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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / July 2005Disability Denial Vent
I just received the second denial (the reconsideration stage) letter. They're saying i'm able to do things i can't do (lifting, prolonged sitting/standing, stooping, use both arms, etc.) and that i can go back to my former work of data-entry for 6 hours a day. Both my ortho doc and primary care doc have suggested i apply and would back my claim, and there has been documentation of numerous visits, physical therapy, meds, etc. I hate this. Not only am i frustrated with my physical limitations, now it feels like they are trying to put me "on trial" for having an illness. geeeez!!!! What a system! M-el: Now is the time to get an attorney to handle this for you. There is no up front charge (they are paid a certain percentage of any settlement they get for you) and you should find one who specializes in this sort of thing. Don't give up though. Ann >M-el: Now is the time to get an attorney to handle this for you. There >is no up front charge (they are paid a certain percentage of any >settlement they get for you) and you should find one who specializes in >this sort of thing. >Don't give up though. Thanks. I did get an attorney after the initial denial as i was just way too stressed to handle this stuff. There wasn't really a whole lot for them to do at that point but i figured i had nothing to lose. Before this i had no idea about the indignanty that is imposed on the disabled, although i do understand they have to do that becuz there is so much fraud. It makes no sense: Working person suffers a disability, with the resulting pain, frustration, self-esteem dive, etc. Doctors confirm disability and advise as to limitations. Person deals with the fact that it's a permanent condition that they must learn to manage instead of go to bed and rest and they'll be well in awhile. Person seeks help from a system into which they have been contributing and is set up to aid the disabled; and then gets advised contrary to doctor's advice, and is expected to go on trial and testify that they are indeed disabled (which implies that they are lying in their claim). OK, i have a negative spin on that, but i just got my letter... F*ck this d*mned joint disease! I'm not even sure who/what to be mad at! > OK, i have a negative spin on that, but i just got my letter... > F*ck this d*mned joint disease! I'm not even sure who/what to be mad at! Well,,,,, keep trying without the lawyer. Keep in mind they pay backpay to your first application. Some lawyers will try to get you give them a piece of your check for awhile,,,, some like it up front or from the back pay. Harv Sorry to here this Mel I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine went through like a breez the first time I applied. I am like you, this joing disease is driving me crazy. The pain and unability to do the things needed to be done just drives me crazy. good luck janice |I just received the second denial (the reconsideration stage) letter. | They're saying i'm able to do things i can't do (lifting, prolonged [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] | feels like they are trying to put me "on trial" for having an illness. | geeeez!!!! What a system! >Sorry to here this Mel >I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine went >through like a breez the first time I applied. I am like you, this joing >disease is driving me crazy. The pain and unability to do the things needed >to be done just drives me crazy. good luck >janice I did have a laugh today. I had felt distressed over something, but when i told my therapist about it she laughed, and then i realized how silly it really was then i laughed too. I had been in the clothing department at Kohl's. There were some clothes on clearance (i love cheap!!!) and the racks were two-level. The top level is fine, but the lower level required i either look and reach down (neck won't let me) or squat (knees won't let me) or else get on the floor to look. I did the last one, but then had a heck of a time figuring out how to get back up with nothing/nobody to grab onto. So i put my hands on the floor, straightened a leg out behind and got up butt-first (real hard to explain this). I wasn't wearing a skirt, thank goodness! :-) >>Sorry to here this Mel >>I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine went [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >my hands on the floor, straightened a leg out behind and got up butt-first >(real hard to explain this). I wasn't wearing a skirt, thank goodness! :-) I wish I could do that, but any pressure on my knees and I just about collapse. I have done it, but only in extreme conditions. I sure would like to take a bath where I can lie down and just soak, but I can't get out without a lot of added pain I just don't need. :-( Loujean >I wish I could do that, but any pressure on my knees and I just about >collapse. I have done it, but only in extreme conditions. I sure >would like to take a bath where I can lie down and just soak, but I >can't get out without a lot of added pain I just don't need. We have a bar on the side of the tub to grab onto. The hot water helps so much physically and mentally. Is there some sort of adaptation that can be made in your bathroom to help you into/out of the tub?? >>I wish I could do that, but any pressure on my knees and I just about >>collapse. I have done it, but only in extreme conditions. I sure [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >much physically and mentally. Is there some sort of adaptation that can be >made in your bathroom to help you into/out of the tub?? I have one on the wall, but you've got me thinking maybe one of those bars that fit on the side of the tub might help. Of course, now that I've had my arthroscopy and Hyalgan shots, I might be flexible enough. I'll try it. I'll let you know. Thanks for the encouragement. Loujean >>>Sorry to here this Mel >>>I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > :-( I absolutely must have my occasional bath. Of course there are times I have to settle for showers, but it just isn't the same as a good soak. And getting out of the tub with my knees ain't easy. We have a grab bar on the wall and another affixed to the side of the tub. When we took our trip to Death Valley I made the mistake of settling into a nice bath at the last hotel we stayed in. Just wasn't thinking. And had an awful time getting out and back on my feet. Jo I did it! Actually, I found that my knees are more flexible, probably from the Hyalgan. I'm like Jo - a good bath sure feels good, once in a while; but it does take time and planning to be able to get in, without splashing all over the place, and getting out without killing yourself. But once in a while is enough. Loujean >>>>Sorry to here this Mel >>>>I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > >Jo >I did it! Actually, I found that my knees are more flexible, probably > from the Hyalgan. I'm like Jo - a good bath sure feels good, once in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Loujean A couple of hints for when you are having a really hard time. Be patient. I get into the water as soon as there is enough in the tub to warm it so no splash. (It helps to have controls you can work with your toes) And if I know I'm going to have a hard time getting back out, I let all the water drain out first. I always make sure there is a towel on the floor right next to the tub, and if I need the extra help I put the towel on the bottom on the tub before I try to get out. Jo >>I did it! Actually, I found that my knees are more flexible, probably >> from the Hyalgan. I'm like Jo - a good bath sure feels good, once in [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Jo Thanks, Jo, I will keep that in mind. However, I think only once in a while is needed. I actually feel cleaner after a shower. My husband used to tell me that and now I know what he meant. But I wanted to lie down and soak and read a book, so I did. I did let most of the water out and used a towel to kneel on to get out. I will remember that hint on getting in. Loujean I have a couple of yoga blocks in the house so can I rest my forearms instead of my hands to do some pilates exercises. I have found that one yoga block tucked under my tushie will elevate me just enough in the tub that I can get my feet under me and while using the handicap bars attached to the wall - pull myself up. This does mean that your shoulders have to be good enough to lift your body so you can get the block into place. And since the block wants to float, you need patience getting into place but without the water, I weigh more so it is a toss up on whether to leave in the water or let it drain. BTW, the block is the biggest [thickest] one and black. Duckie >>I did it! Actually, I found that my knees are more flexible, probably >>from the Hyalgan. I'm like Jo - a good bath sure feels good, once in [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Jo  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) Do you have good, solidly mounted grab bars around the tub? Trying to use the edge of the tub to lower yourself in can cause problems, esp. when either the tub or your hands are wet. DO NOT use the wash cloth rail over over the soap dish since it can break off under pressure. Even for a shower stall, solidly mounted grab bars are a big help to those with mobility problems. If you (or someone in the family) can't properly install them, hiring a professional is worth the cost (it's a lot less than paying for recovery from a slip-and-fall). good luck and better health Norman >Do you have good, solidly mounted grab bars around the tub? >Trying to use the edge of the tub to lower yourself in can cause [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >good luck and better health >Norman When I got my bathrooms remodeled, I had the contractor put in the bars. I also don't depend on the side of the tub, it's too slippery when wet. I thought of getting one of those that fasten on the side of the tub. They are very handy for visiting handicapped relatives, etc. My sister got one for when my mom came up. Loujean I can probably get out of the tub by switching around and getting on my knees if necessary, but I absolutely am scared to death to try to get into the tub. The last time I tried it I fell the last few inches on to my butt. I will just stick to my showers. Did I ever tell you all about kneeling on the ground pulling weeds when the mailman arrived and tried to hand my mail to me? When I reached for it, I fell over sideways and scared the poor guy half to death. It was not a pretty picture with him trying to help me up and me yelling "I can do it myself." Ann >I can probably get out of the tub by switching around and getting on my > knees if necessary, but I absolutely am scared to death to try to get [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Ann I had a similar experience a couple of years before I had my THR. I had to get a gallon of milk off the bottom shelf. I squatted down to get it and fell on my bottom. I had about the same experience you did to get up. Not funny at all then! Gwen > >Sorry to here this Mel > >I know how fustrating it must be. When I applied I was lucky and mine went [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > (real hard to explain this). I wasn't wearing a skirt, thank goodness! :-) <snip> \ but then had a heck of a time > figuring out how to get back up with nothing/nobody to grab onto. So i put > my hands on the floor, straightened a leg out behind and got up butt-first > (real hard to explain this). I wasn't wearing a skirt, thank goodness! :-) LMAO! I've done this when I've been sitting on the floor, to keep pressure off my knees when I get up! and once in a skirt too! That one got a seriously weird look from my date Lol! Sometimes all you can do is abandon your pride, do what you have to and laugh! Skip |
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