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Message |
    
lathamj
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2001 - 3:17 am: | 
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My husband is 53 with a 8th grade education. He worked 24 years in
shipbuilding and 5 years in assembly line production. He has been
diagnosed with Menieres Disease. It is an inner ear disorder that plays
havoc with your balance. He suffers from severe vertigo, nausea,
vomiting, headache, lost of concentration, falling, to name a few. He
has had these symptoms for years but they have gotten progressively
worse these last five years. His doctor is David Barrs at the Carolina
Clinic in Raleigh, NC. He is on valium, meclizine, triamterene/hctz and
now prednisone. He has not worked since August 2000. He filed for
disability December 2000. His claim was denied in February and
reconsideration was denied last week. They said he could not do the
work he has in the past but he could find other work. He is a safety
risk and the doctor will not release him to go back to work. We are now
are at the appeals stage. Should we get an attorney or contact our
congressman? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 6:17 am: |
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You should certainly get an attorney if you are ever turned down, and
probably should talk to one even before that. Good luck. |
BethKnotts
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:13 am: |
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He
filed for disability December 2000. His claim was denied in February
and reconsideration was denied last week. They said he could not do the
work he has in the past but he could find other work. He is a safety
risk and the doctor will not release him to go back to work.
That
is strange. I have Menieres and have been fighting to KEEP my job at a
county government as a webmaster. I can do my job 100% from home via
the internet. So .....WHAT? Even if you CAN do other work - that
doesn't mean the companies will LET you do work that you can do. After
a year, I've just gotten a letter of right to sue from the EEOC. We'll
see if somebody can fill this "in-limbo" vacuous hole that people with
disabilities seem to get sucked in to. |
Freedan (Freedan)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 7:11 pm: |
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I have been mis-diagnosed for 15 years with all kinds of different
separate things including migraines, panic disorder, depression,
vertigo, labrynthitis and dysfunctional eustacian tube. When I lost my
hearing 4 months ago in one ear, an ENT specialist finally tied
everything together and diagnosed chronic Meniere's Disease - which has
no cure. I've been in the emergency room with "dropsies" from the
disease many times, the most recent 2 weeks ago right before the final
diagnosis. I can't drive - I've lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks since this
latest severe attack that hasn't eased off - I can't keep anything down
because of the severe nausea and vomiting, headaches and profound
tinnitus.
The symtoms have been pretty severe for the past 3
months including the 90% hearing loss in the right ear and it is going
bilateral (to the other ear). I am a webmaster for a local county
government and had been out frequently due to being bed-ridden from the
headaches, dizziness (profound vertigo) and tinnitus. It is almost too
much to bear some days and some days it eases off to where I can talk
and get up and think somewhat coherently. Before this latest sever
onset, I was forcing myself to drive and in increasing agony every day.
One day two weeks ago, I caught myself actually contemplating suicide -
I've gotten support sense then because I realized I was truly
"thinking" about it because of what Meniere's was doing to me.
I found out from a physician that
Meniere's is even specifically spelled out in the codes:
Here are the sections in the Social Security Code:
1. Section 223 (42 U.S.C. 423) (a)(1)
2. Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404 - Listing of Impairments. Go to 2.00 Special Senses and Speech
3. Go to Subsection (B)Otolarngology of that subsection listed above.
4. Subsection 2. Vertigo associated with disturbances of labyrinthine-vestibular function, including Meniere's disease
5. Subsection 2.07 Disturbances of labyrinthine-vestibular function (including Meniere's disease
As
much as I was absent from the job (I was written up recently for being
out so much), the supervisor said I could work when I could and just be
out without pay and he would work with me like that. I asked him to let
me work from my computer at home. I have internet access and all
equipment necessary to do the web work. I would be able to work here as
much as I was able to work when I fought to drive the 1/2 hour in. The
drive and pressure within the car always sets off the vertigo and
nausea to where I am feeling sick and bad most of the day. I would sit
at the desk and agonize - but sit there anyway to keep income. With 3
kids, it is important.
I haven't left the house in 2 weeks
because riding in a car makes the effects flair up badly and I become
incapacitated now. If I remain in my home and come to the computer, I
can sit still with my head against the hi-back chair and keep my head
and neck supported (the chair at the office was low-back). I can
usually remain stable for longer periods of time before having to lay
down - I do have to lay down frequently - the room spins too much after
much stimulation.
I know I could perform the level of work I
was doing for the county from here - but the supervisor just said no
and forced me to go on unpaid medical leave. He turned around and
immediately hired an outside company to do my job - and they are
remotely telneting in from their office to our servers. They do not
come in and sit at my desk. I pretty much know I can get disability,
but what makes it okay for the supervisor to force me into unpaid
medical leave and then hire my job out to a 3rd party that is doing
what I asked to do which is work from a remote location? They CERTAINLY
do not work 40 hours per week on the web site - I'm sure they are being
paid 3 times the hourly rate that I was paid as well. They are a high
paid consulting IT firm.
A programmer in our department told
the supervisor I could do the work at home remotely (he didn't want to
do the mundane posting on the web site in my absence) and the
supervisor lied and said that the Personnel Department didn't like it
and didn't want it done. He didn't even call them or ask them - he just
told me NO and gave me no options. Since I haven't hardly recovered
from this latest severe Meniere's episode, I can't drive. I think I can
do my work from home - but we won't know unless I'm given a chance. I
know I wouldn't be able to drive to work - it's worse than a
near-blacked-out drunk driver on the road.
Sorry this is so
long - I'm worried. I only have 4 weeks of savings and 3 kids in middle
school. I don't want to lose my home but I didn't ask for this horrid
disease either. I don't know what to do. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 7:58 am: |
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Freedan, I cannot answer your question. I know a fair amount about the
question of getting on Social Security Disability; but I have not
studied the question of what rights you have to keep a job. There is
some good law and some bad law in this area; keep searching and post
what you find here if you think of it. |
Linda Kumet
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 6:20 pm: |
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It
seems as if each attack gets worse. My family does not understand what
I am going through. My mother thinks that if I get up and excerise
vigerously, all will be well. My husband tries to understand; but when
he has to make his own dinner and do his own laundry because I am
physically unable to stand on my own two feet, I feel as if I have
failed him as a wife. I can usually detect when I am about to
"shutdown" and go into a episode. I just wish I was able to control the
"brain-foggyness"..I can be in the middle of a coversation with anyone
and all of a sudden forget what I was saying or am unable to form a
thought. I have no desire to go out with friends or family for fear
that they will know I am unable to comprehend the topic of discussion.
Sometimes I just wish I could fade into the shadows..I want to be out
of misery. |
freedan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:31 am: |
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Linda
- get thee to a specialist and have the specialist (Either an ENT or
Neurologist) call a family information session. Meneires is a very
mysterious and disruptive disease. I have been home-bound for over a
year now. I still don't have my job back but just got a Right to Sue
letter from the EEOC yesterday. The only thing I CAN do is stay on the
computer sitting in the same chair (I'm close to laying down with head
supported) day after day, but I COULD be doing my work as a webmaster.
It doesn't require that I be on-site. But if I travel or get up to do
rather meanial tasks around the house, the severe vomiting, nausea,
headaches, vertigo and "dropsies" settle in quickly. The mention of a
car ride means 2 days of suffering to recover.
<br><br>I
did come back to post about getting the right to sue - so I guess I'll
have to at least go to court but will probably see if there is a hotel
nextdoor to recover the trip there and be able to speak the next day.
Menieres causes extreme disruption and inconvenience to those around us
not to mention what we go through - yet it is still largely unknown
disease. Hang in there Linda and get some support from your doctor in
explaining all of this to your "meniere's un-educated" family. |
Kate (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 11:25 am: |
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HI
i am 38 year old woman, i have had bouts of meneires since age 15. I
wasn't able to go off to college and get a higher education because of
the symptoms of this awfull disease. I have episodes off and on and
they are miserable i agree. I have been to doctor after doctor.
Specialist after another. They tell me basically "You have to live with
it!" How can i live, like this?
I was put on a low sodium diet
years ago, with diuretics, i guess it helps? I am wondering if anyone
else is on diuretics? and what dose? I think my body is not responding
to the diuretics as well? now? Have been dealing with this last bout
since april 9,2005. It is now June 1st. I am so depressed. My husband
says i am crazy. He is not supportive at all. He says he is in the
prime of his life and he doesn't want to be with someone who seems like
an OLD woman who is unsteady and can't do anything fun....
I too have contemplated thoughts. |
Jennifer (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 11:11 pm: |
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Hi
my name is Jen. I am 38 years old and was just diagnosed with Meniere's
Disease about 1 month ago. I worked for the United States Postal
Service but they just let me go this week due to the performance of my
job because of Meniere's. That isn't right. I feel helpless. My
significant other is very supportive. We have two sons we are trying to
support. Do doctors claryify people with Meniere's Disease Disabled? If
so, has anyone ever received benefits from Social Security? Also I was
in a automobile accident back in 11/04 and my chiropractor says my
Meniere's is due to the accident. Anyone ever hear of or have the same
situation. Or am I just going crazy with spins????????????? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1318
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 12:10 pm: |
|
Jen:
If the USPS let you go, and you were a full time employee with
benefits, you might be entitled to some sort of long term or short term
disability. Please be sure to look into that.
It is possibe
to get disability on Menier's, but since the degree of impairment is
hard to quantify, it is often hard to be certain you are going to win;
be sure you do everything to improve your chances.
Take care and good luck. |
Monica (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 3:58 pm: |
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Hi everyone
I
have not worked for over a year now because of menieres. I have been
turned down twice for disability. I now have a lawyer and hopefully a
hearing will later this year with disability. Kate I understand what
you are going through. My husband and I where not getting along for a
long time because of my menieres and depression. It took alot of work,
fights, and patiences from both of us but we are doing alot better now.
There where times I wanted to through in the towel, but we are getting
along alot better now. Hang in there, it can be frustrating at times
but things will work out. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2005 - 7:57 pm: |
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JEN:
I am 40 yrs old and a law enforcement officer. I was diagnosed last
fall. I also have noticed that when my neck hurts.... I go into
"spinnage". In January 2005, I went on an anti-inflammatory diet and
took vitamins. I was spin free for 4 months. Then in April I was in a
car accident and my daily attacks returned. I am seeing a chiropractor
who is doing cold laser treatments as well as adjustments. I am still
having attacks but they are mild, not violent. Very manageable but
still interrupting my work and causing supervisors to question my
abilities. I also notice a that change in the barometric pressure also
activates attacks... Hurricane Dennis is nearby, I live in Florida, so
I am not feeling too hot right now. Paul was right about the employee
benefit plan, were you employed with them long enough to qualify for
their disability? |
David Hayes (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:28 am: |
|
My
trial began in 1986 leading to surgery in 1987. I had an "Endolymphatic
Sac Decompression" performed at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia.
Recovery was over months, but I lost my job; rather I quit after having
a meeting with my senior where I was told, quoting: "People that are
dissatisfied with their work are chronically absent". Just prior to
these events I was on an accelerated training program for management
with a massive international company. Over time I reached a stability
with the ear. There was a decline in hearing and the tinnitus was mild,
but I was comfortable. PART 1 |
David Hayes (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:31 am: |
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2001,
the problem exacerbates subtly until I realize I am in the same crisis
mingled with anxiety... and then one day there was a sudden flooding or
fullness and a severe loss of hearing(4% remaining, and its all
distortion). Now I've reached such a pique of anxiety that today is the
first time I ever googled "Menieres" and "Disabilty". I've spent three
crisis years with intense Menieres, and recall a saying -- you don't
know how strong steel is until you put it into fire. Yeah sure, but
what if you just leave the steel in there and forget about it? I can't
stand it now. I'm snapping at work, an intense time driven set of
regulatory responsibilities. My Doctors have said... come back next
year, etc after CT scans, steroids. I am afraid the I am on my way to
losing another job because now I am weak, a vulnerability that I find
both mental and physical and profound. People can't see Menieres. PART 2 |
David Hayes (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:33 am: |
|
If
a person with Menieres does manages it well and learns to block it out
of his conscious, the anxiety looms. You have to remember you have it
to remember why you wake up in despair, work with a diminished
confidence, react with anxiety... and the panic. I've stopped dating,
and won't attribute my divorce to Menieres, but it didn't help. I am
alarmed that this isn't a disability that warrants more consideration
for legally. I feel like running for whatever office required to get on
the panel that dismisses this condition. Could you please summarize a
course of action for someone that anticipates what may be be on the
horizon? I have extensive medical records over the past three years and
a bridge to the onset in 1986.
PART3 |
David Hayes (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 9:33 am: |
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As
to going to Doctors: In my case I have had this for 18 years now. Most
of my doctors haven't been Doctors for 18 years. Many have no
familiarity with what it really is and how profound the implications
are socially. I think this is why there isn't enough credibility or
weight applied to the severity of both the acute and chronic nature of
this private hell.
Help.  END |
Lisa T Smith (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 1:47 am: |
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Hi
all---I have had bouts with meniere's off and on since 2001.
fortunately I had a great doctor who knew exactly what it was right
away--she was so good that when I had an attack that kept me from work,
I only had to call her and she would document it and fax it to my HR
dept. for FMLA since she knew I couldnt get in a car --I was able to
"control" the really bad attacks if I stayed away from dairy, high
suger, and kept very hydrated with water and no sugar drinks--along
with various things like claritin d, Zyrtec d etc. And Phenergan-as
soon as I felt the bad one starting if i could get phenergan in
time--at least I would not be vomiting for hours. FMLA kept me from
loosing my job-but did nothing for my career path-who wants someone
that never knows when they will be incapacitated? It's sad when you
know how good you could be.- part 1 |
Lisa T Smith (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 1:58 am: |
|
I
have been out of work for 10 days-the longest time a serious episode
has lasted. I have reached a point now where Im looking at perm
disability- I have to use the phone constantly at work -higher volumes
on the phone only makes for louder roaring- I cant understand all the
words.Im tired of the battle, I'm tired of smiling when people talk and
not knowing what they are saying. Im 51 and worked since I was 16. My
wonderful doctor/friend had a stroke and I must now find a new md--just
went thru the steroid infusions which seems to have made mine
worse--but I know it helps many. Any advice on proper documentation
needed for a perm disability? I know to go straight for the lawyer and
dont bother with the try it your self-they always turn most anyone down
the first time even if you are paralyzed. Any other advice? WOW--I just
realized this is SC website -Im in TN-- Any advice would still be
nice-Thanks and good luck to you all. |
Janice Olds (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 11:34 am: |
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I
am 53 years old and I have just been diagnosed with Menieres. I have
tinnitus and occasional bouts of vertigo. The vertigo ranges from
losing my balance repeatedly during the day to days when I cannot even
get out of bed but the tinnitus is 24/7. Am I eligible for SSD? I have
worked most all my adult life and am presently working as a mini
storage manager and work from home. I received a statement from SS
stating that if I become disabled I would earn 691.00 per month. Also
would my husband,who is retired military,receive any benefits from my
disability? |
Janiceolds (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 11:40 am: |
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Also I have COPD which requires using inhalers every day. Is this a SS Disablity? |
ARB (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 4:14 pm: |
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I
was diagnosed in 2000 in Columbia SC. I have been thru change in diet,
medications of all sorts, transtympanic gent treatments, endolymphatic
sac decompression surgery, used the Meniette box - everything! I have
been denied by SSD twice and am waiting for a hearing. Doc took me out
of work in Aug '03. I'm waiting for a hearing date now. My long-term
disability carrier has gotten me an attorney. My problem is that I am
only 37 and I have two college degrees. I can't seem to make SSD
understand that you can't use the degrees (no matter how young you are)
when you're either in a bout of vertigo or holding your breath just
waiting for one to happen! Anyone in SC in a similiar situation? Anyone
similar get accepted for SSD? |
