Well, I got the answers I needed....

[Harrybaby666]

To Nancy, Hensylee and all the other caring people who I have touched base with:

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to let you know that I did like everybody advised and made a list of questions for my Cardiologist. I saw him today and he confirmed the diagnosis of Heart Failure (Cardiomyopathy to be exact), but he says I am doing O.K. for the moment, oustide of having some congestion and chest pains...I have to admit though, I am having a harder time accepting this than I thought..but I just wanted to write and let you guys know how much I appreciate your advice to help me get the answers I needed. Thanks again. Harrybaby666

P.S. If there is anyone about my age (37) who are in the same boat, please reply, as I would love to hear about how you are dealing with it. Thanks Harrybaby.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Harry-

Check out this site. It's Jon's Place. He's a fellow, not too old who has CHF and has a marvelous website for the condition. It's wonderfully helpful with info and lots of links, cooking tips too.

http://www.jonsplace.org/

If you have any questions about CHF, you could PM me any time, Joe's been struggling with it for many years, and he's doing well. He has to stay almost no salt, but it's really quite doable.

Just have to stay on top of it and not let it get ahead of you.

Take care,

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thanks Nancy

Thanks Nancy

Hi Nancy,

Thank You ever so much for that link to the John's Place. I have checked it out a little and will be getting into it further later this evening. I am doing my best to not let it get me, but it is sooooooo hard. I am glad I have the support of all you wonderful people, I know it will help me get through this. Hope all is super with you and your hubby. Take Good Care, Harrybaby.

 

[hensylee]

Dear Harry - it is so hard for me, as an old person, to read of the health issues of all you young people. You have so much ahead of you - but I have watched many over the past three years as they started out, much like you, with fears and worry and then their progress towards their 'cures'. It is an awesome journey, Harry, and believe me, as time passes and you learn more and talk more with others, you will ease down some, tho it won't ever be the perfect world you just left. We always have a question, but we can't afford to worry too much about it or we wouldn't progress at all - and I want you to progress. So Harry, baby, you have my prayers every day. You will go along and become fine once again. I just know it. Ann

 

[Nancy]

Hey Harry-

There is life after CHF, trust me on that. You just have to be a little more creative with your eating and take your diuretics and call the card when you feel your breathing is becoming tight. Then he'll give you some additional diuretics to get rid of the fluid. Just don't let it build up too far without calling the card, cause then you'll be visiting the ER for IV diuretics. Vigilance is the key and having a good relationship with your card.

You'll be OK, you really will. It's a condition that ebbs and flows. You will have many periods without any symptoms.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thank You For The Comforting Words Of Wisdom

Thank You For The Comforting Words Of Wisdom

Hi Hensy, Nancy,

I am trying so hard to focus on what's right about my life, such as the beauty of my cat, Bandit, or the plants that I am successfully growing, and even though I got the bad news today, because of practicing relaxation techniques that I have learned through my personal interest (as mentioned above) plus the support of people who understand (all the wonderful people involved with this site) I am scared, but not anywhere near the level I would be if I didn't have people who care, or a pet that I really adore. I have to keep reminding myself these things plus put my faith in God, which is VERY STRONG, and I think I will make it just fine. I admit I have my moments of fear and dispair, but as they say: "We Shall Overcome!" I am so glad that I have you guys. I also want to mention that I really feel good about having my cardiologist, as I feel that I really put him to the test by asking him to be straightforward with me... Thank You Guys Sooo Much..
Harrybaby

 

[Bob]

Just a hello and good luck message. I am an old guy so I cant talk like a colleague to you. However if we old guys and gals get through this you can and will too. One day at a time my friend. It is hard I know but one day at a time. Good luck to you!

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Bob

Hi Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your encouraging words, although I admit, I am Reaaallllyyyyyyy Discouraged and angry and upset because I lost my social security case for the third time.....I am at a total loss for words right now...this on the heals of bad medical news...I have lost total faith in the U.S. Government....I am sorry that I am bumming, but I did want to thank you for your encourageing words...Harrybaby666

 

[hensylee]

Harry - don't give up on the Social Security. From experience working in social service, I know that if you hang in there and continue to challenge them, it will eventually happen. They automatically refuse you the first time round (unless it's a terminal case) and think people will just take their word and not push the issue. Those who persevere, eventually get passed. Sometimes it takes a lawyer - sometimes just a contact with your Senator's local office helps. The senator's rep told me that the senators are VERY concerned about folks trying to get social security (the rep was a personal friend so I know she wasn't putting me on). Keep at it and don't give up.

I have a friend who was so discouraged and she found someone who helped her and was paid retroactive for about five years but had been trying longer and never let it drop, but they will pay only back as far as five years..

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thanks Hensy

Thanks Hensy

Morning Hensy,

Thanks for your encouragement. I am really depressed because I found out that the people who were supposed to be supportive of my cause turned their backs on me. First, the Mental Health Agency that I go through for therapy, told the SS that I exaggerate to an extensive degree about my chronic pain, and all my other medical problems WITHOUT asking me to see any of my medical records before passing judgement, besides, these people do not see me on a daily basis, so how can they say such a thing. Then my primary really fouled things up and told them that I was perfectly fine....Guess you already know that I will be leaving this Doc immediately. It's just so frustrating that I wonder if it's worth the fight. How can anyone pull such incediblly inaccurate stunts? I hope you will forgive the depression, but it's hard not to be depressed when you can't seem to get what you need. Thanks Again Hensy

 

[Ross]

I do hope you have a lawyer that specializes in nothing but S.S. cases. I'm telling you right now, they know exactly what to go for and how to get the results out of the administration. They are paid out of your back benefits, so they shouldn't be asking for monies upfront. It is well worth it for this cause.

It took me over 2 1/2 years of getting turned down and stomped on. I finally got ticked and got the attorney. Once he made a phone call and submitted just one more medical record, boom, I was approved.

The game with them continues. Some people that don't need it, get it without any trouble. The ones that do need it, can't get it and are placed in the loop of jumping through hoops. It makes me angry.

Take a look within these first 2 links and see if you meet any listing impairment and go from there:

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap09.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap10.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0000.htm

 

[Nancy]

Harry-

Don't give up on SS. It took Joe a long time to get approved also, and with the exception of the folks on this website, I don't know too many people where we live who have as many debilitating conditions as Joe does.

He even got an attorney involved. The attorney told us that Joe "looked too good" to be approved, and his FORMER internist had some kind of predjudice against people getting SS disability and wouldn't support Joe in this issue at all. It was this doctor's personal agenda, and he certainly had no right to bring this to bear in Joe's case, but he did.

Joe really needed this, he was just too ill to do any kind of work, too fatigued, and absolutely disabled.

Fortunately, Joe had other excellent and well-respected doctor specialists who knew the score, and were supportive. But in the end, I wrote a very detailed letter with names and dates, and exactly what was happening and just how Joe's conditions were affecting his life, it was 3-4 pages long and all single spaced. i forwarded it on to the attorney, and he then got each of the doctors to concur with what I had said, and that was what it took.

It wasn't easy, but it was the right thing to do.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Ross, Hi Nancy & Joe

Hi Ross, Hi Nancy & Joe

Hi Nancy, Joe and Ross Y,

I see a community mental health agency for depression and other illnesses, and because they are a community mental health agency, they cannot afford to pay for a full staff of psychiatrists, therefore, I see a "doctors assistant" who works under the psychiatrist. Well, she had put in my record that I grossly eggagerated my physical problems, without even asking me for records documenting that I have diabetic neuropathy, arthritis, and possibly firbromialgia. I have been in severe pain for many years, but because of doctors discriminating against my young age, I have had a real problem with this, although I have been telling them "I HURT!!! I HURT!! I HURT!!!" well, anyway, she never bothered to ask to see any of my medical record, so how can she make that judgement? My own primary doctor has said the same thing...only he says that if I lost the weight, I would be "cured" in perfect 100% health In addition to this, the Social Security said that I was examined by "their doctor"...I never saw a doctor for social security This in combination with my lawyer not doing a proper job is what caused me to lose this case. So henceforth, I am getting a new Primary Care Doctor on Monday, and I am switching from one pain clinic to another which I have been told is 200 times better than the one I am "established with" I have periferal diabetic neuropathy and arthritis, and yet, the pain doc took away my neurontin (for neurpathy) and hasn't seen me since...What do I have to do to prove to these people that I get really tired, cannot stand, am in constant pain, and just get really fatigued at doing anything, not to mention putting myself into more pain by trying to perform what they say I "Can do?" With all these odds against me...should I keep fighting? I just don't know what to do....I am sorry I unloaded on you guys, I am just so upset....Thanks for all your support...Harrybaby666

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi harry!
i am so sorry that you are going through all this. i can't blame you for being upset.
sometimes doctors don't accept patients' words as to what it is they are feeling. i have no idea why, but it's really wrong.
my youngest brother has chronic fatigue syndrome and has chronic hep-C. for many years his doctors and therapists treated him like he was not truly ill. finally, many doctors later, he has found someone who has really helped him tremendously.
i know they are out there! please don't be too discouraged (i know this is hard), but as nancy says, sometimes it takes a little longer with s.s.
please let us know how things turn out. we are all here for you.
take care, sylvia

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thanks for your encouragement

Thanks for your encouragement

Hi Sylvia,

Thanks for your support, I am really having a tough time with this, as some of the docs don't want to help as I have said. For instance, I have been seeing a pain center, but they haven't helped me out with the pain, and therefore I have tried to switch, but the pain clinic I want to go to, which provides better treatment, refuses to take me on. I am really having my doubts about continuing my claim as I wonder, what do I have to do to prove to these people that I cannot work? How much more evidence can I possibly give them-they have all my records now... I will appeal, but I am not sure I can provide anymore proof-I just don't know what to do....Harrybaby666

 

[Ross]

For what it's worth, Soc Sec will tell you they have your records when in fact they do not. I was shocked because I was told the samething. When my attorney got ahold of my folder (Oh yeah, S.S. conveniently lost my folder too), only 2 out of 7 Doctors and hospitals had submitted my records. I had to purchase my own from the darn places and provide those to the attorney. It made all the difference in the world.

My advice is appeal, keep records of everything you send and they send to you, get an attorney that SPECIALIZES in Soc Sec Disability.

Let me ask you this and you don't have to reply publically on here, but maybe send me an email or a private message, but what exactly are you claiming as your impairment for Disability?

 

[Harrybaby666]

What A Mess!!!!

What A Mess!!!!

Hi Ross,

I filed both a mental health claim and a physical claim.. I have been seeing a therapist for Boarderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety and Major Depression, I started seeing them after I found out that I was Diabetic. Since then, I have worked 2 jobs, and lost many jobs because of both mental health and medical problems. I am in pain 24 hours a day, 6 days a week because of Diabetic Neuropathy and Arthritis I kept working up until I could no longer stand for 8 hours and was consistantly getting sick with one thing or another. I just cannot do much anymore because of being in pain, being so exhausted all the time sick to my stomach and my mood swings from having to deal with all these problems. After losing 90 percent of my jobs because of these issues, I had to stop, but can I get the docs to understand this?? NOOOOOOO......I don't know why it is so hard for the docs to diagnose a person, but I have had all these problems for 10 years, and I am really getting bad.....I just found out about the Cardiomyopathy, and the CHF Last Week, but it's been going on for a while, now how do I manage to get that into Social Security...? The doctors are willing to diagnose a person, but their not willing to support a person's decision to file for SS? This is whats happening in both the mental health field and the medical field...Sorry this is lengthy, but I had to explain it as fully as possible...Thanks Again Ross. By the way, How is your son? I hope he is doing better...Harrybaby666

 

[hensylee]

Harry - you have 120 days (I think that's the time limit) to challenge SS, or you have to start all over again. As Ross says, it is time now to get a lawyer who handles ss cases. Once a lawyer is involved, you might find a different story from all those folks. I had one case that went on for years, but he finally got it. He had epilepsy. Another case went on for years and when finally the lady won, she got a check for $10,000. I had managed to hold off the power company, the phone company, the oxygen provider with promises that her check was 'in the mail' and I would personally bring them the $ when it arrived. Can you imagine the relief when the check really DID arrive! It can happen if you get someone to be your advocate. I went to some lawyers here in Fl w/my daughter on some other matters and their first visit was free and in SS cases, they don't charge unless they win your case - so do NOT put it off. Go and pursue it. Nobody else can do it but you, so you must persevere. Go........

 

[Ross]

Take a look at these sections in Part 404 append A and see if anything fits.

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap09.htm

2. Musculoskeletal System (1.00 and 101.00): February 19, 2009.

5. Cardiovascular System (4.00 and 104.00): July 2, 2003.

11. Multiple Body Systems (10.00): June 19, 2008, and (110.00): July 2, 2003.

13. Mental Disorders (12.00 and 112.00): July 2, 2003.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Hensy, Hi Ross

Hi Hensy, Hi Ross

Hi Hensy, Ross,

Thanks for the help..I do have a lawyer, who in my opinion, has not done a good job, and he cannot even explain to my why I got denied, I think it's time to find another lawyer...meanwhile I have my case worker and my therapist working to help me get my appeal going. I did take a look at those ss descriptions, and I definitely do meet the requirements for quite a few, but my question is, will my docs support me in my quest? Harrybaby666