Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with disability and health

Can I/should I get a "prescription cat?"

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:23:25 -0800

Getting a prescription cat... How to, should I, and can I? Please don't flagellate me, I'm truly not trying to abuse any systems here--I just learned of this possibility and am trying to figure out if it's something for me. I have a history of depression and anxiety, am currently in treatment for a compulsive eating disorder which is definitely related to anxiety. I moved to San Francisco less than a year ago and am currently living in an apartment that allows no pets at all. Reading AskMe for other cat-related things, I saw mention of doctors "prescribing" cats. When I've cohabited with cats in the past, my anxiety has been noticeably better/more manageable, as has my depression (which now seems to be dysthymia, and I'm coping... okay). I'm an excellent pet owner/foster cat owner, and their presence benefits me significantly. From what little I know, it seems like a therapy cat might be an option?

So: is this something I should look into? I really don't want to misuse a system that's set up for folks who are much worse off than me, but I do struggle with some mental health issues and I do know that cats have a history of helping. Are my issues too trivial? I imagine cats make everybody feel better, so perhaps this is a silly idea.

If this is a) a real thing which b) I can use without moral qualms or taking advantage of a system that's intended for other purposes (therapy dogs, etc.), how does it work? Do I just talk to my regular eating disorder psychiatrist? Are my landlords obligated to accept a therapy cat? Does the cat need to be in some way exceptional/trained to qualify as such? Would future stigma about therapy animals make it less likely for me to find a place in SF's insane housing market, or would having taken this action negatively affect me in other ways I haven't thought of (some nightmarish insurance company issue, etc.)? This is far, far down the line, but I'm a good pet owner and the difference I noticed when I've had a cat was palpable.

Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk or take advantage of the system, but I don't feel like I have a sense of perspective about when therapy animals are appropriate.

How do I know whether I should take FMLA or short-term disability?

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:47:36 -0800

I broke my tailbone, and have questions about FMLA, short-term disability, choosing the right doctor to help me file for either, and how they affect my chances at future employment. I have Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance through my employer. You are not my lawyer or doctor, and any response to the questions and statements posed herein will constitute neither legal nor medical advice. This past Monday, I slipped in the rain coming out of subway, landing hard on my tailbone, on the cement sidewalk in DC. Two days later, still in agonizing pain, I called in sick to work and went to urgent care. Urgent care Dr. thinks there's a fracture, but is waiting for confirmation from a radiologist. Fracture or no fracture, I cannot bend over, sit down, or stand up without excruciating pain. I'm part of a law firm support staff, and since my job requires frequent lifting, bending, and getting up from a seated position, I'm estimating that I will need at least two weeks to recover.
Now, for my questions:

My employer says I have two options - FMLA (if my doctor says I need 2 weeks or less to recover) or short-term disability (if I need more than two weeks).

Prior to this incident, I was relatively healthy. I saw my ob/gyn once last year for a pap smear (a very abrupt visit), and have never seen the primary care physician listed on my insurance card. Basically, I do not have a substantial history with any physician - so, who should I go to to help me make the right decision? The primary care whom I've never seen, the ob/gyn who would not recognize me on the street, or a specialist in orthopaedic surgery who could probably make the most qualified analysis?

Hypothetically, how does applying for FMLA or short-term disability affect my chances at finding a new job? Will having either on my record place a red flag on my job application?

Please feel free to email me privately: broken_tailboneATsentDOTcom.

Who can help me with disability insurance claims?

[insert clever name here] — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:48:57 -0800

I’m looking for advice on dealing with with employer provided disability insurance. I’m out of work due to illness, and I am having trouble navigating the disability insurance provided by my employer. Do I hire a lawyer? Are there other people that I can hire to help on my behalf? I’m in Wisconsin, if that helps. I tried googling this question, and I am finding both advocates and lawyers, and advocates that are lawyers but not which I should choose or how to choose one. I know WOM recommendations are the best, but I don’t know anyone that’s gone through this so I have no one to turn to for recommendations.

I went on medical leave this past fall. My work provided disability insurance, but navigating it has been a challenge, because my doctors are still investigating the cause so have no information on when I’ll “be better”. I was told that it takes 7-10 days to process a claim, but with follow up medical records, it took three months to receive roughly 6 weeks disability pay, which did not actually cover all the time I was out of work at that time.

Much back and forth and misinformation from the insurance company as to what I needed to provide them, they reopened my claim 2 months after my last payout. Their review of it is still pending.

Part of the problem is that the doctors are still investigating the cause of my illness, and because they don’t know what is wrong, they can’t say when I’ll be well enough to go back to work. After talking to the person at the disability insurance company working on my case, she said that without a return to work date, the best they can do is pay retroactively for the time out of work, after reviewing doctor records. BUT if I send the records too soon after they got the previous records, it extends the time for review, i.e. extending the time until I see any payment.

Add to the fact that last time my doctors office sent over records it took 8 days from the time they sent digital records from the local office to the copying service to mail them out, then another 15 days for the disability insurance company to receive them via postal mail.

This is all the quick version, there is much I left out, but what I desperately need to know is how to navigate the system or who could help me. Is there some profession out there to help me speed things up and smooth out the bumps while knowing when they’re getting the runaround? On top of everything else, I’m just too tired most days to harass whomever needs harassing to get this done.

If I need a lawyer, how do I find one? Should I get a recommendation from a generalist, or find a lawyer that specialises in disability? Or is there another profession that helps in cases like these?

(And if you have a specific reference for someone you would recommend, please include!)

How to be disabled?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:51:25 -0800

I know this sounds shit, but I need some advice on how to continue a satisfying life with a disability. Really long story as short as I can think to write it inside. I was hit about 18 months ago with "back problems". It turns out I'm dealing with a constellation of auto-immune issues with a primary diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis and sero-negative Rheumatoid Arthritis with a lot of peripheral and neuropathy involvements. I don't fit the standard profile for the disease: Close to fifty, female, B27 negative, but hey there it is.

Tonnes of axial and peripheral involvement and aggressive. It's been severe, persistent and recalcitrant and I've been on medical leave for around nine months. Hand function is currently diminishing including rapid muscle atrophy and we're still trying to find the underlying cause. I'm on biologics treatment at this point along with methotrexate, prednisolone and opiate painkillers. There's been some definite improvements with the biologics but not great. Basically, things are only nominally under control.

I'll reach the end of my company's standard medical leave benefit early next year. My company provides Salary Continuance insurance, essentially privately supported disability that I'll probably qualify for. With the partial response to the biologics, I've decided to try to return to work on a limited part-time basis to see where I am and whether I can be effective. Work supports this, but I don't know where it's going to lead. Work is as a management consultant, ironically to pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations.

Two years ago I was extremely active, mobile and energetic. I'm not now. But I have a really hard time thinking of myself as disabled. It's a huge shift in self-perception. On good days, I feel really guilty about not being a contributor. On bad days I deal with having essentially an invisible disease. If you met me randomly, I think you'd have a hard time knowing something was wrong. At this point, mobility and function are sporadically impaired but I haven't pushed myself within a work environment for a while.

I have a good medical team around me including an occupational and general therapist. I'm in Australia for what it's worth.

This is beginning to feel like a rant so here's the question. How do I adapt to my new circumstances? What are some suggestions around creating a fulfilling life, including daily stuff if normal working activities and commitments aren't there. Anyone else go from normal to not in their prime?

Anonymous because, while work definitely knows what's going on, I would still rather not have this discussion linked to my primary internet persona at this point.

Youth Care - what to learn

divabat — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:20:09 -0800

You're a young person, in your 20s or so, and you've noticed that quite a few of your similarly-aged peers & friends are in desperate need of care due to major mental and emotional health challenges - which are taking a toll on everything else. However, support services for this group are lacking. What could you learn or train in to be able to be a better source of support and care for your peer community? As my last few AskMefi questions have demonstrated, I've lost a couple of close people to suicide this year. They've both been in their 20s, dealing with severe mental health issues for a long time (PTSD and bipolar disorder). They're not the only ones I know who are facing this, and I'd rather not lose more people to their own hands.

I've noticed that support for our age group is shockingly lacking, at least here in Australia (though I don't think my US-based cousin would have necessarily been better off). Some issues I've seen:

* There's training and services for childcare (up to about 15-16) and elderly care, but nothing in between
* Resources for those with disabilities tend to focus on the physical; there is some attention to psychiatric issues, but they need to be "Severe" - as it is my friends are having trouble finding adequate people to diagnose them (there has been some controversy about the local mental health system)
* They have just enough economic privilege to not be homeless and to be able to afford basic needs as well as the occasional indulgence - most youth programs tend to be geared towards homeless & severely disadvantaged people. However, many support systems available cost more money & time then any of us can afford. (A retreat I queried cost $30,000 for 3 weeks - that could pay expenses & then some for a year.)
* One service that does tend to be regularly accessed is checking into a mental hospital for a while, where you're under observation and there's a counselor and so on. It seems to be helpful, but they also often report being quite bored, mostly because their phones and Internet - their main means of access to the outside world - are taken away and they're not really left with much to do. For some of us, being actively involved in something is a HUGE help, and personally it's been the lack of Internet thing that's stopped me from checking in myself when I could have used it - the boredom would destroy me further (I'd be stuck in my head).
* My peer group tends to not be very trusting of Government and bureaucracy anyway, and for good reason - Centrelink (welfare) can often be painful and penalise you for trying to make things better for yourself, paperwork can be more extensive than possible, and some have been on the wrong end of the law just for protesting or not looking right

One of my good friends has a number of chronic physical conditions and at one point desperately needed food to be able to survive the next day. My friend and I were able to organise a supply for a few days, and we tried looking for places that will do this regularly for her. No one could help - they either needed her to provide more paperwork than she was able (she could barely even get out of bed), or had a months-long waiting list, or needed money, or just don't do emergency food supply. This really shocked both of us; we can't afford to care for her 24/7, even the menial Carer's Pay the Gov gives you won't be enough to cover either of our needs (not that I'd qualify anyway, being on a bridging visa), and yet it's obvious that if there isn't enough regular help she's likely the next to go.

I'm frustrated. I'm pissed. I'm worried. I want to learn how to provide better support, better care, organise better care. Even just knowing what to do in times of crisis would make a huge difference. I'd like to be the sort of person you'd find at Youngcare (residential care for young people who'd otherwise find themselves in aged care homes),

I do have basic First Aid training, though it could stand to have a refresher, and some experience with women's rights/sexual assault issues, but what else is there? I've looked at TAFE (think Australian community college) and they've got some courses in community care and youth work, though more in a larger societal sense. A friend suggests a combo of youth work and nursing, which could be useful, though I wonder if there's enough to cover mental health and emotional health. I'm also greatly open to more unorthodox community-based issues; I know there's been quite a bit of work in activist communities around healing justice, which I think would intersect with my peers very well. Even something like "learn how to manage a crisis line" would help.

Please help me be a better help to my community. I don't want to see another life fall down the cracks.

How can they pay for my treatment without bollixing my SSDI?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:13:49 -0800

How can I accept money from a relative for medical costs without screwing up my SSDI? I am broke and on SSDI. Medicare doesn't kick in until more than a year from now. I have some heavy dentistry that needs taking care of yesterday; an out-of-state relative has offered a wad of cash to pay for it. What way is best to handle the transfer of money so as to not screw up my disability payments? Bank transfer? An account in their name that I have a debit card for? Suitcases of cash?

How do I get SSI/disability for mental health?

loquacious — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:32:34 -0800

How do I navigate Social Security to qualify for Medicaid, SSI and disability for mental health services? How do I find an advocate to guide me through the walls of paperwork and decisions? Sub-question: what are current mental health institutions like for in-patient treatment? I qualify for an array of symptoms for mental health disability - namely marked social dysfunction, severe anxiety, depression (most likely rapid cycling bipolar), persistent ideations and the inability to function normally and keep a job, set or keep goals or otherwise function at life. I have trouble maintaining all kinds of relationships. I also have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and tobacco as self-medication.

In case it needs to be said - I also qualify financially. I have no job, no money, no property and as much as I hate to admit it I'm basically indignant and losing my housing.

I'm having a hell of a time finding services, doing my homework and wrestling with the bureaucracy while in the midst of these symptoms. How do I find an advocate, case worker or guide? This process is daunting enough without struggling with the symptoms at the same time, and dealing with the bureaucracy is aggravating the symptoms and often sending me spiking off into severe manic or depressive territories.

Also what can I expect these days if I sign myself in for in-patient treatment at a mental health facility in Los Angeles? I'm considering this as an option to get the process kick-started, as I'm more or less on the edge of crisis territory. What's the process like? What can I bring with me? What can't I bring? How much control can I expect to have over the process?

(Paging The Straigtener)

Working/Going to School with Fibro: What works?

eleanna — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:26:17 -0800

I have fibromyalgia. Help me figure out how to be a better student/employee. What accommodations/techniques work for you? I have doctors, so more looking for 'this worked for me/my mom/my friend' than anything medical. I have fibromyalgia, generally speaking fairly well managed (I have had it for over 10 years and know a lot about what works and what doesn't medically). I have 2 doctors (rheumatologist/internist) who I see regularly and work with, so I feel like I have a handle on the medical side and like, if I could come up with more to do or that would help, they would work with me on it.

I am working on my 2nd graduate degree and I also have work experience and hope to be reentering the workforce soon. However, while I produce excellent work (good performance reviews/straight As in my courses), I also notice that the fibromyalgia can unexpectedly impair performance due to fatigue/pain if I overextend myself (say..during midterms/surprise long project at work). I've realized that I really have no idea what accommodations, if any, to ask for (and I feel a bit ridiculous asking for any, because I should just be able to handle it), or what I could be doing in addition to the general eat healthy, exercise, get as much sleep as possible, work with doctors, to make this easier. Or what the school/my future workplace could do that would help or I could do to mitigate the effect. As an example, my last boss loved my work, but despite me being more productive than most, the amount of sick leave I needed annoyed her.

Bleh. tl;dr.

In summary: What can I do (or other people help me to do) beyond the obvious to maximize my non-fatigue/pain time?

Note: I have talked to my doctor(s) about this...main response (beyond exercise, etc. which I already do) was 'talk to other people who have the disorder/figure out what you need and we'll help'. Hence, the question.

How to manage my debt and life as a whole

thegreatcokeolympics — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:34:41 -0800

How do I get my life on track with high debt and a chronic medical condition? So i'm 26 years old and have been completely on my own since i was 18. I come from a working class family who lives in a small dying town with no jobs. I knew if I was going to make something of my life in any way, I had to get out of there. Being so young and inexperienced, it's not like I could get a well paying job to support myself. And it's not like my family had any money to give me.
So 5 years ago, I took out many many loans and used that money to move myself across the country to " the big (and expensive) city" to attend college and hopefully start a new life there.

I also used the student loan money to pay for everything I would need to live on (mainly rent because the dorms were more expensive than studio apts, food, and school supplies) and even then it still wasn't enough, so I also worked full time in addition to going to school full time, just to make ends meet.

On top of this, to make matters more complicated, I also have a chronic medical condition. I have had it mildly since I was 10, but never had it addressed, or even diagnosed as to what it was, since my family lacked health insurance.

It was still fairly mild even when I moved here, but through the years got much more serious and I am now in constant daily pain and have some serious breathing issues. I tried to get health insurance on my own, but no plan would cover me due to the pre-existing condition. So I had no choice but to pay out of pocket for all medical expenses. Of course I had no out of pocket money to spare, so I used credit cards to pay all my medical bills.

And I never had enough credit to pay for anything medical that would truly diagnose me, so I resorted to many expensive pain management treatments only to be left with my condition progressively getting worse.

Now flash to present day, 5 years later, and I am $60,000 in debt from school, $10,000 from credit card debt. The job market is scarce and no one is hiring on staff. I've been taking very low pay freelance gigs which don't even amount to half of my expenses.

Currently, my bare minimum expenses amount to $1150 per month.

One of them being a health plan I pay 400 a month for after puting myself on a long waiting list for a government health plan that teams with private insurers to give coverage to high risk people. With this plan I was also able to finally get the tests I needed to diagnose me, only to discover (upon confirmation of 6 different doctor opinions to be sure) that I need a surgery that will cost a minimum of $30,000 depending on where I get it done, while knowing full well my insurance plan will most likely not cover because it is not a common surgery, though results are typically favorable.

I also pay 400 a month to see a physical therapist who I have been seeing for a year and a half and is the only source of pain relief I have found to help me (Insurance only covers 25% of 12 sessions a year, which I have already maxed out) Then pay 300 a month for my credit cards and 50 for my cell phone. And every 3 months, pay 150 forbearance fee for my student loans. That is it.

I had to leave my apartment and move in with a friend who is letting me stay there rent free until I figure something out. They are also fortunate enough to make a decent living and have been loaning me money to help pay my bills, eat their food, and use their computer. If anything, they've almost become my surrogate parent and it makes me feel like shit for puting them in that position, but I simply don't know what else to do.

I would get a second job anywhere I could find, but not only have those jobs even been hard to come by, but my health simply won't allow it at this point. I am extremely distressed, depressed, and hopeless. The biggest issues of all is the health and everything else seems to stem from it to make all the other problems worse. I don't know how much more bare minimum I can get in terms of cutting my budget when I'm already miserable and in so much pain.

I have considered going on disability, but I don't know if I would count since I still have been able to work, so long as the work isn't strenuous and I don't have to be on my feet all day.

I've considered welfare and bankruptcy but I'm not too sure how they work or if I would have to give up making enough money to pay for everything I need just to qualify. Or if bankruptcy will just ruin my credit enough to never be able to rent again.

I want to be responsible and make the best choice that will benefit me in the long run, but I don't know what that is or where to go. I really need some advice or clarity on this, so anything anyone has to say, please I'd love to hear it. Thank you.

Help me understand disability insurance please.

thebestsophist — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:44:27 -0800

How does disability insurance work for a freelancer? I am looking to start doing freelance work and am looking into health insurance and the like. Disability insurance normally pays a percentage of your normal monthly salary...but freelancers don't exactly have a a monthly salary...so how does it work? Is it even required? I see posters that say disability insurance is required by federal law for companies with one or more employees, does that include people that are self-employed?

unravel disability insurance

__ — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:41:52 -0800

Tell me about disability insurance. I am self employed, 31 and would like to protect my income in the event of a disability. What are some pitfalls in the language of contracts that I need to look out for? Is disability insurance as important or more important than health insurance?

Objective information sites about heart disease?

mischief — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:57:23 -0800

OK, guys, the smartass has been humbled. Last weekend I experienced what should have been a mildly stressful event for the average person. However, I have fairly advanced heart disease, and the anxiety put me in the emergency room with chest pains and arrhythmia despite my normal meds and my emergency tranquilizers.

The time has come for me to seriously consider disability, as totally distasteful as I find that. Does anyone know of some objective information sites, particularly regarding how to document my condition, beyond the basic primers that Google coughs up? ( Yes, I am pursuing this through my doctor, but I want a 'second opinion'. ;-P )