Migraine

I finally get it that I am never going to work full time again. This is a dissapointment to me as I do enjoy working. However we are all aware of the $$$ crunch on people with migraines. The last 3 years my medical out of pocket has been close to 50,000. That is above what my fairly decent insurance has covered.
I have gone from working full time down to 2 days a week now. I am struggling with that. I had to get an intermittent family medical leave just to avoid being fired for missing too much work. I work for Wal-Mart and they are TERRIFIC to work for. They let you pick any days you want to work. They are also very good about the FMLA. However they do have to have an attendance policy and the days you work go on a schedule. So it is not like I can only get scheduled for my days w no migrain.
I have seen so many Doctors over the last well, since 1997 when I first got treatment for migrain. How am I suppose to remember tham all to give to the social security dept? I only have started keeping my own file the past 3 years.
I also have hypothyroid. One year I had to use my own short term dissability insurance because I was having so much problems with thyroid. Now I have gained 90+ lbs and even though it is coming off I still have problems with my feet, legs and back from the weight. Should I mention this to SSI? My medecal records certainly show the thyroid issues for 10+years now.
Also I now have a Long term dissability through my husbands ex-employeer. We pay a good little premium for that. Not excessive amount but it is $ all the same. Will I be able to use that while waiting for ssi to come through. Or should I just drop that coverage. I think it has a 12 week [Being off work] waiting period before I can collect.
I hate that I have to do the ssi thing but I have worked and suffered for 25 years with this. I have worked since I was 16 so I have certainly paid in to it.
I spoke to an attorny and she thinks I have an excellent chance. I think in part due to the fact that I am having some major issues with my memory. Things I have done 1,000 times at work I cannot remember how to do sometimes.
Anyway if anyone has any tips or comments on this please write. I am now trying to dig up all the doctors that have treated me. One Dr./ I had a falling out with. She treated me for a few months. She was very nasty about filing out some ins. forms for me so I do not know if she would say bad things about me in my file. Can I get those files and read them? If so what is the best way to get them?

I am sure teri will sjhine a light on the last question. I just love her spunk.
Thanks Bev

No advice, I'm not familiar with disability, but good luck to Fredrick!

Honey - you are ENTITLED to ALL of your medical records - from EVERY doctor that has treated you.

-And if one of them has said things in YOUR medical records that are unprofessional and not noteworthy of your medical condtion or progress - I would call them out on it! I would think that would be considered slander? I'm sure Teri knows more about it then I do but I can't imagine that being acceptable.

They may charge you a fee for your records, that for the time and energy it takes the girl to pull your chart and take herself over to the copier and hit "start" and of course for the paper and toner. It shouldn't be that much. I think the most is like $1 a page, if there is a fee at all.

good luck to you and Frederick! Keep us posted!!

Here's what I did when I got a copy of my records a few years ago:

I called the clinic at the main switchboard number and asked to be transferred to the department that handled records. Then I asked them what I needed to do to get a copy. They told me exactly where in the building I needed to go, what kind of ID I needed, etc.. They also asked which parts I wanted (just the labs, just the doc's notes, or everything). I remember when I got there I had to sign a release form stating that they had indeed made a copy for me as I had requested. It was pretty easy. It didn't cost me anything, but some clinics charge for them, like others have said.

Just an FYI, but you are also able to get copies of any scans (CT, MRI etc) you've had done. I just got a CD with my most recent MRI scans. All I had to do was call and request it, then show my ID when I got there.

You'll have to read your long-term disability policy to see how it works with SS disability. Many of them are tied to getting disability from Social Security. Some of the older ones aren't. Check with your agent, but look for yourself as well. Agents are great at selling the policy, but they aren't a whole lot of help when it comes time to collect. Your attorney should be able to give you advice.

I'm so sorry you're having to give up work. I had to give up a successful law practice 15 years ago, and it still messes with my mind. I had most of my self-worth tied up in my job, and it took a long time to find other things to like about myself. At the time, I figured that I'd be off for 3 months, tops, then be back full strength. It didn't work out that way.

Gretchen in Mississippi