Migraine

Hello,

I am new to this forum, and I'll save my long intro for the new member posts, but I have a more pressing issue tonight. I have had migraines off and on since I was a teenager (I'm 35 now). Since this past January, the migraines have been unbearable, and they have become very difficult to treat. I see a neurologist who is very good and understanding, but I have been missing 2 to 3 days of work a week. I have Family Medical Leave papers filed, so my job is protected, but I am taking those days without pay. The days that I work are less than productive. I know I'm singing a familiar song to most of you. My husband and I were talking today, and I thought it might be worthit to file for short-term disability through my employer until my migraines get controlled (if they ever do, I don't feel all that confident right now, but that's for another post).

I had an MRI in March, and I have white matter changes present, so I do have some kind of clinical "proof" of illness if the pencil necks looking at my case want it. I know one of the biggest difficulties with migraines is that people just don't understand how debilitating the disease is. And the fact that it is a disease. But I'm getting off-topic.

Has anyone had any experience with filing for short-term disability through their employer for migraines? Have you been successful? Any tips? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Be well ,
Melissa

Melissa,

I didn't apply through my employer, I applied via the internet. I applied for SSDI in August of last year and I was approved the end of December and was required to wait until March before I started receiving benefits.

My situation was a bit unique because I had to quit my job in August since I was home more than I was at work. Plus, I had a letter from my boss that I had tried to work and had used all of my sick days, personal days and vacation days in a span of two months. I had also accepted a lower paying job within the same company to ease up the hours and try to remain employed but it still didn't help the frequency of my migraines.

From what I understand, the wait time for approval is usually very long. I just got very lucky.

One more thing to mention, mine is temporary until November of this year when I will be up for re-evaluation. I hope this helps.

I am currently on short term disability through my employer. I am a teacher and I also had been paying for disability insurance for over 20 years. My employer needed a doctor's note saying he wanted me off work for the remainder of the school year. I went on disability on February 13th. My district will give me half pay for 100 days (which is about 5 months). I had to first use up my sick leave which was 25 days. In addition to my half pay, I get half pay from my disability insurance for 100 days. So I'm making the same amount as I was when I was working. But that is only because I bought the disability insurance. Without it, I'd be making half my salary.

My disability is until October 11th. I have also applied for permanent disability through my retirement system but will not know the status of that until July or August. If they deny me, I will have to try to go back to work the middle of October while I wait for the appeal process. If I get approved, I will make about half of my current salary.

Of course, it is my hope that I CAN go back to work and get my migraines under control. However, at this time, it's uncertain if or when that might happen. My doctor thinks it could take 3 to 4 years to narrow my cocktail of meds. By that time I will be close to retirement age so we'll see.

If you have short term disability through your employer and you can afford it, I would definitely recommend it. Hope this helps.

Hi

I'm sorry you are having a difficult time. Our members have given you great information to start you off.

SSI and SSDI has information government benefits, and there are links at the end of the article that may help you with employer short term disability.

Let me see what else I can find out for you.

Thank you all for the info. I spoke to my benefits specialist at work, and the first thing she told me was I had to get my doctor to "buy into the idea". That's a direct quote. At least she was honest. So I called my PCP, and luckily I have one of those offices where you can actually talk to the doctor on the phone. He told me he would to whatever it takes for me to feel better. Boy, did that make me feel better! So next I had to call our disability insurance provider and start the claim. Now I just have to wait for it to get processed. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for all of your help and support.

Good luck with your application! It's great that your doctor is on board!

Gretchen in Mississippi