Newest chapter in my saga of "The Disability Nightmare!"

Wow! Please let me know how it goes, moon! I wish you the very BEST of luck!!! I, too, am hoping that they now accept fibromyalgia as a REAL disability because it certainly is for us suffering from it! My last hearing was about two years ago and I know that medical science has come a long way since then regarding fibromyalgia. I think I'll be doing a search right after I answer everyone here and see where the laws are regarding it. If I find something encouraging, I'll let you know. Again, good luck on Wednesday! Let us know how it went, okay?

MOON! I found something interesting: [i]"Social Security has begun to recognize fibromyalgia as a legitimate impairment: On May 11, 1998 the Deputy Commissioner for Disability indicated as follows: Fibromyalgia is a disorder defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and we recognize it as medically determinable if there are signs that are clinically established by the medical record." "Thus, with the above in mind, you try to win a fibromyalgia case with a report from a doctor who specializes in arthritis or rheumatology and who can state the claimant's case meets the above guidelines & the impairment is so severe it affects the claimant's functions to such a degree the claimant cannot work."[/i] This came from this site: http://social-security.lawyers.com/social-security-disability/blogs/archives/445-Can-One-Get-Social-Security-Disability-for-Fibromyalgia.html I also found this: "Social Security Disability cases based on Fibromyalgia alone are generally difficult to win, and are always easier to win if other impairments are involved. (You have them!) [i]But having said that, it should be be noted that the outlook for such cases is starting to improve because more information is coming to light about the nature and causes of this illness. Regardless, however, of whether a claimant is applying for disability based solely on Fibromyalgia, or alleges several impairments, a case involving Fibromyalgia can be strengthened by understanding how Social Security Disability Examiners consider medical evidence. This was covered to some extent in the article preceding this one, but on this page the tips will be more specific."[/i] This last part has a lot more stuff that is very encouraging. The site is: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/applying_for_disability_with_fibromyalgia.html I've saved the best for last: [i]"For fibromyalgia, in the absence of any specific diagnostic test, Social Security recognizes the diagnostic criteria as set forth by the American College of Rheumatology. Under their guidelines, they will determine a diagnosis of fibromyalgia if there is documentation of both: History of widespread pain which includes pain on right and life sides of the body and pain above and below the waist; AND, Pain in 11 of 18 tender point sites on digital palpation, which means a force of 4 kilograms on the tender point is “painful” and not simply “tender.” After a review of current medical information, Social Security has determined that they will consider both fibromyalgia and CFS to be “medically determinable impairment” provided there are appropriate medical signs or laboratory findings, and they have put out a bulletin to their disability examiners on what is needed to approve disability with that diagnosis. They have issued a Policy Interpretation Ruling on how they evaluate cases involving CFS. It can be found on Social Security’s website at: http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings /di/01/SSR99-02-di-01.html."[/i] Source: http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/Fibro_CFIDS.html I hope some of this helps. I looks like fibromyalgia is definitely recognized now by Social Security as a potentially disabling disorder, according to their standards. I wish you all the luck in the world tomorrow!

thanks for the links and encouragement.. i do have a lot of other issues but my age is seriously screwing me over.. i have 3 specialist that will state i have fibro but then i have one jerk doc that says he thinks i just have myalgia which i think is still bad though but it worries me that its written in my records like that.. i hopefully will have a decision within 30 days so im just gonna try to live through tomorrow and then try to forget about it.. its not like i havent been waiting for 3 years so im just wanting it to be over with already lol

Thank you, thank you, thank you! After reading the responses I've received, yours included, I'm also seeing this in a new light... as though fate is stepping in... FINALLY! It's just too weird, especially since after my last hearing two years ago, they told me that was my final appeal and I'd have to file a new application. I never did file a new application but here is this hearing, out of the blue! I had called them when they first notified me because I was so baffled by it, so I know they haven't mistaken my case for someone elses. They've definitely got me scheduled for a new hearing! Maybe they got a new administrator who was reviewing old cases and came upon mine. Who knows? I would LOVE to think that everyone who has applied for disability and been turned down, and who are TRULY disabled, will now get another shot at it! Our government really does need to do more for it's citizens. After all, it's OUR tax dollars that they're spending to bail out these huge corporations! They NEED us! Let's hope the new administration will begin to straighten a few things out. Thank you so much for your prayer! It is much needed and much appreciated!

I'm a caregiver for the disabled & understand how frustrating Social Security can be. I have found that if you can get a reputable doctor to back you up, it can help make things easier. I had one girl who tried for 18 years to get disability & was rejected over & over again. I finally convinced her to go to a local Internist. He is a well respected doctor in our area. Once he recommended she would never get better her application only took 6 months to be approved. Don't let your last lawyer find out if you do get approved or he'll be bugging you to pay him...claiming he helped you get it!!! What frustrates me is how all the deadbeats can get it, but the truly disabled have so much trouble!!!

Yes! OceanTiara made me see this differently, as though fate is finally stepping in. It can't get much worse right now in our household, financially speaking, since my husband was fired two weeks before Christmas. I've been very worried about losing our home! This hearing notice, appearing out of nowhere, when no one knows who requested it, and taking place on Friday the 13th which has never been a bad date for me (actually it's been a GREAT day on more than one occasion!), it all makes sense that fate is stepping in! My mind feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of it. I'm going to look forward to this hearing instead of worrying about it! Thank you for the good wishes, Thoroughrob. It means a lot to me to know that you and so many other great myLot friends are standing beside me on this.

Thank you very much, minnie! I sure could use some luck... as much as I can get! This has truly been a nightmare for me. I know I'm not the only one who has gone through this and that there are even worse Social Security disability stories out there, but this one is personal! It's mine! OceanTiara has made me see that this just might be and probably is fate stepping in, finally! Because no one could tell me WHO requested this hearing (I was told the last one was it... the final hearing and that I'd have to file a new application, which I never did) and because it's taking place on Friday the 13th AND my lawyers bowed out of this case a year ago so I won't have to pay them anything, it MUST be fate. Actually, Friday the 13th has never been a bad date for me. I've had some very good things happen on that date, actually. The number 13 in general has been good to me, now that I think back on it! I'm looking forward to this hearing now. I have a very good feeling about it so maybe luck has finally come my way! I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip on that day, as well!

I have had many doctors tell me fibromyalgia wasn't a real disease. If that was the only thing I had, I don't know that I would have gotten on disability. They just dont take it seriously enough. My back and neck have ripped and bulging discs because of a car accident ten years ago. I should be having surgery if everything goes right. I've also got arthritis in my spine, chronic migraines, and some other "goodies" I'll keep to myself. It's too depressing to name them all! I would think lupus would definitely get you through. That isn't something to be messed with! It's not like we all want to not have jobs. I had such good seld-esteem when I was still working.

Thank you, dragon! You may just be right about the 13th being a good day! After thinking back on other Friday the 13th's, I realized that nothing bad has EVER happened to me on that day before. As a matter of fact, GOOD things have happened to me! Maybe fate is finally stepping in. It certainly seems that way since I should not have had another appeal hearing without first starting a new application for disability. (At least that's what they told me two years ago!) I'm so happy to hear about your friend! I know what he went through. Luckily, I had a good friend who was generous enough to help me out and let me live in his house before I remarried. Then, my husband was making great money so I didn't have to worry about it. I know that there are some MUCH worse stories than mine because not all of us are fortunate enough to have friends, family, or a spouse we can count on for support! Of course now that my husband was "laid off" work (permanently), I really NEED these benefits again. My husband hasn't had a job (freelance) to work on for four days now and he just told me that the next job won't be coming in until the first of February. That's over a week with no work at all! We've been waiting for him to be paid for his last job (which is more than enough to cover the bills and food for a month) but the check still hasn't come (although he's been told "it's in the mail"... yeah, right). I went through a 'hungry' period before, never having enough food for months; I don't want to EVER go through that again! Right now, I don't know how I'm going to be able to get my prescriptions refilled. I take 5 meds, 3 of which have a $50.00 copay! We're paying almost $300.00 a month just to keep ME insured! This would not have to be if I were receiving disability! I'd have Medicare to cover all my medical expenses. Isn't it a shame that Social Security initially denies the majority of people benefits without really SEEING the people who need it? I think the administrators must get bonuses each time they deny anyone benefits. Maybe they've all become cynical since I'm sure they've seen their share of people who try to get disability who are not really disabled... just lazy. But, that should never make them ignore those of us who truly need disability benefits! All I can hope for is that you are right and they will approve me this time BECAUSE it's Friday the 13th! Well, they should approve me because of my disabilities but I'll take whatever reason they come up with, just as long as they approve me! LOL

You go girl

That's very true, Elic! I've about reached the end of my rope recently, with my husband getting "laid off" (fired) two weeks before Christmas. He's been working independently but we can't count on the money coming in in time to pay the bills! Right now we're living hand-to-mouth and on a wish and a prayer! My doctor asked me, years ago, why I was still trying to get disability, since I married a man who made great money and all was well with the world. I told him it was the principle of the thing. They denied me when I really needed the money, I've worked hard all my life and EARNED this money, and I refused to just sit back and allow Social Security to treat me this way. But now, once again, I NEED this money. At this point, I don't even care if they don't pay me the money I should have been receiving since 2002. All I want is to be approved! I have fibromyalgia, lupus, arthritis and bursitis. I have chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS and 'brain fog' from the fibromyalgia. I have flares from that and the lupus. Some days, I can barely get out of bed! With Social Security telling me that I can work, I just see RED! But now, with the help of you and others who have responded here, I'm seeing this in a new light. It MUST be fate stepping in! No one knows who requested this hearing. It just came out of the blue. Yes, I'm taking it as a good sign now and feel SOOOOOO much better about it! I thank you and all of my friends here at myLot for pulling me out of the dumps and worrying about this upcoming hearing. I'm looking forward to it now!

I sure hope so, Barb! It truly has been a nightmare. I haven't been able to work any job except the one I found online working from home as a legal transcriptionist. But, even then, I have not been able to work more than 1 or 2 hours a day because of the pain I'm always in. I would LOVE to be approved and that would be an awfully lovely Valentine's gift! Maybe I'll mention that to the judge. LOL This "meeting" is to take place via video conference. I am to go to another town to their Social Security office and have the video conference with the judge sitting in Richmond, Virginia. It's being done this way because Richmond is too far to travel. I have a cousin who was born in Friday the 13th and she's had a pretty cushy life! Maybe it IS a good day. I hope so! I'll keep everyone informed.