Disabling Psoriasis

[nitegale]

I am a nurse working with p on my hands. Had it for two years and has not cleared. Tried all topicals with no success. Sunlight and humidty help but the winter season just brings it back. I haven't been asked about it at work but I see everyone looking at my hands. Can't afford to quit my job. Seeing that I have to wash my hands frequently at work, this aggravates the p. Has anyone gone out on disability because of p on the hands? Where can I go to to find out info on disability and possibly retraining?

[MikeK]

Hi Nitegail,

Welcome to the Board! :cool: I'm sorry that you're going through such a rough time. :( The good news is that you've come to the right place. A lot of very nice and helpful people post here. It's great to FINALLY be able to exchange information, ask questions, vent or even have a couple of good laughs with people who truly understand. :)

I also have psoriasis on my hands and they get worse in the winter too. :( I'm an accountant and it sometimes makes it hard to do my job too. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to be a nurse with hand p. :( I don't know much about disability and retraining, but here's a link to some info about the Americans with Disability Act: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.

As I mentioned, I also have hand p. Everyone knows that what works for one person may not work for another, but I've had great success using a combination of Dovonex (M - F in the a.m.), Protopic (M - F in the p.m.) and Ultravate (twice a day on the weekends only.) Don't tell my derm, but I sometimes use the Ultravate, instead of the Protopic, on Wednesday nights before I go to bed. I also find it helpful to moisturize frequently.

Hope this helps. Good luck. Keep us posted and please don't be a stranger.

Mike

[Eve-Maridy_R]

Note from the Psoriasis Foundation Member Services Coordinator:

Remember! The Psoriasis Foundation's Advocacy department can help you better understand the process of applying for disability.

Feel free to contact Joey Shearer, Advocacy Coordinator, toll-free at 800.723.9166, ext. 407, or by email at jshearer@psoriasis.org.

We have the information needed to help you through the disability process.

Sincerely,

Eve-Maridy Rice
Member Services Coordinator
erice@psoriasis.org

[lksayre]

I have read that if you have Psoriasis on your hands or feet you can get disability. My husband is wanting me to apply because I have it on my legs, hips, ear, scalp, arms, eyelid, and top of foot. It is hard for me to wear clothes. I stay in my pj's at home. When I have to wear clothes it hurts.

[trace]

Nitegale, I am sorry this is happening to you. I am also a nurse who has P. Having it on your hands is a big problem in this business. I was concerned that I would loss my job due to the disease. I don't know if you can get disability but I strongly suggest you explore systemic treatment. The topicals did not work for me either. Also with all the handwashing and gloving the skin doesn't heal well without systemic intervention. I hope things get better for you. Trace

[fgsskala]

Hello Nitegale,

Like you I also have P on my hands and feet. I am currently on SS Disability. The process of getting my claim approved was pretty straightforward. My job required me to use a computer almost 100% of the time. Due to the P I am not able to use my hands and still perform my job functions efficiently.

The first thing you should do is look at the SSA website. It will explain what steps to take, or contact your local SSA office. The second thing you have to do is contact a lawyer that specializes in SS Disability Claims. You do not pay directly for their services. Their fee is is predefined and paid for by the SSA if your claim is approved. If it is not, you do not pay the lawyers anything (check with the lawyer and they will explain the process to you).

Be aware that it can take quite a while for the process to complete.

[shawgirl]

Hey nitegale,

Sorry that you have Psoriasis on your hands. I also have it covering my hands, arms, feet and legs. I applied for SS Disability almost two years ago, not just for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis but for other medical problems. I was turned down the first attempt, but re-applied and was approved the 2nd time. During the second time that I applied, my feet got so bad that I couldn't wear shoes. If you go to the web site: http:www.ssa.gov/ you can learn more about disability. From the time I had to quit working until I was approved, was 13 months, so expect a wait with a lot, and I mean a lot of paper work. If you get as much info and medical records yourself, it will save time. Otherwise, they will have to contact your physicians and get the records themselves which will delay. I don't know if it was the p that made the final decision on my case but I know that it made an impact. One thing that helped me is that I explained more of why I couldn't work, and how psoriasis affected the job I did. This I did in much detail. Good Luck and hang in there. :)

Gloria