test results and chronic pain

[norcalmom]

I moved from one state to another and each one did and emg and also mri. The state I just moved from the emg after ulnar surgery showed that I still had problems and even in my neck. So they did an mri which confirmed the neck problem. When I moved back to CA I saw a differeent doc ordered same test but the mri showed up that it wasnt as back and the emg still showed problems but nothing impressive. I am going to apply for disability and have to apply under chronic pain. Right now my pain in under control with meds and sometimes I feel maybe I am doing better. But then I have bad days that my husband says I am like another person and walks on egg shells.

Right now I feel a little under the weather because I feel stuck. Financially I havent worked because of my issues and my husband does not want me to work to get all worked up in pain and make the household a living......I know that the social security makes it hard to get approved and I am only 38, but I have had issues with all different kinds of medical problems since 13 years old. I really dont see how people who cant work and dont get disability right away do it. It is really not fair. I have my husband and 3 children, but now a days it takes two incomes to make it.

Could the test I had done the second time be wrong. The tech for the mri said I did move due to being sedated for it. The physical med doc spent 2 hours on one arm and had to keeep leaving the room because something was going wrong with the machine. Another issue I have is that I am on heaving narcotics and working would really be hard to do withtout passing out from exhaustion. I was just wondering how this will all come about when I appply for disability. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

[Mark N]

It isn't a matter of the test being wrong as the readings are done by different people and they are reading the differently. Not much you can do about that other than to find a different doctor to read your test results.

It is hard to tell about SSDI some get it right away while others what years. I had to wait 2 1/2 years then at my hearing before the judge he ruled I was unable to work - that was the reason I wasn't working - within 15 minutes. You have to make sure you have documentation. The better your documentation is the better your chances are. They will look at every doctor you have seen and every condition you have been treated for along with sending you to their doctor for a test to determine your physical ability to work. Document, document, and make copies of everything for yourself. There is also a SSDI forum here at BT that you should check out.

[Lil E]

Luckily for us my DH's work had disability insurance which pays 66&2/3 % of his original salary. They also have a company they work with to help you get SSD. They do all the calling and dealing with SS so we don't have to, its in their best interest, they reduce what they give us by how much SSD gives us.

His company was so great helping us get our benefits and raising money for us until we got the disability rolling. Its usually best to get a lawyer who specializes in getting SSD for people. Most work on the percentage system, they get part of the back pay SSD gives. You get paid back to the day you first applied if your eligiable. For us thats going to be about six months. They automatically turn you down the fist time, you have to hang in there and fight. Ridiculous really, its your money out of your pay check. They ask the same questions 47 times, they want you to give up.

[Digikitty]

They DO NOT always deny you the first time. My husand at the age of 36 was approved in 47 days, first time.(Sever heart condition)The biggest thing is good documentation.I also followed up and made sure everyone did their paperwork, drs, hosp.etc..
good luck!