Disability and MSK

I am currently dealing with a 9mm stone in my left kidney and have had bilateral stints in place since the end of June. I have had 2 lithotripsies- one in July and one on August 1st. The doctor was able to break the stone up into several large pieces, but I may need another surgery in the coming weeks (it always takes several because the stones are so large).

I have always fought through the pain and continued to work, but the older I get this is becoming very difficult to do. I am in a constant struggle to be loyal to my employer or to slow down and stop working, which is what my body seems to be telling me to do. I am the office manager for a storage facility and with the never ending up and down movement on a daily basis I cannot walk by the time I get home. I am allergic to most pain meds, so all my urologist will give me is Tylenol 3 and this does nothing to help with the pain. I am considering trying to file for disability, but I'm torn on this. I want to work - but I want to be able to function (at least partially) at the end of the day. Has anyone else been able to successfully do this & if so, what hurdles did you have to overcome?

[ChitChatNine]

Hi, We are a bit slow with the holiday but wanted to Welcome you!

You may want to do a search in the community for some tips in the meantime.

9mm's OUCH!

C~

[taelamael]

I was diagnosed young myself and have been a student most of the time so I'm still able to work but I'd really like to know more about this. I was told I'd most likely end up in renal failure due to the severity of my condition and I've looked into disability myself so if anyone has done this successfully I'd like to know. Based on what I've researched myself, its possible but would none the less be difficult to achieve. It would only be during times that required surgery or required healing from what I've read. Or by doctor and a judge is accepted or denied based on their findings. It's a very specific and individual base from what I can tell. I'm aware at some point this disease is going to disable me to the point I can't work at times; so if anyone has any more knowledge about this I'd like to know as well.

[johnnylongtime]

Im 31yr old concrete contractor in the middle of a dissability claim. Were born with msk so its easyier then expected.im in oregon.

[taelamael]

I figure if you can get disability for depression, MSK should not even be an issue and if anything you can claim your depressed because you have MSK =b. If you look through the other threads on disability OR bing search its one of the first results =). Apparently many others with MSK have successfully claimed disability. Remember though disability has pros and cons limiting your work hours (considering your still in shape to work) as well as not being able to earn what you were before. You do have meet THEIR criteria of disabled which I think is something you should look into. From what the comments on the other thread stated it should not be an issue for someone suffering with this disease. See a lil research answered both our question =).

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Medullary-Sponge-Kidney-Disease-MSK-/Work-Issues-Disability/show/977667

[bambamm]

Thank you for your response (and johnny too) and for taking the time to do the research. I haven't been feeling up to doing much of anything these days which is not like me at all. The fatigue is overwhelming. The paperwork I have for disability says this:

How does Social Security decide if I'm disabled?

By law, SS has a very strict definition of disability. To be found disabled:

You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition(s); and Your medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year, or be expected to result in your death.

I just got my medical records (finally) last week but I don't think they gave me everything...4 email attachments, 16 pages each. Considering that before this my last major episode was in 2009, I think there is a lot missing. At least it's enough to get started though. The SS administration can get whatever else they need. It does say in the SS paperwork that it can take 3-5 months to get a decision, depending on how long it takes them to get the paperwork they need. It took my mother in law 2 years and a lawyer (after having 3 back surgeries). I'm trying to think positive though.