Can I receive Social Serurity Disability benefits for having Fibromyalgia?
81321
Yes. I am on SSDI for Fibromyalgia. I had the problem that I filed when I was 27 years old so the Board that reviews the applicants denied me twice. Finally, my application was going before the Appeals Judge and before the court date he read my file. He overturned the original rejections and I received payment back to the date of disability. It took over two years for this process.\n\nMy best suggestion is that when you answer any questions answer as if it's your worst day possible. There's an article called Helping Fibromyalgia Patients Obtain Social Security Benefits by Joshua W. Potter, Esq.\nFrom: The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine September 1992\nhttp://www2.rpa.net/~lrandall/ssdi_fms.html\n\nAnother good article is http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social_security_disability_fibromyalgia.html\n\nAnother helpful article is:\nWhy Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) & Fibromyalgia (FM) Sufferers Lose Their SSDI Claims\nby Janet Mizrahi\nImmuneSupport.com\n\n09-01-2000 \n\nYou feel awful all the time. You can barely dredge up the energy to take a bath, no less get dressed, go to work, and actually be productive. You know you’re disabled--your doctor knows you’re disabled. So you’ll win that disability case to get SSDI, right? Well, not necessarily so, says Scott Davis, an attorney who specializes in FM/CFS disability cases. \nAccording to Davis, “One of the biggest reasons people lose disability cases is because they don’t retain an attorney at the beginning of the process. It sounds self-serving, but it’s not,” he adds. “Disability attorneys work on contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay a fee if you win your case – you have nothing to lose.” \n\nUsing a lawyer before or at the time of filing a claim will help build the proper case to show to Social Security and a judge, who will ultimately hear the case and decide your fate. \n\nBut besides that, Davis says, an attorney can help you forge ahead with the process. Many people never bother to file a claim because they don’t have the energy or feel it’s just hopeless or simply because they don’t know what to do. An attorney not only can give you hope that you have a case, he or she guides you through the process. \n\nAnother death knell to a disability case, Davis says, is inadequate medical records. “Disability cases are ultimately won and lost on adequately documented medical records and detailed opinions from the treating physician regarding their ability to work, or their inability to work,” he states. \n\nLack of documentation can happen in a number of ways. One may be a result of a lack of adequate treatment. “Particularly in the FM/CFS arena,” Davis says, “people are repeatedly told by their doctors that there’s nothing medicine can do, to live with their illness and deal with it. Which is exactly what people do. They stop seeking treatment. \n\n“Or I’ve seen people do the opposite. They go to a host of doctors on an odyssey to get a diagnosis. After being worn out from seeing doctor after doctor and getting treatments without any benefit, they quit going. The attitude becomes, why bother? Nothing is helping to alleviate the symptoms.” \n\nBoth tactics result in barren medical records -- a huge mistake. “Even if you have a very good attorney, I’m only the orchestrator,” Davis says. “My ability to help a client is more limited if there are no medical records or if the medical records don’t say anything. Medical records load the gun for me to use when I argue a client is unable to work.” \n\nDavis suggests that ideally, people should view their medical records on a regular basis. This way you can see for yourself if your complaints of pain or other symptoms are being documented. If they are not, patients can tactfully ask their doctors to work with them to get the records in shape for their cases. Many general practitioners and HMO physicians are overburdened and do not take the time to dictate their repo
336999
Yes...if you are wanting to know about disability benefits.  If your Psych doctor qualifies you as not being able to work and you hire a lawyer to work your way through the S.S. disability system you could qualify for disability or S.I.  It is covered under the Americans with Disabities Act.  I know I am receiving beneifts for this reason.\n\nIf you are  bi-polar then you  understand why you would be able to collect disablity or SSI
257486
Yes. Speak to her physician or psychiatrist. You will need a letter of reference from him/her. You can apply for disability allowances.
184826
apply for disability depending on how sever e your injury is you will probably get it,but you must see a doctor.how about unemployment.or welfare,food stamps,it seems like you qualify for both and don't need a doctors note for those,just low income.
282716
I just found a page about this for someone else yesterday:\nPublication No.05-10019\nhttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10019.html\n\nhttp://library.findlaw.com/1997/May/1/129867.html\n\nhttp://www.thebody.com/apla/feb00/legal.html\n\nhttp://www.apla.org/\n\nThose should help.\n\nIf I were you I would get a case worker to start. These are available to you in your communtiy free of charge. Contact the AIDS services program in you r community. It is very overwhelming dealing with an illness like HIV. This person can help you alot. They can coordinate appointments, disseminate information to you, help you apply for benefits and keep track of all these things for you. Its alot to have on your plate. They have experience dealing with  these types of things everyday. They generally help you to fill out the paperwork required for the social security disability. If it comes down to it and they deny you hire an attorney to get benefits. I bet the case worker you get probably knows other sources of help available to you as well. Call the United Way (211?in austin anyway) if you cannot locate a case worker program. They should tell you where to find one.\n\nGood luck! And Keep your head up! Feel free to email me if you have a question...
1131805
I think it depends on what you are receiving it for. For instance my sister gets SSI for a disability...to supplement. I think it is a either/or for her. You need to check with your provider for the details. Be sure on this question. Not to say that you may not find it on Yahoo Answers...but I would call and talk to them my self if I were you.  Since you are only 15...you will have to have you parent or guardian do it for you.
631187
I know how you feel. My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 8 years ago. She is in shocking pain for which she takes prednisolone. She is allergic to many things so this is her only option. She also suffers from extreme tiredness and very weak and sore muscles. She also has Mitochondriamyopathy which contributes to the fibromyalgia. I have been having a lot of trouble for several years now and my physiotherapist thinks I have fm as well. I can understand how you must feel. Are you very sensitive to touch? that seems to be a major problem for my mother and I. I don't know if there is any other suggestion to help with pain since you are on meds, apart from hydrotherapy which is what I am doing at the momment. It allows you to get moving more freely without the weight of your body putting strain on your muscles. Keep moving for as long as you can, the hydro really does help. Good luck.
643318
Yes.  You can receive compensation if your PTSD and/or anxiety disorder is a result of your military service.  You will need to file a claim and have a doctor examine you.
367211
Hi, my mother has has the same problem and she was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia....A lot of Doctors will tell you that you might be suffering from depression or stress but in reality there really could be another diagnosis. You should try to find a doctor that actually specializes in Pressure Point Exams and Fibromyalgia.\n\nAlso, I have been living with undiagnosed pain for the past 4 years. I have alot of the signs/symptoms so I am going to see a specialist soon that deals with fibro and maybe I can get my pain under control. I hope this helps!
7752
No you are eligible for Social Security disabilty income.
553925
I was diagnosed with it when I was in my 20's...over 20yrs ago!  It is a relatively new diagnosis and doctors are just now beginning to understand just how debilitating it can be... make sure you trust your doctor as it is not an easy diagnosis to make and there are alot of other illnesses out there that have symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia!  My sister swears by herbs to help hers.... I swear by pain meds and rest.... guess it all just depends on a persons point of view and just how bad a day that person is having!
968507
I used to work in HR years ago with benefits.  Do some research on the internet about HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) which provides protection for working Americans and their families who have preexisting medical conditions, or who might suffer discrimination in health coverage based on factors that relate to an individual's health.  Have your husband get a copy of his health insurance overview and see if preexisting conditions are not allowed.  Keep in mind, also, that most employers will not let an employee add a family member to their benefits except during Open Enrollment or change in life status (like if you got married in the middle of the year and he wanted to add you).  As for your pain, even if you have to pay for it yourself---DEFINTELY get some physical therapy.  They will have exercises you will have to do from now on, but it will keep you from being in pain.  Good luck!
574945
I also live in PA.  try this webiste for some very good doctors.  www.geisinger.org    This hospital is fundemental in fibromyalgia and other problems that other hospitals can't fix.  I hope it can be of some help.  Glad to see I can help a neighbor.
369905
I was diagnosed with CFS and Fibromyalgia when I was sixteen. That was over six years ago and I am still suffering from it. At this point in time there are no cures for either. Some people can go through a remission, I'm still waiting for mine. I am currently a full time college student and recently joined a gym. I've found that I'm better if I remain active and push through it rather than letting it keep me down and in bed.\n\nI hope for your sake that you do not have it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. \n\nFeel free to email me if you want to talk about it. :)
526272
Fibromyalgia is a commonly encountered disorder characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, paresthesia, disturbed sleep, and easy fatigability along with multiple painful tender points.\n\nSymptoms are generalized musculoskeletal aching and stiffness and fatigue. Patients may complain of low back pain, which may radiate into the buttocks and legs. Others complain of pain and tightness in the neck and across the upper posterior shoulders. Patients complain of muscle pain after even mild exertion and some degree of pain is always present. The pain has been described as a burning or gnawing pain or as soreness, stiffness, or aching. Pain may begin in one region, such as the shoulders, neck, or lower back before it eventually becomes widespread. Patients may complain of joint pain and perceive that their joints are swollen; however, joint examination yields normal findings. Stiffness is usually present on arising in the morning; usually it improves during the day, but in some patients it lasts all day. Patients may complain of numbness of their hands and feet. They may also feel colder overall than others in the home, and some may experience Raynaud's-like phenomena or actual Raynaud's phenomenon. Patients complain of feeling fatigued and exhausted and wake up tired. They also awaken frequently at night and have trouble falling back to sleep. Patients may experience cognitive impairment with difficulty thinking and loss of short-term memory. Headaches, including migraine type, are also common symptons. Others experience episodes of light-headedness, dizziness, anxiety, or depression. Symptoms are made worse by stress or anxiety, cold, damp weather, and overexertion. Patients often feel better during warmer weather and vacations.
666000
Hi,\nGo into yahoo uk search engine, type in fma uk (don't forget the space)and it will bring up fibromyalgia association for the uk a very useful website which includes links to support groups in your particular area.\n                 Good luck Smiler
875668
you need to talk to your doctor, if he has documented you disabilities it's you doctors reports that persuades SSI your need for benefits.  By all means file, and put your doctors name as physician, as it was explained to me the Doctor's report is a deciding factor, SSI will send you to a doctor of their choice, for a second opinion,  As it was explained to me you are not expected to take a job of night clerk or anything.  If you are disabled where you cannot do the work you have been trained to do you are disabled.  I wasn't expecting to get disability, but my income had decreased due to working at a lower level, but could not continue and my income reflected the lower level, so got disability within a month.  Health insurance was a problem had to wait to get on medicare,