Fibromyalgia Support Group

I am new to this site and my heart goes out to everyone! Was diagonsed 3 years ago with this and my life has not been the same since. I've worked for 32 years, can't deal with the pain and hold down a full time job. At the end of the day too tired and in so much pain to do anything.. even bathe My physican is very diffiucult to work with seems as though he is always in a rush my thought process has slowed down so much it takes awhile for me to gather my thoughts let alone my words to speak. Has anyone received disability for this "death sentence"? Sorry for such harsh words about it, but I am just really having a hard time dealing with this and working too. Maybe I need a new doctor with new ideas, my doctor is stuck on giving me cymbalta, lyrica, those do not work for me and inject me with cordisone in my knees for pain... Help Please! Thank you.....

Welcome! Disability is possible but not easy. I finally got mine after a 1 1/2 year fight, it would have been longer if my lawyer didn't work with my hearing dept and get me a sooner hearing. I have multiple conditions and thankfully had the best judge. You cannot be working while you file and my husband lost his job in the middle of my process. It was fantastic but I got it. Most stories are similiar, if you need it and you have a dr to back you up which is truly important then go for it. It took me forever because even though I made more than enough with enough credits I was considered too young lol. The judge as I said was great and on my side. We have a SSD Advice Group here if you have more detailed questions they are great. You are not alone, keep posting.

Hello. I am pretty new to the group also but since finding it I have found it to be so helpful and just knowing that im not alone in this journey gives strength. I agree with Stacey, I believe it is so important to first have a doctor that will back you in your disability process, mine played a huge role. Second, a lawyer is so beneficial, they got 25% of my back pay, but in my opinion, the end was absolutely worth the means. I had been off work for a year and 3 months before I was ready (I guess I was waiting to see if I would get better?) to find a good lawyer and file. From the time I filed to the time I received my 1st disability chack (and backpay) it only took 9 months. The judge deemed me disabled all the way back to the last day I worked. This is not written as an attempt to brag at all, or to down play what you are going through, and of course each person is an individual and what works for one may not work for another, it is my goal to let you know that there is help, and hope. For you, Stacey, myself, and so many other amazing people in this support group and in the world, a lot of us have worked most of our lives until suddenly we started waking up in the mornings too stiff to move, alomg with many other symptoms, plus the pain never really subsided much during the day. Many people do still work and I commend the ones who are pushing themselves most likely beyond their limits to do so. When you get to the point that you are ready to file, it can be very intimidating and overwhelming, I know of a couple of people with fibro that have been trying 4 years to get on disability, they have not hired a lawyer though. At that time it was nice to have a lawyer to do all the leg work so I could use my enery for finding a better treatment plan than the one I had. I pray you are able to find a good doctor who is willing to work with you, it has taken over 2 years but I have finally found one that is compassionate and although he does not have all the answers, he is willing to try new things and he listens to me, after all, we know our own bodies better than anyone else, so they should rely partly on us to explain how our bodies feel, right? I also wanted to tell you that i just finished reading the book called "You Don't Look Sick", if you haven't read it and if you like to read, I highly recommend it. (Stacey, have you read it? If so what did you think about it?) Its about a womans journey from getting sick and finding out she has fibro, (alot of the struggles like what you are going thru) to finding a doctor, having to resign from a job she loved and had worked at for so long, having run-ins with people who did not understand her illness, and finally getting to the stage of her illness where she could "live well" in the midst of her illness. I have to admit, I dont think I am at that stage yet, but I am hopeful and will be working towards the goal of being able to do that as well. Will be praying for you in the coming days that you are shown a ray of light in a world that can seem so dark sometimes. Hope you sleep well tonight and wake up in the morning with low pain levels. Welcome to the support group.

Hugs,

Kim

Post edited by: KimmyLyn, at: 09/08/2010 05:23 AM

SS automatically gives the lawyer 25% of your backpay but not more than $6700 now. When I went through it years ago the max was only $5200 which I paid my lawyer. They get it before you even get yours, it's just how it works. They normally go back to the date you applied but it can also work different ways ss or the judge can deem you disabled but feel it wasn't for as long as you say so they cut back a few months and change the date. It's happened to several people I know some even a year+ they were just happy to win. My case my judge gave me extra time by going by medical documents so instead of my app date he approved me and went back further. You also lose 5 months worth of pay it's standard but by the time you get it all it's still a good chunk. Medicare you don't get for 24 months but the entire waiting process counts towards the time. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I haven't read that book it sounds good I'll look into it but I haven't been reading well lately and it's my favorite too.

Welcome to the site Lonelyteardrop

Hi there Lonelyteardrop, welcome to the site, we are here for you, for advice and friendship

And hugs!

A welcome hug for you

Paula

Hi, & welcome to the group! This is the best place you could have found for all the support you need during this difficult time in your life. Although it may be difficult, it is possible to fight back to some sort of 'normalcy'. Keep searching for a good, reliable, understanding & compassionate doctor. They can make all the difference in the world! If you do decide to try for dissability, I wizsh you luck. come often & look forward to hearing from you!