For the past few weeks I have been feeling more than a little lightheaded, that feeling you get when a dizzying spell might occur. It is probably a combination of things such as the heat here in Atlanta which has been really unbearable even though I spend most of my time in doors. The worst part of that is when I do have to leave the house (and the air conditioning) the humidity plays havoc with me. And once again I ran out of a medication and didn’t refill it right away! (I wrote a post about this same thing a while ago and I still made the same mistake!)
Something else that may also contribute to my light-headedness is the changing of some of my non-meniere’s related medication. It is always a gamble when you increase meds or start new ones. This particular medication was supposed to help me relax and sleep but unfortunately it did quite the opposite! I woke up in the middle of the night feeling very agitated. Plus I seemed to have broken out into a rash on my legs. So much for that drug!
I just wanted to give an update on my Social Security Disability claim. Right now I am working on the appeal part with my lawyer. I know that it is going to be a long haul but it is something that I have to do.
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18 comments:
David~
I'd like to hear more on what you have had to do to get started with SS Disability.
Despite having the Sac Decompression at the end of January which stopped the violent spinning vertigo from my left ear, I have now begun to have tinnitus & feelings of fullness in my right ear. Bad news.
On the 14th I had a nasty rotational vertigo attack, and they have continued daily since.
This time around I have ended up at the ER twice, because they hit too fast to get meds in and working.
If in fact I am now going bi-lateral I am in trouble (since the left ear is already shot) & should probably begin the process for Soc. Sec. Disability, as I'm hearing it takes a long time.
Darn...just when I thought I'd begun to get some relief from this awful disease, it snaps back with a vengeance. At least I still have the hearing in one ear. Hope it lasts.
Suggestions?
Lauri, it can take a long time, and they really put you through the hoops to make sure you aren't trying to file a fraudulent claim. It's awful, but I can understand why they need to be careful.
When I filed, I hired a local lawyer who specializes in SSD claims. She interviewed me by phone first to evaluate whether she thought I have a good claim. Then, she made an appointment to file the online application. For this, you need to have on hand a list of all the medications you take or have taken, every procedure you've had done, every doctor you've seen, with names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of treatment.
The way these lawyers usually work is they do all the paperwork, phone calls, and so on for you, and in return, they take a percentage of the first payment you receive from SSD. This can be substantial, because that first payment is retroactive to cover every month since you filed your claim initially.
It's very possible to do this without a lawyer, but because it's such a lengthy and tricky process, I thought it would be best for me to use a lawyer to avoid unnecessary stress. Perhaps David can tell you more about how to do it on your own?
I would do it. And I would also get to the ENT and have your "good" ear checked. I've been wondering about going bilateral myself, since my "good" ear is starting to have a little tinnitus. Ugh.
David,
I was also denied SSD. The letter claimed that I "could do substantial work" despite my medical issues. I was shocked. I sent in my entire medical record which had years of attacks recorded, doctors documenting attacks nearly three times per week. I'd like to know which employers would hire me when I feel well enough to work a mere 18 hours a week, and the days that I call in are very random. Nobody wants to hire someone that isn't dependable, especially to show up! Hopefully the reviewing process changes soon. Good luck with your appeal.
My denial letter said they had asked me for additional information that I never provided, which wasn't even true. I really wonder if their denials are simply automatic, and they pick a reason out of the hat. Very frustrating.
You are right it is very frustrating. I heard the rejection rate is over 90%
Thanks everyone for the information.
It's ridiculous that we have to be as ill as we are with MD..but then also battle for medical or State help, not to mention SS Disability that we have paid into all the years we have worked.
I am 53 now. I've paid in plenty.
The disabling aspect of this disease badly needs to be better understood by the Government.
The problem is that many of us are so worn down from having it, that it is difficult to take up that battle!
My brain just feels less functional the more I have the violent attacks...especially when they come on an every day basis.
Today is the first day since 6/14 that I have not had a full blown attack. (Thank U God, and heavy medications!)
BUT...we must have Faith, and keep fighting for ourselves to the best of our ability.
OUR BODIES..OUR EARS...OUR HEARING..OUR LIVES.
The heck with them, and anyone else who doesn't understand Meniere's.
They should live in fear..it could happen to them as well as it did to us.
I applied years ago & at the point where my appeal would make me have to go to court I didnt send it in because of my agoraphobia. That was back in 04 I havent worked at all since. My last letter said that though my conditions made me unable to perform my current job due to my age I should be able to train for a different vocation.
Seriously how can you learn how to do other work when you cant leave the house.
Not sure what I should do now I know its been a long time since I worked & I doubt I have enough credits now. Any suggestions?? Should I get a lawyer & just reapply now?
Mrs.Tater, it might be worth trying again. Is your agoraphobia documented, meaning did you get treatment of any kind for it? If so, you might be able to keep moving forward.
It couldn't hurt to talk to a lawyer. When I started this process, the lawyer wanted to talk to me first before filing the application to make sure they thought I would ultimately succeed, because that's the only way they make any money doing this. If they think you won't get anywhere, they will tell you so.
Good luck. I know what you mean about retraining. If I could retrain, then chances are I could simply have gone back to work. But going to school and trying to pass courses isn't going to be any easier for me than doing a regular job was. It's so frustrating.
hey david,
i'm still waiting on an answer on my ssd claim. they started the claim in january so i should really have an answer (read denial) any day now. i really don't expect to be approved but i agree with many of the comments above. how do they expect us to hold down any job with this disease?
i'm curious as to your opinion if a lawyer is worth getting for the appeal. i did the original claim myself. i have copies of all of my medical records up until the point i filed because i had to get them for applying for my long-term disability for my job. so it just seemed like i could go through the questions online myself. i hope i didn't mess anything up by doing that. i've seen online that you can do the first appeal yourself too but i wonder if that's just a way to throw you off from getting a lawyer.
i've been having trouble with dizziness again and also feel weather is a factor. the heat and the storms have been unrelenting. i can definitely tell now that storms are triggering dizziness whereas before they just triggered ear pressure and pain in my good ear. i really fear i may be going bilateral as well although so far hearing tests do not show that.
good luck with your claim and i hope you get some relief soon.
~nicki
Peggy, yeah its documented the 1 problem I had was the doc that treated me the most 4 it didnt send in my records, he's also medicated me the most for my MD. Both are documented with other docs though, since then I've changed primary cause of him being a butt.
If my ears werent such an issue I would've been more comfortable going back to my old job. With my a.g. I stick to routine & I'm ok get out of my element & I'm home bound. After finding this site I'm finding that seems to be a common issue with us with MD. My phobia stems from PTSD after a robbery so I know in my case my ears didnt cause it.
Hi Nicki,
I really think that getting an experienced lawyer is the way to go. They know the way the court works and all the nuances that goes with it.
I know what you mean about the heat and storms they are really doing a number on me too.
good luck and let me know how things are going
David
Mrs.Tater, I would get a lawyer who knows SSD if I were you. A doctor cannot withhold your medical records, and if need be, a lawyer can push that through. A doctor CAN charge you for the costs of photocopying and delivering the records, but they can't keep it to themselves. Good luck!
But I agree that getting another doctor is a very good plan.
Lord...today I'm having such a tough time battling this!
I may have never mentioned it..but in addition to Menieres, I have had Fibromyalgia for 14 years. I've handled the Fibro fairly well, but now it and the MD are not playing nice together, and today I just want to scream.
I would so love remission from at least one of them right about now. ( I would pick the Menieres!)
DAVID~ Have you done any posts on autoimmune disorders and MD?
I'd be curious as to how many others have an autoim.disease as well as MD..and how they are handling it?
Have U heard anything further on your SSD?
Have any of you had any luck with your SSD claims?
Thanks!
Lauri
Hi Lauri,
I got turned down on the first round of SSD. I reapplied through a lawyer and now I am waiting for a hearing (that could take over a year, maybe more)
As for the autoimmune disorders I'm not really sure I'll look it up and let you know
David
Lauri, I got my denial on the reconsideration phase of my SSD application today. But unlike David, I went straight to a lawyer when I decided to apply.
There are three stages, as far as I know: the first application (denied), the reconsideration (denied), and judicial review, where you go meet with a judge in his/her chambers together with your lawyer.
I really recommend finding a lawyer who specializes in SSD claims and putting your situation in their hands. I cannot imagine you NOT getting approved for SSD. With bilateral Meniere's and Fibromyalgia, you have to be a shoe-in. :(
Hi Peggy~
I'm sorry to hear you were denied in round 2.
(was this after you met with the Psych.? And how did that go?)
Did your Lawyer say how long it would be till your judicial review, and what he thinks for the outcome?
I am filing for SSD, but I'm freaking out as to how I am supposed to make it in the meantime now that the full vertigo is back.
Work is no longer possible.
Damn this disease anyway.
( like many of us) I had a good career that I loved prior to all this.
Oh well...the battle continues.
Thanks for the support~Same back atcha'!
Hi, Lauri. Yes, it was after the meeting with the psychologist, which was all about whether my brain still functions properly or not. He made me remember words, recite numbers forward and backward, stuff that any five-year-old could do, assuming the brain was intact. No help there.
Have you ever applied for short-term disability? I know some people use that to tide them over while applying for the long-term kind, but I don't understand the logistics or how people are supposed to KNOW what's available to them. I have to believe that you would make it on the first application, Lauri. How could anyone think you might be able to work?
But the system is dreadful, designed to keep people out rather than allow them in. *sigh*
Getting to the review stage can take a very, very long time, from what I've heard. I'm pretty much resigned to nearly a year of waiting. Again.
The way WE are making ends meet in the meantime is with a home equity line. Fortunately, we own our house outright, but we can't live forever on that potential. We are going to look at a house today, too. We have to face the fact that we just can't afford the bills (especially property taxes!) on this house any more. :(
So, we will be moving to a house that costs much less than this one will earn, and to a location with much lower property taxes. It's all we can do.
Peggy~
I'm fairly sure they just deny everyone right now who doesn't have a terminal disease, but I will get a Lawyer and begin the process.
I could really use short term disab., but I'm not certain how to get that either. I was self-employed, so no work disab. available. I'm going to DSHS tomorrow and see what they say.
I'm glad to hear you have options, even though having to move from a home you love is heartbreaking. Hang in there!
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