ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Cognitive/Emotional Issues => Topic started by: keithk on May 31, 2011, 01:47:04 pm
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I have not returned to work since my surgery back in August 2010. I worked in the telecommunications field installing and programming business telephone systems. There is a lot of ladder work, including running cable in ceilings. I now walk with a cane because of balance problems. I am now thing of applying for disability. Has anyone here applied?
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Yes, there have been some people who got disability, but it is a long fight. If you do a search on disability it should show some of the threads for that. good luck!!
Sue in Vancouver, USA
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I had my surgery in Jan 2010 and was approved for County and State Disability by mid March. I then immediately applied for Social Security Disability and a few months later got denied but reapplied as most people get denied the first time around. I got approved for SS Disability two months ago and got a lump sum for back pay with 20% to the lawyer I contracted with. I really needed it because of the headaches, loss of hearing and consequential lost of balance (my arm is currently in a cast and I had surgery on Thursday to cut the damaged nerves on my scalp and take out the adhesions).
If you live in Maryland PM me and I will send you a contact, otherwise ask around with friends or look at Angie's List or call your local Bar Association. I didn't have a problem at all and am now getting three checks a month.
Sincerely,
Mei Mei
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There have been several on the Forum.
First one who comes to mind is Captain Deb; second one is LADavid.
From what I recall the process is a long one.
Good luck,
Jan
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My husband had surgery in August 2009. He struggled when he went back to work and, after giving it a good try, went back out on short term leave. The post - surgical problems he is experiencing make it hard for him to do the job he had prior to surgery. He was granted disability through his company's policy and just got word that he was approved for SSD. He used a lawyer to file the Social Security application, which was approved the first time.
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I had surgery for a 5.5 cm AN (yes, a tennis ball size) in Jan 2010. Followed by cyberknife in April. I applied for disability, talk about paperwork and interviews. I got the rejection letter just in time for Thanksgiving. I hired a lawyer in December, he said to possibly expect it to take until October. Like others, I was told EVERYONE gets turned down the first time. The paperwork I included showed I still had some tumor left, and had physical problems. Don't give up. If I need to apply again I will.
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Yes, keep applying and keep sending documentation of all the doctor visits. My lawyer said that is what helped me get through without a hearing ... all my documentation kept rolling in and so they passed it over as passed.
Speaking of Capt. Deb, she hasn't posted since Feb. Is she OK?
Mei Mei
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I too have filed for federal social security. I have multiple issues, so it is not just based on the AN stuff. Having just AN issues usually is not enough on its own, but many that have gotten it have sufferred post op pains, headaches, depression, anxiety, etc, etc. Having documentation on all of that helps for sure! One thing I have been told is that since I am under 50 and have great job skills and a college degree are things that can also work against me (CRAPPY!!)
Usually they say you have not be able to work for at least a year. Since a year for you is only 2 months away, you should know that you may not be returning to work. Of course you need doctors support, hence documentations, for that time too. You are able to file after being off for 5 months....so go ahead and try!!!
Hmm, haven't seen anything on Captain Deb either, hope she so well that she forgot about this page. ;D
Denise (MI)
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Forgot to mention, I have my disability hearing this Monday! Hopefully all goes well and I don't break into one of my anxiety attacks & rashes..
I didn't plan to go for disability, but my internest actually recommended it. She knew how stressed out I was too over things. She said since I have been continuing to have issues hopefully I could get it to help pay for my continuing medical bills. Plus I have a family to think about. I wasn't working much before the surgery and just get by ok on my husbands income, but never thought of the medical bills I have and continue with....plus my family expenses that even my little bit of income DID help with. I also pray that I find some kind of relief and can eventually try to start some kind of work again in the future.
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Good luck with the hearing. I didn't even go to a hearing.
Mei Mei
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I do a lot of SS interviews with my job and I think having a psych issue is the least arguable......so make sure that is in there, depression is a huge one with this condition. Also do the homework, make sure you get a good evaluation from Psych MD, the more documentation goes out the better on getting accepted first time around.
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I didn't have any emotional documentation but I think I had a lot of medical documentation on its impact on my life...headaches, balance, hearing.
Mei Mei
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I was approved at my hearing Monday in less than 15 minutes! It probably helped with having an emotional breakdown. :(
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congratulations on your approval and on your birthday no less. Will you be at the Symposium?
Mei Mei
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congratulations on your approval and on your birthday no less. Will you be at the Symposium?
Mei Mei
THANK YOU MEI MEI!!!
No, I won't be at the Symposium. I couldn't afford it right now and would have been nervous due to the pain I've been suffering that it would have been so bad I couldn't enjoy it anyways. BUT, I the main reason I would have loved to come is to meet some of my "AN family"...like you ;) Hope you have a great time AND are feeling good!!!
HUGS!!!! Denise
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Congrats!It doesn't pay much but its alot better then nothing....i had to live on $300 a month for about 8 months....It was tough..Thank God for family and friends.My family threw me a party and everyone chipped in some thing weather it was shampoo..tp..or mac n cheese it helped so much and was very touching to know that they have my back.
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You are blessed, Cindy with a good family and friends. Keep that in mind when the chips are down, they are there for you!
Mei Mei
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Congrats!It doesn't pay much but its alot better then nothing....i had to live on $300 a month for about 8 months....It was tough..Thank God for family and friends.My family threw me a party and everyone chipped in some thing weather it was shampoo..tp..or mac n cheese it helped so much and was very touching to know that they have my back.
Cindy are you actually working now? I know you too have been suffering with pain issues, etc. So awesome sounding what your family & friends did for you! Hopefully they are still there for you!!
Denise (MI)
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They say that people with family and friends live longer than the rest of us.
Hugs to you,
Mei Mei
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No..I have not worked since my surgery..I owned my own cleaning bussines and had to give my accounts away....Filed for disability...1 year later ...sent all documents from hopital...exactly play by play through the whole 12 hour surgery...Vestub rehab reports..35 percent working...mris...xrays..counselors notes.Approved 8 weeks later.
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Glad to hear it Cindy, I know from many of your posts you too have suffered with pain & emotional issues. Since you are younger like me, (just 40), did they say anything about reevaluation or is yours permanent? I was told I may have review in a year or 2 and go from there. I will be able to get Medicare next April and want to see about getting a BAHA, since my regular insurance won't cover it.
PM me if you prefer!!
Denise
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It has been two years and i have not been contacted for a review.I have permanent disability....i also have been through the mill so to speak w/ Drs....test..mris...sacral cranial theraph..my facial release.vetub rehab for the third time...triggerpoint injections...a nerve ablaision.eye drs...ents..hearing test.ENt told me point blank you are not going to get better,in factas you get old you may get worse...becouse of the vestub. issues,sensory overload panic attacks.
So..i am taking a break from all the Drs....I see my primary care when i have an issue.everyone else was just shuffleing me around trying ther hardest to fix me.
So..i walk dialey and try to up keep my place as much as i can ,laundry,grocery shopping(I hate)
i have a 16 year old son and he helps also.
It took along time to realize this is the new me...My fiance could not deal w/ it and we split.
11 years into a relatinship..
Here it is in a nutshell.
So if they decide to review me..it is what it is.
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Cin
I think I will send you a pm here when I get a chance. My situation sounds so similar to yours, overall! The one thing the judge said to me is "I sure hope this can give you more options for better treatment" She referred to insurance, now I think social security disability is referred to like an insurance, but maybe she meant when/if Medicare kicks in some day...?? She was told that I was to do an inpatient thing at a Big headache & pain clinic, but my insurance kept denying it. Plus my insurance keeps denying and BAHA or other hearing device and my pain is increased when turning my head or body a lot to try to hear out of my not deaf ear.
Later, and thanks again!
Denise (MI)