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#1412 - 04/10/07 10:50 PM
Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
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teri
New Researcher
Registered: 11/10/06
Posts: 1
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My husband has been diagnosed with Lyme/Babiosis and has only received the 2 mo. of antibiotics. He is feeling so bad that many days he says he isnt sure he can go to work. I am wondering if any of you are on Govt Disablity because of your Lyme? He was diagnosed by Jemsek in NC and then another Dr. did not use WB or IGenex and blood work came back negative. He did respond to the 2mo of antibiotics. We need to find someone in NC that can do his blood work again so he can get more antibiotics. Now we are wondering if he will be able to be qualified Disabled because of all the pain and complications from Lyme. Does anyone have any opinons on this? Thank you, Teri the wife/researcher for help 
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#1416 - 04/11/07 02:42 AM
Re: Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
[Re: teri]
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Willo
Spirochete Hunter
Registered: 11/10/06
Posts: 81
Loc: South Puget Sound, WA State
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I'm on SSI (wasn't applicable for SSDI as I didn't have enough work history before I became ill. (I was 17, nearly 18) so yes you can get disability (I know Lyme patients on SSDI, too), but you have to be prepared to fight for it. My fight lasted over a year.
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#1657 - 05/19/07 06:21 AM
Re: Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
[Re: Willo]
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CJirongirl
New Researcher
Registered: 11/12/06
Posts: 9
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I had outside disability insurance through UNUM Provident. Though I have no depression in any form, they have called me depressed and have given me disability insurance for 2 years and then cut it off b/c they don't give people with mental illnesses more insurance benefits than 2 years. So when I protested, they saent me to for IME (Independent Medical Evaluation)by a local infectious disease doc here in Maryland. Nice guy. I am hoping up that he picked up on the swollen ankles and knees I had, fever, bullseye-like rash (Mine is a little atypical), sore throat, hyperreactive reflexes and right sided weakness that he found during the exam. HE had my test results that are CDC borderline, ILADS positive. I am waiting for their decision as to whather to continue my benefits.
If they don't, I know I can appeal it but I was told by many lawyers that UNUM Provident supposedly has a legal letter that gets them out of not giving benefits to lyme patients LEGALLY. Scary! I was told that it would take thousands of dollars that I don't have to take them to court over it.
Social security has denied me, saying that they see I have some difficulties but I should still be bale to handle my day to day duties as a nurse. Bizarre... b/c why would they ever want me to even try drug dosages since I can't do simple math. I walk with crutches and my hands shake so putting in IVs would not be fun for my patients. I am trying to appeal their decision. I am told I will need a lawyer. Why should I have to pay someone to give me benefits I deserve? The system is a nightmare.
Sorry for my venting. I feel better now. Thanks for listening
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#1660 - 05/19/07 04:25 PM
Re: Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
[Re: CJirongirl]
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Willo
Spirochete Hunter
Registered: 11/10/06
Posts: 81
Loc: South Puget Sound, WA State
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I think you should appeal social security's decision. Your hands shake, I'm sorry -- nothing personal -- but I wouldn't want you as my nurse for an IV. Or an IM shot. Sometimes the medical board at social security baffles me!
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. It fits in perfectly with what I've heard from other patients.. the gov't denies the first time people ask for help and sees who will do the leg work to really get in. I hate to see feelow Lyme patients suffer. But if you do win, and you do have to pay someone to get your medical and money to live off of.. you will be much better off than no insurance/$$$ at all.. right? I had no money to get a lawyer, but I called enough people from the yellow pages to get someone to work pro-bono.. I got a sizeable amount at first (back-pay) which helped take care of the lawyer and left me over with a couple hundred myself.
Unfortunately, a lawyer at this point might be one of your best allies. Is there someone in your family that knows a lawyer? Have you tried emailing the LDA, ILADS or anyone like that to ask for some help?
I was told, because at the time I filed I was married, that my husband (now ex) made too much for me to qualify, but that I did qualify medically for medicaid. Do you know if you were denied financially or medically?
My ex and I made the hard choice to financially separate since I had to move in with my parents anyway (needed a caregiver while the ex was at work 12+ hours a day) -- they sure like making us jump through hoops.
Whichever choice you make, move you take.. I hope you catch a break. There are webpages online that help people with lyme get disability! Try googling (SSDI + "Lyme disease") ..it's a start.
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#1761 - 06/05/07 10:38 AM
Re: Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
[Re: CJirongirl]
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Selkie
New Researcher
Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 3
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Appeal Appeal and Appeal and get a good attorney! I fought SSDI for 4 years and finally went to court and got my SSDI! They hope you will go away and give up! DONT! fight em! MY attorney was fantastic. SHe was with me and faught for me every step of the way! BY law an attorney can only take 25% of your settlement. Ask around for recommendations.
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#2019 - 08/11/07 04:41 AM
Re: Can you get Disability when you are a Lyme patient?
[Re: Selkie]
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lymeinID
New Researcher
Registered: 08/11/07
Posts: 1
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Hi, I'm new to this forum. My husband has recently been diagnosed with Lyme that he contracted in 1984! We will be seeing the SSDI dr. next week and are praying for a positive visit. Thanks for the encouragement. Of course, like everyone else, we want to avoid the legal route- but my husband is unable to work at all and the 6 pt jobs I am working are about to kill me. I appreciate any encouragement and advise. There's so much to learn about these nasty bacteria. Thanks! LymeinID
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