Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I applied for SSD again . . . Round 3

I applied for Disability again last night, I talked to a lawyer and found out that you have to apply before you can hire a lawyer, which sucks because I wanted a lawyer's advice from the very beginning, but oh well . . . I filled up all 10 slots they give you for diagnoses, and had to use the "additional Medications" and "Additional Doctors" and eventually ended up with 18 medications and 8 doctors, and I could've continued. I signed the papers and sent them off in the mail today, we'll see what happens. I've officially Been Told by my body that I can no longer work even 20 hours at a desk job, so I'd better get SSDI or we're screwed because Cody can't work either and he doesn't have a dx.
I am SO depressed right now. I couldn't feed my horse today. I physically could NOT get to the corral . . . it's like 30 feet outside the back door, but with almost 2 feet of snow and steep steps on the porch and this godawful flare, I got my boots on, and my coat and gloves, and I got 2 steps out the back door and almost collapsed out of pain and exhaustion and fear of falling down the stairs or getting to the corral and not being able to get back to the house . . . this flare SUCKS! It won't go away . . . I haven't worked in weeks, I can't drive, I can't take the trash out, I can't cook, all I can do is bead, and I mean that's ALL I can do right now, I can't even give the baby a bath by myself, and I can't even throw a flake of hay to my horse. I feel so utterly useless . . . so I'm throwing myself full-on into my beadwork, I mean, heck, what the hel1 else do I have to do? so expect some really phenomenal new jewelry designs from New Mexico, ok?

*hugs*
thanks for letting me vent,
Bridge

Bridget, is the LDN not working anymore? Did you go off of the stuff? Did I miss something? Just wondering. Good luck; I hope you get disability.

Pete, I'm on LDN right now . . . been on it for 2.5 years, but at new year's I missed 6 days of it due to pharmacy problems, then I got a bad batch of it . . . I didn't get back on GOOD LDN until the 17th of January, and on the 3rd I went to Walmart and the mall after 6 days LDN-less and screwed myself up royally and sent myself into a flare that now I can't kick with prednisone, percoset, LDN, and anything else i can throw at it, and I'm seriously upset. I just can't break this flare.

Bridget - this is too bad. I'm truly sorry to hear it. I hope something settles it down soon. How high is your pred dose? Is it worth throwing a really high dose at it for a few days and then taper down quickly?

I hope you are aware that LDN cancels out your Percocet or other narcotics and like wise they cancel out the intended effect of LDN.

I have been trying to be a good lurker and wait for some one to point the obvious out.

I hope you take effective steps to feel better. Good luck.

Hey Bridge,
Why did you have to make a new application to SSA? If you had applied and been denied before couldn't you have done the appeal?
Because if you had appealed your first and second refusals, then an attorney could come into play and file for a hearing before a judge on the third appeal. And while there isn't much an attorney can do until your application is denied, he should have been able to give you some guidance. I spoke to an attorney before I filed the first time. He gave me some pointers and some additional medical paperwork that isn't required on the first app, but doesn't hurt to have on record. Between his help, and plenty of guidance from AlohaBen I did my first application myself online.

I know all about having to use additional sheets for doctors and meds.. The entire process is a pain in the butt. I think if you live through the application process that you deserve to get compensation.

I do hope that you and Cody feel better soon. It has to be so hard taking care of Bailey and the animals. Enjoy your beading..I do vinyl graphics, everything from decals to full vehicle wraps, it helps keep me from going over the edge...Somtimes...

Hang in there!! You always have an ear here, if things get too crazy or you just need to scream at someone.

Yes, I know the percoset and LDN are fighting each other, it's not fun.

Chris, I applied and was denied, then appealed and was denied, about 3 years ago. They said I needed to just apply all over again now. Angelmom gave me the name of a company who helped her get her SSDI, I'm talking to them today.

I'm off to the doctor now . . . back in a while. *hugs*
-Bridge

Bridge, I'm so sorry to hear you're in such pain.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on your SSD application.

Warm hugs,

Hey Wendy - How high would you start a pred taper? I did a taper starting at 60mg and it was just starting to work when I finished it. Would you go higher than that? Could I do a 100 taper or something?