I have been diagnosed with a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, arthritis and sciatic nerve pain. I finally did get approved for my ssdi. Thank God 🙏

So glad I was already on SSDI when my spine broke down and it’s way harder nowadays with the new musculoskeletal rules. After back surgeries I was given a pain pump and later spinal cord stimulator. I’ve done everything and been through so many tests and treatments. CT myelograms are hell. I need nerve ablation every 6 months with epidural injections in between.

Doctor... THANK YOU! You have clarified so much for me. I get it! I have had some people pressing me for mri's, which I do have, but knowing how my issue affect my working specifically... helps me immensely! Thanks again.

Thank you , This was very informative, my son who is 27 has spinal stenosis in the upper back . The doctor did a surgery on his neck but it did not help the back pain due to a server scoliosis ( which they said surgery is 50/50 to bring relief or making it worse., He's also had shot's in his spine as well that did not work. He has tried twice to get disability & stopped trying. He won't take opioids because he has a very compulsive behavior and feels he would easily become addicted. He tried to commit suicide 6 mths ago because he's tired of hurting & trying to find help and not getting any relief for his constant pain & numbness 😢 I am going to send him this video.

I have lumbar stenosis and arthritis in my spine. I've been off of work since April and it appears I won't be able to work again because I can't walk 100 yards without pain, can't stoop or bend or stand for longer than 10 minutes. Thank you for this information.

Dr Foster, I am an ARNP recently retired and have started doing social security exams part time. I have found your videos very helpful. The information has helped me to provide fair and complete exams. Coincidentally I have the same boat on the beach picture on my wall.

Hey hey hey, what do you mean those with BPD have adult temper tantrums😂😂😂😂😂?!? You’re right, we do….. 😢

Thankyou Dr.John for your diligent work in the Social Security Disability Administration. You have made me wiser .

If in fact it is anvSSA rule that during the examination the MRIs are not considered I would have my MRI on my personal device and offer it to the examiner The manner in which the MRI was explained to me when I had my first one was an example of the best of Occam's razor Background dead black Bone off white Interstitial material Gray Spinal column through cervical discs Interstitial material which is in the manner of rubber gaskets Degenerative disc disease usually involves the desiccation of this material rendering the cervical discs bone on bone If you think about it this is when slipped discs occur AKA throwing your back out At present My L3/L4 - L4/L5 - L5 - S1 Lumbar discs are Bone on Bone.

Thanks for the good advice it is appreciated 😊

Good morning Dr. Foster!

Thank you Dr. Foster for your very helpful videos! I was diagnosed with neuroforaminal lumbar stenosis and L5 issues on a nerve test. I am currently navigating through an SSDI application. I now know what to expect should I have to see an SSDI doctor.

Very informative. Been having a hell of a time the last few years arthritis ,bone spurs, and blown disks in lower back, recent imaging now claims Retrolisthesis and increased osteoarthritis in the area. It's all so confusing with all the different medical jargon they seem to have a different diagnosis with each exam. I've been telling them the same problems now for years they just seem to want to throw you a pill and out the door.

For many years, insurance companies automatically dismissed back problems. Even with the medical records and descriptions. Many times, it is dismissed as a sprain.

System is broken from people abusing it. Been trying to get SSDI for 2 years now, and no lawyer will touch my case because I could not get any recent medical treatment records. Cant work = no insurance = no treatment.

Doctors don't even listen half the time. My neck and back hurt so bad I was up three days in a row. I have asked for certain tests, but I'm not a Doctor, I don't know what to look for. I have two bulging discs in the back and I had a cervical fusion years ago. When I asked my Doctor to have some tests on my neck, according to her, I only have arthritis. I feel like Doctors don't even care anymore. Believe me, I only get a lousy $640 a month, so I'm not pretending. I miss working, I feel like I can't win. To top it off, the whole back of my neck is numb now. So she said I have to see an orthopedist.

My wife has back pain for 24 years now and she says it's muscle spasms but the doctors have done so many tests and can't find anything wrong but her back locks up at times and she can't walk but she pushes through the pain because she takes care of me and her mom

I’ve filed because of Degenerative Disk Disease that eventually allowed a disk to slip into my spinal cord that led to a discectomy and now I have bilateral nerve pain that stops at the knees. Once the spine structure starts failing it never seems to end. I guess I’ll have to see what SSA says when it’s all looked at. This is all related to military service, so I have records galore. That’s for sharing your knowledge doctor.

Can you talk about ankle tendon tears. I tore my peroneal brevis and had surgery and now my foot is numb and its painful to walk.

What would you think of a Mid-level health care provider PA 100% sc for ptsd combat, low back with sciatica 62 years old on buprenorphrine 20 mcg/ hr, lyrica 150 mg bid, too tired does not feel comfortable working as a provider. Denied by social security?

I have mild lumbar stenosis that recently required an ER visit, bi-lateral thoracic outlet syndrome with impaired range of motion and locally advanced very aggressive prostate cancer. Is there any hope for my SSDI appeal in California?

Than you. I am currently in this position. Had my second back surgery, now i have complications. Your information is very helpful.

I have a phone hearing in October. I have scoliosis, had surgery in 2020 rod screws and pin in my spine. I also have depression and anxiety and ptsd. I’m unable to move because of my back and I’m in constant pain. Do you think I have a chance of being approved?

What if you have neuropathy from diabetes and chronic back pain for decades, which has probably developed into stenosis now, and one of those two problems is causing hamstring muscles to be so weak you can barely stand up from a stooping position without help, _and_ you sometimes suffer with bowel incontinence? Is that disabling enough for SSI? Asking for a "friend"...

I have retinitis pigmentoso so i have tunnel vision and night blindness. also cataracts in both eyes. Thinking about applying for disability. Since cataracts can be fixed, can you get disability based on cataracts? Thanks for your videos

Doctor, is foraminal stenosis another name for spinal stenosis?

I can only believe a small amount of the things you say. 1. Social security employees literally tell patients to bring their records. Why aren't you telling SS about the records? Patients are doing what SS is telling them to do. 2. Even though SS is a federal program, the rules vary from state to state. I know for a fact because it happened to me. 3. The SS employee told me, "You just don't want to work," before he even took my application or seen first medical record. 4. I qualified for SS disability the first day I applied, based upon my current medical records. The same SS employee INTENTIONALLY created an extra burden on me because he kept setting up doctor's appointments and not telling me until AFTER the appointment date. When I complained he cursed me out and told me I shoukd be calling him everyday; which was a lie. He sent me to 4 different doctors and all of them repeated exactly what the the first doctor said. ..VERBATIM. But that still wasnt enough because, remember, he had to prove "you just dont want to work" (I was more than happy to return to work if they could just find a way to stop the debilitating MS symptoms, without all the crazy drugs creating even more debilitating symptoms. I had worked, without interruption, longer than my SS caseworker had been alive. But his racism was the greatest problem) He continued setting up doctor's appointments for me. But in the meantime I had decided I would move to a different state to have the opportunity to be treated by an MS specialist that many bragged about. I told the racist SS caseworker where and when Id be moving. He transferred my case to that SS city/state. DRUM ROLL.... My first call to SS, my new caseworker apologized profusely. She told me my case should've been approved several months prior and all the unnecessary doctor's visits literally did nothing more fir my case, since my current medical records were substantial evidence followed up by the first visit to the SS doctor. Had I stayed in Raleigh, NC I would probably still going to SS doctor's appointments or having a literally physical confrontation with that racist caseworker. His name is Reginald Angry If he is assigned to your case, request someone else. They won't fire him for his racist behavior because federal employees get protections that MUST BE ABOLISHED!

Ain't no way.. i was gon let them crazy 🤣 Doctors operate on me. I truly had to serk the Lord and what he said to me eas " Modestine, Ehen i made this ol' body if yours.. i didnt mdje with rods a screws! Oh bless his nshr. Vould have sworn i only saw dollar 💵 signs in 1 dictor's eye 👀 🏥