It’s been a wild two months, and this month isn’t over yet.

Thanks to my fantastic neurologist (a PA who listened closely to me and asked a lot of questions, then told me she would fight for me. No doctor ever said that to me before. Then she got me connected with a spine doctor (pain management, which every office I had previously called had turned me away!), and a neurosurgeon!

So I’ve been going to PT and was introduced to Pilates and alternate ways of strength training that are easier on my joints and spine. The epidurals — 6 of them today — had an impact within minutes, and told my doctor a few things about what nerves were triggered and which nerves still need attention. Round 2 is next month.

I’m also learning to avoid foods that trigger inflammation, and to find alternatives that are not so problematic.

Being chronically ill is very expensive, and Social Security is not the nicest place to deal with if you have an active disability case. You have to simultaneously convince SSA that you’re nearly dying and unabletofunction, AND also see extra doctors, get multiple scans, send reports ($$), hopefully have surgeries (or ongoing injections), and be at IMA evaluations which completely ignore your most debilitating symptoms.

I’ve been told by friends that it’s just as bad in the UK. I’m wondering if it’s this ridiculous in other countries also — countries that have some kind of social or occupational welfare system in place.

Are you on disability, or applying for it? How’s it going for you? What part of the world are you in? Drop a line in comments, I’d love to know how others have experienced this legal issue. (I do have a disability lawyer.)