Major sigh of relief

[hiddenneggs]

My wife's appeal hearing on the cutting off of her Social Security Disability benefits was today. (I've mentioned her fibromyalgia -- think Chronic Fatigue Syndrome plus pain -- before, and she also has knee and other problems.) She had elected to continue receiving benefits (monthly payment and Medicare/Medicaid coverage) throughout the appeal process, so if we'd lost the appeal, not only would she no longer get them (which would make finances even tighter than they already are), but we'd've had to pay back what she'd got in the meantime.

Fortunately (as indicated in the subject line) the judge gave us a favorable verdict, and even told us while we were still there, so no anxiously awaiting a letter.

[Shoyru_Lover]

That's great news! At least you know you guys will have some form of security.

Do you get a refund on what you've already paid?

[Shadow]

Thats good news Glad the judge ruled in your favor

[Morningstar]

That must be a wave of relief for the two of you, Will. I used to worked for Social Security and know all about how inept that agency can be at times.

You and I have talked about your wife's medical condition in the past. Very similar to what I had a long time ago. There are a few people in my guild with the same type of thing. It is so sad.

I hope she isn't in too much pain. Please give her my well wishes. And take care of yourself as well. Sometimes the caregiver is so busy caring that he or she forgets about themself.

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

I think I might have that. I'm in a lot of pain most days, usually unbearable and now I have something wrong with my nerves too, although of course, I won't go to the doctor to do anything about it. I'm scared it's something serious. It feels like I'm getting electric shocks in my body and then I get tingling sensations.

Hearing about your wife though, it's made me feel a bit better because I know I'm not the only one to have problems. I'm glad things have gone alright with her. She deserves a good life.

[shapu]

I think I might have that. I'm in a lot of pain most days, usually unbearable and now I have something wrong with my nerves too, although of course, I won't go to the doctor to do anything about it. I'm scared it's something serious. It feels like I'm getting electric shocks in my body and then I get tingling sensations.

If it's something serious, it's almost always better to know, so you can see about treatment, even if it's only symptomatic treatments.

My father was the same way with his Parkinson's disease. He just sat there with his arm going like a paintmixer for 10 years before someone finally convinced him to get it checked out. Dad didn't want to know the truth, I think, but he's been on medications since then, and is doing much better.

Hiddenneggs, Glad to hear your wife's hearing went well. Sounds to me like you got yourself a decent judge.

[Igg]

Ahh, fibromalgyia is horrible- a good friend of mine suffers from it.

I'm glad she got through it.

Has she had any pain management advice? It's often a lot more helpful than scrabbling around trying to relieve it, if you see what I mean.

Says chronic back pain teenager

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

Makes you wonder how many people have got this syndrome and just go through life thinking it's just 'life wearing you down'. I know I think like that. Mind you, in my case it probably IS life wearing me down cos I work in a charity shop now and it's quite strenuous and I'm not used to it. And I worry too much too, thinking 'could I have this?' or 'could I have that?'

Gimme a chill pill, guys

No honestly, gimme one. I've got a sore throat and a cough that started today and I think it's bird flu cos I ate a chicken on Sunday. Not a live one though

Eww. Could you imagine eating a live chicken?

[hiddenneggs]

Thanks for the responses, all.

As fibromyalgia goes, my wife's isn't nearly as severe as some -- as long as she takes care about both stress and activities, her pain is kept in pretty decent control by her regular meds, plus the occasional trigger-point injection (needed less often these days than formerly). What the meds can't really counter is the fatigue, which will sometimes hit for no apparent reason, but will definitely wipe her out for days if she exerts herself for a day or so.

Just tonight she was noting that Tuesday (the day after the hearing) is basically lost to her -- she doesn't really recall what went on then, and that was basically a reaction to the stress about Monday's hearing.



Ginger -- one of the components of fibromyalgia are the trigger points I mentioned above, particular spots on the body that are more sensitive. A doctor can check for them, and thus determine whether someone has the syndrome.

[Morningstar]

Ahh, fibromalgyia is horrible- a good friend of mine suffers from it.

I'm glad she got through it.

Has she had any pain management advice? It's often a lot more helpful than scrabbling around trying to relieve it, if you see what I mean.

Says chronic back pain teenager

My daughter does pain management for her migraines. Biofeedback therapy. I wonder if it can also be used for fibromyalgia.

[everconfused]

My wife's appeal hearing on the cutting off of her Social Security Disability benefits was today. (I've mentioned her fibromyalgia -- think Chronic Fatigue Syndrome plus pain -- before, and she also has knee and other problems.) She had elected to continue receiving benefits (monthly payment and Medicare/Medicaid coverage) throughout the appeal process, so if we'd lost the appeal, not only would she no longer get them (which would make finances even tighter than they already are), but we'd've had to pay back what she'd got in the meantime.

Fortunately (as indicated in the subject line) the judge gave us a favorable verdict, and even told us while we were still there, so no anxiously awaiting a letter.

Congrats! Good to know there's some judges with common sense. It's a shame that you had to go through this.

I'm on SSDI (multi-diagnosis) and get those review letters every other year - the "we need to see if you're still disabled" things, and I've been reviewed once already. They really just don't seem to get it that those of us on disability would much rather work and not have to deal with the system, the fear of getting our benefits cut off and the awful things they're doing with medicare - that new prescription thing? 2 of my meds are NOT going to be in the plan; if your wife needs xanax or valium it won't be covered next year. I think we all need to start writing letters about that!

I have fibro and I feel for your wife. That will make you very tired, I can tell you that. Along with the insomnia and fevers that seem to go along with the fibro. It's very difficult to get comfortable and you know what it's like when the fibro's really flaring up. Just touching her back is probably enough to bring her to tears.

Just re-read your other post - yes, confusion/forgetting things is somehow involved with fibro. Which really is weird, even to me.

Pain management could help, it depends on if you can afford it or your insurance will cover it. Mine won't and I sure can't afford it. I used to go to a chiropractor for my back and migraines and had acupuncture for the migraines, fibro and meniere's. It really did help. But again, it got to where I would have had to decide whether to pay my rent or pay for treatment. Rent won out.

Ginger, fibro is hard to diagnose. There's no real test other than the doctor pressing on specific trigger points from your neck down your back and also near your collarbone. There has to be a certain number of spots that react before a diagnosis of fibro is even mentioned. And even then, there are doctors who still don't completely believe in it. They'll tell you it's "just" stress. You could try reading this site: http://hometown.aol.com/micki55555/fibrossdi.html ... there's information and links there.

[Shoyru_Lover]

Wow I didn't realize that so many people had complications. Hmmm, makes a brave brave person to be able to soldier on.