I'll start this update off with some good news. It's been 23 months since my head injury in June 2009. I applied for disability November 2009, and was denied and appealed February 2010. I had my appeal hearing April 2011 and yesterday (May 2011), I was granted Social Security Disability! Praise God! I am so happy to have validation and some breathing room. We should start getting checks within 3-6 weeks.
There have been some other things that are positive too lately. I have been issued a home traction unit for my neck, which I received and started trying yesterday. It really felt good when I used it and helps give me a ton of relief with the tightness in my neck.
I had some heavy fatigue a couple months ago that was not relenting. My primary doctor ordered some blood tests and found that my Vitamin D levels were around 10. She thinks that could attribute to the fatigue, some of the low level headaches, and the nausea. I have had 3 weeks of mega-dose Vitamin D so far and might be seeing a little improvement.
My treadmill therapy is going well. I am jogging!!! I can jog for 20 minutes a day now, with a heart rate around 180 with no aggravated symptoms. I will continue to train my heart-brain connection through this therapy. I see Dr. Leddy next week to check in and see where to go from here.
I have on average 1 migraine a week now, down from 3. It's a relief to have this limited the way it is. The migraine wipes out 1-2 days and feels like such a setback. The every day headache is more mild the last week or so. I have less nausea and a bit more energy. The doctor gave me a steroid pack last week to give me a boost in energy and wipe out any inflammation that was there. I think the pack helped in both of those functions.
I don't know how we would have gotten through all this these past 2 years without such a loving family. I have learned to humble myself and ask for help when I need it. My faith in God carries me through this and all the other challenges in my life. How amazing to have peace in the middle of this great storm! He is so good!
So happy for you that SSDI was approved. Since we last spoke my UNUM disability insurance was pulled out from under me. They maintained that my Dr never specified that I Could not drive a car so they called the Dr's office and asked if the Dr considered driving to be the same as operating heavy equipment. The lady in the office said No they are different....BAM you have been removed from our coverage. I am now battling them, my Dr has sent them letters and now I have to go for NeuroPsych testing...I am not really sure what that is but just another thing that someone can say "Oh your just faking and trying to milk the system." Did you ever have NeuroPsych evaluation? if so what did it intail.....? So we have been living on my wife's $400 per week for the last 3 months...luckily she was able to get health insurance through her employer.Been feeling much worse lately...I would think that after 16 mos I would be done with this garbage....BUT It keeps going....Hope you continue to make progress! God Bless... Chip from WNY
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you have progress with the SSD, also the treadmill, and really it is very nice that you can jog with a heart rate of 180. Regards Ivaylo
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThere is a group of people with PCS in facebook, you can join us if you want
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_113072042059485&ap=1
Regards
Ivaylo
Hey Chip,
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't see this post!
I never had to do the Neuro Psych testing. My neurologist seems like he has good experience diagnosing PCS (even though he doesn't have any treatment). I'm so sorry that a technicality has stopped your disability! I have heard neuro-psych can be informative in that it tells you what areas you are limited in, but I think you can probably already tell that for yourself!
It's amazing how many people need the financial assistance and don't get it because of flaws in the system. A family at our church is struggling because the husband has a condition where he loses consciousness 1-2 times a week and cannot do anything. The wife cannot leave him alone, so neither of them can work. It has been almost 2 years and they have not gotten a dime yet!
Keep your head up! I hope that things will clear up soon and you will start receiving payments.
Praying!
Kate
Thanks Ivaylo!
ReplyDeleteI have checked out the FB group and will try to keep up with it more regularly. I appreciate your encouragement!
Kate