck and gentle hugs.

Michelle

PainMemoirs:

I'm so sorry to hear you are having a difficult time to say the least with disability. I don't understand how anything works in the U.S. as I live in Canada so I have no helpful advice to offer...but I wanted to say keep pushing...don't give up..and we all care about you!

Best of luck and gentle hugs.

Michelle

oops...sorry about that Mimi! Hit the wrong reply button. Brain is quite fogged today and tired. But, I wanted to thank you for the Vitamin D advice again. I'm definitely checking into that!

I just got my letter for the psych eval yesterday for ssdi. 3 month wait for that.

I did some talking with both social security and the unemployment agency when I began this process. I also talked to a social worker at the va clinic I use. Here is what they told me:

yes, you can draw unemployment while you are filing for ssdi. It does not effect your social security filing. You do have to attend the classes and do the "job search" for unemployment. Any income is welcome.

Having a ssdi lawyer is not really needed until you have been denied twice. All you are doing is refiling the original paperwork. A lawyer is only needed if things are ready to go to court. Why pay a lawyer when all you are doing is submitting paperwork?

Be open an honest with everything and ask questions! A friend told me that when she filed, they told her that she could not longer be on her husbands insurance. This is not true. You can still be covered on spouses insurance after getting ssdi.

I live in Georgia too and have no problems with the unemployment department.

I hope this info helps a little bit.

Kim

Thank you all, ladies. All info has been helpful, of course. Doll, Mich, & Kim.. I will keep persistent w| the SS situation & just do as they ask, as for unemployment. I'm gonna be claiming my third week soon w| still no payment but they said it should be approved within the next week. I pray they're right. Hope you ladies have a blessed Sunday. Enjoy the sunshine!