Disability Insurance and Finding a Doctor

makingway, UCLA treats LE very seriously, including having LE specialists on staff.  Here's a link to their information.  Short of seeing them (which you might consider, especially if you're also looking for relief), the wording used here might even be helpful in describing your situation:

http://www.simmsmanncenter.ucla.edu/information/insights_summaries/2003/2003_Rosenberg.asp

I didn't look further, but I would be surprised if UCLA doesn't have an excellent pain management department, as well.   Deanna

Then you haven't many, JbinOK! I have an autoimmune disease that so many I know are in far worse condition than I, and their apps are barely looked at! Disability is NOT easy to aquire.

Making: Keep trying! Appeal, if you do not get results! Let us know!

This is an interesting thread! I recently had to leave my job of 7years due to increasing problems from my breast cancer treatment. I have had nuropothy in my feet and hands from my chemo treatment that is not resolving (three years). The sharp and burning in my feet require me to take four pain pills per day. I have also develped stage 2 lympodema in my arm and hand and have had two bouts with cellulitis that required me being in the hospital. I am depressed and dealing with a lot of bone pain. There are other issues from my treatment as well. The reason I am listing them for you all is that I am applying for social security disability and will desperately need the income when my savings run out! I went to a respected and well known disability attorney and he agreed to take my case and thinks that I will get approved. It make take a year or two but I can't work anymore so I have no choice.

85% of social security disability applications get turned down the first time. You need to be very diligent and keep appealing the negative decisions. Thankfully my oncologist, nuerologist and pain specialist are supporting my application, but still I anticipate a difficult journey. It is sad that breast cancer patients have such a difficult time getting assistance when so many of our "treatments" result in long term pain/health issues. I take arimidex and my neurologist said "how is your chemo treatment going" and I said "oh, I finished chemo two years ago!" to which he said "arimidex is a form of chemo, a pill form, but still a form of chemo". I did not know that! It is important to have supportive doctors and to tell them EVERYTHING you are coping with. God bless!