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[JAT]

Hello. I have not officially been diagnosed with PN or PNE (have tried for 2 years now without success... I do not believe there are physicians/specialists in my area with this knowledge and have had countless procedures that didn't even address this issue - yes, I tried and I'm exhausted from trying to deal with specialists who cannot admit that that topic is not their forte). With the latter being said however EVERYTHING indicated on this site points in the direction of PN or PNE. Additionally as a result of my constant day-in and day-out pain and also what I believe are related illnesses which includes psychological factors (thoughts of ending my merely existing and the above). I had to quit my job in which I had to sit for hours on end and now our income and lifestyle - if you can call it that - has come to a grinding halt which is causing even more stress. We have been and are currently experiencing great financial difficulties that I have been trying to get a handle on for years and which is causing even more stress. Bottom line: I cannot work. MY income is gone. Can anyone here tell me how one goes about locating a reliable/knowledgable attorney to assist me/us? Quite honestly I don't want to do this however I need to alleviate some of the stress which is making the entire picture worse. A friend of mine tried to obtain disability which she indicated she couldn't get and instead got something that sounds like public aid or something of that nature. I really don't understand the difference between the two - if there is one. The latter - I DO NOT WANT! Lastly (at the moment), during the process of hopefully procuring disability will "they" delve into my psychiatric history? For reasons that I cannot go into at this moment (I just took every type of drug available to me and I need to lie down), I'm very concerned about the latter.

Any comments/help on the above would be most appreciative.

P.S. I've searched this site and thought I saw reference to an area in which one can post with respect to psychiatric support. I'm terribly, terribly depressed and as indicated I have thought about ending this existence although I really don't think I could go through with it... its just that daily pain and illness is winning. I have so desperately lost my ability to fight... this has been going on too long. If there is an area on this wonderful site and someone can redirect me I would be most appreciative. On that note, I apologize for posting on this topic in this section.

I thank God for this site.

[janetm2]

I am so sorry to hear your plight and wish Icould be more helpful to the attorney, etc. I do not know but am sure the mods or someone in the know can guide you in a good direction.. Also extremely sad that this condition is wearing you down and we all know we have to keep our strength to fight because no one else can help but ourselves. We need to find a path for you and probably the attorney and even if you must take the choice you do not want maybe it could just be a start to get you some money and medical help until disability kicks in ? You coul get some pain management and anti anxiety? As for a section on this type of issue I could not find one either and the closest yhat may be good is spiritual since it also is only for registered users so it would stay within. You need not apologizefor posting in this area we help wherever you post but sometimes it helps to get the most help. Glad you found us and hope others can lend more support. Take care
Janet

[Dave]

Have you considered traveling to see one of the physicians listed on this website? I think Dr. Antolak's pelvic pain center in Minnesota would be closest to you? He would be able to make a PN diagnosis.

[Violet M]

JAT, I don't know all of the answers to your questions but this site may answer some of them:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html

I know some people with PNE have applied for disability on their own and gotten it, others have gone through a disability attorney which would mean the attorney would get part of the money. I don't know if they delve into your psychiatric history but I do know they require a statement from your physician. You may also qualify for medical benefits that would pay for your PNE treatments.

Violet

[JAT]

I would like to thank not only all who responded to this specific post, but to all on this site. If it weren't for "HOPE" I would still be in the position of "what is wrong with me!" Technically I have not been officially diagnosed, but fortunately my gynecologist of many years indicated to me after I brought up this possible diagnosis that, "you might be on so to something" and immediately copied an article from his library on the topic. As for my question regarding my concerns for whomever delving into my psychiatric history, the reasons for those concerns is due to the fact that following my first laparoscopy back in 1999 (endometriosis, lysis of adhesions, et cetera), I had Lupron injections (which made me extremely ill - to this day years later the affects of that horrible drug still plaque me) via the surgeon. As many of you may already be aware of, often surgeons do not have the best demeanor; their expertise in the operating room may be exceptional which in this individual is, but their bedside manner very often is abominable. Unfortunately and in his eyes I didn't turn out "perfect" and he has a great deal of difficulty dealing with that... In their psyche their attempts at treating thepatient were/are a failure which they cannot accept and often end up turning on the patient which in my case he did, i.e., I was yelled at, he wouldn't listen to me, and so many other horrible "office visits". I ended up reporting the individual to the "powers that be" as for one I ended up with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and depression as a direct result of his despicable behavior towards me and as I learned later did the same to others. Additionally, regarding the latter, he is notorious throughout the medical community for the behavior that I described, and, beyond. Anyway, long story short: I am concerned about that part of my history being delved into. Fortunately however, I paid for my 10-year relationship/visits with the psychiatrist that was treating me and the medications out-of-pocket as I know for a fact that insurance companies frown upon individuals with psychiatric issues among many other things. Therefore, I am hopeful that those records cannot be located.

Note to "Ezer": I will seriously look into applying for disability on my own rather through an attorney.

Again, thank so very much for your support.

[ezer]

JAT,
It is completely your choice. You have to provide names of doctors that treated you that will be contacted. Just do not include that surgeon's name and associated medical records. If you list a medical provider, he or she will be contacted.

[Violet M]

JAT, I'm sorry you had to go through such an awful experience. So many of us have emotional scars from the way we've been treated on our PNE journey and it helps a lot to be able to share our experiences here and know we are not alone.

Ezer has given you some great advice and I wish you luck in getting your application approved. Just curious Ezer -- did you have to show up in person for some kind of hearing and if so is it a good strategy to lie down for the hearing to substantiate the claim that sitting is difficult?

Violet

[ezer]

Violet,
I had to go in person to the SS administration after my application was finalized online. I made it very clear to my case handler (I am not sure what the official term is) that sitting was difficult, that I took the maximum dosage of pain killer prior to visiting him, and that I came early in the morning because I felt worse in the afternoon.
He told me that I may be asked to be examined by a panel of medical experts. I was not so I assume that the doctors I listed gave a clear picture of the situation.
When I say above that I omitted some reports, I want to make clear that I selected only things that could help an examiner make a determination. I hear some people attach 100s of pages listing every blood test they had and I feel that it is just confusing and irrelevant.
I also saw Dr.Weiss in 2004 and I did not mention him. Too old and irrelevant when I applied in 2010 (he probably does not remember me).

[helen1000]

I do not know which one is the best and I did not get anything myself yet. But I used comments of clients from http://www.avvo.com/ and lawyers.com. And ratings. And met with 3 of them.
I hope it helps

[helenlegs 11]

I think that last sentence must just be referring to the fact that this person was female Sunil ??
The very interesting thing about your post is this bit

Mr. Slater’s extensive experience with pelvic floor and pudendal nerve injury cases is also demonstrated by his handling of many cases on behalf of women who have been injured by medical devices known as pelvic mesh, vaginal mesh, and bladder slings. Mr. Slater has been appointed Co-Liaison Counsel for the Prolift, TVT, Gynemesh, and Prolene Mesh pelvic mesh/vaginal mesh/bladder sling cases filed against Ethicon, Inc., Gynecare, and Johnson & Johnson, in the New Jersey Superior Court.

I wonder what her old problems were/ I have a similar situation in my Tribunals (British) for an industrial injury claim. They are taking the tact that my old back problem is totally responsible for my issues now. If I could get to the stage where I could say ' OK. Prove it!', like this lawyer as done, they wouldn't be able to. Hmmmm, mine may only mean £30 a month but for me, but now it is more the principal of the recognition of pelvic nerve issues in general.

I think there are a few people here who would be interested? Thanks for the post. very interesting.
Helen