Fibromyalgia Community

Hello and welcome....MiMi in NC....good question...and I guess actually no one can provide an answer to you on this....IF you are unable to work due to the FM and Depression....then you should apply for disability assistance...you can do this on line...and I would hope that you have spoken to your doctor about your health issues...I will say this much...that I do not think nothing is *set in stone*...and this goes for many things, not just disability...

It is funny that the older I get and the more I am blessed or cursed, whichever it might be, with dealing with things...the more I learn....(long story here and I would bore you with any details)...

I will say this much that you are entitled to put in your application for it....you will probably get denied at least once...(this seems to be a common thing though)...and you can appeal the decision that is given...just be sure you meet all deadlines....you have only so many days to do this...

I hope this helps you....sorry but there is nothing to say for sure what may or may not happen....but then again...what do you have to lose?

One more thing...I have heard that if you are 50 and above...the disability laws are different...and you have a better chance of getting it...

Good luck and take care...


MiMi

ty much but i really hope that im not denied. i really b in a lot of pain and fatigue is a big problem and my family dont understand that i cant do things the way i used to or even y i sleep so much and always tired.

i, I just wanted to let you know that with Social Security it isn't so much about what your disability is as much as your medical documentation and records from your doctors. If you kept records from all of your doctors and can show proof of that to SSI, you should have no problem. However, it may be a long process as they tend to typically deny almost all on first and second attempts. You may have to get to a hearing to win, but do not give up! By the way, they just added Fibromyalgia in social security in july as a listed medical condition. Good Luck to you.

dgoodw83, thought I'd put in a few words on this. MiMi is correct Nothing is set in stone. I have known people who got on first time applying, like my BIL 2 years ago, with documentation from all their doctors and made it through the process lickity split ( no time at all ). Documentation is everything, so when asked for medical records make sure you have everyone on board and get those records to your SSI agent.

I have know others, sadly, who have had, unfortunately, had to get lawyers after being turned down. Each one of us here has a different story tell relate when talking about getting onto SSI. Some of us here got on to SSI because of fibromyalgia, others depression because of fibro issues, others like me for other things that are traced back now to fibro.

I got onto SSI in one attempt. I had medical documentation from UCLA, CA. My major medical issues are inoperable, untreatable and progressive. Doctors told SSI that I shouldn't work because I would have been a danger to myself and my employer in the work place. So SSI concluded when looking at my medical conditions that no employer who would have wanted to hire me could have insured me if they had. I am the exception rather than the rule however.

Like I said it's different from person to person and medical condition to medical condition. And yes, fibromyalgia is now on the list of medical disabilities as is depression.

So try not to think or stress on this .. even if you are turned down this time, and you may not be, the appeal process, second time around, with a lawyer's help always seems to do the trick
Gentle hugs to you, Linda R

Hello dgoodw83,
What one must prove during the SSDI process is not the condition but instead the symptoms suffered that cause one's inability to work. Many people suffering from various diseases and medical conditions that may be listed in the SS book however, these people may be fortunate enough to not be suffering as some others with the same condition.

Best of luck to you.

georgia

I tried for disability but unfortunately I felt "fake" having fibromyalgia and the main clinic/hospital in our area doesn't really give much weight to it so I didn't think I would get much help. Consequently I waited too long. I stopped working for too many years by the time I applied and I no longer had enough quarters in the last 10 years to qualify. Now I am working again, but by the time I could earn enough quarter I will be close to 65. I have also heard on average to expect it to take 2.5 to 3 years. Also there are businesses out there that do this for a business and take a percentage of what they get for you which is better than an attorney who charges you by the hour whether you get it or not. If you are interested in one of them, I will ask my daughter again. She is a social worker who works with the disabled and deals with these situations a lot.

I'm responding to my own post as I must have been in a fibro fog while composing this.

The point I was trying to convey is that there are many who are working with conditions that are listed in the SS book however, these people may be fortunate enough to not be suffering as someone else with the same condition who may be able to work. Therefore, you must stress how the symptoms interfere with your every day functioning.

I hope this better clarifies my message on the subject of SSDI.

georgia

Yes, you can if you are referring to SSDI. If you are disabled by the FMS and depression, just do all the work and there will be plenty of it.

Take care, Annette

I had an attorney and she did not charge by the hour, she took a percentage of the SSDI back payment, which is what most lawyers helping people get disability do.

SSA has a cap on how much they can charge, it goes up every year, so I don't know what it is now.

Take care, Annette

Is it just FM you have been diagnosed with? Do you have other health issues?

Anyone can say they have pain, (in reality who doesn't), & many are depressed in today's world,.

No, I do have migraines, DDD of the cervical spine, RLS, IBS, and FMS.

Back when I was applying for SSDI, FMS was not on their list of approved conditions, but my lawyer told them that the symptoms caused disability and I think she compared them to arthritis which was on their list.

Like Georgia888 stated, it is how the symptoms affect your daily life that counts, not what your diagnosis is.

Take care, Annette

YES it is a disability. BUT be prepared. I am on year 3 of trying to get approved. 3 doctors have declared me 100% disabled. I can not even sit for more than a few minutes. I have been in and out of the hospital for the last 3 years. I LITERALLY spent from May til the end of July in bed being waited on hand and foot. Before I was a successful, wife, mother, worker 40-60 hrs a week, a DIY'er, a cheer leading coach. I was volunteer of the year 2 years at my children's school. I made all my youngest boutique clothing. I made complete outfits, clothes, beaded socks, hair bows with the fabric, I made the ribbon myself. Every outfit had a purse, matching necklace, ear rings, bracelet, and ring. I made the jewelry as well, plus the hand beaded socks. I always had 3 or 4 home improvement projects going. I even made custom drapes and pillows. I always had something in my hands I was working on. Even if I was just watching tv, I had a project in my hands. I made home cooked meals from scratch every night. Now my family is lucky if I can stand long enough to make Hamburger Helper. We can't host the holidays anymore. I can depend on being up, much less entertain ready. My cousin had end stage cancer. Her husband dropped dead at the dinner table from stress. They had stopped all treatment that very day,except for pain management. She NEEDED the disability. She was denied. When she went to the SS office the woman told her to appeal. When she asked how long that would take, she was told 6-9 months. She told the lady, I will be dead by then . The woman shrugged her shoulders and said, "WE KNOW THAT!" We plan it that way. We figure the person will die from their disability. Commit suicide from the depression of the disability, pain, financial issues, and stress. Or they will loose EVERY THING and just not care anymore. Or they will give up and go back to work. Either way they save money. IF the person is approved 2-7 YEARS down the road they will have to pay back pay, but they will have earned all that extra interest on the money. Or if they give up...they pay NOTHING! SO realize what you are up against. GET a lawyer. I have one, but with the hearing on the 24th we don't expect much. My husband's co-workers wife has Advanced RA. The guy at the hearing asked her to tear a piece of paper in half. She was puzzled but complied. He told her if you can tear paper, you can tear movie tickets. Get a job at a movie theater. SSDI DENIED!! This woman was a highly skilled pharmacist working in the field of research and development. Tear movie tickets for minimum wage? SERIOUSLY? that is what they do. They get some job specialist in there and they try to find something they can train you to do. I am 51 years old. I have worked hard for over 30 years. I am a retail manager and a graphic designer. It took me 4 hours to write this, because I kept having to take breaks and lay down. I can not sit or stand for more than a few minutes. EVERY position is uncomfortable. AND I can not be away from my bathtub because often THAT is the ONLY relief I can find for the pain is to soak in a tub. I used to tube with our kids in 2009. Now I can't even ride in the boat, it hurts to much. If I am denied again I will commit suicide. THAT way my kids and husband can survive and keep our home. My husband can find a TRUE life partner, my kids can have a FUNCTIONING mom, and my husband won't die before his time from the financial stress. This disease has robbed my family enough. I will NOT allow it to take their home too. My husband can't take a high paying over seas job, because he has to take care of my sorry, sick, in firmed butt. APPLY soon, get a lawyer, and be prepared for a LONG haul. The average for a Fibro suffer with IBS, Viatmin D deficiency, Migraines, DEPRESSION, high blood pressure, acid reflux, referred pain, on and off hospitalization, and 100% disability by at least 3 doctors is 5-7 years, WITH a lawyer. Longer without a lawyer. So when I say GOOD LUCK I mean it

It can be, but the laws vary from state to state. Talk with your doc, and if that gets you nowhere get in touch with your state rep (not your US rep) for help.
Lou

Actually I am not sure when you applied. BUT, the good thing about the lawyer is they get paid the same amount no matter if you get $50,000.00 or $200.00. The government stepped in and regulated the amount they can be paid, PERIOD no loop holes. They get $650.00 period. Not one more cent, PERIOD. So do NOT go to those outside people to help. They will literally bleed you dry. Lawyers help but they are NOT miracle workers. The average wait now is 5-7 years. In America last month 80,000 people applied for unemployment. 87,000 people applied for SSDI. The economy is killing everyone. AND those of us who REALLY can not work get thrown in with all the DO ANYTHING for money group. So from someone who is in the fray, get a lawyer, be prepared to be financially wiped out. Don't forget the divorce rate, and suicide rate, are very high, for TRUE sufferers. Good Luck and God BLESS!