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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I had emergency cervical spinal fusion surgery to relieve spinal cord compression on April 3, 2015.

For five months prior my legs became increasingly weak accompanied by burning and stinging making it difficult to walk and keep proper balance at times.

I was told by my neurosurgeon that the goal of the surgery was to arrest further complication but, that my symptoms may be irreversible. Presently, five months after surgery my symptoms are still just as they were pre-surgery and my condition has been officially labeled cervical spondylosis with myelopathy.

I just received my denial for SSI stating that although I am diagnosed with cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, I have not shown that there is severe weakness in muscles and limbs. What do these people think the definition of myelopathy is?!?!

It's my first time filing for SSI and I think I made the mistake of trying to let my doctor's records speak for themselves. I even have my patient summary from my neurologist who prescribed me a walker in June with abnormal gait.

Any advice out there? I am so frustrated as I have been financially destroyed by this and can't believe they denied me.

Grace (not verified)
Sat, 02/11/2017 - 11:44 Permalink

Honestly, I understand what you're feeling. I did the same thing. I was in denial & waited till I lost everything & only filed 2yrs after my last job to humor people...I thought my medical records would speak for themselves & refused to turn my Dr's into secretary's. It's now been almost 7 years & 3 appeals. My advice is have a GOOD attorney and let him deal with it! I have Dr appointments, procedures, surgeries & medications that just waking up & trying to function daily is full time mental work...Good luck getting what u paid in, I've worked since I was 16 & chances are I'll never see any of it!!!!

Bryan

In reply to by Grace (not verified)

Mon, 02/20/2017 - 11:34 Permalink

Hi Grace,
I'm sorry to hear all of that! It's true, an attorney can be a great help with making your claim. Hang in there!

Anonymous (not verified)
Sat, 02/11/2017 - 11:57 Permalink

I'm so sorry for what you went through and what u will forever face. I had a severe cord compression at c5-c6 and had a full disectomey w/titanium replacement. The compression was from two stair falls almost a decade previous, after my fix I too was told they prevented further damage however the past can not be undone. So cervical myelopathy, numbness tingling, bad balance, pain all of it "may"not go away bright side it won't get worse:) Hard to understand what SS is thinking u can do for a living if u can't promise anything to anyone...I want to be better tomorrow, but I can't say I can be there at a certain time and mean it! The pain is distracting, you can't sit or stand for long, not sure how an employer is just supposed to say OK to all of your issues? If it's all documented they should have to read it ALL!! Can't believe they think people really want to live like this?

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