Fibromyalgia Support Group

I do need a cheerleader! lol Thanks! I'm just at my wits end. I'm afraid of my depression and where this might lead me. I'm afraid of myself. The depression is so horrible and even with getting disability, it doesn't take away the fact that I'm very sick and having to live with chronic pain and never knowing from day to day how it's going to manifest itself, from migraines, to horrible edema, to losing control of my bowels, and bladder...there's so much more to this than chronic pain.

I don't know if it was from an insect bite or not, but Friday I woke up and was unable to move my hand and there's an awful pain in my upper arm and from where the pain is to my wrist is completely NUMB! I remember swatting an insect the night before, the bite hurt terribly and I wanted to grab it so I would know what it was but it slipped between the floor boards from the outside porch. Around the bite, it blistered up.

I went to the ER, and they treated me like dirt. I told them I got bit he examined it and concluded that they were not related and the reason my arm is numb and I'm unable to move my hand (I'm left handed too of course) is because I slept on it wrong. He was so wrong! I think they see that I'm on Medicaid and treat me like crap, especially considering the political climate we are in and the anger they have over Obamacare. My father accompanied me into the ER room, (which he never does) and he finally witnessed the way people in the medical 'profession' treat me on a regular

basis.

I'm always decent and respectful, but finally, after being talked down to, I told the P.A. at the hospital that I'm educated and not ignorant and she needed to treat me with respect.

I can't help that I'm sick!!! I've taken so much bad treatment from doctors, nurses, and medical assistants, and still am decent to them and respectful. Well, NO MORE! Whoever treats me that way ever again is going to have another thing coming! I'll have to work on it, as being nasty doesn't come natural to me, but I'm so tired of being a walking mat to these people who treat me this way.

I know I got 'off topic' but I had to put it out there. Am I the only one whose experienced this sort of discrimination and nastiness from people in the healthcare industry? I can't be. Perhaps I should start another discussion about it so myself and others can vent and find strength in one another to stand up and refuse to be treated less than human!

Thanks for letting me ramble!

You go go gogogo! Rah!

lol, seriously, I'd be mad as a hornet if someone treated me that way! I may be sick but I can still get mad! Amazing what some well placed words can do to get people off their attitudes and on some respect. I think you are absolutely right about medicaid...it has a stigma attached. And hospitals prefer you have "gold star" insurance so they get more money. Gotta realize, medicine is a business and they all want to get paid as much as possible. I get better treatment at the dollar store than I do at the ER!

My boyfriend was recently denied his disability after going through a local hearing with a judicator. His lawyer got the notice of denial right about the same time he did through the mail. The lawyer didn't call before the letter was sent over some information he found online. I wonder if your lawyer wasn't looking at something from a previous date from your denial when you filled out the initial paperwork. It doesn't seem right to find that online after a hearing. Ok, tangent over lol. After my boyfriend and his lawyer both got the notice of denial, the lawyer looked over the files again and the transcripts from the hearing along with the judicator's notes. After the lawyer reviewed everything from the hearing, he had to send an appeal by mail to the social security office in Washington D.C. I have heard that the chances of getting approved by the people in Washington are much higher. I'm not saying that for sure, it's just what I've been told. It can take a couple of months for the people in D.C. to review everything and send out a decision. I really do wonder if they approve more cases in Washington because they are the last step. Maybe they feel that the person really needs it if they jumped through every hoop so the case wound up on their desk. It's unfortunate that those in dire need have to jump through so many hoops to get the help. I know this reply was rather long, but hopefully it gave you some good info. Good luck and don't give up.

How about trying with ALLSUP? See what they have to say. You can find them on the internet.

I wish you all of the best. Please hang in there.

Olga

good info shayluna! I did'nt know it could be appealed all the way to DC. That gives me some hope too!

I had no idea how the application process for disability worked until I got with my boyfriend. It's long and tedious, but yes, it can be appealed to DC. That's where it goes after your local hearing gets denied. We're still waiting on DC to get their butts in gear. I think they make it harder to get approved so the ones who are trying to get out of working will give up. It's sad that the actions of some have made it so difficult for those in need.

jeanetter54,

Forgive my delayed response, please as I've been taking a "screen time" break. This gets habit-forming, knowledgable and supportive peers are priceless.

I must throw in my 2 cents worth...to begin with, the abhorrent medical treatment that you have experienced is spool unethical. (I've been a R.N. since 1980) and a couple of bad apples truly can turn a appt into a shame filled and negated experience. If you can muster up the energy, call the administrator of the clinic/hospital and share your humiliated experience, spare no details and remain as calm as possible. Dr.s and nurses are bond by and expected to uphold an oath, "Do no harm". Additionally, ALL patients are to be treated the same, regardless of how insured they are. It's just ethical and the right thing to do. (I'll spare further soap box ranting) The take home message is to follow up and make your experience known to the powers that be. Speak up for the meek ones who cannot.

I hope that your lawyer is paid on a contingence basis. If you are denied, they don't get paid. Concerning who knew what and when? Online posting, notifications, well maybe the ruling timeframe was overestimated, so if it came early, good news. It also might keep clients from calling. Who knows and it varies according to county and state. Definitely APPEAL! Immediately. When I was going through this glacial process, I was warned that it could take more than one hearing, so keep it up and go for it again! I feel they are weeding out claims and the squeaky wheel gets oiled. Sorta like insurance claims....

Finally, you mentioned depression. If you are being treated for it, make sure that those psychiatry records are included for review. And use the same strong language that you have explained here as to how permanently incapacitated you are! It's the truth and you deserve to be heard before the judge.

I ache for the trauma you are going through. Nothing like being kicked while you are down. But continue leaning on this forum as folks here are sincerely supportive and know what you are dealing with. Hang in there and never give in.

Peace,

Lisa

Thank you Lisa!

I now have wrist drop so I can't use my left hand, and I'm left handed. I have to keep it short. I really need the support and help from others and I appreciate everyone's help! I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bi-polar, and PTSD. My attorney did not submit this during my hearing and he totally dropped the ball.

I don't understand how the judge could have denied me, but she did and I have to brush myself off and continue on. The depression is severe, I feel awful for having it because I feel as though it's being ungrateful for the good things that are happening, but being sick, unable to be productive and earn a paycheck are alot to come to terms with.

And now on top of it all I have wrist drop, can't feel my left arm amd can't use my hand. The neurologist said it could be 2 weeks to two months, she avoided the question when I asked if it could be permanent. So I looked it up and yes, in some cases it is permanent.

My life is shit right now and I don't know if it will ever get better? I mean is this it for me? I thought about writing a book from the patients perspective, I used to be a oood writer, however getting sick has (seemingly) sucked all my creative juices dry. All I can do is try. Is there anything left inside? If there is, it must come out through writing about my journey with the condition the medical community has coined "Fibromyalgia".

So much discrimination and awful treatment I've been subjected to. It's like living in a world full of heartless Rush Limbaugh's.

I know they see that I am on state aid and they treat me so badly. My neurologist was kind so that's good! I'm so depressed and now I'm unable to use my left hand. Tomorrow is Independence Day, my favorite holiday and I just want it to be over with! I used to have get together's every year at the cabin, last year I didn't because my Mom just passed away (I found her unexpectedly) and this year, well...just no.

I recall the last time I had party in 2010, I went inside and FELL ASLEEP!!! Unheard of for me! I had guests! I was only a year into being sick and had no clue on what was happening to me! I used to be fun. I don't know how to recapture my 'old' self...if that's even possible after getting...and staying sick.

I have a Lyme Specialist who's also dx'd me with chronic lyme disease, but the CDC doesn't acknowledge it's existence so I was unable to use that in my plea for disability. I need to re=examine this. haha...I said this was going to be short!!!

Thanks again to everyone who has responded, you are angels to me!