[Beautiful_Pain]

Is this possible, to have RA that Totally affects how/if I can do things and getting social security disability?

Does anyone know anything on this?

I do plan on checking with a SS office, just thought I might get some kind of idea about it from here, first

[CedarS]

Definitely is possible, I encourage you to look over all the SS info and start the process.

Gather your medical records and work on keeping really good ones, keep copies of everything. Document, document, document.

Check out what various arthritis groups have online too, for instance this article Disability Dance about disability and RA etc. looks good.

[Beautiful_Pain]

Thank you for the info Sarah, going to check it out now. =)

SS-Disability would really help me with depression, I think. I used to work alot, and not being able to now adds to my depression. Not being able to *do* anything...not having income to help with expenses, really bothers me. I'm the kind who would work double shifts/overnight shifts/overtime to help take care of 'us' (my husband and I). I don't like that it all falls to him to work so much, I feel kind of guilty, in a way.

[Beautiful_Pain]

Very good information! I read quite abit of the various pages they had, I also sent for some of the free pamphlets about meds and about RA in general. Thanks again for posting, Sarah! =)

[CedarS]

The arthritis folks I think are one of the very best examples of the power of peer groups and self-help. Great support groups, web sites and books and pamphlets on coping, even Arthritis swims! I've been to a few of the arthritis swims, great exercise, and they always tell a good joke to get us laughing.

If you haven't done so already, hit up your public library too. Lots of good books on the subject, at my library we can place holds on books currently checked out.

Along with the advice to document everything and to keep good records, helpful to know to persist. Sometimes folks are approved for SS right away, sometimes not. SS has a whole series of procedures and persistence is key. Some of us aren't approved until a later level and it is all okay, it is quite worth it.

Regular folks like me might tell you a wide variety of things, take it all with a grain of salt and find out the truth before getting too anxious. There are a lot of misunderstandings about SS and chronic illnesses out there.

Keep copies of all your records documenting depression too. All part of the process. Many of us on SS have both physical and mental health problems.

There are attorneys that specialize in this, I eventually got one, they get paid only if we do, they get a percentage, very worth it for me.

If you can be in good therapy during at least part of the process, I encourage that. For me, the process of applying meant doing the opposite of what I want to do. Meaning I had to really really really focus on my experience, my chronic pain, all my feelings that I would really rather partially avoid and lift beyond. Having to document and describe things in detail wasn't always fun, but was necessary, and I do understand the need for it. Helped immensely that I had a therapist to talk with. About feeling guilty and bad and like I should not exist.

You will do fine, the journey is amazing and quite worth it.

[Beautiful_Pain]

Thank you for the advice, I will hopefully find a new T soon. And will be visiting the local social security office soon to get the application and find out what I need to do specifcally. =)