Martin, Jones, & Piemonte - Attorneys at Law

     In previous posts, we have discussed how securing quality representation early can strengthen your claim for Social Security disability as well as the importance of communicating clearly to your health care providers about your conditions. This is especially true if you have fibromyalgia.      The main characteristic of fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, and soft tissues lasting for at least three months. Fibromyalgia is a very common and complex condition that many of our clients have struggled with for years. Fibromyalgia, like other chronic pain conditions, also waxes and wanes. There are good days and bad days and then worse days. Those with fibromyalgia often suffer “fibro flares” in which they have significantly worse symptoms than usual and then they may eventually experience periods of relief or return to a baseline level of symptoms which still affects their day-to-day life, all in a continuous cycle.   ...

     When Social Security examines a case to determine whether a person is disabled, they rely to a large degree on medical records provided by your mental and physical health care providers.  One of the most important things a person can do when meeting with a doctor is to communicate clearly about any problems they are having and telling them about all of their relevant medical conditions. For example, frequently a claimant at a SS hearing will testify that the medication they take causes side effects, but if their treatment notes don’t reflect that they told the doctor they had side effects, the SS medical record doesn’t support the testimony and it’s usually disregarded. (Doctors don’t always ask about side effects and if you’ve got them it’s important to let the doctor know.) Another example is that sometimes a person says they’re feeling better, but they continue to have symptoms, however, if they don’t tell their health care provider about those symptoms,...