Anyone on Disability for their Migraines willing to...

email or PM me. I have some questions about it, and I know not everyone likes discussing this on the public forum. But I would love to be able to talk to someone who is receiving SSI Disability for Migraine to get some answers to some questions I have.

Thanks

Or even start a topic on it.

I'd really like to get a job. Right now I just can't do it. I'm fighting daily migraines. I need an extra income in my house. I can't even drive safely on my topamax to get to a job. I'm a stay at home mom so I doubt I would get SSI disability benefits but i'd certainly like to know more about it.

lovegia wrote:Or even start a topic on it.

I'd really like to get a job. Right now I just can't do it. I'm fighting daily migraines. I need an extra income in my house. I can't even drive safely on my topamax to get to a job. I'm a stay at home mom so I doubt I would get SSI disability benefits but i'd certainly like to know more about it.

I would be fine with that too. I just know from in the past some people don't always like discussing it openly so I wanted to offer the PM option

Actually, I sent a PM to Richard b/c I know he had so graciously written a step by step of his battle to get approved for Disability due to M. I can not find it anywhere but would love to read it again. (If anyone has it or knows how I can find it, please let me know).

I am just so tired of feeling bad about not keeping up with things (either at work or at home or socially) b/c I just don't feel well enough of the time to keep up. Also, that thread on driving while on pain meds really made me realize that if I stopped allowing myself to drive while on pain medication, I would not be able to keep my job. For sure. I have pain that I medicate/work through several days a week. It's crazy, really. And I have a long commute. I would hate to end up in jail b/c I was being brave and trying to go to work even tho I was in pain.

I love my career, and if I decide it is time to choose this I will be very sad, but I can't keep on the way it is now.

Uggghhh! Depressing topic.

Look fwd to chatting w/ anyone who might be able to help me answer some questions....either via PM or this thread.

The old forum is offline tonight. When I can, I will find my notes and post them here.

Thanks Richard!

I saw a sight called Migraine awareness group--- MAGNUM has 4 ss cases on there. one was VA. also i read recently that epilepsy was

" approved " or acknowledged for american with disabilities act and lawyers are arguing M cases as such an illness.

I have also read that SSI is like 18 months for final hearing as alot of laid off workers have applied .

Maybe you could be approved in the first phase 2-3 months. also you have to be on SSD 2 years before medicare kicks in.

knew more than i thought. good luck

I am VERY interested in this for my daughter as well. I am a single mom and she is 13 and alone all day. The options for tutoring would open significantly if I could afford an adult to be with her so that teachers could come into my home while I am at work. Since I don't get home to her until 7:00 it is really hard to get tutoring in. Any information would be so helpful!

I guess what I'm struggling with the most right now is that I do have a job- but I use and drive on pain meds to get by. Were I not to... I wouldn't be able to keep the job. But... It sounds like I can't apply if I'm employed, but quitting is not recommended either? I need to get fired? And then I read that it can take some ppl 4 yrs to get approved??? we'd lose our house by then without any income! I'm stuck! I miss a lot of work and can't keep up anymore due to my illness, however, I don't want to give in if it means sabotaging my families stability.
any suggestions?

My daughter is on ss Disablity,has been foe about 8 years.I'll talk to her and have her go online, if she's not still in bed.Daily migraines for her.

Jessica, we are stuck between the same rock and hard place. I need to look for work, but I'm worried if I can make a 40 hour week.

I also can't handle the thought of disability at 47 either...

It's so tough!! I am struggling because I AM employed, and the position I am in is elevated due to years with that school and actually philisophically helping "Build" the program. If I left, and then was denied Disability, I would not be able to get another job in administration or making what I make now B/C I stopped short of completing my Masters Degree when I had my son. SO many laws in Education have changed since then that I would have to re-take so much course work to finish the degree that it isn't worth it.

I wish I could go through the process and here for sure that I am guaranteed the benefit, and then stop working.

Uggghhh!!!

I talked to her last night.Her neice is now going through the disability business.She will go on Rhonda's page,I think to give you some advice.First hire a lawyer,then get all your records on this and all meds tried.It runs in my family.I've had them for58 years.Both of my daughters and my son have them ,2 granddaughters and my 8 year ols great grandson have them too.Good luck.It may take Linda a day or two to do it as she is down too.

Hi, my name is Linda, my Mom, Charlene told me about your situation. First of all hire a lawyer who specializes in social security disability. Second document everything you can, each doctor, neurologist, test and every medication you have taken for your migraines. Third talk to the people who handle your insurance at work find out if you have short and long term disability. If you haven't already done so, fill out the FMLA (family medical leave act) papers, this will help protect you from being fired for missing work. Years ago someone posted the wording used in their approval letter I have copied it into this posting. As well as a headache diary I had to submit periodically.

Today I got my decision from the Administrative Law Judge on my disability application. I had my hearing on Aug 8th and I found out then that he would be approving me, but since the papers say exactly what got me approved for disability, I wanted to post it in the hopes that it may help some of you.
These are excerpts from the statement of the case:
"The record established that the claimant has the following impairments which are considered to be "severe" under the Social Security Act and Regulations: migraine headaches with symptoms of pain and depression. The claimant can work without exertional limitations, but because of the unpredictable and painful nature of her migraine headaches she is unable to maintain concentration, persistance or pace during a workday or meet the ordinary demands of a regular workweek."
"In July 2000, Dr. *****, stated that the claimant was currently experiencing migraine headaches that were quite disabling and that during an attack would not be able to perform any work."
"In May 2000, the claimant started psychological counseling with Dr. *****, who diagnosed her with depression and pain disorder. Dr. *** completed a medical source statement showing that the claimant could interact appropriately with others in worklike settings, and carry out simple or complex instructions, when she is free of pain. Dr. **** noted that the claimants anxiety about her headaches was interfering with her ability to cope and impairing her abilities."
Regarding general medical records:
"These show that the claimants migraine headaches are frequent, unpredictable, and that the headaches, and the claimants anxiety about them, prevent her from performing the usual mental functions of work on a consistant basis."
"Considering the claimants limitations, she cannot make any adjustment to any work that exists in significant numbers in the natioal ecomomy; a finding of disabled is therefore reached within the framework of medical-vocational rule 204.00."
Also, the sections of the disability law that the judge approved my claim under was
Section 216(i) and 223, respectively
Section 1614(a)(3)(A)
I sure hope that this information helps one of you in how to prove your case. I am sorry it was so long but I really wanted to get the info out there to you. PLEASE let me know if I can help any more. You all have done so much for me, I would love to help you. I hope you are all pain free tonight.
~Debra

Migraine Management Headache Diary
Date___________ Hours of sleep last night ________ Quality of sleep__________
Medication(s) taken:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor
My health today 1 2 3 4 5
What activities did I do today:
sports, work, fun, exercise, other
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What activity did I have to eliminate due to my physical health:
sports, work, fun, exercise, other
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
None Mild Moderate Severe
Headache rating 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Unbearable 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 3
How long did the pain last? _______________________________
Method of relief? _______________________________
Location of pain _______________________________
Description of pain _______________________________
Symptoms associated with headache _______________________________
What has the weather pattern been? _______________________________
My feelings today were:
Happy Energetic Little uptight Nervous Downhearted Worried or Blue Tired No energy Hopeless Helpless
1 2 3 4 5
Things I did, ate, or drank that weren't good for me
___________________________________
Arguments I had ___________________________________
Unexpected events that happened to me ___________________________________
Worries or fears ___________________________________
Accomplishments ___________________________________
Something I will do tomorrow that will be a little different ___________________________________

I hope this helps you. It took me 2-1/2 years to get approved. I went on short term disability and then long term disability through my employer. Check your plan at work, it is all that saved us during the wait to be approved.
Good luck, Linda

It's Linda again. I have been on social security disability since January 2001. I was at the top of my career in advertising when it finally got to much for me I was 43 when I stopped working. I still struggle with feeling like I'm not a productive member of society. It's not easy, but at least I can lay down when my head starts blowing.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Stillhurtin wrote:I guess what I'm struggling with the most right now is that I do have a job- but I use and drive on pain meds to get by. Were I not to... I wouldn't be able to keep the job. But... It sounds like I can't apply if I'm employed, but quitting is not recommended either? I need to get fired? And then I read that it can take some ppl 4 yrs to get approved??? we'd lose our house by then without any income! I'm stuck! I miss a lot of work and can't keep up anymore due to my illness, however, I don't want to give in if it means sabotaging my families stability.
any suggestions?

Hey guys, sorry for digging up an old thread but it's relates to my issues. While thing have never been great with my migraines, they have really gone downhill over the last year. I am in the same situation where I am keeping a job basically by functioning on pain meds. The post quoted pretty much exactly expressed the concerns I have. I am in Canada so procedure may be different... but how do you go about pursuing disability if you have a job? Is it something your Dr or specialist has to recommend?

Hi-
I just got approved for Disability, for migraines. My process only took 4 months, first try, no appeals.

We did hire a lawyer and he was amazing. He said it is very rare to get approved on the first try, for migraines specifically. I am glad we had him, it saved a lot of stress which we all know is good to avoid when we can. There was no fee unless we won.

I had to keep in very close contact with him and keep a headache diary. And every doctor or ER visit had to be sent to him who forwarded it to the State...

Let me know if you have any questions, I would love to tell you more if you have specific questions?

Carlajo:)

GO BIG RED!!

I have been on Disability since 2004.

Would be happy to help you in any way I can.

It's so hard when you have always worked and had that outlet in life.

I miss so much about having that "Work family."

Anyway, just send me a message if you would like to talk.

Cindy

Thanks guys. My only real question about the process is if you guys had existing full time jobs when you had to apply? Or were you off of those jobs due to migraines already? Or were you not working at the time?

Right now I am working full time, though medicating the heck out of myself to do it. I miss a days work every 2 weeks, but there are man days I likely shouldn't be there but medicate myself to make it in and get through the day.