Sherry

Thank you for your post! I really appreciate the feeback from everyone. Yes you are right I feel like my doctor is being rather judgemental. It's definitely not a weight or a medication issue. I weigh about 105 pds and try to do some form of cardio (gentle excercises) to keep my strength up. It is allot of on the floor gentle excercises. But nevertheless she knows all my history and still said what she did. She has known me as a patient for almost three years. I suffer from depression because of the pain and told her this would help me get out of the house more often. Still she refused. Maybe she is just set in her ways or something. I left her office tearing up. I'm not sure exactly why I felt so upset about this, but maybe it's the fact that I'm not trying to use a mobility device as a "crutch". I'm just trying to have a little more independence that's all. And yes I would be a bit embarrassed at times, but when you are in pain so bad, there comes a time when you don't care what people would think of you in a scooter. You just want relief. In some ways I feel this discrimination 'cause of my age more often than I would like to say. Like when I don't feel good and suddenly I'm a bad mom for not cooking dinner or going to my sons school functions. I guess I should be used to it by now, but it makes me feel more isolated from the norm. Because I "look normal" but after you're around me for a day or more then the evidence is clear as day. That's why I am grateful for you vets that I can "talk" to.

Carlie, She is my primary care provider. Thanks for all the replies from everyone.

I went to my appt on Monday and asked my doctor if she would put in for a scooter due to my sc pain issues, including the tarsal tunnel and plantar fascitis in my feet. She said absolutely not. I am young almost 29, but in substantial pain that makes me feel so terrible. I was really upset at her reaction to my request. I told her it would give me more independence to do fun things with my kids. There again she repeated the same statement and then added that once I got in one of the scooters, I would never get out. Of course that's an absurd statement in my opinion. She is a good doctor overall and I am pleased with her care more or less. But feel I am being discriminated against because of my age. I would like some opinions on if she has a valid point or should I go above her? Don't wanna piss any one off though. Or should I just leave it be and request one when I get older? I think sixthscents told me before that it goes before a board; not the doctor that gets to decide. Anyways I am frustrated. Thanks in advance.

Thanks that's kinda what I thought too! The depression was pretty much diagnosed around the same time frame as my disabilities (1999 and 2001.) Nothing before service was ever diagnosed so at least I have that on my side. Heck, I was in good shape before I went in, nothing physically or mentally diagnosed before then.

Thanks sixthscents for the info. I've had depression for along time as well as these conditions. The depression was diagnosed before these other conditions, but these conditions were somewhat of the reason behind the depression; as well as things from my past and in service. I was denied for the stuff in the service(ptsd) so that is a moot point now. So I'm assuming they could say your depression is due to your childhood yada yada... but with how much medical treatment I've recieved for my pain it would be in my opinion that the Va would have to consider this as well, not just childhood issues. I could be wrong though. In anybody's opinion on this forum do you think the Va would try to use my past issues as a scapegoat for denial of this secondary condition? Thanks.

Wow, that's a little over my head. But I think i understand what you are saying. So how would they SC depression to a potential diagnosis of lupus? Would they wait to see if that's exactly what I have or would that later come into the picture. Sorry if i don't make sense. My brain gets clouded sometimes. Another question- I have been reading about the ILP. Would this program benefit someone like me. If I could get help with mundane tasks around the house, that would be a godsend. Thanks for the interesting info!

Hi Berta, Yes I am 70%IU, not permanent though. I was SC for my feet in 2001. Then fibro and bladder problem was SC'd in 2003 by denovo review. Although I did win bladder probem the first time around because it was so severe in the service. My reval to be considered permanent is June 08. The reason I wasn't declared permanent it said was because at the time I was going to Physical therapy for my feet and the denovo officer thought with allot of PT, I would get better to enter the workforce. Well here it is already 07, and I have gotten worse for wear, I have huge bone spurs now in my feet and this makes getting around difficult. I haven't asked for a wheelcair yet because of being afraid of the negative response from the doctor. I have two young children and don't participate in anything with them because of my pain. (outside the house that is). Even then it is a chore. I am just really depressed over my situation and I know I probably won't see any more monetary comp, but I would like to have it on the record that the pain is making me "crazy" and be service connected for it. My doc is my primary women's care specialist. I do see a shrink, but mostly to get my meds renewed every six months or so. No real therapy there. All the session is the doc says what can I do for you today and that's about it. Waste of time in my opinion. But at leasts it's in my record right?

Thank-you for this I didn't know this site existed.

Thanks for the replies. So if I send an informal claim on Monday would that be okay? How should I word it? I used to have a VSO but moved out of the area. I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. Also my other question is about opening a new claim. Will the C&P examiner examine all my disabilties or will they keep it strictly to the depression and causes? Thanks again.

Thanks for the reply. What would I do to start this claim? Is it like the first ones or do I simply write the Va a informal letter suggesting that I would like to be sent to a C&P to confirm this diagnosis secondary to pain? I'm sure my VA doc would write a nexus letter no problem, but you never know they might say they value their job more than getting involved in a claim; been told this before by my prior Va doc. Glad I don't go to him any more. Should I get this from my doc first or go ahead and file claim? Also will this claim open a can of worms with my other SC disabilties. I'm not really worried though because they have gotten worse and I have the max eval of 40 percent for fibro. Plus not to mention my reval is June of 08 anyways. This is a little off topic, but I have been wondering do you think the VA will raise the percentages for Fibro, in comparison to Chronic fatigue syndrome. I feel 40 percent is quite low in comparison to what I deal with everyday. Thanks...again!

Hi all, I am looking for information on if anybody has filed a secondary claim for depression due to chronic pain. My worst SC disability is Fibromyalgia followed by interstillial cystitis and tarsal tunnel, plantar fasciitis. Also the VA is running more tests to rule out Lupus. Ever since I was first in the miltary 10 years ago, they suspected Lupus but really did not follow up on it. ANA is really high along with other clinical signs. Anyways back on topic...Do you think the VA would say well the depression is a symptom of fibromyalgia, so you cannot be awarded SC for as a secondary condition. I have read where IBS has been service connected secondary to Fibromyalgia even though it is listed in the symptom chart. It has been noted in my records that I have PTSD and depression. Lost my claim for PTSD..did not follow up on my first denial. I have been reading the boards for awile now and think everybody is great and helpful! Thanks for any advice anyone could offer. :)