September 25, 2006 - 10:43am
I go to my pain mgmt about once month and do very well with all the answers that he has given me thus far. I know when I signed all the paperwork I had to sign a paper stating that I would only get pain medication through them. Now I have NO problem with this as I am not seeking more medication but I recently am un able to work due to my back being so bad and asked him if he could write me out of work. To my surprise he said only for a couple days. Now I have had a spinal fusion and recently blew out yet another disc. I feel that I can no longer perform my job as it needs to be done.(i was working as a childcare director for before and after school programs. I currently have been out for a week.This is fast paced and requires me to drive 70+ miles a day. )I don't feel that I can run after 150 kids, drive long distances, and keep up with that pace of work.
My question is if I made an appt with another Dr that may be able to write me out of work will I be breaching some kind of contract? Do they know if you visit more than one Dr? Or is there a different doc that does that? I would like to collect some kind of disability (no I don't depend on it) but it would be nice. Does anyone know who you would go to that could evaulate my ability to work? And, if I do go to another doctor would they find out?
I know that people dr. shop and can get listed as someone who is looking for med but in this case since the only script I am looking for is a do not work, can I get in trouble for this.
Thanks for any opinions on this
Danielle
September 25, 2006 - 8:24pm
#2
Danielle,i can tell you for
Danielle,
i can tell you for certain that the pain contract that you are referring to only applies to medicine.
if you are going to another doctor only for the reason of getting off work then that should not effect your pain management doctor. worst case scenario is that your pain doctors ego is hurt, but both of you will get over that:)
my question to you is, were you mentioning applying for SSD? many of pain management doctors dont want to get involved in this kind of stuff b/c it usually leads to long drawn out legal processes that can last for years. it is much easier for a doctor to blow it off saying that they dont want to deal with it.
my best suggestion to you is, go and talk to a lawyer. they have partnerships with medical doctors that specialize in this type of situation. these doctors are much "in the know" about your senario and are more than willing to help.
JMO.
i hope that you get to feeling better.
best wishes,
phisher
all thoughts and opinions expressed are those of my own and should not be mistaken for medical advice. i am not a doctor nor a pharmacist. all medical questions should be answered by a licensed pharmacist, doctor, or primary care manager.
September 25, 2006 - 9:21pm
#3
Hey
Yes I do have insurance and yes I am thinking about applying for SSDI. I know that I can no longer do my job as it is descriped and have been out of work on FLMA (medical leave) for almost 2 weeks. I was just surprised that even though the Dr says that my cage in my back could have shifted he would claim that he could only write me out for a few days. I was like OMG I was just in the ER and there is a possibility that the device in my back is not right!! You really can only write me out for a few days what the!!!! I currently have a note from the ER stating that I cannot return to work unless cleared by a surgeon or pain management.
My next question is does a doctor HAVE to Say that I am unable to work or will SSI determine that on their own? I do know that even if a Dr says so that SSI can still refuse. However, I have over 4 years of documented doctors visits, surgery and so on. Does anyone know what the base their decision on?
Now for the past 5-6 years I have been working with 100+kids every day and that fast paced enviroment just cannot happen any more. I also used to drive 1-2 hours everyday and now I can't drive for 30 min without spasms. So do they base it on what you used to do or can they say .."well you can work PT in a flower shop with out all that fast pace stuff"...??
Sorry for all the random questions but I never had to think about this before. Just think I was worried about the Dr having an issue with me getting a note from another DR now I am faced with a whole lotmore!!
Danielle Nelson
September 26, 2006 - 11:25pm
#4
your doctor does not
your doctor does not determine whether or not you are disabled, The SSA does that. It does help if your doctor is on board but it is not a
necessity. It is usually best if you apply on your own first and if denied then obtain the services of an attorney. Most won't take your case until you've been denied at least once. If you are denied the first time do not feel bad as most are (80% denial rate)
Quahog
October 5, 2006 - 8:49pm
#5
out-of work release
i would just like to say that it comforts me to see that i am not the only one who has had this problem with doctors not wanting to write work release notes, when dealing with a already established, work related injury. although mine is through workers comp, it seems to be the same issue
October 5, 2006 - 8:54pm
#6
How about this
I am off of work right now receiving 90% pay because the company doc said I was too "at risk" for sustaining a major injury. All that happened was back spasms, then the company noticed I was limping and had me looked at. Doc says wait 10 days, even though officially work comp doesn't kick in for 7 days, they said I would get 10 paid days off. Oh well, whatever.
gtrplayer
November 2, 2006 - 4:48am
#7
Danielle 2343 Social Security Disability
Danielle I just saw your post and hope you have received your answers. For SSI or SSD usually the first time you apply they deny you... have heard this from numerous people. You can collect one or both depending on your situation I would suggest applying waiting for the denial then seeing an atty who specializes in these cases (specifically one who has worked for SSI/SSD) and the same attorney will only charge you if you win your case(make sure of that as well) they do make a little money off of it but in the long haul it is soooo worth it. I can tell you for a fact that for SSD the judge looks at it very black and white another words you can work or you can not PERIOD. So if you are not working for awhile it helps but talk to an atty and he/she will guide you in all of that. Also be prepared it can take 1 1/2 - 2 yrs. Hang in their though and don't give up that is why the attys get their $ to do all the hard work and if you find a good one they should not take a great deal (if you win you get a lump sum dating back to your first attempt) Good luck with all. Jamie
November 2, 2006 - 11:29am
#8
Thanks so much !!! Right now
Thanks so much !!! Right now I have decided that I am going to wait to file a claim because we are considering moving out of state and if we do then I would just have to start all over from the beginning once I moved. So when we get settled I will file and hopefully where ever we go I will find a supportive Doctor.
Danielle
November 2, 2006 - 9:44pm
#9
It might also help to
It might also help to involve the help of your Congressman or Senator in addition to a qualified SSDI/SSI attorney. It is helpful if you have been waiting awhile for a decision and or a ALJ (Adminstrative Law Judge) hearing. They are also in many cases able to help obtain an on the record decsion. This means winning your disability without having to go before the judge. It usually accomplished when you have enough evidence in your medical records to award disability.
I also want to add that if you wait too long in appling for SSDI/SSI you can lose benefits. If for an example you became disabled in say 2002 but did not file until 2004 and you were found to be disabled in 2002 you can only collect benefits from 2003 on. This is because you can only collect backpay for 12 months prior to when you filed.
Just some food for thought.
I wish you good luck
November 2, 2006 - 10:35pm
#10
Thank you
Thank you for the info... As always the more information that I have the better prepared I will be when the time comes!!
You all Rock!!!
Danielle
December 20, 2007 - 11:55pm
#11
no you need to see another doctor
because there is no way you should be working or even static sitting that long while driving to work 3 back surgeries my self +2 more herniated discs waiting for my 360degree fusion on my L5 L4 L3
getting to the rite doc. is not dr. shopping it's what your suposed to do who knows the new doc may help with the pain more....
December 21, 2007 - 2:54pm
#12
Is this topic still
Is this topic still open for discussion. As I see Danielle's original post was back in September, and considering moving out of state, I'm just wondering if you still need any questions answered Danielle? I've been through the whole SSDI process. I hired an attorney from the start, and it still took 18 months to get approved! By law, (at least in Fla), the maximum fee the atty can get is 25%. But IMHO, it was money well spent. For a common lay person to try to get through all the red tape involved is almost impossible. And of course, it helps if you have a Dr that is willing to help you with the process. I was fortunate that my neurosurgeon had no problem with that. And even with an atty, I was denied twice before being approved. Once approved, the SSA will give you the 'back-pay' from the time you first applied to when you are (finally) approved. Except for the first 6 months, which is the normal waiting period before your benefits will kick in. I pray that you won't have to wait as long as I did. It puts a lot of undue stress on a legitimate cp patient who has enough to worry about already. AIP
Do you have insurance?
Or do you plan on filing insurance if you go see another doctor?