Crohns and Social Security Disability

by Sally
(Maine)

I have had Crohns since 1983, had many many doctors and hospital stays before I was diagnosed with Crohns. I moved to a different state in 1987, didnt request my medical files from doctors or hospitals. I had been in remission, with flare-ups periodically. Once I moved to a different state, I had no medical insurance, which stopped me from going to get medical attention, just dealt with the flare-ups I did have over the years. I tried to get medical records (25 years later) but no hospital or doctors that I was seen by back then have any records.
I have since gone for a colonoscopy, diagnosed with Crohns and I am now applying for social security disability. My question is, do people really get it for their Crohns? I wished I had known back in 1983 that I couldnt have applied, I'm not even sure if Crohns Disease was on the disability list. I did have to quit my job back in 83, just didnt think it was fair to my co-workers the amount of time that I called out sick because of my Crohns. I do have a lawyer that is helping me getting disability but was just wondering if its possible to actually get disability? I do have my new records and images from the surgeon who did my colonoscopy and CAT scan. Diagnosed with Crohns. Its kind of funny cause when I went to my primary doctor for a follow-up, he told me I didnt have Crohns, so I showed him the paperwork that the surgeon sent me and then he asked me where I got those from? Told him from the surgeon who did the colonoscopy. I am now going to a gastro. doctor who has put me back on medication and prednisone and wants to do another colonoscopy, she'd like to go all the way up and be able to get a biopsy whereas the surgeon could only get a biopsy from the beginning. I'm sorry for going on and on,,,I was just wondering if you knew of people who are getting social security disability? any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sally

Comments for Crohns and Social Security Disability

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won- won- won
by: sally

Well, after 27 months and many many doctors visits and one surgery to remove 18 lbs of my large intestines (I have about 6 inches left) I finally won my disability claim. I had my hearing date for Oct 1st,,,the Friday before my actual hearing day, I got a phone call from my attorney and she said the judge granted me full disability after reading all my documentation. I nearly collapsed when she told me. I was so relieved. What I can tell others, do not give up,,,,don't quit! Keep moving forward,,,if you do give up, you lose.
Got my hearing date
by: Sally

Got my hearing date,,,FINALLY. Going in on Sept 1st,,,,it'll be 27 months I have waited for this date. I went in to see my primary dr. The other day so she could fill out some paperwork my attorney sent ,,I feel confident about everything! I just don't want to get over confident. I now have almost all of my large intestine gone,,they left me with 6 inches. Gastro dr found low grade cancer and thankfully by the grace of God removed it all. I will still be getting colonoscopys every year. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. I haven't worked in over 2 yrs. and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia now. Could not do my old job if I wanted too,,,use to stand for over 5 hours.
Social Security Disability
by: LADaz

I don't know how anyone was ever approved for SSD in 5 months, it took me three and a half years before the board for social security would determine that there was no job available within the USA that I could do. This was never what I had wanted for my future but with the medications that I am on there was no employer willing to hire me or that was willing to deal with when I did have a flair up the time off work that I would have needed, which by the way I do totally understand. Also, without my husband there is absolutely no possible way that I could ever afford to live on SSD and not be living below the poverty guidelines!!! Also I received with my SSD less than $1 a month raise for cost of living for 2015‼️
Crohns,,and waiting for SSD
by: Anonymous

I will wait until I'm broke,,,every one tells me Social Security Disability judges want you to quit,,,I'm not a quitter,,,so I will continue trying to get whats coming to me for many many years,,,,guess I should have applied for it back in 1983,,,didnt know I was able to apply,,,Going to be patient,,,does anyone have any comments on how long it took them from the time they put their application in until the time they actually received a check? Once May hits,,,,it'll be 24 months,,,thats a long time in my book to be ill and waiting for the government
Crohns,,and waiting for SSD
by: Anonymous

I will wait until I'm broke,,,every one tells me Social Security Disability judges want you to quit,,,I'm not a quitter,,,so I will continue trying to get whats coming to me for many many years,,,,guess I should have applied for it back in 1983,,,didnt know I was able to apply,,,Going to be patient,,,does anyone have any comments on how long it took them from the time they put their application in until the time they actually received a check? Once May hits,,,,it'll be 24 months,,,thats a long time in my book to be ill and waiting for the government
social security
by: GC

I was diagnosed with colotis/crohn in 1984. I took every med there was. Hardly missed work. Started a new job in 1990 worked a lot of OT. Took max amount of meds to keep me going. Had surgery in 1996 removed large intestine I now have a J Pouch. Then in 2010 I started getting knee and other joint problems. Basicaly they would not let me in the plant, and sent me a registered letter telling me to file for SS or have my S&A reduced. I answered the questions on the SS form they asked .On the last line they wanted a comment. I wrote That I Did Not want to loose my job. I knew I could still work. Three months later I was on SS and retired. For me SS is not the answer. It is harder not to work. It is a big company and their rules are strict I was 59 and 1/2 when this happened. The rules need to change!
Crohns and me
by: sally

Cathy, I do have a lawyer working for me this time, I just got my denial letter but now with the government all shut down I might just have to wait even longer. I looked at my denial papers and its funny cause they only took some of my medical records and not all of them, like my records from my gastro doctor,,they didnt take those. Its like "give me a break". But they took records from my primary doctor who doesnt have a clue about Crohns. Go figure,,Social Security gave me the reason for not giving me disability is because I dont fall under "their" rules,,,I'm not sure what their rules are yet. Said according to my primary doctor my weight is stable. One reason for that is my thyroid medication, makes ya gain weight and plus I've been on prednisone, another medication that makes you gain weight. They also said my job as a secretary that I listed, I would be okay doing. I havent done secretarial work in over 10 yrs. So they did just pick and chose what they wanted. UNBELIVABLE,,,thats our government working for us. ha ha. I just wished I had taken all my records from way back when I moved.
Crohns and me
by: sally

Cathy, I do have a lawyer working for me this time, I just got my denial letter but now with the government all shut down I might just have to wait even longer. I looked at my denial papers and its funny cause they only took some of my medical records and not all of them, like my records from my gastro doctor,,they didnt take those. Its like "give me a break". But they took records from my primary doctor who doesnt have a clue about Crohns. Go figure,,Social Security gave me the reason for not giving me disability is because I dont fall under "their" rules,,,I'm not sure what their rules are yet. Said according to my primary doctor my weight is stable. One reason for that is my thyroid medication, makes ya gain weight and plus I've been on prednisone, another medication that makes you gain weight. They also said my job as a secretary that I listed, I would be okay doing. I havent done secretarial work in over 10 yrs. So they did just pick and chose what they wanted. UNBELIVABLE,,,thats our government working for us. ha ha. I just wished I had taken all my records from way back when I moved.
Disability for Crohns
by: Cathy

YES! Dont give up. I applied for disability; provided all my records, since 1968, to the present. This included all tests, surgeries, etc..everything I could find and provided a cover letter. ITS NOT AN EASY TASK, however, I did recieve it 5 months after applying
Dont give up. You may have to find a lawyer to help you OR at least, find someone to work with you, that has experience, and, is able to walk along with you as you go through the process. I did not hire a lawyer, as I had my records...etc.
I wish you well and hope and pray you are able to get the help you deserve.
Please keep us posted.
Cathy

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