I received the decision for my second shot at disability benefits and it was not a shock to get yet another denial. The only opinion whether I get disability or not depended solely on the opinion of these two well over retirement aged doctors they sent me to see both of which were horrific. Some of you may have read my discussion on how inappropriate, degrading and insensitive the medical doctor was. Even though I made a report on him...their review of him was a slap on the wrist, but that he was totally in his rights to examine me below my waist as it was an oversight that I was not told that this exam was not limited to just Fibro. How convenient after the fact to cover their asses! The other opinion was from the psychiatrist who just through me over the edge when he asked if I had a boyfriend, why I don't have one, why my relationships with men don't work/last...now you tell me what does this have to do with Fibro? At the end of this appointment this doctor had already told me what the decision would be and that was I would not receive benefits. This whole process has been a nightmare and i just don't think I have it in me to go another round to the next step of appeal. I am not deemed disabled because they do not consider this illness long term and basically it is psychological and caused by my addiction to pain medication (narcotics). Their opinions were that I need is to stop taking these medications and my pain will go away. The other doctor says I need to reactivate whatever that means and that yes I am depressed and unable to work right now, but with this reactivation and an adjustment to lessen the pain medication that my pain will go away and thus able to work. In conclusion my symptoms are temporary and I am deemed fit to work full time. They tell me to try to apply again when I am 60 as the process is less strict and more likely to be able to receive benefits. Of course they say I can appeal if I don't agree. Hell no I don't agree, but it is more depressing to go through this and the thought of it again I just don't have it in me. Yup, they wore me down...and that is what they want. They are a hazzard to my health and create me more pain! I have an appointment with my own doctor in a few weeks and I will be anxious to hear his opinion of their decision and the way they spoke about my addiction. My pain came before the meds so go figure that one. Furthermore, I have on my own lessened my dosage, but I did not tell them that. Like any med, you can not stop just like that and have to be weaned off of them and I do try to see how long I can go until the pain becomes unbearable...but honestly, I am not going back to the debilitating pain I lived for 7 months prior to my diagnosis. You know that suicidal pain? I'm sure some of you know what I mean. So until this world starts to recognize Fibromyalgia as a legitimate disease, we will have to continue to subject ourselves to our ignorant government's and medical system. I'm sure in their eyes my doctor is looked down upon for prescribing me narcotics to ease my pain, but I call him a saint and he gave me a bit of a life back. What to choose live in pain or to be labeled having an addition? I think if they lived the pain we are in they would find that an easy choice.
I welcome comments and opinions on this and/or any of your experiences with this subject.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.
Hi Susan, I so know what you mean ! I’m working on my appeal for disability also, don’t know how much more I can deal with! It ses like they just don’t get it ! I have problems remembering and horrible fatigue and pain. And yes stress makes mine much worse! I haven’t been able to work since end of April . No additional stress there! More testing this week, yippy! Hope you have a good ? Day if possible. Dixie
I got denied the first time but that was because I had mild lupus didn’t know I had fibro till all the blood tests for lupus came back good and I was still bedridden. Had my hearing and just waiting. I u only have Fibro ur chances are slim to none as it is not recognized as a disease and only a “syndrome”. From someone who has Cervical Stenosis, Neuropathy and SLE(Lupus) I am now a shell of what who I use to be from the Fibro alone! Until the US classifies this as the debilitating disease it is we will all continue to suffer from physical and financial strain.
I am sorry to hear that, but I totally relate about stress, fatigue and trouble remembering things and/or forget what I was talking about in the middle of a sentence. It goes on and on and I mourn the person I used to be. I hope you have success with your appeal and I hope you will have the strength to carry you through to the end. I'm not sure really what I will do, I have 90 days to think about it to start the appeal process. All of this does not help our pain that is for sure! I'll be thinking of you....please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.
Dixie Lumbard said:
Hi Susan, I so know what you mean ! I'm working on my appeal for disability also, don't know how much more I can deal with! It ses like they just don't get it ! I have problems remembering and horrible fatigue and pain. And yes stress makes mine much worse! I haven't been able to work since end of April . No additional stress there! More testing this week, yippy! Hope you have a good ? Day if possible. Dixie
I wish you luck 2nd time around. You have to be almost dying before they will help you...and I don't think it matters where you live. Fibro is still not recognized as you say as a disease. Shortly after being diagnosed with fibro, I was diagnosed with cancer so all of last year it was fill with treatments running here and there for test. It was horrendous and in the end I was hospitalized for almost a month from the effects of treatment. Afterward I was in a deep depression...I haven't worked in almost 2 years and have lost all my savings and now on social assistance. All this happened after I got out of the hospital...so perhaps the government doesn't feel this is enough and deem me capable of working 8 hours a day 5 days a week, but I know I can't. For the moment they recognize my depression, but see that as temporary and they are right, but the pain of fibro never goes away. I used to be an admin assistant and now I have trouble typing, remembering and the list goes on and on. I know a lot of us are in the same situation as you mentioned and it is very sad that it is this way. I know I am a strong woman to have made it to the other side of all of this and I'm here that's the blessing. I know these diseases beat us down and make us feel less of who we were how can it not. It would help of society could understand...even family too for that matter. Again, best wishes and courage with this appeal...I pray it comes through for you!
Carol Gray said:
I got denied the first time but that was because I had mild lupus didn't know I had fibro till all the blood tests for lupus came back good and I was still bedridden. Had my hearing and just waiting. I u only have Fibro ur chances are slim to none as it is not recognized as a disease and only a "syndrome". From someone who has Cervical Stenosis, Neuropathy and SLE(Lupus) I am now a shell of what who I use to be from the Fibro alone! Until the US classifies this as the debilitating disease it is we will all continue to suffer from physical and financial strain.
Ah Hon, I am so sorry this happened. Hang in there and take some time to regroup. I agree with Purplebutterfly, sometimes you just have to keep persisting. I am not familiar with the disability laws in Canada - does your doctor have a say in the process? If you appeal, do you go thru the appointments / exams again and if so will they be with a different doctor? I think it would be great if you could have a new exam with competent doctors. Please hang in there and keep us updated. I am sending positive thoughts your way! Hugs.
I am so sorry, Susan. Please hang in the fight! Try and think of this as something you are doing to take care of yourself. I think all you need is some time to recover from the last round before getting right back in there. I hear all the time how people are winning disability benefits for Fibro after third or fourth time trying. In the meantime, maybe your doctor will have some guidance to offer you and specific language you can use geared to help get your points across in appeal. Can you get help from a lawyer with your appeal? Keep us posted. I will follow your case and keep up the support.
Thank you for writing and yes you are right I need to get over this round. It was a horrible one with these old retired doctors they hire who makes these decisions whether you get disability or not. I am sure they are well compensated by the government to work in their favor. I have heard the same as you that maybe the 3rd time works, but in Canada it is different and no lawyers are invovled. My doctor is totally on my side and his report that he submitted clearing outlined my medical problems and his decision that I a unable to work, but this doesn't help even if I had the opinion of a specialist...basically their doctors are the only opinion that matters. So within under and hour they are able to determine and reach their decision...something that took much longer with my own doctor who has been there from the beginning and know's everything I have gone through. I don't know what else new I can bring to the table for an appeal...I have already seen their doctors so I am not sure how this works. I see my own doctor in a few weeks and will get some advice from him on how to proceed and good advice from you that he tell me what I should and shouldn't say. It sure helps to get the opinion from the awesome people on this site! Only all of you understand what I am going through.
Best wishes and hugs,
Sue
BaltimoreBaby said:
I am so sorry, Susan. Please hang in the fight! Try and think of this as something you are doing to take care of yourself. I think all you need is some time to recover from the last round before getting right back in there. I hear all the time how people are winning disability benefits for Fibro after third or fourth time trying. In the meantime, maybe your doctor will have some guidance to offer you and specific language you can use geared to help get your points across in appeal. Can you get help from a lawyer with your appeal? Keep us posted. I will follow your case and keep up the support.:) Hugs, Laurie
Be sure to let us know what the doctor tells you when you go back to see him. I wished their was some way I could speed this process up for you I know how long you have been struggling with this.
Dreamcatcher, I did some reading online on the Canadian disability appeals process and garnered a few words of wisdom for you…
You should consider consulting the services of a disabilities advocate in your area as well as making certain that all of your ducks are in a row on your application- vast supporting documentation for your claim, etc.
Here’s a link to a Canadian disabilities advocacy group- http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/programs/advocacy.htm
Good luck, hon!
Laurie
Thank you for writing, I am not quite sure exactly what will happen in regard to seeing other doctors...my understanding is that and appears they only have those two because when they called for these appointments I asked if they could give me doctors who lived closer to where I lived and they said they don't have a lot of doctors and they have a long waiting list. I found that weird as I am not out in a rural area...anyway they must have at least two more. I haven't had the energy to even look into it as I was dealing with another issue Friday and that is my last resort financial assistance sent me notification that they were cutting me off as of March 1st because they heard I was receiving disability benefits and that I would have to owe them back all the money. I don't know where they got their information, but it sure put me into panic mode. Seeing that I got my mail after 4pm their offices were closed and I went through the weekend in tears and fear of not being able to pay my rent. It is always something with them and it made me realize how they can play God and have the power to do this at no notice to the person who is counting on this. Sorry to go on, I just want peace in my life and honestly I don't know what sane person on earth would think we enjoy putting ourselves through this hell. I do appreciate your encouragement and the support I receive from all the wonderful people on this site. It raises my spirit and strength to know I'm not alone and their are people who understand. I will definitely be talking with my doctor soon as well as research what I need to do to present an appeal. My understanding is that I need to bring new documentation to the table and that I do not have. It isn't enough I'm in depression, in pain and have just recovered from cancer treatments to which landed me in the hospital for a month. Go figure?
Gentle hugs and prayers for better days ahead for all of us.
Susan Auburnm said:
Ah Hon, I am so sorry this happened. Hang in there and take some time to regroup. I agree with Purplebutterfly, sometimes you just have to keep persisting. I am not familiar with the disability laws in Canada - does your doctor have a say in the process? If you appeal, do you go thru the appointments / exams again and if so will they be with a different doctor? I think it would be great if you could have a new exam with competent doctors. Please hang in there and keep us updated. I am sending positive thoughts your way! Hugs.
Thank you Purplebutterfly you are so kind. I will keep you posted as to what he will advise me to do.
Hugs,
Susan
purplebutterfly said:
Hi dreamcatcher
Be sure to let us know what the doctor tells you when you go back to see him. I wished their was some way I could speed this process up for you I know how long you have been struggling with this.
You're awsome! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me! Yes, I had looked up and read online about these services, but from what I saw you have to pay for these services. I will look into some service that can guide me on what I need to do. I had my ducks in a row the last time...I had provided so much documentation as well as another written report from my doctor. I wrote a 6 typewritten page documenting how fibro affects me daily and my life on a whole. I had looked up online on how to word this and what to say and what not to say. I had asked my psychologist if he would give me something in writing and he would not saying that his expertise would be outweighed by the government psychiatrist...I do think anything from him would have helped, but he would not and it really ticked me off. They did call the rheumatologist I was referred to see over a year ago, but I only saw her once as she would not treat me as this was not her area of expertise she also commented that my doctor was a miracle worker in regard to how he was managing my pain. So I doubt when they called her that she had much to report that would have helped my case. I know getting written documentation from a specialist would be more powerful, but most I haven't been referred to anymore as my doctor who specializes in chronic pain has taken care of me for the past two years. It scares me to move forward as it is so intimidating they belittle your condition. Your advice is the best to have someone advocate for me and I think that will be my only chance. I will definitely be looking into this.
Again, many thanks for this beautiful act of kindness!
Gentle hugs and best wishes,
Susan BaltimoreBaby said:
Dreamcatcher, I did some reading online on the Canadian disability appeals process and garnered a few words of wisdom for you... You should consider consulting the services of a disabilities advocate in your area as well as making certain that all of your ducks are in a row on your application- vast supporting documentation for your claim, etc. Here's a link to a Canadian disabilities advocacy group- http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/programs/advocacy.htm Good luck, hon! Laurie
I’m glad I could be of some help to you. Maybe you can start by calling the private advocacy group and asking them to refer you to a no or low cost alternative. They may have suggestions. Also look into free legal aid in Canada. I’ll do some more research as well.
And, I know it is difficult, but try not to allow them to intimidate you. You are legitimately ill and have every right to appeal their decision. We’re behind you.
Sorry this happened to you, I was dinied once so far I'm waiting for a second hearing it's been over 2 1/2 years or more I lost count. I am so mentally and physically drained with this in hearing this from you don't give me any hope. The first time I was seen by a Doctor I couldn't even walk and I was due for surgery which they were aware of week later. So your right we are suffering for other igorance. Sorry my spelling and writting off. I pray for you.
Just saying hello and checking in on you…
I hope you are managing ok and hopefully are making progress.
Hugs,
Laurie
DreamCatcher said:
Hi Laurie,
You’re awsome! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me! Yes, I had looked up and read online about these services, but from what I saw you have to pay for these services. I will look into some service that can guide me on what I need to do. I had my ducks in a row the last time…I had provided so much documentation as well as another written report from my doctor. I wrote a 6 typewritten page documenting how fibro affects me daily and my life on a whole. I had looked up online on how to word this and what to say and what not to say. I had asked my psychologist if he would give me something in writing and he would not saying that his expertise would be outweighed by the government psychiatrist…I do think anything from him would have helped, but he would not and it really ticked me off. They did call the rheumatologist I was referred to see over a year ago, but I only saw her once as she would not treat me as this was not her area of expertise she also commented that my doctor was a miracle worker in regard to how he was managing my pain. So I doubt when they called her that she had much to report that would have helped my case. I know getting written documentation from a specialist would be more powerful, but most I haven’t been referred to anymore as my doctor who specializes in chronic pain has taken care of me for the past two years. It scares me to move forward as it is so intimidating they belittle your condition. Your advice is the best to have someone advocate for me and I think that will be my only chance. I will definitely be looking into this.
Again, many thanks for this beautiful act of kindness!
Gentle hugs and best wishes,
Susan BaltimoreBaby said:
Dreamcatcher, I did some reading online on the Canadian disability appeals process and garnered a few words of wisdom for you… You should consider consulting the services of a disabilities advocate in your area as well as making certain that all of your ducks are in a row on your application- vast supporting documentation for your claim, etc. Here’s a link to a Canadian disabilities advocacy group- http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/programs/advocacy.htm Good luck, hon! Laurie
I am so sorry I have not gotten back to you sooner...your timing is perfect and ironic as I just met with a legal aid lawyer on Friday. After my appointment earlier last week with my doctor and discussing on how I should proceed and if I should appeal, he strongly encouraged me to go forward with an appeal. My meeting with the lawyer was brief this time, but she told me that because of my age, it is always more challenging and difficult to win an appeal for disability. Nevertheless she will take my case and now I have to create a brief bio on myself as well as a list of all my doctors to start. We will go from there and discuss whether going this route is to my advantage because she tells me that the fact I am now receiving last resort financial assistance which also pays for all my medications, dental and eye glasses that maybe I should continue to receive that. The restrictions are less severe with last resort assistance and they accept the medical report from my own doctor and his recommendations that I don't work. She tells me and despite what I thought that I can receive this until age 65 as and unless there would be an employment that would accommodate my physical needs which would be almost impossible they apparently have no reason to cut me off. I didn't know this. I will keep you posted as to what happens next.
Thank you for writing and your interest and concern..your message really warmed my heart that you even remembered me and took the time to write. Your a special lady Laurie...I hope things are going well in your life and with your health. I don't know much about you, but if you ever feel like sharing I would be happy to know more about you and make a new friend.
Take good care and hope to hear from you again soon.
Sue BaltimoreBaby said:
Just saying hello and checking in on you... I hope you are managing ok and hopefully are making progress.:) Hugs, Laurie
DreamCatcher said:
Hi Laurie,
You're awsome! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me! Yes, I had looked up and read online about these services, but from what I saw you have to pay for these services. I will look into some service that can guide me on what I need to do. I had my ducks in a row the last time...I had provided so much documentation as well as another written report from my doctor. I wrote a 6 typewritten page documenting how fibro affects me daily and my life on a whole. I had looked up online on how to word this and what to say and what not to say. I had asked my psychologist if he would give me something in writing and he would not saying that his expertise would be outweighed by the government psychiatrist...I do think anything from him would have helped, but he would not and it really ticked me off. They did call the rheumatologist I was referred to see over a year ago, but I only saw her once as she would not treat me as this was not her area of expertise she also commented that my doctor was a miracle worker in regard to how he was managing my pain. So I doubt when they called her that she had much to report that would have helped my case. I know getting written documentation from a specialist would be more powerful, but most I haven't been referred to anymore as my doctor who specializes in chronic pain has taken care of me for the past two years. It scares me to move forward as it is so intimidating they belittle your condition. Your advice is the best to have someone advocate for me and I think that will be my only chance. I will definitely be looking into this.
Again, many thanks for this beautiful act of kindness!
Gentle hugs and best wishes,
Susan BaltimoreBaby said:
Dreamcatcher, I did some reading online on the Canadian disability appeals process and garnered a few words of wisdom for you... You should consider consulting the services of a disabilities advocate in your area as well as making certain that all of your ducks are in a row on your application- vast supporting documentation for your claim, etc. Here's a link to a Canadian disabilities advocacy group- http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/programs/advocacy.htm Good luck, hon! Laurie
