Can I collect disability?

[Paul Van Dyk]

So I got let go from yet another job about 6 months ago. Over the past 3 years, I've been fired 3 times from my lucrative career. It's all been related to my daytime lethargy that I can't seem to get under control. Sleep apnea has consumed my life. I'm still not feeling much better after 9 months of continuous CPAP therapy.

This post isn't to provoke responses which probe me as to why my CPAP therapy hasn't worked, so please don't ask me if I've tried "this or that." I've done tons of hours of research and tried numerous things. Been very proactive. I've tried different masks, different pressures, different techniques, looked at various co-existing conditions (thyroid, testosterone, B12, etc...), 3 different sleep doctors, sleep hygiene, etc... Overall my AHI's have been consistently under 5.

I've been very productive in my job search over the last 6 months and getting interviews. Still unemployed My networking ability and resume are not the problem. I get plenty of interviews. I'm usually pretty fatigued when I go into the interview and it's proven to be catastrophic. Since I work in medical equipment sales, my interviewers are looking for someone with lots of pep and vigor. No matter how hard I try and fake it, my lethargy shows and I don't get the job offer. I interview like someone with really low thyroid output (although that's not the case; my levels are fine). I look and sound like a slug. I've even tried hyper dosing of caffeine, ephedra, adderall and other stimulants.

Can I just say F*** it and get on disability? I want to throw in the towel for now. I feel I deserve it and am not just trying to take advantage of the system.

Am I a candidate for disability? How do I go about doing it?

[Pugsy]

http://www.medicare.org/medicare-basics ... duals.html

Long, tedious and difficult process..explained above.

[So Well]

Moved to your other post.

[avi123]

So I got let go from yet another job about 6 months ago. Over the past 3 years, I've been fired 3 times from my lucrative career.

Can I just say F*** it and get on disability? I want to throw in the towel for now. I feel I deserve it and am not just trying to take advantage of the system.

Am I a candidate for disability? How do I go about doing it?

I assume that you're talking about Disability payments from Soc. Sec. If yes, there are strict rules about it. You can check it online:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/


You could walk into your city hospital emergency room and ask the physicians there to help you with your Residual Daytime Sleepiness (RES). Emergency room physicians are experts in sleep disorders.

[cowlypso]

In order to go on disability, there has to be a diagnosis, as well as a lot of documentation from medical professionals. The person you should really be asking is your doctor. If your doctor doesn't consider you disabled by your condition, then there's no way you'd qualify.

With your AHI below 5, then technically your OSA is being adequately treated and wouldn't be a reason to go on disability. If the reason for disabilty is fatigue, then there would have to be documentation of some sort of cause (even if it's chronic fatigue syndrome). Also, if you haven't had all the relevant tests to rule out causes of fatigue or tried all the usual treatments, then you wouldn't qualify. Have you tried provigil or nuvigil? Those are the standard medications to try if there's no underlying medical cause for the fatigue and OSA is being treated. My sleep doc told me that would be the next step if CPAP didn't relieve my symptoms.

So the first step is a visit to your doctor to talk about your issues and see where your doctor thinks you stand.

[LSAT]

From what I understand the diagnosis must indicate that you will not get better. The disability is permanent. I don't think apnea is considered a permanent disability.

[pratzert]

I don't know how one goes about getting certified as permanently disabled.

But I definatley was disabled and totally unable to function before I finally sought and received treatment for my SOSA.

It is a world of difference now since I've been on the APAP for 4 years.

I would also think that "if" you can be successfully treated thru use of a CPAP machine or dental device or surgery, that you may not get that permanently disabled diagnosis.

I have often wondered if I was in jeopardy of losing my job when I was always falling asleep at work and not getting the things done that my job entailed. I was hoping that if it came down to it, I woul dbe able to plead disability and have some protection under the ADA laws.

Thankfully, it did not come to that.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Tim

[Goofproof]

Just roll that Government Sow Over and see if there's a spare to latch on, if there's not I's sure the Government will grow some more.

Disability for not being able to treat a treatable problem, welcome to america where working for a living is optional. Jim

[jules]

California has a state disability insurance system (at least they were one of a handful of states that had one) - if you want to know check with them - probably is some state health and human services office - this is a pre SSD entitlement (assuming that is the disability coverage you were planning on using)

as others have pointed out - you need a doc to help - you need to wait and go through a ton of hoops

however if you are collecting unemployment you might not be eligible for disability

[jamiswolf]

If you're already on cpap and the numbers are good...I can see them saying that your osa is treated so no disability,

If you apply, they will turn you down. They always do that the first application (unless there's no questions at all...like quadroplegia) So you may have to apply two or three times. Might be easiest to get a SS lawyer like the B&B firm that advertises on TV all the time.
J

[Paul Van Dyk]

Have you tried provigil or nuvigil? Those are the standard medications to try if there's no underlying medical cause for the fatigue and OSA is being treated. My sleep doc told me that would be the next step if CPAP didn't relieve my symptoms.

Yes. Nuvigil. Even as high as 600 mg/day!

[Uncle_Bob]

Paul

I have read your other threads and am replying in this one as its the latest one. I'm not going to ask you what you have or have not tried, I just wanted to know if you are still looking and willing to try a Quattro or FX mask? If you could let me know what size you are and i may be able to find one in my cpap grave yard of slightly used FFM. If you don't know your size and if you can't get to a DME for a fitting you could at least get an idea for the regular quattro by printing out the Resmed mask fitting templates here

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... mplate.pdf

Either way good luck.

-UB

[Paul Van Dyk]

Paul

I have read your other threads and am replying in this one as its the latest one. I'm not going to ask you what you have or have not tried, I just wanted to know if you are still looking and willing to try a Quattro or FX mask? If you could let me know what size you are and i may be able to find one in my cpap grave yard of slightly used FFM. If you don't know your size and if you can't get to a DME for a fitting you could at least get an idea for the regular quattro by printing out the Resmed mask fitting templates here

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... mplate.pdf

Either way good luck.

-UB

Hi Uncle Bob! I went over to Fedex/Kinkos today so I could print the template. It looks like I am a small. Let me know if you could help me out. I would greatly appreciate that!!!!

[phoebe368]

I don't trust the machine reports results. Mine always shows an AHI of under 2 and I still feel symptons of fatigue/sleepiness/lethargy. Also had blood work/tests which came back normal. I had the mma jaw advance surgery 2 years ago but it was unsuccessful. I had a post-op RDI of 14. The doc said I have a very floppy airway and my brain is sensitivie to respiratory events and airway collapse. I am now scheduled for a permanent tracheostomy on 11/29. If this doesn't solve my sleep issues, I too will apply for disability as I cannot work in this state and am at risk of being fired when i return.

[Paul Van Dyk]

I feel bad for you Phoebe

It seems my brain is sensitive to sleep disturbances and anything that effects my sleep lately has a catastrophic effect on my next day zombification! Grrrrrr. Hang in there!