Hello, New To Group - Desperate For Help

[hannah48]

Hello:

I am new to the group and have many medical issues, long story short.  Currently on a Long Term Disability for Migraines, Trigeminal Neuropathy, Occipital Neuralgia, LBB Left Bundle Branch Block (heart) and Fibromyalgia, I am exhausted....

Have tried numerous meds now Insurance Company is saying they wont cover as a medical disability due to medical evidence. I have fought this for about a year and stand losing my job of 23 years. Can anyone give me some support and help me to determine where to go from here.

Insurance company wants to keep it a disability for depression and anxiety, as it caps off in 24 months rather than pay me until I reach the age of 65. Cant afford an attorney, called one and he said at this point I need to try and fight it on my own, but where do I begin????

I was wondering if anyone can help me read some reports MRI?

Any one on one help would be so appreciated....a phone call, personal email address, I would be grateful..

[valuable1]

Assume you are on your company disability plan? You should start by making sure you have a current copy of your company disability plan and all documentation. These plans are very specific as to the diagnosis. They change every year so make sure you have the one that covers your situation. Read it and be familiar with it.  Usually two doctors have to evaluate and find specific results to qualify for a particular disability definition. It always helps in addition if one or both can write a letter defining the situation. You must see several doctors and make sure to ask for all of your records and be open about your situation with them. This would help bolster your current claim, but it can also help to maintain the claim or add these additional diagnosis. There is no rule that says you can only be disabled for one ailment.

I was on short term disability and when it was time to transition to long-term, my insurance company offered their lawyers to help me get government disability (social security). This helped us both. Try to make the situation a win-win if there is a way. Social Security disability may be your only recourse, even though it takes a long time for approval and may not be monetarily attractive.
Have you contacted other lawyers? Just one is never good enough. Make sure they specialize in disability claims. Most want 25% of the disability payments from time awarded retroactively to time claim was submitted. Your situation is current long term disability, but should be treated the same.  I have friends that have done their own, but I would not recommend this.

Good luck,

[tjj3761]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear you are having this terrible time with your disabilities.

I think that you need the help of your physician or physicians who gave you your above diagnoses and any supporting tests as medical evidence for your disability.

I have never been on disability myself, but I have heard it can be a battle in and of itself.

Have you contemplated seeking out a new neurologist for your neurological conditions?  It sounds like there is still something going on there.

As far as your MRI, please do not try to read this yourself.  It truly takes an expert with years of experience to read these films.  

I hope everything works out for you with your disability claims.  Feel better soon!

terri

[hannah48]

Hello MMahon,

Don't know if I am responding correctly or not.....first thank you for your reply, it is greatly appreciated.

Have been to a couple Attorney's....the cheapest I can find is $250 an hour which is cheap, but I don't have it. One suggested, since my long term caps off in two years, which is still about 18 months, I should try to fight it myself in getting all the information I can to support my claim. I just have a feeling that no matter what I get they are still going to say there is not enough evidence to support a medical disability, yet I was told by doctors I have all of these conditions, I have doctors notes stating this and have even been put on medication for it....they still say there is not enough evidence....

They are saying there was no EMG nerve conduction studies done to support the impairments, but it is written in the neurologists notes that I have symptoms related to these conditions .  What I don't understand is why would a doctor put you on medicine if they have not truly diagnosed me?? makes no sense to me. With my migraines, they are stating since I have had them since I was a child it is unclear what changed to cause an impairment related to my headaches? well I certainly don't want to say stress because that takes it back to a mental disorder for anxiety and depression. I have suffered from migraines since I was 9, my life has been ruined by them. I am 53, would I honestly be trying to screw the government and the insurance companies to live on almost half my wage and potentially face the threat of losing my home...they make you feel a little crazy sometimes and no one believes you.

They also want me to have an ENG for a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, which my previous doctor clearly states "She has Fibromyalgia" but she never preformed any tests and says I have had it for several years.  The problem is, the doctors notes the insurance company requested are from 11-09 to present??? all the diagnosis and notes stating above are well above these dates into 1999!

I have been down for the last 3 days with Vertigo, a horrible episode of it, third time this month.  Sometimes I just cant handle the fight and I know for sure I have only just begun...

[MMahon]

Do you see a neurologist?  The conditions you mention should have medical evidence to support them right?
Ins. Co.s will do anything to get out of paying off on disability.
have you sought help from legal aid?