QUESTION: I am 33 years old and have had migraine headaches since I was 16. I have had MRI’s of my brain, I’ve taken medication, I’ve even tried acupuncture. I still get migraine headaches 2 to 3 times a week. I can hardly move my head when I get one. Medication works sometimes but it is very expensive, and the doctor only gives me 10 pills a month. Light and sound is especially hard as it makes me nauseated. Obviously, I can’t work when I have one. Can I qualify for disability benefits?
ASK THE ADVOCATE: A diagnosis… Continue reading
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial infection resulting from the bite of a tick that is very small and often escapes detection. While Lyme Disease can be overcome in its earlier stages, chronic Lyme Disease is not so easy a foe to beat. The bacterial organisms infest the brain of the afflicted and cause symptoms that have made Lyme Disease very hard to diagnose as these symptoms mimic those of Multiple Sclerosis and even some kinds of cancer.
“Neurological complications,” continues the NINDS, “most often occur in the second… Continue reading
Fibromyalgia is now a recognized medically determinable impairment by Social Security. I will talk about the symptoms of fibromyalgia and how these symptoms relate to a Social Security Disability or SSI claim. I will also discuss the type of treatment that Social Security recognizes for this condition. You will also read about how the limitations from fibromyalgia can help show you are disabled.
Fibromyalgia is pain in several areas or all over body with no functional or structural disease to explain the pain. It is much more common in women than in men. In fact women account for about 80%… Continue reading
QUESTION: I am a 57-year old woman with severe depression and anxiety. I can barley get out of the house to even pick up my mail. My doctor says I can’t work. I tried to file for Social Security Disability, but the local office said I don’t qualify for any benefits. In fact, they would not take an application because I didn’t work enough, and my husband makes too much money. Are they right?
ASK THE ADVOCATE: First of all as a reminder, Social Security is NOT an entitlement. But these benefits are not guaranteed. There are four… Continue reading
Sjögren’s syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder of the exocrine glands. Involvement of the lacrimal and salivary glands is the hallmark feature, resulting in symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth, and possible complications, such as corneal damage, blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), dental caries, and the inability to speak for extended periods of time. Involvement of the exocrine glands of the upper airways may result in persistent dry cough.
Many other organ systems may be involved, including musculoskeletal (arthritis, myositis), respiratory (interstitial fibrosis), gastrointestinal (dysmotility, dysphagia, involuntary weight loss), genitourinary (interstitial cystitis, renal tubular acidosis), skin (purpura, vasculitis),… Continue reading
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a serious skin disease that tragically is often misdiagnosed. Because HS usually begins as pimple-like bumps on the skin, many victims (and doctors, too) think their condition is acne, ingrown hair, or boils. As the disease worsens, the pimple-like bumps most commonly erupt in the underarm or groin areas—places that everyday pimples typically do not appear—and grow deep into the skin becoming very painful. To make matters worse, they often rupture, leaking bloodstained pus.
Social Security defined HS under Listing 8.06 Hidradenitis suppurativa, with extensive skin lesions involving both axillae, both inguinal areas or… Continue reading
Huntington disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressively worsening motor, cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric symptoms. HD is caused by a mutation of the Huntington gene called a “CAG repeat expansion”. The mutation results in gradual neuronal degeneration in the basal ganglia of the brain, and progresses to involve other regions of the brain responsible for coordination of movements, thoughts, and emotions. Neuronal degeneration causes diffuse and severe brain atrophy that is comparable to late stage Alzheimer disease.
Clinical presentation of HD may include changes in personality, behavior, cognition, speech, and coordination. Physical changes include… Continue reading
QUESTION: I am a 53 year old man with severe diabetes. I have such bad neuropathy in my feet and hands that I can barley walk. In fact, most of the time I have to use a cane in my dominant hand and occasionally I have to use a rolling walker when the pain gets real bad. I was a heavy equipment operator for CalTrans for 25 years. I was forced to quit a year ago and took a disability retirement.
I have paid into Social Security through my employer. Can I qualify for benefits?
ASK THE ADVOCATE:… Continue reading
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary physical movements or vocal sounds. These actions may include kicking, facial tics, sudden jerking movements, shouts, grunts, or many other fits. In some cases, the symptoms can be quite severe, including involuntary jumping or biting, and can put the individual’s safety and well-being in danger.
There are many symptoms that an individual with Tourette’s syndrome may suffer from that can prevent that individual from maintaining full-time work activity. The inability to work can lead to significant financial distress. Fortunately, in some cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help alleviate some of… Continue reading
Question: I am a 57-year-old woman with chronic pain. I have had a broken shoulder that is poorly healed, herniated discs in the lumbar spine, joint pain and some neuropathy in my hands and feet from diabetes. This has been going on for more than 6 months. My doctors tell me I am not a candidate for surgery and have only offered opioid pain medication and physical therapy. I have not been able to work in 3 years. Now I am having problems with depression and anxiety. My memory is shot. I can’t remember simple things that were once a… Continue reading