Ssdi for patients taking AI'S over the long haul

Meow13

Ssdi for patients taking AI'S over the long haul

Meow13

I received a questionnaire form from my employer for possible SSDI benefits because I retired early. Well I filled it out and received a call to fill out the SSDI form. My problem is I don't think I could hold down a full time job on exemestane. The insomnia, fatigue, and joint pain has effected me in many ways. I have tried other drugs but exemestane seems to be the drug I tolerate the best. I am supposed to be on this for 5 years. Anyone else getting SSDI benefits because of AI side effects?

Meow13

I will probably be denied, but it is worth consideration.

Meow13

checking

Tomboy

Where'd you go, Meow? Meow? Mrowr? hahahaha, lol ! (couldn't help my bad self!) I have wondered that myself, it seems like we should be able to!

Meow13

mew

Tomboy

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april485

I agree with tomboy meow...we should be able to but from all I have read, it is rarely if ever granted for this reason but perhaps you will get lucky. I sure hope so. I am on a long holiday from exemestane and enjoying it but some of the SE's are still with me after 3 weeks off..ugh!

pwilmarth

Have you been to the Social Security website to check your benefits?

I just turned 61 and I'm too young for SSI, but because of my diagnosis I automatically qualify for SSDI. I tried working through chemotherapy but decided to go out on FMLA and use my Short Term Disability benefits. Then I applied for SSDI and it was approved within 10 days.

The issue with SSDI is that they don't start paying your benefits until you have been disabled for 5 months. Add 30 days for the checks to come. I will receive my first check in January 2016. I will be 62 next July.

But it's important to check your benefits so you know what the right decision is for you. At age 62, under normal SSI, I would get $1500 a month. Under SSDI, it's $2100 a month and it converts automatically to regular SSI at my full retirement age.With no loss in income.

The other issue is Medicare. You don't qualify for Medicare until you are 65. However, if you're disabled - SSDI -' you will qualify once you're disabled for 2 years. For me, that's age 63. To fill in until Medicare kicks in, you apply for Medicaid. Once you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you're worries about health insurance are over.

Meow13

Well I submitted my application. SS received it, now the analysis begins. If I qualify great but we will see.

pwilmarth

Remember that SSDI is a two step process. First, they look at your medical history. Cancer is your medical qualifier. It's why the approval is so fast.

If you don't qualify for medical reasons, they look at other things. One of them is your age. You didn't say how old you are, but it gets easier to qualify the closer you are to age 62. If you're like most of us, you have surgery, chemotherapy, then radiation therapy.. That's a long road to recovery with expected side effects. By the time you're done, you may well be 62.

SS recognizes that. That's why it's easier to qualify the older you are.

Meow13

My age is 57 and I am looking at years of AI therapy. The only thing I can think of is that they will ask me to get more drugs to counter the AI side effects.

I would love to feel good enough to work full time.

debiann

Meow, are you sure you need AI therapy for many more years? It looks like you have already been on it for almost four years. Perhaps one more year and your MO will say that's enough. When I started, my MO said, "maybe" 10 years, depending on how I do, but at least 5. So far the se's are very minimal for me, but its only been 10 months. I worry that could change in the future, but one day at a time.

Good luck to you.

Meow13

I have killer fatigue and some pain. I've tried different AI's, doctor says I can never take anastrozole again. I think at a minimum I need another 1.5 years. Also have headaches and skin problems. Se's seem to get worse with time with me. Exemestane is the lesser of the evils for me but it takes a toll.

debiann

I'm on the teva brand of anastrozole because I was told it has the least fillers that cause SE's. I truly hope things don't change for me, I would love to ride out my whole time without having to keep switching drugs, but I know that is unlikely.

I have fatigue. I wouldn't call it "killer", but sometimes I feel like my baby grand daughter. When I'm tired, I'm tired and I can fall asleep anywhere, lol. I thought the fatigue was a remnant of chemo and surgeries and would improve with time, but I guess maybe not. I told a friend, I did not really know the definition of fatigue until cancer. Luckily I usually feel pretty energized at work, but I hit the sofa the minute I get home. Sometimes just for a nap, but on occasion I don't get up till its time for work the next day!

I get some joint stiffness, but so far its not too bad. I don't need to take any pain meds. It's in my fingers the worst and I suspect that till this is all over, typing is going to be a challenge for me.

Meow13

You know maybe I am blaming my medicine for my really bad fatigue. I will make an appointment maybe something else is going on. Ugh I never seem to get symptom relief just more doctor appointments. Anyone ever get relief for ringing ear?