[JohnW26]

Hello everyone,
I have finally decided to try for SSDI and have an interview next week. I'm not sure what to say. My details are, 62 and about to get my first retirement check in August since I decided to not work anymore. Diagnosed with, insomnia, MDD, Fibro and anxiety. Taking all the normal pills, blood pressure, triglyceride lowering med, Ambien, Xanax, hydrocodone, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Singular, vitamins, fish oil, flax seed, garlic pills. I have diagnosis of fibro from one rheumatologist and another as a second opinion. The first gave me just Lyrica and the second just Hydrocodone. My PDoc gives me PMeds.
I asked SS to interview me by phone since I rarely drive. I have all the normal symptoms and drug fog.
What should I say? Something like: what is above plus:

Can't sleep, fall asleep frequently during the day, cry a lot, jumpy, afraid of little things, hurt all over, fatigued all the time, joints, muscles hurt, brain if foggy, can't remember some things, etc. My gosh, when I think of all this maybe I should be in a retirement home? I wonder if anything more can go wrong. I've had x-rays recently of just about every part of my body, blood tests, etc. All come back with little things wrong but Doc says nothing a "man of my age would not normally have." All the meds do help, but make my mind not very sharp. I started taking all the meds over the past years and am afraid to stop. I just have to assume the Docs are right. It is a real nightmare to think what I would be like in some third world countries where meds are not available.

[Christina86]

Hi John, I've never done SSDI (I'm from Canada), but it sounds like the first paragraph would be a good thing to state. If they've got specific questions they could ask. Also the first line, second paragraph.

If you can also explain why you're not working anymore (be specific, and be blunt as possible) that would also probably help.

[Fresia]

I know when I had interview, it was recommended to answer the questions directly and to explain relating to the reason I initially filed for disability, in my case it was based on being severe bipolar with major depressive episodes. They want to know your symptoms, prescribed medications and side-effects (impacting you, good/bad), but more importantly how your diagnosis/symptoms impact your ability to sustain work, and why you cannot. Keep the focus on these things. I wrote some of these these things out ahead of time to practice and so I wouldn't forget, sounds silly but I have a really poor memory even about my own self. I can't remember though if I took them in or not.

They are fact finding on your illness and will go over your entire life during this interview; it can be very emotional, don't be surprised by this, but don't try to hide it either. Just answer their questions best as you can and you'll get through it fine. Best wishes.

[shezbut]

Hi JohnW26,

I agree with Fresia. I got help in writing the application, My memory is very poor, and part of my disability. I also had a ride to SS office. They helped me recall points to bring up, and answers to SS Q's. I have difficulty speaking in real time, as words and memory tickle my mind. Drives me nuts...but at least they could understand my disability better to see for themselves.

Anyway...I certainly recommend being honest in your description of symptoms. If you can't answer all Q's, just admit that you weren't prepared for that subject. SS staff is pretty good usually.

Hope that it goes well for you ~ best wishes!

[bebop]

just curious here. are you already getting your social security being 62? not sure if disability would benefit you if you are getting that already. Good luck with it. The phone interview is just basic questions. The rest comes from your drs really. Just answer the questions honestly to the best of your ability.

[JohnW26]

Hi,
Yes I will begin to get regular SS next month since I am 62 and retired early. SSDI will get me about $500 more per month.
I got did the phone interview just fine. SS lady was really nice. I just explained what was going on and now send her a medical form so my docs can send them medical records. She said maybe I would have to see onte of their doctors, so NEW question, but along the same line.

If I get an appointment to see a SS doctor, should I stop taking my depression, anxiety and fibro meds? Then the doc can see the "real" me and do the pressure point exam for fibro and make me scream! If I keep taking the meds that won't happen, but my mid will be foggy and no one can see that!

[Fresia]

Do not stop taking your meds unless you and your doc think you do not need them. Talk to your doctor(s). However, your doctor(s) will document how you are w/o them and you can tell them too. B/c you are responding well to them is an indication of needing them and no one wants any harm to come to you. The doctor you see for your interview will understand this. You can just emphasize pre-med symptoms.

Glad you made it through the first interview and it sounds like it went really well. Best wishes for the next.

[Perna]

I think it will take some time for the forms to get to your doctors, they fill them out and send in the info and then the SS evaluates and gets back to you with an appointment/no need for an appointment with their doctor.

If you get that far and have to go see their doctor, I would just take my meds with me; they should "match" what your doctors have sent in, etc. That you take OTC stuff for "normal" chronic stuff won't count and I think, that you decided to retire (instead of someone laying you off/you having a disability that obviously directly caused your not working with an employer breathing down your neck because your performance was suffering, etc.) will probably work against your favor. So far, only you have said you can't work; no one else "official" and you're at retirement age anyway so it's probably too murky for them to bother with. In your next life :-) I would apply for disability first, earlier, not retire.

[Crew]

Hey JohnW,

I agree with bebop....because your so close to retirement.

ONE thing though, the sooner you apply, they go back to when you first applied so if even if you think about it.

Oh, and jobs you have had, make sure they know why you are unable to do those jobs.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Take care and again!

Crew

[lorna]

Hi John,
I hope the interview went well, i suppose you have had it by now. Its not an easy process, and i have said that applying to any of these places, is overload and too much. Its silly in my opinion putting someone alreally stressed in this situation is cruel. The docs should be the advocate by the forms they fill.

[Crew]

Hey John

Expect SS to turn you down but appeal.

Also please tell whoever you talk to about SSDI, the sooner you apply that is how far they go back. so John you will be paid a back pay.

I am glad things worked out well. SS is usually very nice. Glad to hear it worked out for you. Crew

[sunsetsunrise]

Hi John, I am late in answering this. But wanted to ask you if you thought of getting a disability attorney? I know that many people, including myself opted for that. It worked out well for me. although I am not completely done with the process. Good luck to you. Sending very best