On medicare and not a senior

Nammu · May 18, 2013 at 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenNBeautiful

If I knew what my real abilities were, if I could take a decent test and/or actually get someone to sit down with me (my roommate too!) and see what I can do to get more money (at least part time) I would try to work. I was a voluteer at times; I did work at a library or two, but I had trouble with "stamina" (staying there or doing something for a long time?) so I could only work a couple of hours daily. then I got let go cause I did not understand the equipment the lady wanted me to employ.

Then I did go to a place to get some kind of evaluation for what I could handle/also a place that tells you what volunteer jobs are available and they could not find anything for me. They were mostly jobs that required high-attention, fast-paced, human interaction. no go.

But I tried a few times.

Now I am a free-lance peer counselor and writer.

I created my own volunteer job.

And I tell my doc's what I do! I tell them "I give what I can to my society and to my country! thank you very much, SIR."

Carol

I would love an actual skills assessment and realistic tolerance for work environments assessment(what can I physically do), not that interest testing they always do. I have a great many interest and that is just not realistic.

newtus · May 18, 2013 at 07:16 PM

havent got my medicare card yet
hm
i suppose if i dont get em by looks which i sometimes do
my answer "for paranoid schizophrenia" should at least make them say
"oooooooooh...alrighty then :0"
probably followed up by a
"i was wondering why you (enter some odd comment about my speech or lack of hygiene or my inability to make eye to eye contact - etc)" <<<<<which DOES happen and not wif jus docs.

Perna · May 19, 2013 at 08:16 AM

I would just say, "You mean you are truly that ignorant?" and just shake my head. They are the ones with the problem, not you. You are at a medical establishment for medical care and they take Medicare (or you wouldn't be there).

intergalactictraveler · May 19, 2013 at 08:59 AM

I'm 63, been on SSDI since May, 2011 for treatment resistant ultradian cycling bipolar. I've got private insurance, thanks to Medicare, and I don't give a rip what any doctor thinks, though no one has made any kind of issue out of it and I don't shy away from telling a doctor or anyone else that I'm disabled from a severe mental illness. If people don't want to associate with me or treat me, let them stay in their ignorant, narrow minded world. Maybe being so open makes me come across as odd, but for most of my adult life, that's the way I've been. I try to live life on my terms and I stand my ground.

Tamster · May 19, 2013 at 12:50 PM

you are correct they do treat you like you are somehow faking your illness. Let them walk a mile in your shoes, they would understand then. I am lucky to have a primary care that gets it as well as a team of docs that understand and dont question my dx at all. Good Luck to you and i hope your feet get better.

Schizofred · May 19, 2013 at 11:54 PM

Im on medicare. Not even 40 yet. Im schizoaffective and suffer from ptsd, also been told i have personality disorder. I feel more ashamed than guilty. I guess its a matter of survival.

BrokenNBeautiful · May 20, 2013 at 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perna

I would just say, You are at a medical establishment for medical care and they take Medicare (or you wouldn't be there).

I am always afraid I am going to be their last non senior patient on Medicare; afraid they'll change their mind; not take Medicare anymore. Oh, I get paranoid.

(sad, crazy laugh out loud)

Maybe THEY need benefits for mental health. lol

Carol

emgreen · May 20, 2013 at 05:55 PM

I know I'm not alone here, but I had a successful career for 20 years before I lost the ability to compensate for my BP. I'm not sure how I crossed that threshold, but I did. I still live in the same small city where I worked, & I'm constantly in fear of running into someone I used to work with & having them ask, "Where are you working now?" I'm now on SSDI & receive Medicare benefits, even though I'm not yet a senior. This makes me feel awkward & avoid large events. I know I'm probably being paranoid, but I can't deny the discomfort this feeling creates.

Tamster · May 20, 2013 at 06:30 PM

em

I feel exactly the same way you do. How do I explain it. Thank you for putting your feelings into words.. It is the way many of us younger pre retires feel.

anneo59 · May 23, 2013 at 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidestepper

I would love an actual skills assessment and realistic tolerance for work environments assessment(what can I physically do), not that interest testing they always do. I have a great many interest and that is just not realistic.

I add to this, a living wage and reasonable benefits, so one can have a life with dignity and feel more like a healthy, contributing member of society. . . .

Nammu · May 23, 2013 at 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anneo59

I add to this, a living wage and reasonable benefits, so one can have a life with dignity and feel more like a healthy, contributing member of society. . . .

Amen.

BrokenNBeautiful · May 25, 2013 at 08:29 PM

Right on. We don't deserve this attitude!

anneo59 · May 28, 2013 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emgreen

I know I'm not alone here, but I had a successful career for 20 years before I lost the ability to compensate for my BP. I'm not sure how I crossed that threshold, but I did. I still live in the same small city where I worked, & I'm constantly in fear of running into someone I used to work with & having them ask, "Where are you working now?" I'm now on SSDI & receive Medicare benefits, even though I'm not yet a senior. This makes me feel awkward & avoid large events. I know I'm probably being paranoid, but I can't deny the discomfort this feeling creates.

totally relate. the best

anneo59 · May 28, 2013 at 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intergalactictraveler

I'm 63, been on SSDI since May, 2011 for treatment resistant ultradian cycling bipolar. I've got private insurance, thanks to Medicare, and I don't give a rip what any doctor thinks, though no one has made any kind of issue out of it and I don't shy away from telling a doctor or anyone else that I'm disabled from a severe mental illness. If people don't want to associate with me or treat me, let them stay in their ignorant, narrow minded world. Maybe being so open makes me come across as odd, but for most of my adult life, that's the way I've been. I try to live life on my terms and I stand my ground.

outstanding!

helikesafullmoon · Jun 06, 2013 at 11:41 PM

whats the point? I get no answers. My medicaid is on a inactive status...I need it for PSR treatment, group therapy and the meds that shuts up the voice that says kill yourself till it's ringing in my ears. I sent all the paper work in for the review. I did tell them about my diagnosis....after all that's why I got medicare and medicaid in the first place. If I cant afford my meds the voice will come back telling me to kill myself and I don't think I find an argument against it.

BrokenNBeautiful · Jun 07, 2013 at 04:04 PM

I got in touch with how I really felt about that eye doctor.

I cancelled my appt today (was supposed to follow up with some eye tests) because I realized that not only was I uncomfortable with his attitude about my Medicare, but also he had seemed impatient with me about my anxiety *ie about medical procedures*.

I want a doctor to be patient with me when I have questions or anxiety.

I will see if I can write to them or call them and tell them how I really feel and maybe things will improve. I will either need to change docs or things will be better between me and them.

I can't tolerate this attitude anymore.

I hold fast to the idea of patients deserving respect, compassion, and humane attitudes toward them. Very very fast.

We are living beings and we have feelings and when this kind of thing occurs, it HURTS. And we are hurting enough!

Carol

BrokenNBeautiful · Jun 07, 2013 at 04:07 PM

one more thing I want to ask them, "What kind of pic flashes thru your mind when you hear the word "Medicare" or "Medicaid"?

A senior citizen? A "loser" who doesn't work?

What?

Carol

BrokenNBeautiful · Jun 07, 2013 at 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helikesafullmoon

whats the point? I get no answers. My medicaid is on a inactive status...I need it for PSR treatment, group therapy and the meds that shuts up the voice that says kill yourself till it's ringing in my ears. I sent all the paper work in for the review. I did tell them about my diagnosis....after all that's why I got medicare and medicaid in the first place. If I cant afford my meds the voice will come back telling me to kill myself and I don't think I find an argument against it.

Don't listen to that voice. It's evil.

I am so sorry about what is happening to you.

You hold on.

Carol

BrokenNBeautiful · Jun 07, 2013 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenNBeautiful

Doctors and others have questioned my entitlement to Medicare just because I am under 66.

yesterday, an eye doctor asked me what I was doing on Medicare?

I again felt guilty like I was taking from the government.

I have an Axis one MI.

That also gets me. I don't want to tell doctors, esp the ones who might have attitudes that I have a MI.

Any ideas on what to say to these doctors?

I am disabled and can't work or pay for my health care.

And I don't like feeling guilty about it! Or being under someone's verbal gun about it.

Carol

In case anyone wants to know what happened, I am bumping up my original post.

Carol

BrokenNBeautiful · Jun 07, 2013 at 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenNBeautiful

I am not sure I said this already, but I joked with the doctor when he said that, even though I was dead serious.

I told him in a silly voice; jesting: "Oh, excuse me for sponging off the govt." I think that embarrassed him.

I forget if I mentioned that.

Carol

Now I wish I hadn't even joked. That was kind of a show of guilt, which I should have not done. I wish I had looked him in the eye and aske him, "Why do you ask me this question?"

Carol

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Perna Pandita-in-training Member Since Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 27,289 (SuperPoster!) 17 550 hugs given	May 19, 2013 at 08:16 AM #43 I would just say, "You mean you are truly that ignorant?" and just shake my head. They are the ones with the problem, not you. You are at a medical establishment for medical care and they take Medicare (or you wouldn't be there). __________________ "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance." ~Confucius
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Schizofred Junior Member Member Since May 2013 Posts: 14 10	May 19, 2013 at 11:54 PM #46 Im on medicare. Not even 40 yet. Im schizoaffective and suffer from ptsd, also been told i have personality disorder. I feel more ashamed than guilty. I guess its a matter of survival.
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BrokenNBeautiful Mental Wellness Mensch Member Since Apr 2009 Location: I live with myself. Because that is all I can depend on. Everthing around me changes. Posts: 3,439 15 1,457 hugs given	May 25, 2013 at 08:29 PM #52 Right on. We don't deserve this attitude! __________________ The idea of a soul mate is an ILLUSION. In reality, we must learn to be our own best friend/partner. Then if love comes to us, we will already be whole. All that love can do, at that point, is enhance our wholeness!
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BrokenNBeautiful Mental Wellness Mensch Member Since Apr 2009 Location: I live with myself. Because that is all I can depend on. Everthing around me changes. Posts: 3,439 15 1,457 hugs given	Jun 07, 2013 at 04:07 PM #57 one more thing I want to ask them, "What kind of pic flashes thru your mind when you hear the word "Medicare" or "Medicaid"? A senior citizen? A "loser" who doesn't work? What? Carol
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