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I just wanted to say hi as I am new to this group. I will try to briefly describe my 21 year battle with fibro and my experience with SS. I am one of the rare and lucky people who was approved the first time around. It is unusual I know but I must say I think the key was documentation, documentation and more documentation. I worked as a Medical Technologist for 30 years and one day, 3 years ago I couln't do it anymore. My life was pain and work and work and pain. Since I am alone and single I felt I had to work or there was no way I could survive financially. In 1997, after living with fibro for 9 years I was in a rear end collision and was out of work for 4 months. I don't need to explain what that accident did to me as severe whiplash is difficult especially when you already have fibro. Since I suffered from alcoholism and depression for 20 years I sobered up in 1987 and saw a therapist who I continue to see. I saw a chiropractor the whole time as well as my primary care physician. Where I am going with this is that I had all these visits documented in my huge medical file. When I got in the wreck I began seeing a Rheumatologist, a Neurologist for the migraines, an Orthopedist, a massage therapist, an Endochrinologist for Grave's disease which I got after the accident. I also saw a psychiatrist once or twice for medications which my therapist couldn't prescribe. So for the last 20 years my life was a full time job and a full time job of appointments after work. I believe all this proof is what helped me to get approved the first time. I applied 4 months after I left my job and was still on short term disablilty from work.I went down to the SS office and was interviewed by a really nice guy who took my information and got to see the pain I was in. He said when I was leaving that if I should get denied to appeal the very next day and let the judge look me in the face to see what kind of pain I was in. That was very unusual to get help from the examiner. I had my exam with the SS doctor in January which was 6 months after I left work and was approved immediately so there was no lapse in my short term disablilty and SSD. That is a short version of my very long story but a friend of mine who was approved the first time used to tell me to document every doctor I saw and to establish a paper trail. I took her advice and it worked. Also I was 50 when I applied and the rules change a bit as SS believes it is more difficult to be retrained for a job after 50 so that also helped me. I hope I made some sense and helped someone out there who is going through life with this pain and fear. There are many nightmares about SS but I am proof that miracles do happen. Have a blessed Day! |
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Ive been sober for many years but still suffer with depression. 
They just don't understand this "syndrome" like they should. 
kathy
! However, I do agree with the documentation! However, I think having a very good supportive doctor or doctors as well as the mood or type of judge really can affect the outcome! As someone already said, you can have all that you need but if the judge lacks true understanding you'll be denied!! 
!!
