I have had most of the side effects referred to in this video. I am still admittedly fearful of my upcoming treatment next month. What if I cannot keep sick people away? I have suffered greatly during my past 2 attempts and because my old doctor was too new at interferon treatment, here I am going for a 3 rd time because the first was successful but too short. The 2nd was a 3 week plunge into hell because I was overweight. Now I am ready, have dropped the weight, changed diet, going to the gym regularly and working out. I originally started this blog to help others but I think I need this blog as much as anyone may need to read my post about what to expect and how to avoid the pitfalls that may derail your treatment.
I still have some more tricks up my sleeve to offer to anyone who is experiencing severe side effects from pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Especially those who have geno type 3, which the new drugs do not work on, like me.

Yet, I am hopeful. I remember being told I looked healthier, that my eyes were clearer. That I even had a glow, although I felt like crap! Anyway, this is informational and I hope it is useful info.

In addition to the tips previously posted for getting your disability benefits set up, you can pretty much expect that your initial application and reconsideration will be turned down by Social Security, (unless you are missing a limb or your disability is very obvious and dose not require a medical report from a physician to verify it).

Don't let this discourage you! This is par for the course. Be prepared, (keep good medical records and make sure your doctors do too), to go all the way to Appeals and have an Judge award your  Title II Social Security Disability Benefits, not to be confused with SSI, which is welfare. SSA Title II,(SSDI), is based upon what you've paid in over your entire working life. All that SSDI tax that was taken out of your check, the rate of pay, etc., determines your benefit amount up to the benefit limit, which, in 2012, is approximately $1783/month.

Practical Tips When Applying for Disability - December 2011

Having successfully navigated through the Social Security Disability Application process, I can honestly say, I can offer some sound advice to someone who needs their benefits but has had their application denied. Below is an article that I believe does a fairly good job at letting you know what to expect as far as preparation goes. But there are a few steps missing from a practical standpoint that I felt I could offer interpretation of what the SSA notices actually mean if you have been denied and are, in fact disabled because of Hepatitis C, or any other disability that falls in the "Title II" category, (most disabilities that are not visibly obvious, such as Title 1; the blind or wheel chair bound, for example) .
1. The Social Security Administration, as part of their procedure, usually denies many application for disability that would fall into the Title II category. So don't get discouraged. This has improved much in recent years, but I know it still happens to many applicants with perfectly legitimate claims.

Practical Tips When Applying for Disability

Jacques Chambers, CLU
Benefits Consultant

Posted December 19, 2011 < (still relevant despite the date)

Leaving work and applying for disability benefits can be stressful and even traumatic. It’s hard enough to deal with Hepatitis B and/or C without adding the paperwork and the doubts caused when dealing with Social Security and disability insurance companies. Over the years of doing this work, I have found that there are several things you can do to facilitate the process.

ON LEAVING WORK
People dealing with a chronic condition such as hepatitis rarely leave work without some notice. Unlike being in an accident that causes someone to suddenly be unable to work, there is time, sometimes even years, when you are able to work, but also realize that sometime in the future, you may become unable to work.

Plan Ahead – Once you have a diagnosis or other indication that you may have to stop working at some time in the future you should do a “Benefit Review” so you will know what benefits are available, what you have to do to become eligible for them, how you will cover medical bills and how much income you will have when you stop working. The earlier in advance you do this review, the greater the possibility of making changes to enhance your benefits when and if you do become disabled. Make sure you have all the current plan documents from your employer and copies of any individual policies you may also have. As well, get a Summary of Earnings from Social Security to see what your projected disability benefit will be.

Read entire Article at "hcvadvocate.org"

Practical Tips When Applying for Disability - December 2011