Do you HAVE to take Narcotics to show DISABILITY???

[lisatampa]

In June I weaned myself off all narcotics (Duragesic 12.5mcg) and Fentora within a week after a positive pregnancy test....
I told my PM that I was going to try to go through the 1st 2trimesters with no pain med (last pgcy i had a bleed at 13weeks,amniotic fluid drop, terrible consipation--i took MSIR 60-90mg then) and i want this pgcy to be healthier.....my OB now is all for the 'no meds' thing,and even suggested to try to go the whole pgcy without anything.
I was also quite upset with my PM group because the partner i had been seeing made me loose my LTD benefits because of a 'check' mark.....i think it was a mistake, (or he hates me) , none the less I told the partner that it was perfect timing for me to find another PM group... I said that I can't afford SSD to get a hold of these records, that it was bad enough his parter cost me 35K+ life insurance was dropped...
Even though I am in alot of pain, I love being without narcotics and all of the side effects....the pain pump messed up my Endocrine system, and i haven't been the same since....Vicodin cause severe Gastritis,etc...i could go on and on...
The benefits of being without are greater that the pain relief...i love the clear head, the better sleep,the nondrowsiness,the no-edginess,etc.

I have an apt with a new PM group Monday, but i am thinking about cancelling it....I could get my Tens Unit renewed from someone else i suppose, that, and the fact I wanted another dr.on my case for Disability is the only reason I made the apt.

Should I keep this PM apt? Is it necessary to take Meds to show how crippled we are?

Thanks,Lisa

[Tbackpain1]

First, Congrats on the Pregnancy Lisa! I will be thinking lots of positive thoughts that all will go well and you'll have a healthy and normal pregnancy.

Now, I'm just curious, but when I consulted with a high risk OB about pain meds during pregnancy, he gave me a list of meds for my PM that were ok during different portions of the pregnancy and made recommendations for a plan of action if I should become pregnant, since we all know that sometimes, even with careful use of birth control, "oops!" happens. Is there any reason why your OB suggested that you had to be off all meds, or was it because of your last pregnancy and the side effects that you experienced?

If it were me, I would continue seeing your PM doc, if only for them to continue to follow up with your condition, even while you're pregnant, even though you are not taking any pain meds. They can monitor any changes you're having and make recommendations for therapies that can be used while you're pregnant.

I wish you all the best Lisa, and my heartiest Congrats!

Theresa

[BrokenBladder]

Lisa let me first congradulate you on your pregnancy!!
Now to answer your question I don't know that you have to be on narcotics, but it does show the SSA and/or judge just how bad your pain is. I remember when I had my hearing and the judge went through all of my DX's, he then wanted to know the meds I was on as they also interfere with work. As I gave the list and side effects I could see a change in his eyes like he was amazed that I was sitting there in front of him and not drooling all over his table. He gave me a fully favorable from the bench.
if you don't mind me asking what did the PM "accidently" check mark that cost you your LTD/ If it was a mistake then it should be reversed and you can get the insurance commissioner involved in your case to make sure that it's handled properly. I was in the insurance business for years right here in Tampa so if you need any help, just PM me.

[lisa_tos]

According to a friend who works at SSA, not seeing a doctor is a red flag. You do need to be seeing a doctor who can concretely describe your functional limitations and relate them to your objective and clinical findings.

I think it can be hard for judges, who may have only taken advil, to understand the side effects for pain killers for severe pain can be as bad as the pain itself. So it might seem to them that if you are not taking painkillers, the pain must not be that bad.

That said, I don't take alot of naracotics although I take alot of other pain killers. And I do know some people who get ssd who don't take painkillers, they just severely restrict their activities so they can get by without them.

[Kathi49]

Lisatampa,

CONGRATULATIONS!

Lisa-Tos

I am soooo glad to see you write this! I definitely agree! The pain is bad but the SE's can be horrendous. So, sometimes I will take the pain in order to function. I have been that route of taking a lot of meds...made me much, much worse. Or as the NS's said...hypersensitive to them. So, I choose to keep it low or tolerable.

[CanRelate]

Lisatampa:

regular ongoing treatment is the issue....and the notes in your medical file (make sure the issues discussed are ACTUALLY making it into your records!!) about what is working, what isn't working, balance of pain against side effects....etc. is the issue for SSA. They cannot MAKE you take a particular treatment (whether surgery or meds); but SSA can expect you to have ongoing treatment of your disabling conditions......to better show that they are indeed still disabling regarding performance of work/living.

So if pain was a large factor in determining disability, you would do well to keep "regular" with those versed in pain management.


Regards,
CanRelate


In June I weaned myself off all narcotics (Duragesic 12.5mcg) and Fentora within a week after a positive pregnancy test....
I told my PM that I was going to try to go through the 1st 2trimesters with no pain med (last pgcy i had a bleed at 13weeks,amniotic fluid drop, terrible consipation--i took MSIR 60-90mg then) and i want this pgcy to be healthier.....my OB now is all for the 'no meds' thing,and even suggested to try to go the whole pgcy without anything.
I was also quite upset with my PM group because the partner i had been seeing made me loose my LTD benefits because of a 'check' mark.....i think it was a mistake, (or he hates me) , none the less I told the partner that it was perfect timing for me to find another PM group... I said that I can't afford SSD to get a hold of these records, that it was bad enough his parter cost me 35K+ life insurance was dropped...
Even though I am in alot of pain, I love being without narcotics and all of the side effects....the pain pump messed up my Endocrine system, and i haven't been the same since....Vicodin cause severe Gastritis,etc...i could go on and on...
The benefits of being without are greater that the pain relief...i love the clear head, the better sleep,the nondrowsiness,the no-edginess,etc.

I have an apt with a new PM group Monday, but i am thinking about cancelling it....I could get my Tens Unit renewed from someone else i suppose, that, and the fact I wanted another dr.on my case for Disability is the only reason I made the apt.

Should I keep this PM apt? Is it necessary to take Meds to show how crippled we are?

Thanks,Lisa

[lisatampa]

Thank you all for the support...

I do see my OSS regularly, I saw him x2this year already....i will probobly see him again after i have the Physical Assessment Test done by the Rehab Dr. he has referred me to....This OSS will back me up with my disability once i have the PAT done....I was going to have an FCE, but the PT place cancelled it once they found out i was pregnant.....The OSS now will have a 'modified' PAT done once i get the clearance from my OB....since i will be in my 2nd trimester in a week, i will ask for the clearance my next visit mid Aug.

That said, should I still see a PM?

thanks,lisa

[Mark N]

Lisa, congratulations I hope all goes well for you and the baby. Disability will be based on the list of criteria the SSDI has. It is set up based on your ability to work and what you have done to try and return to health so you can work.

[neckbaby]

Lisa .. Just my opinion. But the more Dr.'s you see and evidence you have of your disability the better for your case.
I would keep the appointment for that reason.
Congratulations also!!:D :D
So happy you are able to go without pain meds for your baby's sake. I am sure that was and is a very hard thing to do.
Let us know how things go.;)
Neckbaby

[Kathi49]

I agree with all of the posters here.

And just wanted to add...

My own PM knows my full history! All my other specialists have their own notes and so forth and copies from each other. But I make sure my PM gets all reports (when warranted) from the other docs. So, yes, I would keep that appointment.

And I want to echo what Mark said. He is right on with the definition. I realize they ask for the list of meds, how often you take them, etc. But NEVER have I seen anything that says you MUST take a certain amount or a certain kind. They go by the list of criteria (conditions, diseases, etc.) as he stated and that list IS on the SSA website. In other words the disability should be based on the functional limitations and whether or not you can work a full 8 hour day or even return to work...not necessarily or not even the amounts of meds. As another poster said, a lot of people are on disability who take nothing or very little yet are very limited in what they can or cannot do.