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Cried all day today!

Well I have I'll for 17 years now and more issues have been piling up. I have major depression, spondyloarthritis, polymyalgia, crushed disk in back along with the crohns disease. I have been off work for almost 5 monhs now and I am still very ill and with all my pain I cannot work. Both my family doctor and my specialist say I can not return to work. Trouble is my unemployment insurance has now run out. I applied for CPP disability and today was just denied as she said there was not enough to show I would be sick for the next year. I was told they almost always decline on the first try to see if people give up. I now have to appeal and put myself in alot of debt to do so. My doctors are trying to get me on remicade but it is a long process. I have been sick like I said 17 years, three surgeries and all my joint issues. Has anyone else get denied on the first try. I can't stand long or sit long, and I eat once every 24-30 hours and only in my own house. I swell up out of control if I eat and then I vomit and run to he washroom 20plus times. I am so upset. I can't keep going on like this.
 

afidz

Super Moderator
Almost no one gets approved the first time, they have a list of diseases and conditions that if you have that, you get approved right away. Crohn's is not one of those diseases.
YOu said you are going to put yourself in a lot of debt to appeal? Because of the lawyer? Lawyers for disability only get paid if you win, and they get paid out of your back pay once you do win. Also, they have a federally regulated cap (25% or 6k, which ever is less)
There is a disability support group, if you haven't found it yet http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=51690
They do want you to give up, thats why it takes so long, just have to hold your ground
 
I have been told this from alot of people now. I am appealing the decision and I am going to fight for my right to get what I deserve. I have been working full time for almost 20 years and have paid into it and now that I need help I can't get it. I will be in debt because I have my bills to pay and three kids to feed. I can't get financial help because I have a husband that works. I was the bread winner and he doesn't make enough to cover everything. Only half of what our bills are. I don't drink, smoke, or go out at all. I only eat at home because of my issues so I don't eat in restaurants, I don't like crowds and need to know if exactly where a restroom is at all times. I just want enough money to not lose my house and feed my kids. This is why it angers me when I hear people say they are not getting enough money, at least your getting some money. The only way I can get help is if I don't have my husband and that can't happen because he does s everything for me and the kids. He works straight midnights so he can take care of us and the house during the day.
 
I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through - But please know, you are not alone! So very many people with chronic illnesses go through these times (rock bottom). Please try and stay strong.. You'll get there! Please try and look after yourself firstly, and not too much on the financial side of things. They always have a way of working themselves out.

FYI, I've been on Infliximab (Remicade) for 4 years now and am doing well. Good luck getting on the new treatment. It honestly saved my life!

L x
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
It's rediculas that they would charge for an appeal.

Do you think it might be worth a call to your MPP? You've paid into this system for years. It should be there for you now that you despritly need it.

Hang in there. Sending you my support.

Dave
 
Location
Texas
Has your GI given you a Prescription D med like - lomotil or lotronex (if that is part of the issue)? I have been on both lomotil helps but lotronex is much stronger & caused me constipation but they definitely help so I can eat.

For nausea/vomiting, I take Phenergan - can your GI can give you this - it is my lifesaver as I can't eat either without getting sick. I tried Zofran which did no good. The only thing about this med is it makes you a little tired and shouldn't drive - which looks like you don't go out much - I don't either.

So sorry your feeling so sad, I have those days too. Sounds like you have a supportive husband - try and find the things that you are grateful for when you are down, that helps me a lot.

We are all in this together - sending positive thoughts for your medication & disability approval.
 
Thanks everyone. I have a great husband and kids and they are the only things that keep me here. I feel they would be better off without me, I cause so much stress on everyone and now we will be going into debt again to try and get approved. What happens in another few months and they refuse me again then what do I do. I can't work I am mentally, physically and emotionally unable to and my family knows this. I just think its unfair to say that crohns is really hard to see as critical or long lasting. I would switch shoes in a heartbeat with anyone who thinks this. I have always putting on a happy face for everyone around me and I can't do it anymore. I see my doctor in about an hour from now and I am going to talk to him. I am going to see if I can get any other type of unemployment but not sure. I just don't see how a person can have a baby or be out of a job and they can claim for a year, but someone very sick and I'll can only claim for 15 weeks. It seems unfair, especially if both of my doctors say I can't work. I have left the house maybe 4 times this past month and it was to see doctors or get meds. I have barely eaten in this time and haven't eaten anything in the past two days. My joints are killing me and from crying so much I have a severe headache, I pray it doesn't turn into a migraine but I get those as well. Well thanks for everyone's support. I need it right now.
 
Location
Texas
Maybe the doc can give you something for the depression too? I've heard there are different anti depressants that help with other symptoms of diseases also (maybe there is one that helps with the other issues).

My heart goes out to you!!
 
Pristiq helped me a lot! Definitely worth talking to a doctor about the way you're feeling. Don't accept it. You don't have to feel this down.

L x
 
So sorry you're going through this! I'm going through some of the same issues! My heart goes out to you! Have you tried juicing vegetables and fruit? That's what I'm doing now. I can't eat a regular meal anymore. It seems to be helping me. I'm gradually eating steamed veggies and fruit. Going to do this as long as it works. Good luck!
 
Thanks again everyone. I went again to the doctors today and I have lost 6 lbs in about 5 days already. I have been crying still off and on and feel so hopeless. My doctor is amazing though he took over a half hour to sit with me calm me down and tell me a few stories about people trying to get disability. He told me that they almost always refuse on the first try knowing most people will just give up and that is what they want. He told me I have to fight this, I can not work because my physical, emotional, and mental state is not good. I have started to lose my hair because of the stress and I don't have alot of hair as it is. He said we are going to do this don't worry you will get it. And they have to back pay me so I won't be in to much debt by the end. I hope he is right because I don't know what else to do. So here's keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
I'm so so sorry you and you're family are being put through this. And yes, they do retroactive pay to your original application date. Keep fighting.

Sending you my support.
 
I've heard good things about Cymbalta helping with depression and body pains. Someone told me anti depressants also keep their Crohns flares at bay. How long have you had the awful spondy? It just started this year for me n I already know I cant hold a desk job even if I'm on meds so I'm really hoping I can get a field job with my degree where I would visit clients n get home at a decent time. I hate Crohns n what it does to people's lives but I have faith things will get better for you.
 
My joins started bothering me over 10 years ago but in the past two years it has been unbearable. I crushed two disks in my back in December and since then it is awful doing anything. I tend to swell up when ever I exert myself and then can't do anything for days. My job entitled me to be on my feet moving for almost 9 hours a day and this was while no food for energy was in my system. I eat once every 24 -30 hours which was about 4-5 pm at night after working all day. Then I will swell up out of control and be in alot of pain and very sick all night. I was lucky if I got 2-3 hours of sleep each night. I have restless leg syndrome as well and I am worse at night and I don't stop moving my legs. This plus running to restroom and pain, vomiting and severe night sweats just exhausted me. Then I would get up at 5:30 am and do it all over again. I was so mentally and physically drained I thought about ending my life many times. I pray I fall asleep and don't wake up. I had a complete mental breakdown and almost ended up in he hospital. Then my last hope at getting any better was getting disability and then that was denied it has shattered me. I am appealing but having no money at all has been very hard on me and my family. Then 4 days ago we had to put our beloved dog down so things just seem to be more and more depressing. Thanks for everyone's support.
 
Almost no one gets approved the first time, they have a list of diseases and conditions that if you have that, you get approved right away. Crohn's is not one of those diseases.
YOu said you are going to put yourself in a lot of debt to appeal? Because of the lawyer? Lawyers for disability only get paid if you win, and they get paid out of your back pay once you do win. Also, they have a federally regulated cap (25% or 6k, which ever is less)
There is a disability support group, if you haven't found it yet http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=51690
They do want you to give up, thats why it takes so long, just have to hold your ground
They will even deny people with terminal conditions the first time sometimes, my mom had a friend that had some type of cancer and was denied, passed away during the appeal process, kinda what I think the government hopes for, we give up, go away or just die~~

To the OP, as stated, 99% are denied the first time, 80% are denied the second time, its the third time when those numbers drastically change.

Also, get a lawyer, they are needed and they do not charge until after you have won. Just getting that lawyer will let you know your chances right off the bat, as most of them will not take you on unless they pretty much know you have a strong enough case to win.
 
I am sorry for everything you are going through. I hope it gets better for you. I too was denied twice, then I hired a social security lawyer. I got back pay up to a certain point too. The lawyers take their cut, but it is almost impossible to do it without one. Good luck
 
I am sorry for everything you are going through. I hope it gets better for you. I too was denied twice, then I hired a social security lawyer. I got back pay up to a certain point too. The lawyers take their cut, but it is almost impossible to do it without one. Good luck
They have to pay you from the start time they date it when the claim was first filed, in the end, the longer they put it off, the bigger the check you ( and your lawyer ) get. Like I said, I really think they pretty much deny everyone the first time, most the second time as well and hope we just give up or die in the meantime.

You are absolutely correct about a lawyer being needed though, best thing yet, get one before you even start the process. Just getting the lawyer is a big barometer as I said, 99% of them won't even take your case unless they are 99.9% sure you will win.
 
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