Any input would be great.

[Knoel]

Im finally excepting that my MS is getting worse and to do what people have told me to do for so long and apply for SS. I was diagnosed October 2010, my list of symptoms only get worse and I am no longer able to do my job which SUCKS!!! Ive spent my last few days doing my mental breakdown thing in between sleeping for 18 hours a day.

The thing is this past saturday I had to leave work early because of tremors in my hands and no feeling. (Im a hair stylist/ barber) My boss told me she would prefer if I dont come back till my hands are back. Who knows when that will be. I have been dealing for the past three months with extreme fatigue and balance issues, tremors and dizziness. I force myself to work my 8 hour shift and even my 4 hour shift only to go home to sleep it off for the next 16 hours. I can no longer do it anymore.

Im worried that I will not be approved because of my age and I have heard horror stories about people waiting years.

Here are some of my symptoms and age and past work.
Im 23 diagnosed one year ago. My Nero says my MS is very aggressive (whatever that means)
I lose my vision for about 2 months at a time but it comes back
No feeling in right hand or tingling normally
No feeling in left hand now
Pain and stiffness in both hands( how thats possible when I cant feel much I dont know)
Tingling in right leg on and off plus weakness in both
Balance issues
Dizziness / cloud 9 feeling
Bathroom urgency
I was told I have fibromyalgia I say its just MS
Server heat intolerance (by this I mean I sleep with my doors and windows open at 40 degrees outside)
Memory Loss ( I joke Im Dory)
Some issues walking depends on the day.
Depression and anxiety
and Tremors ( writing is a problem)
My past work includes doing hair for 2 years and I was a waitress for 3 years

So I hate to leave my job, and I dont know what to do without any income for months or years. I dont know if I get some sort of disability from work or how that works. and I dont know if I will even get approved. Any input anyone can give me would be wonderful. I dont know where to start who to talk to, what to fill out do, what papers I need etc. Sorry Im rambling.

I have my good days though... few as they are I dont want to be looked down on for wanting to get on my snowboard only to realize I can only do one run before my body says no more or wanting to go for a hike that my fiance normally has to support me up by the end of. I dont want to give up.

[Camsue]

I can give you my unprofessional 2 cents re applying for SS..you should be able to get SSI (social security Income) no problem. It amounts to $600-900 a month depending on where you live. Your doctor needs to submit the forms.

I believe to receive SSD(social security disability)..you need to be 'vested' with social security which means you have worked 40 quarters (10 years) and paid into the system.

Try to find out if you can get some benefits from your current job..do you have a union? You should be documenting your problems and days you can't work due to your disability. Your doctor should help steer you in the right direction.

I wish you the best

[Rich Feingold]

Hi, camsue and Knoel. Yes, Noel, check if your employer has short or long-term disability benefits. Re: SSI benefits, you still have to show disability as you would with SSDI benefits. See if you are eligible for any local or state aid, Knoel.

Re: your Social Security disability claim, you are young, and you certainly describe disabling symptoms and your doctor says your MS is severe. When representing claimants, I seek out the opinion of the treating neurologist and gather medical records and make my legal arguments to SSA, e.g., the claimant's MS meets a Listing or otherwise cannot do his/her past relevant work or other work given their impairments.

Talk to a lawyer. If you need help finding one, contact me; I have ideas in that regard.

Rich