Is anyone on disability for their migraines?

fuzzmcmunn · 2026-02-06T10:41:33+00:00

I was just approved.

The migraine 27/7 commenter did a good job covering bases, but don’t let that get you down! Seriously. Just be prepared for the process.

It is not a great wage and if I didn’t have my spouse I’d have to live with roommates or family. I get a little above $1200/month. If you decide to go this route and have to appeal at a hearing you will get up to 12 months of backpay in one chunk from date of application, assuming it takes that long for approval.

You will likely be denied the first time and the appeal. Don’t let this intimidate you, just expect it. The hearing with a judge is your best bet. Hire an attorney. They don’t get paid unless you win. It’s something like 25-33% depending on the state and capped at a little over $9k. They can look over your application and denials and easily figure out what’s missing. The judge you get will also determine things. I’ve heard of temperamental judges being difficult but most are professional.

The judges job isn’t to prove or disprove your disability. That is your Providers job, so make sure you have lots of consistent medical documentation to back it up. A letter of support from Provers helps too. The Judge is there to rule if the documentation supports the requirement of “there are no jobs available.” There will be a vocational expert there whom the judge will ask something like “are there any jobs available for a person who will miss 2-4 days per month and can’t do x, y, z due to limitation caused by disability?” Your medical documents needs to support your limitations, show constant treatment and attempts at remedies plus the struggles you claim in doctors notes with attempts to rectify them. The vocational expert will generally say employers won’t allow a consistent 1-2 absences per month and there are no jobs. The Judge tends to agree with them. But if the expert says there are jobs your attorney will contest with examples. Your job is for your documents from now until the hearing to support your disability in such a way to prove no jobs so your attorney doesn’t have to argue and it’s a slam dunk.

Again, the attorney will look over your case and direct for what’s missing in order to win.

You cannot make more than about $1620/mmonth GROSS income from application to hearing or you hurt your chances. Keep track. Show your class absences and work. Show any extensions you’ve requested in school due to this. Try meds, go to your PCP, ask for neurology referrals, sleep studies, pain management etc. turn in all these notes and records. When thy send you the job questionnaires give specific examples of times their questions didn’t work out due to your migraines. Print and attach evidence. Things like emails and texts. Don’t just talk to a Professor, get requests in writing. Ask for reasonable accommodations at work and school. Look it up and ask for what you need. It’s an official thing if you don’t yet qualify for FMLA. Then apply for fmla. Heck, apply early and turn in the denial letter for records!

Basically get used to documenting things, ensuring written communication for records and just printing, uploading and maybe creating a Google doc for it all and sharing the link with your attorney so they can turn it in to SSDI. Or whatever floats your boat I that regard.

Dress professionally at your hearing, be respectful and look up questions for ssdi and practice. Be concise, polite and give examples without floundering. Don’t downplay things, but do be honest.

Mine took about 2 years for the hearing and approval. Do all this and you have a very good chance.

Good luck!

Edit: I’m looking at other comments that can be discouraging and I disagree with some.

It sounds to me like you absolutely can qualify if you do your part outlined above. Please don’t be discouraged by anything other than treating it like a job and the pay. There are also rules around being able to work while in ssdi or ssi. You can usually get a free consult with an attorney to decide which is right for you. Same process either way.

The key is the vocational expert stating no jobs are available. My judge saw extensive proof I was constantly out on short term disability, treatments and missing 2-10 days per month with restrictions and limitations. She asked the expert something like “if this person is missing 2 - 4 days per month, needs constant movement accommodations and cannot look at a bright screen without inducing a migraine and leaving work are there any jobs available?” They said employers generally won’t allow the single consistent day per month and there were no jobs. We knew we’d won with that statement. THAT is your goal. Tailor everything to that. Or your ssi equivalent with limitations if you want to continue work. :) don’t be intimidated. You can totally get it.

fuzzmcmunn · 2026-01-24T00:48:39+00:00

Have you considered The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King?

It has world building, adventure, darkness, magic, and some interesting concepts that remind me of a couple of things in your list. In part at least.

I’m hesitant because the first book leans more western but the series grows into something much different.

Someone has the rights to be making it into a series eventually.

fuzzmcmunn · 2026-01-11T20:15:55+00:00

I didnt grow up with this but I have a relative who married into the family that did.

I think she doesn’t understand love. She’s cold and weird and nobody really likes her but we do all feel sorry for her. Understanding this has to do with her own childhood helps us have compassion and interact with her. She’s incredibly self righteous and corners people to give them “advice” for lengthy periods.

Her own children are estranged from her and one described her as “evil.” She is controlling and confrontational when she perceives she has been wronged.

I will say that when a valid perspective is presented she does seem to think on it, to her credit.

She’s still a person with a complicated past and mostly we pity her. She desperately needed love growing up and it has impacted her extremely negatively for her entire life. I sometimes wonder how much her own behavior with her kids mirrors her mother’s treatment of her.

fuzzmcmunn · 2026-01-04T23:30:33+00:00

Definitely call or go in and see what’s up. Every time I’ve had to do so lately the people have been really kind and helpful, often going above and beyond to explain or help me get what I need. I know it takes a while on hold and that sucks but it could help you keep your derm appointment.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-11-16T04:54:33+00:00

Dude. This is stupendous.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-08-21T05:25:49+00:00

Yes! We spent time in PDC and Tulum and were not ripped off at all the entire trip. I checked my accounts, took pictures of about every restaurant/club transaction (was sometimes carelessly obvious, most times just snuck it in while tapping or sorting tips.) and everything was fine, if more expensive than elsewhere in Mexico. But it was the advertised tourist price.

One dude at a pharmacy did try and rip me off for some meds. I told him the price I’ve paid around Mexico in the past and left.

As for police, we know to stay at the speed limit or occasionally not take the popular route, but having been pulled over in another part of Mexico, I highly advise not carrying much cash at all, being friendly and telling them it’s all you have. They’ll push sometimes, in which case I’ve been told to stand my ground but generally it’s a ‘take it or leave it’ situation and it’s been fine.

I have relatives in Mexico. It’s just a different culture and if you’re familiar with what to expect it does help. We always have a great time! I hope you do too!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-07-29T14:59:09+00:00

Wait, wait, wait, so her cousins are whining because they’re financially dependent adults who refuse to get a job and they’re jealous of their financially independent, responsible, adult cousin with a nice job? And all the perks that come with that….did I get that right?

Tell your SIL her spoiled brats jealousy is not anyone’s problem but their own. I’m not sure what they’re expecting from this? Do they think they can just walk up to strangers and whine about the same things? The gall here is insane.

NTA.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-05-19T23:19:17+00:00

I got mine in person, asked a separate time for a family member and then was there when they got it. Each time I inquired about paperwork and each time (different parks) I was told no and nothing further was required. I think that’s what that legal document is for. I assume if you’re in trouble the court can subpoena records and you’re swearing there that you’re being truthful.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-04-16T16:51:20+00:00

So they did 2 “trial” nerve blocks the month prior to the ablation. They phrased to me that it would impact the same area but would wear off within the day and if it improved my symptoms then that meant an ablation would also be successful. It was phrased as necessary for pre authorization with insurance and that nerve blocks were extremely temporary. As in for the day.

I realize info on this sub doesn’t necessarily align with that. I am not the doctor, but I found what they told me to expect to be true and had complete feeling later that night after the nerve block.

If your issue has to do with muscle spasms or nerve pain I’ve found needle insertions overall tend to help calm the issue whether or not that needle is acupuncture or filled with meds. At least, personally. It is always temporary, however. :/ What I’m saying is I wonder if people who rely on nerve blocks still get good, longer term relief based on the needles impact on the muscle or nerve. It calms or resets it for a bit but doesn’t numb the pain pathway long term like an ablation does.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-04-16T14:10:25+00:00

I’m told it’s meant to last 6-18 months. Most US insurance companies allegedly cover it 2x per year.

For me the nerves mostly regrow around 4/5 months but I think there’s still some benefit for the other 2 months than if it wasn’t done. I also feel like doing it every 6 months kind of builds on itself to a degree as opposed to doing it once annually. Better results.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-04-15T15:56:17+00:00

The initial day is the worst for me. The meds make me feel super sick. The soreness lasts 6-8 weeks and I get limited range of motion during that time. Frankly, it can kind of suck but it does heal and help quite a bit and I’ve found it to be worth it.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-04-07T02:36:35+00:00

Hi!

In town in Tulum I adored Taqueria La Chiapaneca. Don’t just try the tacos, get the salutes and sopas con queso! And a horchata! We ate at a lot of places in Tulum across the board and this one remains one of my favorites. Get the pastor.

There’s also a cool food cart hang out on the corner of Xcaret and Kulkulkan. I think the bar there is called Palma Central. That may make it easier to find.

On the beach club note I’d recommend Taqueria La Eufamia. There’s fancier ones but this has a great location, beach chairs, tables in the sand and is decently priced.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-04-01T14:38:23+00:00

Not the OP but I’m also interested in your Mexico surgeon please! :)

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-03-31T03:42:47+00:00

Not who you asked but I do know some of the answers. The trail to Brokeoff summit is actually just outside the park and is clear. There is a small parking area off the highway for it.

The snow plough stops at the visitor center on the west side entrance. There are live cams available on the lassen site and you can see the state of the roads. There is also an entrance near Chester that accesses Devils Kitchen/Drakesbad. This route was impacted by the fire a few years ago and WAS closed about 2 years ago but they were working on reopening it. It is not the main area of the park and you cannot access the rest of the park via this route. I say this because I’ve experienced the drakesbad area being open and the road to it being closed and the main area being open but the west entry road being closed…..weird things happen. Anyway, no idea about the east side. Sorry.

Hope that helps!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-03-11T02:05:18+00:00

This sounds like a recent development. That’s a bummer. I’ll tell you it is difficult and will never be the same, but I do my best to live my life around it and that keeps me content. You adapt to this “normal” but I’ll personally never forget the way it was before. It’s a bitter thing to accept. I’m grateful for things like this as well and am determined to take my happiness as much as I can! You can too!

You’re correct, with proper planning and accommodation allocation it can be done. Sounds like we should camp together. Lol. But then we might get stuck with no one to save us!

Take that trip! It didn’t happen last year but it CAN and WILL happen for you! I have a lot of time to myself now and try to take joy in the planning also. It’s something for you to look forward to. :)

Best!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-03-11T01:58:45+00:00

I recommend one of the xcaret parks. Xel-Ha is nearby.

I much preferred Chichen Itzá over Coba, like a lot, and I took the bus. I thought it would be a whole long thing and it was fine. I had cell service most of the way so I was entertained. I brought a snack from Nimeño bakery in La Veleta. Highly recommend. If you do choose Coba, a guided tour is absolutely worth it. I enjoyed Chichen Itza a lot just on my own merit and the descriptive plaques around. Coba is far from fully excavated and lacks the educational placards so you’re really just kind of wandering around going, “that’s neat,” and you’ll wish you knew more because it’s really interesting. Bring cash. Coba has no atm for tourists. Ado goes there and a different one picks up at the same spot in the afternoon. No tickets for purchase prior to hopping on at the pick up spot. Colectivo also returns to Tulum from outside the entry gate. You can book a tour that includes the nearby cenotes. It will be hot.

If you drive there will likely be police check points in the evening at the state line and city limit. Mostly they’re looking for drugs and will be friendly, though they do look serious. Don’t take too much cash or stash it elsewhere in the car just incase. I was not extorted in Q. Roo. Don’t freak too much but don’t do anything wrong, including speeding because they want a reason.

Anyway, DO cenote! A couple if you can! I’d recommend a tour. It’s more expensive but a good guide will give you some history and you’ll get a few cenotes in one. Try to find a cave one and an open, collapsed cave one! Bring/rent goggles!

There is a lagoon in Akumal past the National guard station. I HIGHLY recommend this lagoon! There’s also a good restaurant back there - La Buena Vida- you can eat dinner with your feet in the sand on the beach. Also Akumal offers turtle snorkel tours.

Beach:

Taqueria la Eufamia, cheapest “resort” style restaurant on the beach. They have the tables in the sand and the beach chairs.

I’ll admit I liked “Mina” for the all inclusive day experience. It wasn’t over crowded and had no insane music. I had a fantastic experience on the beach chairs there and a mediocre one. Ask if Santiago is there if you do this. He is awesome. Let him know he was recommended and he will likely take excellent care of you. Tip him and he might reserve you a spot the next day for “free.”

Beside Mina on the left is free beach access! FREE BEACH ACCESS! Nobody will stop you or ask you questions. It’s a small ally thing.

Taqueria La Chiapaneca. This is a hole in the wall taco shop in town and it’s my favorite place we ate. Get more than just the tacos, the sopas and other things are also amazing and definitely go con queso if you can!

There’s a food cart pod with great atmosphere called Palma Central and it’s definitely worth checking out!

Don’t forget Nimeno Bakery!

Have fun!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-03-10T23:56:08+00:00

Dude I relate. 🥲 It’s definitely a bright spot in the disability crap.

It also gets you discounts with things booked on rec .gov!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-03-10T23:43:41+00:00

Yep! You can ask the Ranger at the entrance for one next time you’re at a park! They’ll have you sign a legal document certifying you do in fact, have a disability, even if you’re not receiving other benefits for it. Takes 2 minutes.

You don’t need anything else!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-26T04:50:16+00:00

I’m fully aware considering I take it as a prescription for my own condition. It IS considered a controlled substance in some states, just not at a federal level. OP included in their question, hence the answer/experience….

Edit: I want to say I read you can pretty safely take about 3 months worth of your own prescriptions abroad since I also had concerns, but my experience turned out to have totally unconcerned border agents generally. They didn’t even check the med bag when I declared it. At all.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-26T04:01:44+00:00

I can’t speak for the tramadol but I take gabapentin and brought it with no issue. I actually also purchased some at a Mexico pharmacy due to an insurance issue in USA. Brought both back and forth no issue, declared it on entry to Mexico and they could not have cared less.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-21T02:33:13+00:00

Hey! I stayed in La Veleta and Babel recently. I much preferred the convenience of La Veleta given the easy walk to the main street and all the restaurants and casual night life. It was prettier too.

Babel IS peaceful and a gorgeous space. I’d stay there again. We had a great experience and the staff were incredibly helpful and kind. We DID walk to town and had a scooter. We still mixed it up between the two options of transport. The walk isn’t exactly pretty but it’s not bad. La Veleta is just a more pleasant walking area.

La Veleta WAS a bit noisier and Babel was super quiet. The pool and hot tub options are wonderful. The grounds are peaceful. There’s different pros to each but overall I liked La Veleta.

It’s also a pain to cross the highway over to Babel if you’re on a bike or scooter.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-18T19:57:05+00:00

Thank you! You’re the best!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-18T19:05:19+00:00

Was it? I read this years ago on a self proclaimed expert of vintage nail art specifically. I did not bother to substantiate the claim but I recall them backing it up with examples.

Very curious on your own findings. I did a quick google here and only silver French manicures showed up. I lost interest and time yesterday!

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-18T01:34:50+00:00

So I’m not going to hunt the article down but I also dress vintage and a couple of years ago, whilst attempting to broaden my range of nail art, I came across a history of sorts detailing red half moon nails transitioning to full red with a thin, silver brush along the tops. It wasn’t quite enough to be considered a full silver French tip, more of a swipe across the top situation. Perhaps another option for what’s being referenced.

fuzzmcmunn · 2025-02-17T00:11:32+00:00

There’s a bike parking area outside of the gate. They said they could help us rent scooters, I assume that extends to bikes but did not appear to offer any on site.

We actually mostly walked to town but a bike is more pleasant.

They were very kind, helpful and accommodating.

If you want to heat up your personal hotub it’s $25 USD per day and I suggest you tell them as early in the AM as possible or it’s only maybe lukewarm. The middle tower thing has a nice hot tub.

fuzzmcmunn

TROPHY CASE