Falling Apart

[ladyblue]

Hi everyone..! Went to the OS this week to get the results for my MRI for my left knee (had my RTKR in January) and there is a large tear, arthritis and a few other things wrong with it. My RK is full of scar tissue and I have next to no ROM and are in constant pain. The OS wants me to wait until fall to decide what I want done with my knees. On top of all that...I have osteoporosis..vitamin D defeciency ( sorry about the spelling) have to take calcium pills, may be hypoglycemic and have stomach problems...! I am falling apart piece by piece ..LOL!! The OS put me on Vicodan ES for pain instead of 10/325 percocet. Haven't been back to PT because I don't have the transportation and Social Security denied me and I am appealing. I am going to keep on pushing through and not give up!!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

LadyBlue -
oh my! Sounds like you are trying your best to stay positive. It must be hard with all that is going on . I am sorry the OS is making you wait till fall to make a decision on your knees. You could try to use Alaskan Time Frames - Our Fall starts after state fair - This year that means the first week of September! My hopes for positive outcomes for you are on the way~
Try to hang in there-
Marianne

 

[Josephine]

Bless you, yes - you seem to have a whole bunch of problems to cope with. But so pleased to you're managing to stay positive. Do keep in touch and let us know how things progress.

 

[JudyS]

Ladyblue,

Keep pushing through. I have been reading on a spinal forum of people being denied social security and having to apply multiple times. It seems like it is quite a challenge, don't give up they seem to all finally get there.

I too am totally falling apart!!! You are not alone. I had a right hip replacement and cervical 3 level fusion. My thoracic spine is a mess, debating about having that fused. My muscles in the replaced hip are not getting any stronger (very weak at 9 weeks post). My right knee has been very painful (arthritis), I was just upgraded to osteoperosis due to 3 fractures this year!!! My right shoulder is very painful, the left is just starting to have the twinges!! I have hypopituitarism!!!

But, I do not have the issues you have with driving and social security. Just keep on being strong and fighting. And keep on posting, there are so many good people here.

Judy

 

[Gretchendz]

Ouch Ladyblue!

Thinking good thoughts for you....

 

[Rowdy66]

Getting SSDS is really tricky unless you have documentation. After you have been denied benefits you should get an attorney who specializes in Social Security disability cases, it is the only way you are going to get approved. Whatever attorney you choose take copies of your documentation to them. I was fortunate, I had almost 20 years of documentation on my spine and the attorney only had to write one letter. I was approved and got my first check in less than a month, but I had already been through the six month period when you initially apply to Social Security. Even then it takes I think two years or something like that to get on Medicare, I don't really remember the exact time frame only that there was one and it was much longer than I had expected. So if you need surgery now I would suggest going to your states medical agency for health insurance. In Arizona we have ACCCHS, (I may not have gotten the initials right but that is about it) other states have Medicaid, whatever state you live in should have some kind of medical welfare for you though. Now whether you qualify I could not say as the rules change so often and it has been some years since I have worked in the Arizona welfare system. I have a friend in Missouri who had breast cancer and then later needed a kidney removed and her husband had a massive heart attack and they had no health insurance for any of these events but through their local hospital were able to find doctors who would accept whatever they could pay and the hospital let them make payments. I hope you pursue some avenue though so that you don't have to live in pain for an extended period of time. Good luck, I will keep you in my prayers. Rowdy

 

[ladyblue]

Thanks for the kind words. I am checking into a couple different avenues for some help. I really want to go to work but I can't do the jobs that I had done before (housekeeper for hotels/motels and overnight stocker at Walmart). I am the type of person that enjoys working. Hopefully something good happens before the holidays.

 

[Linda2]

I think SS is getting a bit better. My SSDS was approved at the first level. I am shocked! I am still fighting with the Michigan Teacher's Early Disability Retirement folks. The determination is made by the same board as the SS, but they turned me down. I got an attorney, filed the appeal, and they wrote back in February that they would let me know when there would be a hearing. Geez. The attorney is sending them the approval from SS. Hope that rattles their cage.