Social Security

[seabean]

I have not been able to work for over two years.  I have been denied social security twice and have been waiting on a trial for 8 months.  Has anyone else recieved s.s.?  If so, any suggestions.  Right now my SX are as bad as they were during TX, I can barely do daily household chores.  I've made an appt. to see Dr. J in Lakeland next week.  Sure hope he can help.

Thanks for any input you can give.

[sfbaygirl]

How come I can't see the posts in this thread?

[ladybug52]

Not a SS comment, just a dry skin thought. I use the Aveeno soothing bath treatment. It "works as a natural cleanser and cleans skin without soap. Surface soils adhere to the ultra-fine colloidal oatmeal particles and gently rinse away." Really, I love this stuff.

[sfbaygirl]

Yep, I know that dried out feeling. I have been using moisurizing Dove liquid. And after my shower I use the Neutragena body oil. It really helps with the dryness on my skin. Thankfully I don't have the riba rash!

[stangshelly]

I was told by my attny to apply for ss and I decided not to. I am recieving unemp and pay for my own ins. I have sx and was pretty bad for awhile but in my case I see this as a temporary inconvience and hope to return to some type of work. My advise is obtain attny.

[GrandmaA]

Thanks for your note. Yes, I'm very glad I can retire (again). Yes, the doctor gave me standing orders and they are done on time. Everything else is fine. I'm really getting dried out from the rebetol. I feel like a prune.

[GrandmaA]

I'm so sorry for the patients who don't feel like working because of SXs but have to keep their medical. Itis very unfortunate it's so hard to get disability and SSDI now. Hopefully, we won't need it when we get the new meds in a few years.

I have my medical through a company from which I'm retired (although I switch over to Medicare in May when I turn 65). I'm retiring from my present job in May and I'm just going to stay home and take care of myself for the last 3 1/2 months of treatment. It has not been easy I got a lot of negativity from my boss especially the past few weeks. But I filed the Family Medical Leave form last Fri. (it's good for 90 days) and he knows I will file a union grievance against him if he doesn't treat me with respect and dignity. Some people seem to have no heart. The union was a huge help, but the stress was bad for my liver. I have not told my boss I'm retiring in May. I just decided. I will tell him next week. 3 months is just time enough to file for that and Social Security retirement.

  

[sfbaygirl]

Good for you!! Take care of yourself, you deserve it. Use up the 90 days and then retire, sounds like a plan to me. I know lots of you work and my hat is off to those that muddle through it. Have you had a newer PCR from Gish?

[seabean]

Thank you everyone!  I would love to work but can't imagine anyone even wanting to hire me with the brain fog, not to mention all the other problems.  Have tried to find something to do at home on the computer, but no luck.  It's not a fun position to be in....our family is doing alright now, but if you think about it, this is how people become homeless.

Thanks again.  Keep smiling :)

[sfbaygirl]

I totally agree too. I haven't worked since Dec. 04' never filed for SSDI, but have lots of issues besides the HEP c before tx. I want to work, not sure I can, even when tx is over. Just trying to get out of the house (hotel now) is hard for me. John got me a cert. for a bike last year, still need to pick it up. the store is right down the street from me now....I am hoping I can go down and pick up my bike and be a little more self sufficient than I have been. Would trying to get SSDI make it harder for me to get back to work? Mentally?

[wyntre9]

"It's always easier for people to judge you when they are working because they think "you have it so easy", but they don't realize that I'd rather be feeling good enough to earn a paycheck and have more $$$ than, having a brain that is not functioning and feeling useless and not being able to make ends meet."

You're so right.
I understand completely.

[sfbaygirl]

You are so right! I can't imagine working right now. Thankfully I have some money saved and a generous husband to help me through this time. I have always been an independent person and can't imagine being homeless because I was sick. What an awful thought for everyone in this great country of ours...How can we go to war when there are people here that can't afford health ins. and are on the street? How does this happen? I just dont' get it.

[susan400]

It took me 3 years to get the SSDI, I had to have an attorney to get it.  It was based on my mental stuff, in addition to the HEP and not just the Hep alone.  They have not said anything to me about be re-evaluated since I was awarded it over 2 years ago.  I hope they don't, as it was a P.I.A. to get it in the first place.  It's not like I'm getting a fortune of money on it either.  I can barely make ends meet on what I get from them and if it wasn't for my husband and my parents help, I wouldn't be able to survive on it.  I don't know too many people in this inflation area that could survive on 12,000 a year with having to pay what we have to pay for gas, food (I'm not on food stamps), clothes, insurance co-pays, etc., etc.  It's always easier for people to judge you when they are working because they think "you have it so easy", but they don't realize that I'd rather be feeling good enough to earn a paycheck and have more $$$ than, having a brain that is not functioning and feeling useless and not being able to make ends meet.  I'm not trying to throw a pity party, it's just the way that it is.  If my parents didn't own my condominium here that I live in, I'd be paying out my whole check to rent and electric and would be unable to eat.  
Susan

[chcnme]

Hi SLJ.  THey are here !  Can you see them yet?   For some reason (since the new forum was set up) some members are not seeing their notes after they post them.  You might want to try to hit your refresh button - sometimes that'll make them appear (sometimes it won't, though).  It's weird, like the twilight zone.

[chcnme]

Hi Seabean.  Your getting a favorable ruling might depend on whether or not you've been under the care of doctor  (and what kind of doctor)  the entire two years you have been unable to work and what diagnoses you have other than Hep C.  I got it (not based on Hep C though - based on chronic depression).  It took over 3 years to get it. I hate to say it, but you probably won't get SSDI for a diagnosis of Hep C alone no matter how bad you state the Hep C is making you feel.  You can get it, though, for a diagnosis of chronic depression related to Hep C and treatment failure.  You will have to jump through the right hoops with the right doctors backing your claim and a good attorney.  If you are not under the care of a shrink, get under the care of one now.  Get Dr. J to write a letter for you now (to SSDI), and ask him for a referral to a shrink (and ask the shrink to write a letter for you).  Get family to write letters, friends, anyone who has see you deteriorate.  If Dr. J can't refer you to a shrink, start calling some.  Go to the emergency walk in clinic if you have to.  Focus on the psychiatric symptoms - not the Hep C diagnosis. Include Hep C focus on the psych symptoms you have.  Once / if you get SSDI, stay under the care of your hep doctors and shrink.  SSDI is tough and will do a reeval of you at some point.  I didn't have to go to a hearing.  I got 4 years retro pay because I had taken FLMA two years in a row prior to filing, and my attorney did whatever he did to "go back a few years".   An SSDI attorney can only get so much of your retro pay. There is a cap on what they get, but what they do get is worth if you can no longer work.  Best of luck.  Oh - you need a GAF of 45.  (that is global average function).  

[SJL]

Well, my answer has disappeared! I am not going to post for awhile, as obviously they are having PROBLEMS!
Sandy

[SJL]

My posts are not being displayed?????
Sandy

[SJL]

I am almost hesitant to answer, as all my recent posts seem to be disappearing?

I am receiving SSD, which has been pd. retroactively, from my last day at work. I really had no contact with SSD, other than they sent me for an examination? I was being paid by LTD, and their attorneys handled everything for me. So, I was virtually out of the loop and I guess very lucky. The only way I found out at first that I was going to receive SSD, was that a deposit was made directly into my bank account. Now, they split the total amount 50/50, and I receive 2 checks. Maybe LTD has something to do with it?
Sandy

[nygirl7]

I got SS disability but not for Hep.  I had to have SO much documentation and doctors visits and then their doctors and tests tests tests and it took quite a while (i had broken my back and had a brain injury too).  It was hard for me to get it and well......it should have been open and shut with the type of injuries I had.

It's quite a hassle.

I've had very extreme sides but managed to come to work the whole time. I couldn't take the chance on losing my job because part of the compensation is my insurance.

I don't know anyone who's received actual SS disability for HepC.  It says on the list it's one of the things that you can get it for but generally they look at our sides as not severe enough.

What exactly are your problems? Do you have a LOT of documentation?

Good luck.