| How To Win Your Case For Social Security | | | | Fibromyalgia? |
| Disability Benefits If You Suffer From Chronic | | | | I feel that to provide validity to the diagnosis of |
| Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia |
| | | | certain medical tests need to be performed so as |
| Winning a Social Security Disability case for | | | | to rule out other conditions. I usually like to see |
| someone who suffers from Chronic Fatigue | | | | blood work done that excludes other Rheumatic |
| Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS) can be | | | | diseases which may share symptoms with, or |
| very difficult. However, with proper preparation I | | | | mimic, CFS/FMS. In cases of Fibromyalgia I look |
| am often able to win client's their Social Security | | | | for a physical exam that finds and documents |
| Disability benefits. I approach a Chronic Fatigue | | | | tender points. In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases |
| Syndrome or Fibromyalgia case using the following | | | | I also normally like to see that a Tilt Table Test |
| five factors: | | | | has been done. |
| 1) Was the Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue | | | | 3) Are the Client's Complaints Typical For |
| Syndrome or Fibromyalgia Made by a Specialist? | | | | Someone Who Suffers With Chronic Fatigue |
| I am always very skeptical on my chances of | | | | Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia? |
| winning when a person comes to me and is not | | | | By now I can usually tell by interviewing a |
| being treated by a specialist in Chronic Fatigue | | | | prospective client if his/her complaints are typical. |
| Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia. I usually prefer to | | | | The client's medical records should show |
| see that the client is being treated by a | | | | documented symptoms. Without this |
| Rheumatologist but I have been successful in | | | | documentation, the diagnoses of CFS/FMS may |
| these type of cases working with an Infectious | | | | be subject to disbelief by Social Security. |
| Disease Specialist and a Neurologist. I feel that the | | | | 4) Was the Client Treated With Physical Therapy |
| diagnosis of a primary care or internist is not | | | | and/or Pain Medication? |
| sufficient in this type of case. It is also important, | | | | I like to show an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) |
| of course, for this doctor to be supportive of his | | | | that my client has tried whatever treatment is |
| her patient's disability case and for me and the | | | | available for his/her condition. Whether this is a |
| client to know this from the beginning of my | | | | series of physical therapy appointments, narcotic |
| representation. If a person calls me and does not | | | | pain medications or even non-traditional |
| have a specialist working with him/her, I suggest | | | | treatments like biofeedback or acupuncture. I feel |
| that they contact a local support group for a | | | | that the severity of my client's condition will be |
| referral. | | | | supported by the fact that he/she has tried |
| 2) Has the Client's Doctor Eliminated Other | | | | everything to find relief. |
| Diseases Through Testing Before Diagnosing Him | | | | 5) Has the Client Consulted or Been Treated by a |
| Her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or | | | | Psychiatrist or Therapist? |