# SSDI Docs Thurs. And Fri. Wish Me Luck! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870 "2009-10-15T04:00:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/1 "2009-10-15T04:00:59Z")
Thursday: Psychiatrist Friday: Regular MD These are the docs I see because Social Security wants me to, before they approve/disapprove my disability, so they don’t cost anything. (They even pay travel/meal expenses), but I have a feeling they’re not really going to be “on my side” the way my neurologist, psychiatrist and GP are, so I documented the hell out of everything, and sent a letter to my congresperson, local state senator, representative, on **PandaBear77’s** recommendation, so I don’t know what else I can do to prepare myself for this, except ask y’all to send some good vibes my way? Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/2 "2009-10-15T04:10:37Z")
Don’t minimize the problems/symptoms you’re experiencing. Be truthful, of course, but avoid the temptation to keep a stiff upper lip about things. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/3 "2009-10-15T04:20:29Z")
Thanks, **Oakie**! I just had a great idea! I could give _you_ and some of the other Dopers as references!😃 I think they’d be _sure_ to say, “Yup, that guy’s batshit, all right!”😃 J/K Just bein’ myself. 😉 Q ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/4 "2009-10-15T10:42:45Z")
Good luck! If all else fails, take a hostage! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/5 "2009-10-15T13:27:46Z")
Yep, batshit crazy. …everyone knows it!😉 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/6 "2009-10-15T14:06:58Z")
Just be yourself and it’ll all work out. Good luck and know that I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/7 "2009-10-15T16:07:52Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Thanks, **Oakie**! > > I just had a great idea! I could give _you_ and some of the other Dopers as references!😃 > > I think they’d be _sure_ to say, “Yup, that guy’s batshit, all right!”😃 > > J/K > > Just bein’ myself. 😉 > > Q Hey, that’d probably work! “This guy is resorting to hanging out with _THAT_ crowd of weirdos? Dayum, he MUST be in trouble. I think we’d better approve his ass right away!”. Good luck, and break a leg (or a brain cell, or something). ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/8 "2009-10-15T23:27:16Z")
**Whew!** The very same battery of tests I had to take back in August (with the blocks, the counting backward by 7’s, “how are these things alike?”, etc), only this time it was on _their_ (SSDI) dime. Also this time I got asked about my childhood and how things that happened _then_ may have affected how I am now, and I kind of appreciated being listened to. My psychologist turned out to be very fair and even-tempered - I had expected _hostility_ - so I _could_ have actually gotten some sleep last night instead of sitting here and posting!🙂 Shades of Arlo Guthrie: “…and I walked in, I sat down, got good and drunk the night before, so I looked and felt my best when I went in that morning…”😉 (Except for the gettin’ drunk part, although my eyes did look like “two cherries in a glass of buttermilk”.:D) So one down, one to go. A 6-8 week wait, then, if I have to, I can let those **Binder & Binder** guys out of their stall and let’em go to work. One question remains: When I do get approved, will they retro-pay me from the time I applied (last April, which would be schweet), or will they just begin from the date of approval? Wish I’d thought to ask, but I was totally drained and wanted to just come home and sleep. I’ll check it out on their FAQ. I’m sure others have asked that question. Luckily, Friday’s just a medical exam, and I’m sure it will be a “thorough” one, complete with the snapping of that glove and all kinds of lab work. I’m still limping from having broken my leg 6 weeks ago, so I’m sure they’ll wanna know about that which will keep me from having to play the so-called “sympathy card”! Anyway, just reporting in, sirs and ma’ams, and asking you to continue to keep me in your thoughts as I jump through a few more “hoops”.🙂 Thanks! Quasi/Bill ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/9 "2009-10-15T23:40:32Z")
I… just… can’t… help… it… Send a letter explaining you have short and long term memory problems. Send the exact same letter every single day! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/10 "2009-10-15T23:41:26Z")
The comments in the other disability thread might be worth bringing up here – in at least some Social Security offices, policy apparently is to deny any disability claim until proof is adduced, often by a lawyer or advocate. I’m not bringing this up as a RO comment, but to say to you, **Quasi** , and your family, don’t be discouraged by an initial denial if that happens – be prepard for it, and move ahead with an appeal. I hope that doesn’t happen (there are some good SSDI people around), but be prepared for it, in case. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/11 "2009-10-15T23:59:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I… just… can’t… help… it… > > Send a letter explaining you have short and long term memory problems. Send the exact same letter every single day! **ROTFLMAO!!!** :D:D:D This is exactly the kind of humor that keeps me going from day to day, y’all! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I **love** satire!!! (although to be correct, I ONLY have short-term memory problems. I can still remember my first girlfriend’s telephone number!;)) Thanks! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/12 "2009-10-16T00:01:43Z")
Glad to help! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/13 "2009-10-16T00:07:14Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > The comments in the other disability thread might be worth bringing up here – in at least some Social Security offices, policy apparently is to deny any disability claim until proof is adduced, often by a lawyer or advocate. I’m not bringing this up as a RO comment, but to say to you, **Quasi** , and your family, don’t be discouraged by an initial denial if that happens – be prepard for it, and move ahead with an appeal. I hope that doesn’t happen (there are some good SSDI people around), but be prepared for it, in case. Well, the **B&B** guys are in the background already gathering up my private doc’s records from when this first started, **Poly** , and I _have_ written letters to my local politicians explaining my situation, and to quote my pyschologist from today (and I don’t know if he was blowing roses up my ass to see my reaction) “I have people who come in here just because they wanna get on SSDI. You strike me as a guy who _wants_ to work, but can’t.” That’s when the tears started. I **miss** my patients! Making **them** feel better made **me** feel better, and they were my “comfort zone”! Thanks for the good wishes. Bill ETA: IANAD! Just a respiratory therapist! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/14 "2009-10-16T00:07:24Z")
Glad to help! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/15 "2009-10-17T23:04:25Z")
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D See you tomorrow, **Boyo**? Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/16 "2009-10-18T00:37:03Z")
Huh? Well, I’m always glad to help in any way I’m able. I don’t like saying that aloud because it might give people the impression I’m a nice guy, but really I’m not. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/17 "2009-10-18T01:16:30Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I… just… can’t… help… it… > > Send a letter explaining you have short and long term memory problems. Send the exact same letter every single day! Here ya’ go! Thought you were sending the same post _every single DAY_! Q ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/18 "2009-10-18T01:20:05Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Huh? Well, I’m always glad to help in any way I’m able. I don’t like saying that aloud because it might give people the impression I’m a nice guy, but really I’m not. **Boyo Jim**? Utter bastard. I hate him. Kidding, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/19 "2009-10-18T01:34:00Z")
“Im not DEAD yet!” 🙂 Maybe it was unintentional, but **Boyo** (without meaning to) reinforced his original “suggestion” with the “Glad to help” post, and I _realized_ it! Goddam! 😃 Maybe the words are working! Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870/20 "2009-10-18T01:38:04Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > The comments in the other disability thread might be worth bringing up here – in at least some Social Security offices, policy apparently is to deny any disability claim until proof is adduced, often by a lawyer or advocate. I must have missed that thread. My wife was approved in less than 90 days, without a lawyer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssdi-docs-thurs-and-fri-wish-me-luck/513870.md?page=2)