ruby

Congrat's. Pound them into the sand for me too.

Can anyone direct me to the section where you can get help with electric bills to pay for heating your pool if its prescribed as therapy. I am at 60% right now. Thanks Ruby

In the section referring to claims and ratings for disability (I don't know the numbers). It states if a veteran makes a fraudulent claim there is no statute of limitations. It's somewhere around the area that talks about the 10-20 yr rules. In the eyes of the law it would go both ways.

There is plenty of research that states a person has usually been a diabetic for years prior to dx. Research articles and get your doctor to stated the diabetes more likely than not started years before the other problems. I know I was probably a diabetic in 94 but I would probably say more like the early 80's. I wasn't offically DX until 2005. I had some vision problems in the service they suspected diabetes then, they did a 2r pp which was normal, but I suspect there was an underlining problem then. It didn't surface for a few years later. I would always fall asleep after I ate a large meal. Someone gave me some Fannie Mae tutrles for xmas one yr. I would eat 2 and be drugged. I told the person that bought them, we should get them tested for drugs, I literally could not stay awake when I ate one this was in 94. Before I knew I was a diabetic, I knew that eating always made me sleepy so I would eat at night to help me sleep. I had increased thrist, but I drank water all the time normally so that was hard to use as a sympton, because drank a lot, I peed alot. Those pre dm2 guidelines are fairly recent in the last couple of years. Prior to that time levels above 120 fasting. Did you have an A1C done, if it was really high you can use that as evidence also that you had been a diabetic prior to the CHF-- The VA knows this stuff but if you don't they win.

I just started taking this drug at 37.5 mg and I am having bad side effects from it, I doubt if I can keep taking it. The psy doc said I would probably have problems since I have to many dump trucks at my serotonin recep sites. Bad as I feel after taking this drug I think I'll keep my dump trucks.

I am assuming all VA's are the same but I believe that may not be incorrect. I know the Tampa VA carries both. You have to have tried and failed all other meds it takes about 4 weeks to get approved. I got it but decided not to use it. I am a diabetic and have frequent infections with another disease process.

While I don't know I would say yes based on your tes, your results are excellent, you have a good heart. greater than 1mmm depression is considered abnormal but it returned to normal at rest which is fine. if you are not symptomatic leave it alone. Your EF is great. You have minimal regurge, most women who have gone through labor have at least that.

My PCP is a NP, I think thats all they have in the Womens center are females with the exception of the GYN doc who is a male. My specialist are males. With the eception of Psy who are females. The new MST doc is a male. Does that make any sense at all.

Thanks for the support and reply's. While I have never done street drugs before, thanks for the info in case I get desperate. I go to PT 2x a week, problem is I really can't do much, by the time I walk to the clinic I am in agony. I do have tens that helps if I wear it all the time, problem with that is while it might work on 1-2 disc it doesn't work on the others so I have pain somewhere all the time. I am just frustrated that I have never done drugs for my pain I have always sucked it up and only taken Motrin, now that I am at my limit and want drugs for a legitimate problem they don't want me to get addicted. I have been on 10 different meds since 05 and nothing has worked. My dog has severe arthritis and he is on pain meds. I am thinking of taking his meds but then he would be in pain and wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did that. I can't walk due to the pain from either the disc or SI's. I am thinking that if I submit this to SS they will say or it could be the disc that can be fixed and not the SI's causing your pain and deny me on that---it just sucks. I have my tens yanked as high as it goes consistently, have burn marks from the damn thing. The effexor they gave me for my depression is kicking my ass at 37.5 mg. I won't be taking this very long, rather be depressed then tried and feels like someone is sitting on my chest and I can't breath, then again I might be going into an asthma attack. I have a daughter who is married one grandchild, he is the apple of my eye, I do forget about my pain to a point with him, except when he wants me to go for a walk or run with him. Soon things will either get better or worse. I think worse, since the post office lost some important papers regarding my mortgage but its got to get better. Thanks for listening.

I am ranting, need to get this out. I finally had a MRI of my lumbar spine. All the docs kept saying there's more wrong than just SI for the arthritis. Sure enough there is but I am not sure this is going to help me with either my VA claim or SSD. Turns out I have 4 herniated disc with 3 pinching nerves, 2 to the left and 1 to the right. This would account for the bilateral pain that is different. Not sure what I am going to do with this info. It's not service connected or should I say I can't believe I have tolerated herniated disc for 32 yrs. I know I have had them for at least 10 yrs that's when I can remember starting to have the intermittent severe back pain that's different from the SI pain that started while on active duty, but then again SI pain can be the result of herniated disc. I can see the VA saying its the herniated disc causing your pain and not the SI joints due to the ReA. What a vicious cyle. Went to the pain doctor prior to having these results, he refused to give me pain meds, got more non steriods and muscle relaxants that don't work. Now I have to wait another 2 mos to see him again for new meds that of course won't work. Of course the only muscle relaxant that has worked in the past he DC'd as its addictive (soma)--Who gives a crap I am entitled to some Freaking relief. I am not sure just how much longer I can take the pain befor I snap. I am considering buying street drugs or find a civilian doc thats easy to get drugs from. Enough is enough, I have never take drugs for any of the pain I have been in for years, I have a very stronger tolerance to pain but I am reaching my level of intolerance. I did go to see the PTSD doc, at least she offered to give me valium for the muscle spasms. I turned it down as I had a bottle of Soma left--Someone just shoot me now. I had a really good visit with her, I actually enjoyed talking to her. She wants me to meet with the MST doc. but felt I need better control of my pain and some stress decrease before going into therapy. She was really nice, she told me to file for UE for depression due to chronic pain, said it would be easier than filing for MST. Which she thinks I should do down the road, but that of course was my decision. The visits I have been more apprehensive about have been the most enjoyable. The ones I thought would be good have been the pits. My primary forgot to reorder my diabetic medicine, I can't get any for another 10 days when I see her for my 3 month check up. That is total BS. I plan on giving her a piece of my mine. Back to my MRI, I have read quiet alot concerning this issue, while the pain can be really bad, its not disabling as you can have surgery to fix it. Well I don't want surgery and it has to be a last resort prior to shooting myself. Yes, I have thought about it alot lately. I haven't heard form SSD my last appt was 20 days ago, I would think if it were approved I would have been notified by now or it would be in the computer as determined. I am afraid if I tell them about the 4 bulging disc with impingement they will say, that's fixable just have surgery. If I dont get approved, I will probable be forced to sell my house to survive, I have equity that can keep me going for a while but I don't want to sell my house. If anyone is having a real great time, would you mind volunteering to take this black cloud for a couple of days, just need a little down time. Some days its best not to get out of bed. Thanks for letting me rant.

The VA does or is suppose to use the same scale for all-don't remember the name but its with one with faces. I too have arthritis and the pain level is different for different parts of the body. Pain is a personal perception, so each person has a different pain perception level. To me I give them a constant number--I don't want to confuse them. I tell the my pain level for that day (combine the pain)--I am always better sitting down so I tell them what my level was prior to getting to the clinic. If my back is a 6 and my hands a 7 I tell them 7. They usually ask what is hurting the most. For those of you who think they are questioning your pain level when you say a 10 and your walking around and talking well they are if you are not in tears, retching, moaning,constantly repositinioning yourself, irritable (severe) or screaming for help, its not a 10. A 10 is the worst pain you have ever had or could imagine. If you have ever had a kidney stone, gallbladder stone, or given birth then you know what a 10 is. Your not walking at this pain level. If the pain is ever constant on my mind and while I may be listening I am not really hearing what your saying since I am thinking of my pain I call that a 5-7. A 3-4 is I think about the pain occasionally but its not ever present on my mind. A 5 is constantly on my mind but I can still concentrate at times. A 6 is less concentration I start barking loudly. A 7 is no concentration and I will bite at this point. 8-10 I am not at the VA but home in bed crying. My 5 could be your 10 or your 3 could be my 10. The older you are the more pain you can tolerate. I can guarantee you my 3 is a 20yrs 10. If you say your pain is a 10 and your walking normal and talking normal with a normal BP and HR they won't buy the 10 and you will get labeled. The VA computers don't take half numbers. Ask them for the scale if you need to describe your pain level. Tell them what your pain level is for each area or tell what is hurting the most.

Wings, I have no idea what I could do but research, I am more than willing to help just tell me what you want done. Ruby

I would be interested, should others decide they can make it. I think it would be nice to meet other Vets. I have been busy and missed this post. If there is a date and time and others are interested let me know. Ruby

If anyone know if this is true please post it. My Derm Doc told me his superior told him he could not sign anything giving an opinion. I know this is this Dept heads decision as my Rheum doctor is the head of the dept and he signed it.

Thanks guys.

Went for my medical review with occupational spec. He was very nice and respectful. Ask me some questions regarding my issues then had me to some range of motion and use a strength meter with my hands. My left was a 15 that's all I heard and it was the strongest anyone know what they are suppose to read. He didn't make me do any squats or anything that required me to move out of the chair I was in. He did have me lift my legs straight so he could feel the crepitation in my knees. He suggested that I get a MRI and more emg testing. He thought my bil carpal tunnel was not my problem with my wrist, but tendonitis from my arthritis. Suggested I don't have surgery unless the test came back positive and said I would probably not recommend it, as it ususally doesn't work. I asked him why I was there, did SSD not believe my Doctors or me. He said no its there procedure, not to worry he would "do me right" and they would have his report this afternoon by fax. So wish me luck. Hopefully he was telling me the truth and its a done deal.

I am currently refinancing my home all I get is VA at this time and they love to see the guaranteed income. My roommate however is working with a steady income. As far as cleaning up your credit, you don't necessarily need to do that you need to find a direct lender, some don't make you pay any charge offs. You have to pay any judgements that can effect a lien on your property. Also if you pay on stale debt it can hurt your FICO scores, read all you can before you repair your credit. If something is more than 4 yrs old don't pay it its not really hurting your score, if you pay it, FICO will look at that as being fresh delinquency and it will lower you score. If its between 2-4 yrs old it has minimal impact. Only those that are less than 2 yrs old hurt your score significantly. If you are in the less than 2 yrs old call the company and ask if they can reage the account--this will bring the account current on CR after 3 on time payments--then don't ever be late again. Tell them what you can really afford to pay, don't let them push you into paying more then what is comfortable.

Wow is correct-thanks for the info for those of us in that area. I too will be calling her for an appointment.

I was in a non combat situation when I was assualted, I fought back and escaped, but I was still assualted. While I never realized it, I have a lot of baggage as a result of being assualted and how I was treated after I reported the assualt. What needs to be done, is simply, you do the crime ,you do the time. The military is still the good ole boy network. If I had known that I would have the baggage I have now, I would have pressed charges (was talked out of it) and I would have given my story to the AP hoping someone would print it back in 1976. They should use any and all methods available to pursue these perverts.

You have fought long and hard for this award. If they give you a C&P go, don't let them win in the end. Tell the ???'s that you fought this for years and managed to win, how could anyone think that a person who has the ability to fight the VA and win be incompetent. Being depressed and anxious has nothing to do with incompetency. While this may not be the proper thing to do I would most certainly call my Congressionman and Senator. I am so sorry they are pulling this crap on you. Best wishes and just know in the end you'll get the money. When your on that expensive vacation bathing in luxury, send the rater a post card. Ruby

John, how much did she charge and she just does psy. Thanks, Ruby

I think you could do it but it would be going around the bush to get it. First you have to find someone to take it, then I think you would have to see them as a patient and develop a good relationship then ask for the IMO. I am not sure they would authorize a visit for an IMO only. I know people who have the medicaid and everything has to be approved and authorized. Once you have SSD for 2 or 3 yrs it converts to Medicare.

Its prescribed by the VA, think I am getting an ulcer, have been having problems with my gut, feels like an ulcer. I usually only take the max dose 2400 mg/day, but there have been times I had to take more. I keep forgetting about the secondary conditions. I'm just trying to get the primary conditions connected. It seems for the past 2 years before hadit I didn't know how to file a claim. I thought it was simply just file and say here's the evidence, wrong.

There are lots of problems with motrin-you gotta do what you have to do to survive. It is the only drug that has worked for me over the past 30 years. I am surprised I still have kidneys.--Without the motrin I would have killed myself a long time ago. It's not working anymore unless I take greater qualities than I should. Time for narcs and back off the motrin if I can. Narcs will only help me cope with the pain, it won't help the stiffness or swelling only the motrin will help that. Just want to be able to walk around the block with my grandson or dogs without having to stop and rest due to the pain in my back and legs, when the legs start to go numb they hurt when my clothes touch my thighs, it will be nice to be able to take something and know I can walk again.

He said the fact that I had a major depression years ago and the fact I have been depressed for the last couple of years and its getting worse with my medical condition that he could and would write it up as major depression. I have lined up an attorny just in case things go wrong. I am taking my xrays with me to the Occupational Doc. I just got my pain management appointment for next week, so I should be on drugs when I go. I don't do drugs so this will be fun, I will be stoned if not asleep during the appointment. Pretty much anything knocks me out other than motrin, which I eat like candy. The VA made me 3 appointments for the same day and time--gotta love them. One I can cancel and reschedule with no problem the others I can't, this will be tricky. Thanks for all the support, I really do need it and really appreciate it.