Had my SSD appointment today

[londonteatime]

I think it went OK and I'm really glad I had an SS worker fill out everything for me. She thought of things I honestly wouldn't have AND she established my date of disability in September, rather than the date I gave notice, which is what I put down.

She submitted some test results with my application to get the ball rolling so I'm glad I had those with me. She said she could send in 15 pages, so I gave her the labs showing the positve ANA; high SED, anti-DNA, CRP and hematocrit, and the hip and spine MRI's.

She also put down that I've tried to work since diagnosis and my work has been modified but I started missing at least 7 days per month due to serious illness. She took down all of my medications and their side effects, too.

I'm hopeful! It amazed me, actually, how much info about us they already have!

Fingers crossed,
Julie

[alobreto]

Hi, Julie! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
That is good news! I'm so glad things went well at the appointment.

It's also good to hear that the worker was helpful in assisting you with the paperwork and details. Those details can make all the difference in the ruling you get.

I hope things continue in that direction.
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[lazylegs]

Julie,
That is great that you got one of the clerks that was so helpful. That lessens the anxiety for you. The decision takes a long time. They said mine would start in 6 months if I was approved. Six months and no notice. Then I got a password in the mail but nothing said I was actually approved. A few days later the direct deposit was in my account. It took another week to get a letter showing approval and why I was being paid the amount I was. You may be contacted to have an exam. Since I claimed memory loss I had to see a pshchologist. It wasn't difficult but very long. That worked in my favor. She could tell how exhausted I was getting as the exam went on.
Good luck,
Lazylegs

[londonteatime]

Thank you, Angela and Lazylegs! I guess I have to keep tabs on everything and think positive, don't I?

I was wondering if I should call and tell them about the scleroderma results? It could help speed things along, maybe?

Julie

[bugsy]

<span style="color:#FF6666"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hiya Julie

Well it sounded like a good meeting and the person you have helping you sure sounds to be on the ball.

As for your scleroderma results i would definately call and give them, it can't do any harm and i am sure that the more that you can prove the better.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif Good luck - take care. love and hugs style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif XxX Jo XxX</span></span>

[macfamily53]

[size=1][b]



Dear Julie That is so awesome everyhthing is going so far so good. I am so happy for you it is about time for you. I would most defiantely call them and tell them about the other diseas. Sorry i am not even going to try to spell it lol. MY brain its to tired right now. I know the lawyer i ahd always told me that i should always give them everything that i had done at the doctor and all teh diseases also. All very important stuff. Good luck with all of it and please keep us posted julie.Take care of yourself to.

Tammy((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

[lazylegs]

Hi Julie,
Yes send in the results. It couldn't hurt. Nothing speeds up the process. A few months back they said that it was going to be a shorter process in 2006. Hopefully that will be the case. Sometimes it is the doctors that slow things up. If they know you are applying maybe they will be Jonny on the Spot sending your records in.
To a speedy approval,
Lazylegs

[dudley]

Hi Julie

That is great news. Yes I would keep them informed of any new developments. You will probably be assigned an adjuctor. Once you know who this person is I would contact them and introduce yourself. Offer to get any doc info that they are having a hard time getting. Ask if you could contact them every once in awhile. Some are fine with that others are not. In other words make nice with them.

Best of luck Elaine

[flowergarden]

Julie, you should send in every new diagnosis, let them know of every doctor's appointment, changes in meds., in other words, everything new.

You'll need to stay on top of your doctors, too. Many don't want to do paperwork. My current rheumy is that way--uncooperative. He won't even send in records. (A talk with his office manager helped there.)

Constantly check to make sure records have been received. I found that they listed records that they either didn't really have in their hands or didn't look at.

Anyway, I'm waiting for an ALJ hearing. We both need a lot of luck! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif