Fibro and disability

[mawma46]

can we with Fibro get disability?

[suzys11]

I don't know...but I applied for Social Security Benefits three weeks ago. I'll let you know whether I am approved (I also have a 32-year history of Hepatitis C and the interferon treatment started my fibromyalgia!).

Hugs, Suzy

[the-cats-whiskers]

well you can but you have to fight all the way most people and doctors ive found dont believe it exists x just keep trying

[mawma46]

Hi all, thanks for your replys. I called and filled out the info over the phone to a person from the ss office in Hannibal, MO. We make to much to use the income part, but they will try with the info from the docs, lawyer, from my accident in 95, that is when it all started. But I have worked, it has been scince aug that I haven't worked. I have so much pain, blurred vision, fibro fog, you name it it hurts. I hope I hear rom you guys soon!

mcmud44

[the-cats-whiskers]

hope you get soreted out soon hun ive been like this since i was about 25 and im 39 now but i have good days and bad i find exercise really worked for me to help with the pain though i had to fight through it i had no choice my now x husband took a slight stroke and played it to the full so though i could hardly walk i had to start as i was the only one who could get my daughter to school and i didnt have the time to think about my pain just had to get on with it x hope you get less pain soon hun x

[mawma46]

Merry Christmas ! Have you heard from thm yet? Hoe old is your daughter? Wht did the stroke do 2 yr husband? I hear you get rejected the first couple of times, man tht is ruff. I hope to herar from u soon. I have a electrit emg on my feet today, checking for c-tunnel for my feet, isnt tht wild. They hurt on top of my feet, doc is baffeled about all the pain I have and no test prove I have it, I told him thth is one of the worst thngs I wnt to hear. Talk 2 u ltr, let u know when I get the results in.
Marie

[victoria]

I am applying for diability now - I have had Fibro for 2 years now and several other lovely conditions that come along with it. I can hardly get out of bed and I am only 35- don't know how I would work an 8 hour day. I hear you have to get a lawyer to get it (disability), long process, but if I still have trouble getting out of bed the next 2 years it may be worth the hassle. Afetr all I see so many docotrs already.
Good Luck with the process.

[mariemartin]

I have been recently diagnosed with FMS and I have most of the accompanying illnesses as well. I have been diagnosed with them all over time and then finally with the big one. I happen to work for any attorney who handles SS/Disability cases and I can tell you from my my experience working on these types of cases that it is very hard to get disability for any type of illness, not just FMS. I have seen people who clearly should have been approved get denied and even I don't know why the system works for some and not others. Alot of it has to do with how much information is provided by the physicians, specialists, etc. Also, I think it makes a differenec if an MD makes the diagnosis and if a specialist does. I have been diagnosed by my MD and then went and got a 2nd opinion from another MD. I have an appt in Feb. to see a Rheumy and will go from there. I am able to work, but it is hard. I have tried several types of medication and nothing has helped much so far. I don't really like taking any of it but the pain in unbearable and I can't sleep. I feel like I am possessed and my head is going to spin off sometimes. I feel bad because I am so cranky toward my kids and husband. Sometimes I want to just leave and get away from them so I don't expose them to my illness. I will fight until the end before I try filing for Disability, but there are some who really need to and should. Hope to makes some friends here and get suppport. If I can ever be an ear for someone, let me know.

[victoria]

I have been doing some research. I didn't want to apply either but I really don't know when I might start to feel 'better' and if I do I can go work an 8 hour day - I would make more doing that, a wealthier relative told me I should she has a form of MS (similar symptoms). I have read its best to apply within 18 months of diagnoses? I am not sure if you can wait to long to apply. Not sure if that is correct you may want to look into it. No one wants to be a pill popper but we can't live happy with the excruciation(sp) pain, its very hard for me to see my little one have to deal with this and my husband too. But if I can get better by resting and therapy maybe disability will help my family and we can move on. Hopefully you will find a combination that will help you. Unfortunately it might take many many different doctors before you find one is suitable for you and can help some. I had this 2 years diagnosed 1 year ago maybe 15+ doctors, can't remember all the diff medications I have tried and on a few now.

Family and friends don't see your pain so they may not undertand even if you give them literature, I have my spouse go to all my appts with me so he might have an understanding.

Good Luck. I am sure you didn't ask for or deserve this disease.

[mariemartin]

Thanks so much for your kind words and support. None of us really ask for this, and it is hard for me as well because I have small children. I am confused a bit about when I actually developed FMS or if I have had if for years. I have had IBS and Irritable Leg Syndrome and Severe PMS for years. I never knew about FMS and therefor did not put that together. I finally got so sick of the female stuff and actually believed that my symptoms were caused by endometriosis which I have had for years but had gotten better. I just assumed that it had come back after my kids were born. Well, in Sept. of 2004 I finally gave in and had a hysto and they found some Endo but not what we would have thought. I had a full hysto and I am on hormone replacement. In Nov. my then 16 year old daughter gave birth to my first Grandchild. Talk about a roller coaster. What a year that was. That is when most of the other symptoms started and the old ones got alot worse. I started a light exercise program yesterday, I walked on a treadmill. I am going to take it very slowly because I can't do much, but I have to do something. I have a massage scheduled for Friday, I figured by then I would need it. It seems to help a little with the knots. I know that I have to take some meds but I want to take as few as possible and I don't want to give up. I want to get better. I don't know if I have the strength and not much support. Like you said, no one can see the pain and they don't understand. I feel so angry and cranky. Lifes little problems seem so much larger right now. I pray that I have the strength to get through this and that my family understands that I cannot control it. Thanks again for the support. It is nice to have people to talk to who understand. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

[victoria]

I hear it is very good to exercise if you can - I am to the point it will put me in bed for a week so only light stretches here. Be careful with the masage because fibro has to do with inflamed tissues - tell them you have it first. My 1st massage put me in a lot of pain, I am going for another one to treat myself but I asked for a swedish massage, gentler. I agree its hard to get a diagnose for this - took me around 8 months not long in peoples minds - but they still can't do anything for me except write scripts. I now call them prescription writers I have seen many doctors tried many things from natural to scripts. Do whatever you feel helps you because it can be like a roller coaster and not good when you hit bottom, no one does understand. I have been in bed for 2+ days my husband doesn't understand I am sick right now (to busy doing everything around the house poor guy) and I don't expect him too either. Only do what you can do and try to find a good doctor that is willing to work with you. This is a disease that doesn't go away, no understands it, and it just plain old stinks.

Good Luck Again. I find that the only people who understand are those with fibromyalgia, mostly online unless you find a support group. I find I need this to help the depression that is triggered by this disease.

[mariemartin]

I am not really able to do much either. I walked 10 min. the first day and added two minutes the second. I will add two min. today and I am going to try to do some stretches on the mat, but I am not sure if I can. I know that I have to start somewhere and the atty I work for is very supportive. He opened up a room that use to be for storage and we have put several treadmills and other stuff in there so that I can go in there after work and do what I can and not be embarrassed to go to a gym and not be able to do much. I am not ready for that. The massage therapist that I am using works at a salon next door that is owned by my boss as well. We are all pretty close and she knows about my condition. As a matter of fact, her mother in law has FMS but is severly overweight and very sedentary. I am slightly overweight and it is hurting me more. I don't want it to get worse. I have done enough research to know that if you dont try to work the sore muscles, they will become more stiff and sore and eventually you wont be able to move. I don't want that. My massage therapist is a friend as well, so she is careful to pay attention to my needs and is very gentle but firm. I do hurt the next day, but have less stiffness and more mobility. She uses heated massage too and that is great! It really loosens you up. I guess the worst part of this for me, besides the pain of course, is the way I feel mentally. I feel so irritable and angry. I have read enough to know that it is caused by the FMS, but that does not make it easier. When we are in the car and my kids are playing in the backseat it is like someone is scratching a chalk board. It goes all over my nerves. My nerves are so bad and it is so unfair to them and the angery feelings wear me out. They make me sick, literally. I can live with the pain, I just want to be a better parent.

[victoria]

I am glad massage works for you. I just had one and I hurt more after I hope it goes away, if it hangs around for several days I don't think I'll do it again. My muscles are bad. I do really light stretches which are easier in a very hot shower. IRRATABILITY comes with pain, I am sure you are a great mother. It is hard, I know I can't play with my little one but always watch from the side lines when my husband is playing with her and yes its easier for us to get upset about little things because we are already upset about the pain we are in. I do also take something to calm down because my nerves are bad too, I have panic attacks, so maybe you want to mention that to your doctor. I know meds aren't always the answer either, maybe you could benefit from a yoga class some people can do it unfortunately I tried all my options first maybe hurt myself more. A very warm pool also helps the muscles and acupuncture helps some.

My disability is going along just had my primary appt and did more paperwork, I can fill a binder with all the visits I had with diff doctors.
But my primary crossed the line now I have to have my husband come to ALL of my appts (take more work off) with me until I find a new primary doctor which probably won't look good to disability, but as I said he crossed the line - don't know if he did it because I am so sick (vunerable to that) or what. Wish I had a good thing to say about eastern medicine except that they write me scripts.

Like I said I am sure you are a great mother, when you feel irratability swinging in try to take a moment - I go in my bedroom or bathroom. Or if you are driving bring a drink take so sips you'll be focused on that or play upbeat music. Different things work for different people. Children are a blessing.

[marzypan]

I found an article on fibro on this site where the dr. is saying fibro is caused by lack of oxygen & it describes everything. I heard this before & it makes alot of sense. He also says that no drugs cure the fibro, but it can be reversed. Seems like it is caused also by synthetic drugs.. toxins..
Stretching exercises are good. We need to get the blood & oxygen to the ligaments. You have to know your limitations. Sometimes its really hard to do that. One day u feel great & then we overdue it, then we are out of commission for 3 days. Its a vicious cycle.
I heard from CPP & they are reconcidering their decision to deny me benefits. They did say no, I got a lawyer, & now they are reconsidering. I should be hearing back from them soon. It is really exhausting when u have this illness & are tired to begin with. Then all the stress just flares things up to the max. If u are denied then apply again because most people do not & u should. The more information the doctor gives, the better your chances are too.
I also have IBS, Hypothyroidism, Vertigo, Low Blood Pressure.

[mariemartin]

I have not filed for disability. I pray that I wont have to. I am newly diagnosed by my md and I just had my first fisit with a rheumy. He does not do long term fibro care, which I did not know and obviously my md did not either, but he is doing alot of tests and we will go from there. He has tested me for all of the autoimmune disorders like Lupus, etc. also rheumatoid type disorders. My sister has Psoriatic arthritis, which is like rheumatoid arthritis but also includes psoriasis on your scalp or other areas. I have the scalp problem but have thought that it was dry scalp for some time. Every other part of my skin is dry so I just assumed. I will find out more on my return visit March 7th. He just thinks that my spine is too stiff for it to just be FM. I don't know. I tested negative for Lupus before, but he said that can change. My mother has Lupus and my uncle has MS. I am also going to get on Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy in place of the patch that I have been on. It will lower my risk for breast cancer, which is good considering my mom had it. It is also said to be helpful for FM patients who need HRT. It is better than the synthetic ones. If you need HRT, do some research on it. It sounds promising. Anyway, I wont be filing for disability if I can help it, but I work for an attorney who handles disability claims and I know the process. You file, are turned down, file for reconsideration, are usually still turned down, then file for a hearing in front of a Judge where you can present your case. Make sure you have all the med. records you can get and affidavits from your doctors as to your being unable to work. Every bit helps at every stage. If you get to the reconsideration part, it is best to hire an attorney. If you have any questions about it, I will be glad to tell you what I can. Have a great day.