I have to go have a breathing test in Jan.

[brians2000]

I filed for SSD in September because of Chronic Pain due to three seperate spine fusiions. The last big fusion was in 2000 and since 2002 I have been on pain meds around the clock. When I applied they want to know everything wrong with you. I put down I have touble breathing, especially in cold weather. I basically try to stay inside during cold days during the winter. I was born with Scoiosis and if you have it you would know that it restricts your lung capacity. I got a letter from them stating they want me to come take a breathing test in January. I know they affects my life but that is not the reason I cant work. I wonder if they have enough info about my spine problems but want more info on my lung problems. My lung doctor told me I dont have any lung disease but instead I have what he calls a phyical problem that causes me to not be able to breath good. Anyway what do you all think this upcoming test means. When I was a teenager almost twenty years ago my doctor said I had lungs of a fifty year old. I also told them during the interview I take Lexapro for depression. Do you think I will also be required to go to a psych doctor. Thanks, Brian

[suede]

Brian, Sorry they are putting you through this.
I applied for SSD in June 2002 and am finally going to have my hearing Jan. 11th.
I filed because of nerve damage and CP but I also listed other problems that I have going on even though they weren't a direct result of my filing, back when I first applied they sent me for a physc. evaluation and their dr said he did not believe I was able to return to the work I had always done and he also did not believe that I was able to train for any other work.
I was still denied twice even after their dr said this, though I do now have much more documintaion then I had then so I hope and my lawyer believes this will go through this time, if not I'm just screwed, if I could work I sure would be.
Anyway I wouldn't be at all suprised if they did have you get a physc exam, I have heard from a lot of others that have had to also.
Best of luck.
Linda

[Boopers]

Hi Brian,

Don't sweat the breathing test. They will put you through every test that they can that you feel is an issue in your life.
I also applied and received ssd a few years ago and for applying for it was for my spinal issues. But, they sent me to "their" doctor and also because I have severe depression and am on anti-depressants, they sent me to "their" psych doc.
Good luck to you in your upcoming test and I hope that they will move more swiftly with you than they did me. From start to finish of applying and receiving, it took me three years.
Linda

[cindybear]

I was on prozac by my PCP and they made me go to psych exam..Which lasted 5 hours..They used blots (I think there called ) rememberization..and family history....They said that I had a 5th grade of reading...I don't know how they figured this all out..But the day I went,,I was having a horrible pain day and couldn't think , If I had too..My brain was in too much pain...And I'm like, But I graduated from Nursing school in 93..Aneurysm in 01...Expect to go..There is no doubt in my mind you will if you have a DX of depression...BTW, mine was by my PCP, not a psych Doc...Good luck..Hugs, Cindy

[cferro514]

I would not worry too much about the exam. I would request SSA send a copy of the report to your lung doctor.
You may want to take a one page report about your condition and how it effects your lungs.
Please remember to take your meds with you,even the over the counter ones.

[brians2000]

If the doctors told you your reading level was that of a 5th grader, it makes you wonder how accurate their test truly are. After I had a head injury in 1986 the doctors told my parents I would always be slow and need to be put in a special class when I returned to school. After going back to school I made better grades than before my head injuries. Of course the doctors didn't apologize for scaring me and my parents. After you got your nursing degree you should have wrote the doctor a letter showing how smart you truly are. Brian