I need help ... am I Disabled?

[lagirl1966]

I really need some advice badly. I have hit rock bottom. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with a stomach condition, and I have been sick ever since. I haven't been able to work because of this, and I am financial trouble now. I can't pay my utility bill, and my car is falling apart. I am a single mom of a teenager, and I can't even provide for him. We are only living on child support. Luckily, we have food stamps and medical coverage. But that dosen't help in the other departments. We also have rental assistance thank goodness. I don't know the name of my disorder, but it is mostly in my stomach. After going through colonoscopy, and endoscopy, it was discovered that my stomach dosent function normally. It takes a long time to digest food. Because of this, I have VERY severe bloating (to the extreme of looking 8 months pregnant) which pulls on my back and causes alot of pain. My other main system is diarreah. Which is constant. My GI doctor put me on meds for the stomach and to control the diarreah. But they don't always work, and I have constant flareups. So you see, it is impossible to work anywhere. Am I disabled? I really need help. I don't know what do do anymore. I am losing everything!:mad: :confused:

[dmongking]

Dear LAGirl,

I am sorry that you are undergoing this. I emphatize with you. Your first step should be to go back to your Gastroenterologist and tell him that you are not getting any better in spite of therapy. Maybe he can try new medications or can refer you for a second opinion with another specialist.

Yes I have known patients who have been certified as disabled due to gastroenterologic conditions that are so severe that they could not work.

The first step is to go back to your Gastroenterologist so that you can be helped medically.

Do you have family members who can help you financially during this hard time in your life?

[lagirl1966]

Hi. Thankyou for your reply. My gastro doctor is NO help at all. He tells me to just live with it. He thinks I am just a complainer. He said there is no medication available other than what I am on. I take reglan for GP and nothing for IBS. He said there isn't anything. But I did get a call the other day telling me they have a new medication available for IBS. I go in to see them in december. In the mean time, I have applied for disability and praying that I get approved. I also have severe depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other health problems. My mom helps me as much as she can financially, but she is on social security now, and retired and can't do much. I am only on child support and I am behind on all my bills so if this disability comes through, it will save my life. My car is also falling apart. It is 15 years old. Thanks for the advice.
Trish

[coleen2008]

hello trish..it is really important that you have someone to listen to your problems,it also important that you verbalize your thoughts when you are depressed because it therapeutic..participating in this forum is therapeutic..your GI problems really affect you emotionally because apparently your doctor doesnt give you a clear idea about your illness..it is better to consult another doctor to further assess you and can give you a better explanation to satisfy your curiosity..i wish that your application for disability will get an approval as soon as possible..i wish you all the best.

[bobtisoy]

hi lagirl1966,

Your not yet disabled thank God! I really empathize with you. Everyone in this planet has their own burden to carry. Just keep you head up and focus on the bright things to come. I wish you all the best of health...:p

[dmongking]

Dear LA Girl,

The medications they give for depression also treat IBS. You may want to tell your doctor to change your current antidepressant or add another medicine to it. Perhaps that will make your IBS improve. Also behavioral modification techniques can help. IBS is really a form of anxiety manifested in the gastrointestinal tract. I wish you well.