I have been off work for 2 years now, over that, and waiting on a hearing date. I cannot work now. As of this time, I'm still trying to find a specialist to help me. My next appointment is in 2 days at a new specialist. The last one didn't impress me and didn't remember 2 months later, that "she" had taken me off certain medications, and was asking me why I stopped them.
Well, my question for anyone who is or has been where I am, what kind of chance do I stand with this? Migraines was the reason I stopped working, however, I do have anxiety and depression that I've been treated for in the last 10 years or longer. It's very depressing knowing I worked all my life and now that I can't I'm being told that my age, and the fact that I kept a steady job for the last 10 years and longer has made me not eligible. Ya know, it just ticks me off how people who don't have my body, can tell me what I can do, or not do. For one thing, I was making good money, and good benefits where I was. I climed to the top with hard work and many days of migraines and working hard. I don't know how this will go, and if I could work, I definitely would. Honestly, who would want to stay home in pain almost 90% of the time? The financial burden is enough to make me sick! Oh well, enough whining.thanks to those who read this.
Denise
I have been on disability for 4 years now, and I can tell you that I don't want to be at home 75-80% of the time in pain. Unfortunately, I am and it really sucks. Some of the worst things about it is hearing from friends and family "You are so lucky! You get to stay home all the time." I really want to punch them in the face. It really takes a lot of restraint on my part to patiently explain to them that it is not like a vaction and I get to do all kinds of fun things. That it is actually quite the opposite. It is incredibly boring, frustrating, and a lot of times painful. On top of it all, I get a small income that I am supposed to live off of for a month and because it isn't enough I have to borrow money from my parents, my sister, and my boyfriend. It's quite embarrassing to be 26-years-old without a job and unable to support yourself. I think all of this falls on deaf ears because they still make the "lucky" comment every now and again.
I also have depression and I get episodes of anxiety attacks too. I actually have a long line of medical issues. Some are from migraine medications I have taken in the past and some are from stress and depression. It's a horrible cycle really. I have seen many doctors and specialists since I first started my migraines at 13. I just recently changed again to a better doctor because the one I was seeing sounds a bit like the one you had. On top of forgetful she wasn't listening to what I wanted. She wanted me to continue on Botox treatments that just weren't working for me. I was also begining to react negatively to the shots and she claimed I wasn't. Who do you think would know their own body more?
I never made it to the top of a career, but I can imagine how horrible it is to work so hard and still not make the disability cut. Social Security claimed I just missed the cut off for the eligibilty and I know I didn't work close to 10 years. I wonder what that is all about?
I think everyone has different chances with disability. I had to wait a little less than a year and didn't have to take it to court. Meanwhile I have heard many people who had to fight in court before they got disability and sometimes people took it to court and still lost. I think I was lucky because my father kept excellent documentation of my migraines from when I was 13 until I filed for disability at 21. Every pediatrician, neurologist, ENT, opthamologist, etc. He had records of the visits, receipts, copies of doctors notes, etc. Then we had the same kind of documents for every ER visit for migraines as well as reactions to migraine medications. Some of my current medical issues are causes of medications prescribed from doctors for my migraines. After constinously sending the same documentation and filling out the same paperwork for close to a year I got a letter saying I was accepted for disability.
I think if my father hadn't kept records like that we would have had to take it to court. That is just an idea of the road you are headed on. Do not get discouraged!! You deserve disability rights. Migraines are such a serious matter and no one seems to think it is. It is not just a headache and the more people who can prove this the better! Start looking for your past doctors. Even if its just names and numbers, that should do it.
Good luck to you. I hope you can get on disability and I hope your new doctor is better for you.
Brianne
Brianne,
Yes. Sounds like you feel as I do. I don't like it when people say, "must be nice not to work." It makes me pretty upset too. But now I say, "If you want to have my migraines, you can, and I'll work." They say, "oh no." It's very frustrating and yes it does get boring staying home, and not being able to even go to the grocery store sometimes because of having a bad day. I know it's harder these days, then what it use to be as far as getting disability. But, then I hear some people get it off the bat. I think too, that I will get a pretty good check, since I have worked and earned good money over the years. So, I will have enough to make it, but it won't be like I'm going to be rolling in the money, ya know? But, I'm sure people will think that. And, now, I don't care what they think, I just keep saying well, if you want this body of mine, you will see what it's like. Well, thanks for your feedback, that's great that you at least get something. Hang in there, and keep hope, and faith.
Denise