[skittles]

got a letter the other day in the mail from ssi/disablity saying that before they mave their decisoin they want me to see one of their docs,,,,, i dont know if thats a good thing or bad..... im hoping i get it though but im not gonna get my hopes up

[Cheri]

It's a good sign that you're not just being turned down at the initial stage. Seeing a consultant is pretty standard for Social Security... sometimes they will do IQ and MMPI testing at that point.

[skittles]

ty cheri

Just a suggestion because I went through the whole process a couple of years, you might want to see a lawyer. Normally I wouldn't recommend lawyers but in my cases it was a great help. The lawyer I used specialized in disability claims. They took care of everything which was a good thing for me. I was not in any shape to handle the stress.
Good luck.

[tranquility]

Skittles,

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Tranquility

[bebop]

this is a good thing

[SeptemberMorn]

Having been through the process, I know they always make you see their own doctors. A rare case it is when their doctors agree with your own doctor's Dx. "Their" doctors work for the State. Their job is to discredit your personal doctor's Dx. This is standard proceedure.

What you need to do is get your own case file filled with everything that could possibly be wrong with you, be it either mental or physical. The thicker your file, the more convincing it will be to the judge that hears your case.

You yourself need to switch gears in how you think of your illness(es). I had to learn to stop playing them down and say "Ah, it's nothing really. I'm just lazy." Nope! You have to make friends and get to know your pain, whatever it is and wherever it is, and get on a first name basis. Embrace it. Become intimately aquainted with it and be ready to give every last little detail about it, especially to your own doctor(s). Whichever name you chose, either God or the Devil, but one or the other is in the DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS... no matter how insignificant they are to you. The are not insignificant in the final analysis. That's what builds a thick and strong case file!

Good luck!

PS I fired my lawyer 2 weeks before I went to my hearing. My file was so convincing the judge didn't even hold the hearing. He granted I was disabled without it. This was after three years of fighting with the State.

[Bethsway]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you...Hope it turns out well..!!

[skittles]

thanks everyone for the support im gonna need it

[heyjoe]

Actually if you have a doctor willing to do it in that specialty , you can have your own doctor do it and not have to go to their doctor. YOu have to inform them that you have such and such a doctor to do the evaluation.

[skittles]

well my pdoc has aready signed the letters and forms they wanted him to do but they say they need additonal info so i have to see their docs before they give their final decision

[SeptemberMorn]

When I received my letters from the State giving me an appointment time to see the State drs, it said right on there in big type that if I chose to not see their doctor, I ran the risk of being denied my claim.

You HAVE to jump through their hoops whether you think it's fair or not.

[heyjoe]

If your doctor is willing to do the evaluation that social security requires they will have additional paperwork to fill out. YOU have to call the person working your case at this point which should be on the letter stating that you need to go to their doctor. YOu absolutely can have your doctor do it if he is willing to do the evaluation social security is requiring and of course if the doctor is willing to fill out the paperwork. If the doctor is and if you call the case worker, you can have your doctor do it.

[skittles]

i think ill just go to the ssi doc and get it over with.....

[January]

Good luck, Skittles. I hope you get it.

Hugs,

Jan

[heyjoe]

Good luck when you do go and dont forget not to minimize your problems. Describe your bad days .

[January]

Joe is right, Skittles. Tell them everything. Be sure to leave nothing out.

Hugs,

Jan

I have a friend from my support group with bipolar & she saw their doc & got accepted right away. I've heard from many others that that is not the norm--that they will turn you down several times to make you go away. After they turn you down, I was told to get a lawyer who specializes in this. Also, agree with the others to tell how your condition is debilitating & renders you unable to work. Give specifics. Hospitalizations, episodes, therapy needed, etc. Good luck. It's a shame they make you so stressed out about these things & make you jump through all kinds of hoops.--Suzy

[heyjoe]

Also side effects of medications that would impact on your ability to work...make you tired....cant concentrate.....cant sleep at night...whatever it is.....Suzy had some good suggestions too.....again good luck

[skittles]

i want to thank everyone for wishing me luck.. and giving my advice.... u guys r great