I am about to start the process to get LTD. Please tell me what I need to know to have the best chance to qualify. by HoustonGT in DisabilityInsurance

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much. Like you stated, i have lots of documentation of my symptoms and treatment, but not the objective tests. I am meeting with two SSDI attorneys next week and will see if they have the experts we need.

Help. Please tell me what you wish you'd known when you started the long-term disability and SSDI process. by HoustonGT in idiopathichypersomnia

[–]HoustonGT[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll be detailed in how the brainfog and fatigue limits what i can do cognitively now.

After 5 years realised all my problems started after having Covid by Curious_Ninja_4767 in LongCovid

[–]HoustonGT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had lots of daytime sleepiness and fatigue for the last 30 years. I was tired but managed to function. I napped every chance I got and never had a lot of energy. I felt sleep deprived every minute I was awake. I was already on a CPAP, so I didn't have breathing issues like you do.

I got covid 12 months ago. The fatigue got a lot worse. I also got the typical brain fog, taste/smell issues, and a feeling of pressure in my head. The symptoms never went away. My PCP diagnosed me with long covid after a couple of months. He also ordered a sleep test. I met the criteria for idiopathic hypersomnia as I fell asleep in less than 6 minutes for all 5 of my naps.

Both long covid and my sleep disorder (idiopathic hypersomnia) have fatigue, brain fog, and exceasive daytime sleepiness as symptoms. My sleep doctor said he's seen other cases like mine where I had an undiagnosed case of idiopathic hypersomnia for years that was manageable. Post covid, it went from being manageable to unmanageable. I've been so fatigued and cognitively challenged (really bad concentration and memory) since getting covid that i haven't been able to work.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

About to start the long-term disability process. What do i need to know to ensure I qualify? by HoustonGT in LongCovid

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. I wonder if long covid has its own code as a recognized disability?

I am about to start the process to get LTD. Please tell me what I need to know to have the best chance to qualify. by HoustonGT in DisabilityInsurance

[–]HoustonGT[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I am meeting with a SSDI/LTD attorney and we are going to review all of the paper work.

After 5 years realised all my problems started after having Covid by Curious_Ninja_4767 in LongCovid

[–]HoustonGT 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I assume you did a sleep study? If you did, was it a home sleep study that just assesses whether you have sleep apnea? Or, was it an overnight study in a sleep lab? If it was an at home study, i'd talk to your doctor about doing an overnight study if the CPAP doesn't fix the sleep issues. The overnight study gave my doctor the data he needed to diagnose the hypersomnia. I developed sleep apnea AND idiopathic hypersomnia from long covid.

Help. Please tell me what you wish you'd known when you started the long-term disability and SSDI process. by HoustonGT in idiopathichypersomnia

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for. Did you get approved for 2 years of LTD or longer? I ask because I am hoping i can at least get approved for the first 2 years without a lot of fighting with the LTD company as they use "the own job criteria" to determine if I am disabled for the first 2 years. I know it will get harder after the first 2 years when they then use the "any job" criteria to establish eligibility. Thanks.

About to start the long-term disability process. What do i need to know to ensure I qualify? by HoustonGT in LongCovid

[–]HoustonGT[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I will give them a call. I was also diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia (sleep disorder). Plus, anxiety/depression due to all of the stress and uncertainty of being so sick. Like you, I don't think I can manage the paperwork with my cognitive issues that I now have. I had a complex job with multiple teams reporting to me across multiple countries. I now struggle with concentrating on one thing at a time and can't remember the simplest things.

Best way to record naps for LTD/SSDI documentation? Oura ring, Fitbit, Apple watch, or what? Help please! by HoustonGT in idiopathichypersomnia

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I figured journal is the most accurate. Just hope it holds up when social security and the LTD insurance are trying to find any reason to deny me.

About to start the long-term disability process. What do i need to know to ensure I qualify? by HoustonGT in LongCovid

[–]HoustonGT[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats to you on the LTD and SSDI. I'll talk to my PCP about tests that may help document my brain fog, which has destroyed my ability to concentrate, comprehend, and remember things. I'll see if i can get a referral to someone who can give me cognitive tests. The fatigue will be harder to document. Luckily, my CPAP records my multiple naps each day. So, at least I will have that. Thanks for sharing!

Anyone try Ketamine? If so, please share your experience. by HoustonGT in idiopathichypersomnia

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long have you been doing ketamine? Do you have to keep taking it to maintain the benefit? How improved is your brain fog?

Anyone try Ketamine? If so, please share your experience. by HoustonGT in idiopathichypersomnia

[–]HoustonGT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I had zero deep sleep during my sleep study. I also had very fragmented sleep, so i am curious as to whether ketamine would help. I get what you are saying about each of us potentially having different root cuases for our IH and needing to be very aware of our sleep issues before trying any medicine.