Unexpected Outcome

[teg]

Hello everyone:

I have been contemplating as to whether I shoould post this or not. As you can see, I have opted to share some of my story. I hope that in some way, this may be helpful to some folks.

Last week my social security disability income was approved at the administrative jusge level. Never in a million years would I have thought that I could no longer work at the age of 49 - the age at which my ssdi application started.

The major component of my disability is failed back surgery from my cervical fusion at c6-c7 (What was I thinking?) My artificial discs at l3-4-5 have been doing great. Unfortunately, the mechanical defect of my left knee causes me tolimp and have an awkwar gait. My L2 is degenerated and I have a large spur at L2-L3. I am holding off on my knee replcement because of my age and I am a big chicken sh*t.

So, that you for letting me rant. I wish ou all the best.


Thelma

[Gil Denis]

Hello Thelma

I have applied for SSDI and wondering how many times did you get denied? How long did this process take? Did you hire a Lawyer?

I am dealing with FBS in my lumbar spine and not able to work in pain every day trying to sell all that I have to feed our family and keep up

Thanks

Gil

[jsewell]

Hi Gil,
Sorry to hear you have been denied. I hear that is very common. I'm afraid i don't have any info personally as i have been too afraid to try. I need to know as my husband left me with my 4 kids!!! I know just how you feel, the pain part especially.
I hope you get some good info here
judy

[teg]

Hey Gil,

I have learned so much about the SSDY process through thi wen site http://www.ssdfacts.com

I started the process on 11/3/2010 with my initial application. I was denied and my cased ended to the ODAR for and administrative judge hearing. The process can be frustrating and time-consuming, to say the least.

I wish you the best and hope you check out the web site I listed. It is an invaluable forum, much like this one.


Thelma

[Maria]

Thelma,
I was 47 when I stopped working tho I felt it coming for a long time so I wasn't taken by surprise by any means. The SSD application process for me may not have been as bad as it was for many as I had something like 18 years of documented back related records, 2 spine surgeries w/last dx of failed spine surgery and a 3rd surgery (at the time 3 level global fusion) was being recommended.

Another step I'd recommend is to see if the city that one lives in has a "Disabled Resources Center." My city had this and it was invaluable to me with regard to streamlining the application process and probably the review process as well since the Director of the Resource Center had close ties with many of the local SS offices and had worked for the SS dept for many years.

Needless to say no matter how easy and straight forward the form might look SS is looking for it to be filled out in a certain manner and with certain pertinent information included.

I think I was lucky as I got approved on first try. Really lucky tho then again I don't think luck had everything to do with it.

Anyway, CONGRATS to you on getting your SSD approved!

Sorry to read your cervical fusion has been problematic and also you have knee probs. Seems like so many of us with back probs do also have knee probs (I had 2 right knee surgeries and have tracking probs with both knees tho no pain really).

Neck stuff too.. yeah.. I do have to say that my cervical symptoms have much improved over the last few years as have my lumbar symptoms tho like anything I know that could very easily change at any given time.

Have you ever utilized Toradol injections for your cervical or lumbar symptoms? Not that it may help the actual problem tho for many that get these injections occasionally it greatly helps with spasms which seems to reduce at least a fair percentage of pain if spasms are occuring secondarily to another problem.

I have an upcoming foot bunion and hammertoe surgery that I'm dreading just because I know the gimping about will bother my back .. I just hate doing something I'm certain is going to screw up my back even if for a short while. I will have to make sure to get a Toradol injection myself as they usually break up the spasms for me right away.

Again, congrats on the SSD and hope the body parts that bother you will quiet down or at least hang in there until you can do what you might need to re the future knee replacement.

[teg]

Maria

Thank you for your kind and considerate response. I have had bunion surgery and it can be a bit painful. You doctor may prescrip and walking shoe, but I hope you will consider asking him or her for a cone. I had to opportunity to try one during my last physical therapy session and it was a big help. It seems that any mechanical defect that we have in our legs has an impact on our spines. I have swallowed my prode and have asked for a cane. Walking with a can has helped my lumbar spine immensely.

Godd luck.

Thelma

[mmglobal]

Thelma, thanks for the update.

I'm so sorry that your ongoing problems are severe enough to keep you from working,

It's great to hear that your ADR surgery was a success. I remember when you went for it... we were still very worried about multi-level use of lumbar ADR. At least that surgery allowed you to work for amost another decade.

Congrats on the SSD approval. That is not very easy for spine patients to get that.

All the best,

Mark

PS, I hope you don't mind, but I moved your post to main forum (from the community support forum.)

[teg]

Mark,
Than you for your kind words. I remember ten yours ago when you went to Germany for your ADR. You led the way for the rest of us considering and it was important to me be able to learn from your experience.

I hope that things will settle down so that I may return to work.


Thelma