Out on Disability

Hi Everyone:

I was hopping maybe someone can give me some guidance.  I had gastric bypass in 2002 and lost 130 pounds but once I had my baby I cannot get rid of 20 pounds. 

I have numerous stuff going on.  I have leg cramps, my muscles hurt, my arms and hands go numb when I'm sleeping and hurt when I try to wiggle them out.  I am seeing a rheumotologist in NYC and says that I have fibromayalgia and my my vitamin D and B are low plus I am anemic.  I have also been seeing a pain management doctor because I have a few herniated discs on my lower back.  I had an EMG done on my hands which indicate that I do have carpel tunnel on my right hand but no servere enough to have surgery but it's a constant annoyance.  As for my back, I have a doctor that would like to do surgery to corrrect my discs and I got a second opinion and he said not to do it. 

My problem is that if I try to do some kind of physcial activity, I am in bed for the rest of the day and I cannot get these doctors to understand this.  I am so sad because I use to be a social bug and loved to get together with friends and I was always a hard worker.

Are any of you going through this and can you give me some insight.  I'm so scared my doctors are not taking me seriously and are going to take me off my disability and I no longer have a job. 
Please help if you have any information.

Thanks.

I don't think they can take you off if you have a diagnosis of fibro and disc issues. The extra pain when we do try to exercise is pretty common. What we have to do is take it super slow and easy when it comes to exercise, just do a little bit everyday because it is important to keep moving if at all possible. It's a delicate balancing act and you just have to keep reminding the docs that you are trying your best but it doesn't do any good to push too hard and then end up miserable for the next few days. Take it nice and easy! Remember to stretch alot too.

hi debbie.
   if you held a mirror up to your post you'd see me.  i have all those issues as well.  have been off work now for over a year.  job's gone.  and social security is denying my disability claim.  i agree with the prior post about working with the doctor or else you should find a new doctor.  some have a problem with fibro pain cause it's difficult to diagnose and harder still to treat. 
   but you already have the diagnosis so you're halfway there.  i'm not much help, i guess.  but i wanted to let you know that you're not alone.  and it is scary.  just hang in there and do what you gotta do to take care of you.
good luck

I have a friend that used a company named allsup. Www.allsup.com. I understand it is an easy process. They ask you all your information and you give them medical release forms and they do all the work to get you approved. They do have a fee but it comes out of any back pay that was owed to you. I know a few people that used them and got approved. It's worth a try. I'm still on long term disability with my old employer so I cannot apply yet since allsup does not work with Guardian. LOok up their website. I think they have about an 85% or more sucess rate.

I never did any of this but I hate my docs right now cause they are bothered by filling out one form and attaching my medical records. Time to find new doc. Let me know if you give allsup a try. I pray for you that it works.

In some states it is up to 24 months to get an SSI hearing....its a long process. All your Dr's paperwork is needed but most of all....they have to say Fibro. good luck.

I am using Allsup right now.
They are a very good company to work with. They understand the fibro fog and the depression and really work hard to do all of the hard stuff for you.The weather change kicks my butt worse than anything. I found exercise in a warm pool is very helpful. The more you do the more you can do. Hang in there. Some days are an uphill battle, other days smooth sailing.

Gee Debbie I think you are describing all of us here with your symptoms. I don't think they can take you off of disability as Fibro cannot be cured.... I really could use surgery on my left elbow again, left shoulder, I know my hips are getting bad and my knees that have been replaced are bothering me BUT I am opting right now no more surgery right now.It is so hard to heal...after surgery.
Let us know how you are doing,
Pam

I understand how you feel. Just had arthoscoptic surgery on both of my knees. Now my rhumo wants me to get another spinal injection for my discs. Between not feeling good and I'm having anxiety that if disability cuts me off cause my docs hate filling out ppwk. Don't know how I will live. What a crazy world. Hope everyone feels better.

Has anyone heard of using suposototies for vitamin D and other vitamins. I had a doc suggest it since my vit D can't seem to take up with using 50,000 units twice a week. What do you guys think? The name of the company is Nutriceutic. I think vthey are based out of New York.

Are you using prescription D?  That stuff is useless to us.  It is D2 and we need D3 and it is oil based which we don't absorb well.  This is the kind we need.  http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&k ey=1130X100