I got my initial denial in september. Needless to say it destroyed me more than I thought possible, considering I felt depleted as it was. I couldn't even begin the appeal until over a month later. I just felt so dismissed. Sent my appeal in November. Barely answered the questions. Just hurried through it. (SO STUPID) - A week ago I get a letter saying they are still waiting on my doctors report. I practically begged him to send it asap. He's been holding back throughout this whole process and stopped returning my calls a few months back. So after 6 years I had to get a new doc. I can't understand his actions, and he hasn't attempted to explain them. It just adds to the whole stress of this SSD thing. My tdoc was supportive. I no longer can afford to see her after 8 years of being her patient.
Basically I'm waiting for my 2nd denial which should be on it's way sometime soon (or not considering the "speed" at which SSD works it's torture)
All we can do is NOT GIVE UP. Which is easier said than done, but I'm out of choices and money and hope. I especially flipped out when I heard about the third phase of this process - taking up to a year or more to get a hearing.