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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by willyee on April 9, 2007, at 15:45:19
I read your post and it really makes me have mixed emotions,symptahy off the bat,anger someone could end like this,and many others.
What i want to do is share what i can.First you are not as UNLIKLY to get disability as you believe.ESPECIALY if you have a work history.
The worst enemy will be time,perhaps under extreme circumstances there might be more options,and i wouldent doubt this,however the process is a timestaking one.Here are some steps that i believe you should know........
--- Go to or try to remeber EVERY pharmacy you have used in the past 5 years.Pharmacys will keep your record in system for 5 years,not postive,but almost remember being told this is law,regardless it was the policy of 3 i totaly different pharms i knew.
Get a print out dating back on every single medication you took for depression,have them print it out,will take them minutes and again should run back at least 5 years.
---- Second try to do the same with docs,if you have visited various pdocs,or any doc with the nature of the visit being depression,get the copy of it.---- Get any notes you might have if have given at a job noting u have this disability,i actualy told a general manager in one case who treated it so wonderfully,i never felt it was a secret let out or felt he looked at me different,all i wanted was understanding that i might have times i leave breifly and he worked with me.Point is if u have anything along these lines,use em.
-- Go down with a folder full of whatever aresanal you think can help,no matter how minisecure,you would be surprised,its documentation and thats always better than nothing.
On a form you fill out,there is a part where you use your own words,this is crucial,take your time,and make strong points,ones for example how the illness has kept you from using your degree,how it has affected your life in every single way you can think of.They will take this into account,i.e how much with your degree you generaly should make,and how much you instead have been making,they use it all.
The final hurdle after time will be seeing there doc,this is time to forget to shave,and dont hold back on nothing,perhaps forget to take meds that morning,lol i know sounds silly but i have heard this doc is there to likly put you down so do what you can.
Anyway hope some of this helps,in your case id start the process,then seek other means,and as long as you have a valid pending claim in,you are likly to find a resource to help you out while its reviewed.
You will get a retro check which will help enormaously in CATCHING UP,then peridodic checks which in the case someone worked all there life are usualy fair amounts.Also meds,the new med coverage is outstanding,and helps a great deal.
Dont give up without at least having known u tackled it from a second strategy,hang in there i truly believe you would be succesful in getting the finicial aid you need.
Posted by Honore on April 9, 2007, at 17:11:09
In reply to JerryPharmstudent, posted by willyee on April 9, 2007, at 15:45:19
Willye's advice is great.
Especially, don't assume, if you get turned down the first time around, that you can't win on appeal. You definitely can. In fact, it's pretty common to get turned down-- not that it should be, but it is.
Doesn't mean you can't get it. You need an experienced disability lawyer-- who's been through the system and knows how to advise you to handle different situations.
Experienced lawyers are available. It takes a little while, but you can get the assistance that you deserve.
Honore
Posted by notfred on April 9, 2007, at 17:26:32
In reply to Re: JerryPharmstudent, posted by Honore on April 9, 2007, at 17:11:09
> Willye's advice is great.
>
> Especially, don't assume, if you get turned down the first time around, that you can't win on appeal. You definitely can. In fact, it's pretty common to get turned down-- not that it should be, but it is.
>
> Doesn't mean you can't get it. You need an experienced disability lawyer-- who's been through the system and knows how to advise you to handle different situations.
>
> Experienced lawyers are available. It takes a little while, but you can get the assistance that you deserve.
>
> Honore
Most lawyers don't come on board till you have been denied. You should consult with them b4 you turn in your first application but most will tell
you to do it yourself. If you win you will get back pay from the date you first filled. Your lawyer will get paid out of this back pay, so it does not cost you any out of pocket $$.So I would not wait on finding a lawyer, get over to the Social Security Office and get the forms you need and any booklets and publications that have on this process.
Posted by jealibeanz on April 9, 2007, at 19:31:11
In reply to Re: JerryPharmstudent, posted by notfred on April 9, 2007, at 17:26:32
Jerry!
Don't give up! It is tough to get diability the 1st time around, especially being young, but not impossible.
Use your resources! You've got more than you realize. You built those relationships. Reach out. Don't be ashamed.
You were in pharmacy school for over a year, at least, if I can recall. Do you have any advisors, professors, or mentors you could speak to about your situation?
Documenting that your ailments were so impairing that you had to take a leave of absence may help you case. The faculty/staff/advisor/mentors you have may also be able to give you some insider's advice on how to go about getting approved. They want to help you. It's what they're there for. You're their student. You have a medical/personal dilemna.
Any one you reach out to would be honored and would do anything they could to help. Believe me. I've been there before. (not regarding disability, but with reaching out to teachers/coaches/doc's).
In the mean time...
If you are struggling financially, do you have any friends/family/former classmates/roommates who'd let you crash with them? Maybe you could offer in exchange, that you'd clean/do dishes/laundry/cook while they're at work or class. Hey, nobody will turn down a no charge housekeep who cooks. You don't have to be a gourmet chef... think pasta w/sauce, grilled anything, sandwiches, sloppy joes (you'll feel like a kid again!), tacos, rice, throw everything you own in a crockpot and take a 7 hour nap... voila... it's dinner!
If you are having trouble getting meds, make sure your doc knows, as he can hoard as many samples as possible. The generic stimulants and clonazopam isn't too pricey. He may be able to waive, or hold payments for office visits... many do if you're very upfront and honest.
Get the help you need! You can do it! Then get yourself back in to Pharmacy School!
I know it's a rough time. I almost went to pharmacy myself. I was obsessed with the idea since I was 15. I applied in August 2005, but never filled out the supplementals b/c I got into a different medical program.
But go with what you love. Can you take classes part time? Take all the time off you need. It's tough to get through when you're not at your best, just don't give up on your dream!
Posted by Phillipa on April 9, 2007, at 21:42:25
In reply to Re: JerryPharmstudent, posted by jealibeanz on April 9, 2007, at 19:31:11
Jerry maybe it was my age but never needed a lawyer and my pdoc did the paperwork. Got it without a hitch. Love Phillipa so don't give up please?
Posted by JerryPharmStudent on April 12, 2007, at 1:28:37
In reply to JerryPharmstudent, posted by willyee on April 9, 2007, at 15:45:19
I worked at the University of Minnesota from 2000-2005. I was able to "fake it" to mae it through work for a couple years then my bodya gave up. Also at the same time I was involved with the VNS FDA study - so I was having to endur that along with work, etc. I finally couldn't handle it much longer and my contiuned abseces - tardiness, etc., from work got th ebetter of me and I decided to disclose my condition to our Chief of Staff.
She was very understanding - even disclosing her own anxiety disroder. She ordered me a computer so that I could work form home when needed. She also suggested I register with disability servives at the U. This helped a lot because the "understanding" my supervisors started out with soon wore thin. They began to call me in for "one-on- one meetings" because I "seemed to be too sick too much of the time..." and I was reprimanded for calling in and working from homa couple days a week - when THEY bough t me a computer to do just that!
They then tried to bump me around to different departments where I wouldn't have so much resonsilitiy or accountability - which was difficult. FInaly the Disability Services advocate had to come in and lay down the law and tell them the way they were treating me was wrong.
However, that really didn't help so much as my condition kept getting worse. IT was soon very apparent they really didn't want me working there anymore - or at least didnt want the "depressed" Jerry working there - although they always gave me glowing work reviews - but they knew they had no legal basis for firing me.
Finally, I couldn't work any longer and decided to take a severence package they'd offered me and I left. I lived off ofUnemployment for about 6 months - as I moved to a different state. Een tho I attempted to find another job -I felt I could not work at all.
I finally moved back to my hometown Jan. 2006 and decided to give school a try. The first semester and summer went really well, then this past fall- I becamse too overwhlemed and had to drop out. I have emails I sent to professors abotu my condidion, etc.
Since then it's jsut been horrible. I can barely take care of myself. My parents tell me just to get a job. Ha. I am a huge financial srain on them.
-'ONe thing I am worried about is the current psych doc I see now I see once ever 3 months for abotu 5 mins. He really doesn't aks me much and I don't say much so I don't know what my chart looks like - as far as his comments.
I dunno - that's kinda my situtaion past and presnet in a nutshell. Hope it helps.
thanks
Jerry
Posted by Declan on April 13, 2007, at 1:11:35
In reply to Re: JerryPharmstudent, posted by JerryPharmStudent on April 12, 2007, at 1:28:37
>the current doc I see now I see once ever 3 months for about 5 mins. He really doesn't aks me much and I don't say much<
I see this often here. It is so deeply pathetic. People who *really* need help not getting it.
I must be lucky?
(Good doctors move to where I live?)
We have a better health system?I have no idea.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 5:36:56
In reply to Re: JerryPharmstudent, posted by Declan on April 13, 2007, at 1:11:35
> I see this often here. It is so deeply pathetic. People who *really* need help not getting it.
It breaks my heart, too.
> I must be lucky?
I'd say so, as I've seen most regions of the Earth represented in the list.
> (Good doctors move to where I live?)
> We have a better health system?Perhaps both. Different health system, at least. It saddens me to know that the U.S. system is perhaps most likely to be singled out in this way. It's a system with unequal distribution of health care. Tens of millions of its citizens (and the immigrants that fuel the economy) without insurance.....and even for those with insurance, facing cost management as the primary consideration of treatment, rather than well-being. I read one analysis of the system's efficiency that concluded that the costs of administration (~25% of total cash flow; includes profit to investors) could completely cover the costs of full medical care for all Americans, but that 30,000,000 people would be out of work.
> I have no idea.
I think you do.
Lar
Posted by JerryPharmStudent on April 13, 2007, at 16:11:06
In reply to Re: health systems » Declan, posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 5:36:56
It's jsut so ridiculous. I'm 35 and unable to get insurance. Unable to see doctors because they refuse to see you if you don't have insurance.
1 year ago when I first got here - I was able to get in to see a family care doctor for one appointment - only because he knew my mother. He said because of the serve weight gain that I most likey was pre-diabetic and had blood sugar problems - along with heart disease. However, when I asked what to do - he said "Oh, well, I wo't order any blood tests because you don't have any insurance. Come back when you do."
I can barely get up a flight of steps - shortness of breath, asthma, pain. You'd think a doctor would care. Nah.
I also have a tooth that needs a root canal - but have no dental insurance - so I sit in my apartment in pain and afraid if I go outisde I'll have a heart attack.
Great health care system we have in the US.
Posted by Phillipa on April 13, 2007, at 19:11:53
In reply to Re: health systems, posted by JerryPharmStudent on April 13, 2007, at 16:11:06
Jerry my heart goes out to you. I would go to an ER and get admitted. The social workers can work on getting you medicare . When the see the condition you're in it will not be a problem. That's pathetic. Love Phillipa
Posted by Declan on April 17, 2007, at 3:55:48
In reply to Re: health systems » Declan, posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 5:36:56
My doc was saying today that when the Clintons were here they were very interested in the Australian Health system.
I mean, this bloke has his MBBS, a PhD(Phil) in comparative ideas of health. He lives among trees, a big old unpainted building, polished floors, a dog, psychoanalytic books in German on the shelves, and he bulkbills me (I don't pay) and I get to talk to him for half an hour, about anything.
It's a version of pastoral care.
This is the end of the thread.
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