Denied!

50 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend

Somebody just posted a bulletin containing this link on myspace. This is so awesome - please please please check it out. http://www.everydaygivingblog.com/2007/07/50-ways-to-enco.html

DENIED!

So I received a denial letter from SSI Disability. Except this time, I didn't flip out. For the first time since I've been applying, I haven't completely collapsed into an anxiety attack. I think it's partially because I slept most of the day and feel like I'm getting sick, but also because this time the letter actually made me feel like they took out a little bit of time to look at what was going on with me. (I've made my responses to parts of the letter ::red::.)

July 23, 2007

We have determined that your condition is not severe enough to keep you from working. We considered the medical and other information, your age, education, training and work experience in determining how your condition affects your ability to work.

You said you are disabled due to Evans Syndrome, fibromyalgia, Lupus and RA. The records support these conditions and limitations, however, they do not preclude all work activity.


[ The problem with their decision is that it is based on a questionnaire which, while being something like 15 pages long of repeat questions over and over, isn't that in depth. I have four conditions that all result in different and opposite results, making my health extremely unpredictable. I feel good one day and absolutely miserable the next. This makes it impossible to hold any job. Also, my environment directly contributes to the way I am feeling. Meaning any type of stress, loud noises, etc, but also things like fluorescent lights which I'm extremely sensitive to. ]

In addition, your anxiety is currently under control. Based on your description, we have determined that you can perform the type of work you have done in the past as a cashier. Because you can still perform some type of work, you are not considered disabled and your claim is denied.

[ Funny, I didn't realize I had been treated for anxiety by anyone. Other than being on Cymbalta by my rheumatologist (which while it is an anti-anxiety med, it is also a time released anti-depressant and pain reliever as well.). By the way - Cymbalta is something commonly prescribed to people with Fibromyalgia, so it's not directly related to anxiety. While my rheumie knows I am constantly anxious, they haven't done anything to treat me for it. I have been unable to find any kind of mental health, which means I'm in a constant state of worry and have two or three panic attacks a week. Nobody has even asked me about this, and if they had - I would've told them exactly that. But somehow they have determined that my anxiety is under control. Weird. About me being a cashier - I was a cashier under fluorescent lights which made me physically sick every single time I worked. I didn't know this was what was making me ill until this year, because my doctor never informed me that Lupus caused me to be sensitive to fluorescent lights. ]

Needless to say - I'm appealing. I've already called and requested the forms.