FIBROMYALGIA

If you search for fibromyalgia before 1981 you won't find it.  1981 is when Dr. Muhammad Yunus defined the disease and named it.  For years, it was considered by doctors to be a bogus disease.  Now, we know better.

Fibromyalgia is an incurable disease resulting in overactive nerve tissues.  It causes chronic pain in the muscles, joints and tendons along with fatigue and sleeplessness and often is associated with depression or anxiety.  Most patients describe a "brain fog" which makes concentration difficult.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia and need to file a Social Security disability claim, I want to share some things that may help you.

First, Social Security requires that fibromyalgia be diagnosed using the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, using either the 1990 rules or the 2010 rules. The best trained doctor to diagnose and evaluate fibromyalgia is a rheumatologist.  A rheumatologist will be given more weight than a family doctor when your case comes before Social Security.  There are many medical conditions that mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  Your doctor must rule out these other diseases in order to make a definite diagnosis.  You must convince Social Security that you have a "medically determinable impairment" or MDI.  Only your doctor can do this.

Second, you must prove that fibromyalgia symptoms interfere with your ability to perform basic work related activities.  Try to get the rheumatologist to provide you with a written "residual functional capacity" (RFC).  Simply defined, this is a statement about the maximum that you can do when it comes to functions like sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, etc.*  There is a neat form that Social Security likes to use for this.  It's called a "Medical Source Statement," or Form HA-1151. My firm uses a specialized form tailored specifically to symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Third, Social Security will want to see that you are following prescribed treatment to try to get better.  It's important to take the medications prescribed by your doctor.  If you experience side effects with a medication that prevents you from taking it, talk to your doctor about other medicine that you may try.  Failure to follow treatment may cause problems with a Social Security claim.

Social Security's 2012 Ruling on Fibromyalgia 
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HELP WHILE YOU WAIT ON SOCIAL SECURITY

"I need help.  I've filed for Social Security disability months ago.  How can I survive until my case gets settled?"

Unfortunately, it can take months or years to get Social Security disability benefits.  There are some agencies that may be able to help you while you wait on Social Security.  Here are some avenues to explore:
 
FOOD STAMPS:  Contact your county's Department of Human Resources.  In Limestone County it's located at 1007 W. Market Street, Athens, AL 35611.  Phone (256) 216-6380. Website: 
http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Limestone


Mortgage Payments:  Contact "Hardest Hit Alabama" at www.hardesthitalabama.com  or call 1-877-497-8182.

LOW COST MEDICAL CARE (DOCTORS): Click on the link below for a list of low cost clinics to find one near you.

http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf?_function=list&state=al

UTILITY BILLS OR OTHER NEEDS:   Dial 211 on your phone and tell the operator the type of assistance you need.

HELP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY DISABIILTY:  Contact the Forsythe Firm in Huntsville at (256) 799-0297 or (256) 431-1599. 

The Forsythe Firm is a professional legal firm specializing in Social Security disability and nothing else.  We offer you a FREE consultation and we will never charge for our services until you have been approved and qualified for past due benefits from Social Security.  At that point, Social Security will simply deduct our fee from your back pay.  Call us today if we can be of help.