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**Teri** · 03-13-2003, 02:21 PM

{{{{{Angel}}}}} One more HUGE step for the ICer's of the world!!!!!!!!!!!! Eventually some of us won't have to fight for years to get what is rightfully theirs

{ I still say they don't pay me near enough to feel this crappy

tons and tons of happy hugs

**Redneck Cowgirl** · 03-14-2003, 07:48 AM

Good for you and I'm happy for you!!!!! It took me 18 months two turn downs and going to court and then only got if for 12 months back in stead of 18 months. Did you get SSD of SSI?

Again I'm extremely happy for you.

Sandy
Redneck Cowgirl

**Kelli** · 03-16-2003, 04:28 AM

thats FANTASTIC angel.....I will have to e-mail you and find out exactly what you did so when I go in I can be prepared. Thats WONDERFUL news. CONGRATS!!!!!

Kelli

**angel miller** · 03-16-2003, 01:17 PM

thanks to you all!
to answer your question, i got ssd. i applied for both incase ssd did not except me i would have the other to fall back on. beings i qualified for ssd i withdrew the claim for ssi. it would only have covered for the two months between my ssd eligability. atleast that is what they explained to me when they called. good luck to all who are applying.
best of luck! and all my prayers are with you!

angel
angel
grouphug

**mayray518** · 03-17-2003, 02:26 AM

All of jill's hard work has made strides. When i first applied for SSI disability in 1995 I got turned down; I had been in pain for 3 years, could hardly walk and the social security rep told me i was a good actress. I hired a lawyer and got it a year later. i am happy you got it!!

**SusanC** · 03-19-2003, 09:55 AM

Angel, YYIIPPEEEEE!!! So happy for you and for the others who have gotten SSD. We can all thank Jill and the Moderators of this board for working to get a listing for IC.

It was very scary for me also, applying for the SSD. Did a lot of homework, attached information sheets from here and the ICA, wrote a personal letter to my uro and primary care doc telling what IC has done to my life....how I started as a busy teacher, Mom, Wife, etc.....and ended up on the couch with heating pads for most of the day and night (This was Teri's suggestion, and, I believe a pivotal part of getting SSD....it helps your doc to write the letter needed to the SSD office.....Thanks to Teri!!!).

I was one of the very few fortunate ones who got it on IC alone back in May of 2001, got my first check in July of 2001 after applying in February of 2001. LUckily, it was retroactive to the previous July. Don't know how ANYONE could wait that long without losing the house and everything in it AND his or her mind!! Then to give ANY $$$'s of that retroactive check to a lawyer, no way!!! Only if it's absolutely necessary.

In my drugged state, with only half of my brain working, I had lots of trouble with all of the paperwork. I am blessed with a wonderful sister who helped me with it, so I could state clearly what was going on.

Best wishes to you and others out there. Hope at least one person on the boards reads this and gets a few ideas about how to apply.

Good luck to all of you with your applications!

**liz2** · 03-19-2003, 10:39 AM

Angel, Glad to hear the good news. Seven years ago, I had to go as far as the administrative law hearing and had to hire an attorney. I am glad that it is easier now. We couldn't make it without the Medicare.

**MaryFitz** · 03-26-2003, 02:06 AM

Angel,

Congratulations!! That is a huge accomplishment.

I just applied Marh 12th. I did a lot of homework too. I attached the ruling and medical journal articles, letters from docs, etc. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take from the day you applied until you were approved? I'm curious to know if the SS Ruling makes an impact on the length of the process.

Take care,
Mary

**skershner3** · 03-29-2003, 03:49 AM

Great News! I am glad that you got it without alot of hassles. I applied on February 19th. I filled out the green form, signed the medical releases, mailed what records I had which were all of my family doctors records which included all of the consultation letters from my urologist, pictures of my hydro, a pain assessment, a depression test, etc. Then I got another batch of paperwork, the activities of daily living, pain assessment, and work history. Turned all of that in. I received a letter from disability and they have me set up for a psychological evaluation next Thursday (for the depression) and I made an appointment with my family doctor to have a physical done on Tuesday that he can send in to disability along with my updated notes from the time that they were copied. Did you have to go for any evaluations from other doctors? If so - what can I expect? I am very anxious about all of this because I know if you get it the first time around the decision should be made within four months and if you have to appeal then you are looking at probably 12-14 months? I actually worked part time up until 2/19/03 when I applied. I was having a hard enough time working my job three days a week and one of the other girls said that she wanted to cut back to part time and they said that they werent going to hire anybody else so they were going to stick me in the receptionist job by myself. I had been there 11 years and this had always been a two person job and I know that it is not possible to do it alone. It is a very stressful position and by the end of the day with help you are ready to pull your hair out so I resigned, knowing that I just couldnt do it. Stress just keeps my bladder in a constant flare so for my benefit and the benefit of my family I quit. It has been a very emotional thing for me because I miss the employees which were like my extended family and it was hard to come to the decision that I just couldnt do it anymore. I had been in contact with disability before all of this happened because I was having so much trouble, pain constantly....and had resorted to having to take narcotic pain relievers which to me has been the best thing for this condition. I am lucky I found a doctor that would give them to me. I use a TENS unit, heat/cold pack depending, and a handful of maintenance meds which I do not mess with in any way to alter them or I am flat on my back in bed for three months until I get back on everything again and half way functional. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. I am very happy for you. If you can give me any pointers I would appreciate it. I filed very quickly and sent my paperwork in before I even thought about coming to this site to get assistance. I am too doing this without an attorney but after filling out all of the pages and pages of paperwork I know why people need to get one just to help with that. Any info you can give me will be much appreciated. My best to you!!! Susan

**liz2** · 03-29-2003, 05:42 AM

I am so happy for you.

--------------------------------------------------
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all. --Emily Dickinson

**liz2** · 03-29-2003, 05:50 AM

In 1996, after two denials, I had to request an administrative law hearing and get an attorney. The attorney gets 25% of your bad owed award. Things have changed so much since then. However, you need medical articles, detailed medical records, and a pain and inactivity journal helps. My husband helped me, as did my uro and PCP. My husband kept the daily journal. Rate your daily pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 the worst. The more education you have, the harder it used to be.

Your chances are better now because SS has a code for IC. Much of our debate in 1996 centered around the confusion between simple cystitis and IC.

--------------------------------------------------
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all. --Emily Dickinson

**Dixiefireball** · 04-01-2003, 05:28 AM

oh i'm so glad for you it took me two years and a lawyer to get mine.

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I GOT IT! FIRST TRY!

I GOT IT! FIRST TRY!

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