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Kelly3
Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:51 AM


 

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:43 AM
Posts: 72, Visits: 153
I am so sure this has been a topic for many. My diagnosis is inflammatory arthritis/myostasis,myalga/chronic fatigue syndrome..I am currently working (barely) I am on intermitten FMLA. I had my third shot of Humira and I go in Tuesday to let her know its not working. I went to my daughters college graduation on monday and could barely get up the stairs. My back/knees/hands/wrists and feet hurt me so bad im totally exhausted. I tt my RA about going out on long term disability if the humira did nt work (i am missing 4-5 days a month now) I did opt up to 60 % and I have been here 2 years in july. She said it will be a fight, for ssi, she said she thinks they also fight on long term disability. I have Lincoln something. Does anyone know how to go about this/what are my chances/ and how hard is this...i am so worried about losing my income and my medical ??? i have bee on fmla for a year in july...
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Grandpavan
Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009 1:05 PM


 

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I can't help to answer your question, but there is much more action on the RA Connect forum (rheumatoid arthritis) and you are much more likely to get answers there.  Many of the medications for inflammatory arthritis like RA take several months to see if they are working so no response after a few doses does not indicate the medication is not work.  I am on a similar medication (Remicade) for my RA and it took about six months before it was really working well for me, and now some 7 years later it is still working quite well.  Unfortunately it takes real patience to deal with inflammatory arthritis, and what works for one may not work well for another.  I hope you get relief.  God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter.  Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.
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Kelly3
Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009 2:05 PM


 

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:43 AM
Posts: 72, Visits: 153
Well it was a year in feb that i had my diagnosis/we tried mtx/celebrex and imuran. i am still on plaquenil/neurotin plus my stomach meds and blood pressure meds/I am in such a bad flare im actually in a daze wondering why im even here at work, other than i need the money so bad..but i made an appt for tomorrow to discuss what is going on...she wanted to try something different last time...it started with an R thats all i can remember...im not sure why she doesnt want me to keep trying this one, maybe its cost...im going to copy my post on the RA connect...Thank you
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gladys matos
Posted Wednesday, June 03, 2009 5:08 AM


 

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Last Login: Sunday, August 23, 2009 1:07 AM
Posts: 1, Visits: 5
I think your chances are good as long as you are not able to do your job. You say you are on family leave. However they consider you disabeled only if your condition will last at least a year. They look at your age, education, medical history and the possibility that you can do another type of job. So if you can, I would stay on leave if you can.  I have RA and was first denied but then I needed another joint replaced so I appealed and then they approved it.  Just hang in there i know its hard.
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Bette44
Posted Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:07 AM


 

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Last Login: Thursday, October 29, 2009 3:22 PM
Posts: 78, Visits: 113
Hi Kelly,

I am currently fighting to get SSI due to "inflammatory arthritis/chronic Fatigue/IBS/Depression/Fibromyalgia....." So far I am into my 2nd year and on my 3rd appeal waiting on a court date. Just getting a date set for court is currently an 18 month wait. SSI is based as you were told before on the condition, severity of the condition, how long it is expected to last, affects of the condition and the meds for the conditions vs what you are trained to do and capable of doing. If you are able to work as is evidenced by your actually working you are not considered disabled. The first place to go is www.ssa.gov/disability/ and read through what they have to say. So far what I know for is that getting disability is a long grueling process. After you are turned down at least once you are eligible for an Attorney. Do not put that off. The hoops and mazes of Disability are designed to make it easy to turn people down getting legal help is the smart thing to do. Also make sure your DR is willing to do the paper work needed to make SSI happen.

I would write more but I am off for a vaction in 30 minutes.

Good Luck.

Bette

God bless and keep you,
Bette

Current DX: Inflammatory Ostearthritis (apparently this is not an oxymoron), IBS, Fibro.
Current Meds & what they are for: Plaquinil (arthritis)Triamterene/Hctz (decrease water retention), Dicyclomine (IBS), Ropinirole (Restless Leg), Lexipro (AntiDepressant), Allopurinol (Uric Acid Reducer), Lortab (Pain), Flexiril (Muscle spasms), Savella (Fibromyalgia), Omeprazole DR (decrease stomach acid), Naproxen Sodium (Anti-inflammatory), Omega 3 Fish Oil (anti-inflammatory), Super B-Complex, Concentrated Black Cherry (Uric Acid Reducer).

 

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Kelly3
Posted Thursday, June 18, 2009 5:17 PM


 

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:43 AM
Posts: 72, Visits: 153
i have currently decided to try and work from home and working with HR to do so, I will also stay on FMLA and work as long as i possibly can, but i do have a question, how do people pay their bills while waiting 2 or 3 years for disability. right now i am missing 1 to 2 days of work a week and it is killing me financially.
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Paul Male
Posted Sunday, June 21, 2009 7:15 PM


 

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Last Login: Friday, July 10, 2009 5:07 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 7
Dear Kelly,

I understand your concern about weathering the storm financially while going through the disability benefits claim processes. I have represented many people in your situation on claims for Social Security disability benefits. I was recently appointed as the Tampa Social Security Disability writer for the online news journal, Examiner.com. My most recent articles deals with ways to improve the chances of being awarded benefits at the application level and strategies for winning disability benefit claims based on "hidden disabilities" such as fibromyalgia and CFS.

The articles are too long to post here, but I encourage you to visit the following website for some guidance on the Social Security matters. The web address is http://www.examiner.com/x-13746-Tampa-Social-Security-Disability-Examiner. Please do not mistake this as self-promotion. It is the most expeditious way to provide you with the information.

Sincerely yours,
Paul Proto
Federal Benefits Advisory Group
www.ssa-disability.tripod.com
Post #4211381
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Kelly3
Posted Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:13 AM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:43 AM
Posts: 72, Visits: 153
Paul, thank you so much for the information and will be checking the website out...
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