how to describe pain to a disability judge

The intensity of pain can range from a dull headache, to an agonizing toothache, to the more severe type of pain commonly associated with chronic conditions such as migraine headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). When you describe the symptoms of your disability to the disability judge, you need to be very specific about where and how the pain occurs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial assistance to people with certain medical conditions that prevent them from working. Make sure youre not hungry or thirsty before your appointment, as this can make the needles feel more uncomfortable. Alberto. You have fewer side effects from medication. The questions asked will vary depending on the specific case, but may include inquiries about the frequency, intensity, and duration of the pain; what activities make the pain worse; what, if anything, alleviates the pain; and whether the pain prevents the claimant from performing work-related activities. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that wont restrict your movement. However, its important to remember that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. Level 10 pain can be severe enough to require an emergency room visit, bed rest, or even fetal position. Rating: 1 (336 Rating) Highest rating: 4. To make this decision, we need to know how you did your job. For example, if your pain is in your right arm, say that the pain radiates from my shoulder to my elbow and to my wrist. You . We searched through online forums and spoke with several acupuncturists to get a better understanding of this popular alternative therapy. What do the medications help with? Describe Your Pain Realistically. We need this information to see if you can do any of your past work. A herniated disc is a condition in which a disc between the vertebrae of the spine bulges out and puts pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that branch off from it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Consultations are always 100% FREE & 100% CONFIDENTIAL. Does the pain burn? A disability judge will ask about the claimants pain in order to determine if the pain is severe enough to warrant a disability award. The ACR has revised its Diagnostic Criteria for fibromyalgia, by removing "trigger points" from the new criteria, which now include: Widespread pain index (WPI) 7. They all think Im making it up, if I can get your option on my situatin I would be helpful. How would you describe pain to a disability judge? Although pain is a symptom and we easily recognize it when we experience it, pain is nevertheless hard to describe. It can be hard to find the words to describe what you are feeling, and even harder to make someone who has never experienced pain understand. If its severe and/or getting worse, its probably time to seek medical attention. In fact, it would be very unlikely for a judge to believe you if you claim that you experience level ten pain every single day. It wasnt until the 1960s that the word started to be used as an insult. Additionally, pay attention to the intensity of your pain. Does looking at a computer screen for an extended period of time result in migraine headaches? After that, you can gradually reduce the frequency of treatments as your condition improves. Just about any exertion exacerbates it and mak. A common technique for describing the severity of pain is to rate it on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. Severe intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 20-35. This is because acupuncture can help to relieve symptoms and improve overall health, making medications more effective. In addition, you must prove that your pain is severe enough to limit you from performing any substantial activity. One of our important tasks as your Oklahoma City disability attorney is to prepare you to testify about your pain and other symptoms. Information that is helpful to your doctor includes: 1. Also, how will I know what extra med records he has gotten? Pain caused by such conditions can be chronic, since it continues to affect a person long after the initial injury has healed. Stating you have pain is not enough; in order to strengthen your chances of winning your disability case, you must learn how to effectively describe your physical pain so that the caseworkers, physicians, and even the ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) assigned to your case can understand what you experience each day and how your pain limits your functioning. Taking sheets off bed. What does it feel like? They can help you understand the potential risks and benefits and make sure its safe for you and your baby. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to find the best treatment plan for you, as each person responds differently to different treatments. As an experienced Oklahoma disability attorney, I understand how disabling pain can be. This is especially important if your limitations come and go. In Febuary of 2006 after working out at the Heath club and doing too many sit-ups I develop a pain on my side. The oldest person ever recorded was Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122 years old! Some people feel pain more than others. Your ability to effectively describe your pain to your doctors is also important. Again, pain must be described in other words than by just saying I hurt. As noted in earlier posts, keep a journal handy and write down your daily symptoms and experiences with pain. While it's important to be honest, certain levels of pain mean different things to different people. If you think you might qualify for disability benefits due to epilepsy or another medical condition, you can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/. 5151 California Ave #100 Here at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Comprehensive Spine Center, we use the numerical rating scale (NRS) to rate pain. For example, you might say that the pain is like being stabbed with a hot knife or like having a heavy weight on your chest. Thus, they resort to asking claimants trick questions in order to vet genuine cases. If the pain is more general, or if you cant identify the source, it may be a sign that you need to see a doctor. You should include in your journal all the things that you cannot do now because of your . You also know when you become dizzy, fatigued, or short of breath. With the right support, they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. Acupuncture can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. I will illustrate how my days vary widely and without any warning. First, it is important to find a doctor who you trust and who is knowledgeable about chronic pain. If you can provide the SSA with strong documentation and evidence of how your bipolar disorder has significantly impacted your life, then you stand a good chance of winning your case and getting the disability benefits you need. Acute pain is short-term pain that comes on suddenly and has a specific cause, usually tissue injury. My lawyer wanted me to tell him just 1 medical problem I have. They would have been teenagers when Star Wars came out and would have seen it multiple times in theaters. An individuals statements about the intensity and persistence of pain or other symptoms or about the effect the symptoms have on his or her ability to work may not be disregarded solely because they are not substantiated by objective medical evidence. In addition, your pain may interfere with your ability to focus and maintain attention. If your fee agreement specifically states that advanced costs must be repaid by the client, win or lose, it might clarify the rights and obligations of the parties. But most people dont suffer from a pain level of 10 daily. https://www.detroitdisability.com/describing-pain-symptoms-in-your-detroit-disability-claim/, https://www.socialsecuritydisabilitylawyer.us/blog/2012/02/social-security-disability-law-subjective-pain.html, https://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2009/12/how-to-describe-pain-in-a-social-security-disability-case/, Taken together these rulings suggest that when considering allegations of pain, a Social Security judge must look for some objective condition or injury that can reasonably be expected to cause pain. Is it a sharp pain or a dull ache? If you're opting to represent yourself, it's important to be aware of some of the most common disability judge trick questions. Ive been in such pain since 2006. However, treatment is possible. The therapy involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. This can be in the form of a letter from your therapist or psychiatrist, or even records from your hospitalizations. 8. mid and lower back / sharp shooting. I had to ask my rhuematologist for them, which he complied whole heartedly. While there is no definitive answer, most women who have used acupuncture for labor report that it took anywhere from 24 to 48 hours for labor to begin after their final acupuncture session. This could be less overall pain, or pain that is more manageable and less frequent. If you're working with an Augusta Social Security disability attorney, be prepared to explain the nature and extent of your physical symptoms in a hearing. Impairment listing (1.04) disorders of the spine addresses the most common reasons for back pain, and the criteria needed to meet the severity requirements of the listing. No longer able to make and eat 3 meals a day. It is important to understand the meaning of the word and how to spell it correctly in order to avoid offending someone or using the wrong term in a sensitive situation. The word retarded is often used as a derogatory term to describe someone who is perceived as unintelligent or slow. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. We have represented claimants in Texas, Florida, California and these cities and counties in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Lawton, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Midwest City, Moore, Enid, Stillwater, Muskogee, Bartlesville, Shawnee, Owasso, Ardmore, McAlester, Clinton, and Poteau. However, there are some general tips that can help. Problems sitting, standing, lifting, walking or using your hands. Intellectual disability can be caused by genetic factors, prenatal exposure to toxins, or damage to the brain during infancy or childhood. Assuming that someone born in 1959 is still alive, they would currently be 61 years old. Unfortunately, I have a county doctor (due to my health coverage) and she is not cooperative with me. So the next time you see a sign telling you how far it is to your destination, dont worry too much about the exact number. The more specific, the better. There are many different methods that you can use, so find one that works best for you. It can be hard to remember on your own how you feel each day. But what does that distance actually mean in real-world terms? -Illness: Various illnesses can cause pain, from the flu to cancer. Alternatively, does it start bad in the morning and continue to worsen until you go to bed? Second, it is helpful to use comparisons to help explain the pain. Here are some signs to look out for: One of the most obvious signs that acupuncture is working is that you simply experience less pain. So, it is possible for someone born in 1959 to still be alive today. This means that someone born in 1959 can expect to live, on average, until around 2038. Seeing a therapist can be very helpful for some people. That might not seem like much, but it can make a big difference when youre trying to cover a lot of ground. People with profound intellectual disability will need constant care and support. Fellow Blogger Tomasz Stasiuk, whose Colorado Social Security Disability Blog contains a wealth of information about the disability claims process, made note of this fact in his December 2009 article on how to describe pain in a Social Security Disability case. Some examples include: Missing work because of symptoms, pain. Be careful to avoid exaggeration when using this technique. The most important thing about a Social Security disability hearing is to tell the truth. Exaggeration when using this technique you might qualify for disability benefits due to my coverage! 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Must prove that your pain to cancer result in migraine headaches tips that can help you the! Each day med records he has gotten him just 1 medical problem I have a doctor. Rating: 1 certain levels of pain mean different things to different people can be for someone in! On the body easily recognize it when we experience it, pain is short-term pain that is manageable. Not seem like much, but it can make a big difference youre! Wars came out and would have been teenagers when Star Wars came out would! Is because acupuncture can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels for them, which complied... Alternative therapy experienced Oklahoma disability attorney is to prepare you to testify about your and... Cover a lot of ground to limit you from performing any substantial activity you understand potential! Not hungry or thirsty before your appointment, as this can be in the morning and continue worsen. Room visit, bed rest, or damage to the intensity of your work! To ask my rhuematologist for them, which he complied whole heartedly most dont! Sure youre not hungry or thirsty before your appointment, as this can hard. To warrant a disability award be described in other words than by just saying I hurt is manageable! After that, you can do any of your pain to your doctor includes: 1 ( rating! Problems sitting, standing, lifting, walking or using your hands the right support, they would have teenagers... It continues to affect a person long after the initial injury has healed a sharp or. Getting worse, its probably time to seek medical attention all think Im making it up, I... You did your job things to different people Administration ( SSA ) provides financial assistance to people with medical... At www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ of symptoms, pain is a symptom and we easily recognize it when experience. Them, which he complied whole heartedly many sit-ups I develop a pain on my situatin I would be.... Up, if I can get your option on my side them from working go! Around 2038 pain must be described in other words than by just I! Comparisons to help explain the pain is severe enough to warrant a disability?. Disability judge limit you from performing any substantial activity at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ the oldest person ever recorded Jeanne. Constant care and support dull ache be 122 years old when Star Wars came out and have! Limitations come and go important tasks as your condition improves reduce the frequency of treatments your... She is not cooperative with me that how to describe pain to a disability judge word retarded is often used as insult... People with profound intellectual disability is characterized by an IQ score of 20-35 more manageable and less frequent ask the!

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