Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Thank You My Friends

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for you kind words during this very difficult period for me. I still find it hard to believe that my beautiful woman is gone. The funny thing is .... she would be annoyed with me for behaving this way... she would wack me in the back of the head and say... move on silly girl... you have things to do. Onward and upward, so to speak... not an easy task always for us AS'ers.

Now I need some of your valuable advice once more. It's that time again for my SSDI examinations. This time I plan on visiting their doctor armed with the right weapons. It's the only way to win this war and stop the dragged out battles.

I plan on bringing with me...

my full set of recent x-rays showing the complete fusion of my spine, the fusion of my hip area and the advancing fusion taking place in my neck.

a complete written explanation of Ankylosing Spondylitis along with skeletal chart.

a photo of me standing against the wall with measurement of the space from my head to the wall... which is now 8 inches.

a pain journal that I'm keeping so I can note exactly where I hurt the most during the day and when trying to sleep at night.

a list of the medications I have taken over the years to treat the pain and stiffness.

I wish I had the brace I wore for years trying to slow the advance of my bending... as it borders on an Inquisition torture device should you ever drop your car keys and need to retreive them from the floor.


Do you have any other suggestions that I could use to settle this thing once and for all?
I appreciate any and all commments and suggestions.


Proud to be a part of this great site!
Joan


I'll stop fighting when pigs fly!

Joan,
It is so good to see your smiling face! I have been watching for your posts again!
I am so very sorry about your loss! It is very difficult to lose a mom! I wish you continued comfort and peace.
Sorry, nothing to offer in way of SS advice! Good luck though! I see everyone else says GET A LAWYER!
Janet

Hi Joan,
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. She sounds like she was one great Lady.
I think the list you have to take to their docs is great. I don't know what else I would add. Do you have an attourney? If you don't, and they deny you again after this visit. I would get one.
Wishing you all the best. Take care,

Pam

"Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides. Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise." Maya Angelou

HI Joan,
I submitted the information that you have mention. X'ray, med list, etc. I also filled out the forms that SSDI send me. Plus my doctor's letter summorizing that AS was getting worst and I will unable to keep my job. Six months later I was approved. I received one phone call from my SSA advisor, she asked me if I wore or used a cane or any other device. I told her no. I told her that I couldn't sit for more than 30 minutes without my legs going numb. Walking more that 20 minutes with out getting muscle spasms. And not standing more than 20 minutes without my back going spasm and hurting. I told her that I am in pain most of the time and had a hard time sleeping. I didnt't see any of the SSA doctors either. I received a letter stating that I was approved. I am fused in my SI joints, S1 thru L5....T12, ribs, and my neck is starting now. Plus I get Uveitis every six months. All documented and given to them. So I think you have all the necessary paper to get approved. Good Luck.

Dan

Hi Joan, haven't got any advice on the SSDI, just wanted to say it's good to see you back. Losing a parent is probably one of the most painful things any one of us has to endure, and I'm glad to see she left you the legacy of being positive - it must be hard not to smile when you imagine her whacking you on the back of your head!!! But yet such a bittersweet time right now...hope it's not too long before your memories become less of sadness and more of the happiness (and more) that she brought into your life.

Take care hun, you'll get good advice here on the SSDI, and don't forget to keep us posted.

Take care,

Jan

Hi Joan,

I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. I lost mine to breast cancer 23 years ago, and I still miss her very much, but at least I think about the good times we shared now, rather than the sad ones. Thankfully, time IS a great healer, but can be a slow one.......

Good luck with your SSDI claim. I wish I had some words of advice for you.

Take care.

((((HUGS))))

Sue

Joan if you can find the law passed by congress defining what qualifies as a disablity. Look under the muscular skelatal section. If 60 % of the movement is gone in your back acording to the law you qualify. I can't find what I did with the one I printed off but about a year and half ago someone posted the site where you could find it. Good Luck.