For those of you who’ve been approved, how did you go about your self report? How detailed did you get? More emotional, factual, detailed.. all three? How long was it?
I’m feeling so lost in the process & any help is grateful appreciated 🙏🏻
Hi everyone,
I’m hoping for some advice from anyone who has gone through an ODSP Internal Review or Tribunal appeal.
I applied for ODSP due to severe PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and was denied because the Disability Adjudication Unit determined that I did not have a substantial impairment that met the ODSP definition.
I’m honestly struggling to understand the decision because my condition has had a profound impact on my ability to function and work consistently. I’ve had this condition my entire life and have sent them documentation of escalation for over 6 years…
For the last year I’ve barely had 5 “good days”
A month and those are spent recovering for the next horrible spell.
Some examples of how it has affected me:
Severe unpredictability of functioning, making it impossible to reliably maintain employment.
Episodes lasting up to 3–4 weeks (sometimes close to a month) where my functioning is significantly impaired.
Significant brain fog affecting concentration, memory, planning, and decision-making.
During severe episodes I often have to stay in a dark, quiet environment because I cannot tolerate light or sound.
Difficulty completing normal daily activities.
Significant social isolation and inability to maintain friendships or attend family events.
An Emergency Department visit due to suicidal ideation during a severe episode.
I’ve now been unable to work for many months because of the severity and unpredictability of my condition.
Since I originally applied, my treatment has escalated considerably. I was referred to the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic, I’m currently undergoing a Lupron (chemical menopause) trial, and surgery is being considered if the trial is successful.
My question is:
For those who have successfully appealed an ODSP denial, what additional documentation or evidence made the biggest difference? Did updated letters from your family doctor or specialists help? Did anyone include a personal statement or symptom tracking?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
Thank you.
Omg 😭 they warned me about a possible flare when you first go on Lupron.
I was great for 3 days… I almost thought, WOW!!! Maybe I won’t have a flare, and then it hit… HARD. Now im on day 9 and feeling like it’s just escalating, for those of you who have been through it, when did it pass for you? I’m starting to get worried I’m going to be stuck like this. 😞
Omg 😭 they warned me about a possible flare when you first go on Lupron.
I was great for 3 days… I almost thought, WOW!!! Maybe I won’t have a flare, and then it hit… HARD. Now im on day 9 and feeling like it’s just escalating, for those of you who have been through it, when did it pass for you? I’m starting to get worried I’m going to be stuck like this. 😞
I’m so sick of who this disorder makes me, I’m so tired of trying to protect people from who I am when the PMDD monster takes over, I’m so exhausted from isolating myself from the world and exploding when people breach my boundaries and space. I’m so gut wrenched from all of the years of fighting this thing only for it to get worse no matter how hard I’ve tried. 😢 If you feel like this too, you’re not alone ❤️
Am I crazy or are you hyper sensitive to people’s energy or presence during hell week? Someone can literally come near the room Im in and it’s like nails on a chalkboard, it literally makes my skin crawl. It’s like I can feel what they’re feeling and it’s just soooo intense 😢 No one I’ve talked to can understand this, so I thought I’d ask here. It’s such an awful feeling. Like I’m normally extremely sensitive to others energy but this is sensitivity on crack.
Also if this is you, what do you do about it if you can’t fully isolate?
Anyone else have EXTREME noise sensitivity during your window? It’s like every single noise whether small or big is an offence to me 😥 I literally cannot do anything without feeling like everything is an intrusion on my senses.
I’m just wondering how many of us feel this way? It’s horrible & I sometimes gaslight myself thinking this is just me being dramatic but I really feel it’s not.
Anyone else have EXTREME noise sensitivity during your window? It’s like every single noise whether small or big is an offence to me 😥 I literally cannot do anything without feeling like everything is an intrusion on my senses.
I’m just wondering how many of us feel this way? It’s horrible & I sometimes gaslight myself thinking this is just me being dramatic but I really feel it’s not.
Anyone else just feel so trapped by this disorder? It’s like no matter what I do I just come back to the same exact place where I’m being controlled by a force that makes me irritable, angry, overwhelmed and unlikable to everyone around me including myself. Im so sick of setting boundaries that are supposed to protect myself and others from who I am in these moments only for them to be repeatedly ignored. Im so sick of doing everything in my power to get better and working harder than anyone else I know only to be be back at square f*ing one every month.
I’m just sick and tired… of feeling sick and tired!
Sorry for this rant.. but would love to know if I’m not alone? 😥❤️
DEEEP breath.
After decades of battling this PMDD HELL and having tried literally EVERYTHING I’ve finally been accepted to trial Lupron, followed by ovary and uterus removal…
This is a bitter sweet victory because I’ve been fighting to get here for a while… and it’s also like succumbing to the worst case scenario you were trying to avoid. 😞
I know that there are prob posts in here about it but I kinda need some comfort; reassurance, or even personal experiences here in the comments.
I’m both hopeful and terrified and I know that you all are the only ones who get it.
Thank you so much in advance. Virtual hugs are appreciated at this overwhelming time ❤️
If you can find it in your heart to pray for me to be approved for the surgery I need I would deeply appreciate it!
I’ve been waiting for a while and after an ER visit on my bday it’s becoming increasingly clear how necessary it is that I am expedited as quickly as possible. I have an appointment with my Drs next week and would love prayers for the best outcome for relief.
Thank you so much in advance from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏻
I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers yesterday ❤️ I’ve been having a huge crisis of faith but I felt them, and it helped! I’m so grateful for you all and for Him. May God bless you all 🙏🏻
Im thinking of putting together a little manual for loved ones to help them understand wtf we are actually dealing with…
Things like: I can’t just think positive, this is beyond a gratitude list, my mindset isn’t the problem, we blame ourselves enough
What else am I missing?
Im 46 and have been suffering from a mood disorder my entire life. I managed to deal with it and even thrive but with perimenopause it’s escalated to the point where I have no good days 😞
I’ve seen so many Drs tried so many things, and nothing helps… most things just make it worse.
I’ve lost everything the last few years from this: and I mean EVERYTHING. I’ve always been one to believe in God; always praying and having faith, but honestly I’m wondering if He’s even there anymore, I feel nothing and no help or relief has come despite me doing everything in my mental; spiritual and physical power.
I honestly don’t even know if this will work, but if I’ve lost faith; maybe I can borrow some of yours.
Please pray for a resolution to this suffering, for protection and a restoration of faith.
I need a sign that something is listening and that there’s still hope.
Thank you kind strangers 🙏🏻
Just reaching out for a reminder that this too shall pass from people who understand ❤️
I’m 46 and in peri & haven’t had a days break from PMDD hell for weeks. I’ve tried literally EVERYTHING but shutting these spaun of Satan ovaries down 🤣😭
I’m clinging to my appointment w my Dr next week to beg for chemical menopause life it’s a lifeline but it’s feeling MILES away.
Just need a little virtual hug or encouragement to keep going or maybe even a little hope of you can spare any, I’m running out 😞
If you knew me you’d be SHOCKED at this cause I’m not the kind of person to give up but I’m just so exhausted from decades of this… I know you get it.
Thank you so much in advance ❤️
Just a reminder, what PMDD you does, says, is… it’s NOT your fault. The chemical chaos and hormonal hijacking is to blame. The fact that you’re here reading this means you’re a WARRIOR in a way that no ONE in your life probably understands or can even fathom ( despite their best efforts ) if you’re in the depths of the PMDD downs or in an upswing trying to manage your life and clean up the mess of the hell you just experienced, I see you & I’m sorry you’re going through this.
Sincerely a fellow warrior ❤️
I’m proud of you!! Keep going
6 months sober today, despite the unexpected ups and DOWNS that sobriety can bring I’ve stayed strong! 💪🏻
So for those of you who need to hear it ( like me )
I’m proud of you.
Whether it’s day 1 or year 1
So proud of you.
It takes courage to acknowledge change and to chase or in spite of how hard it is.
When your friends, family, society keep drinking and you battle alone in more ways than most can ever know, I’m proud of you.
For those who slipped up last night and are ready to start again, I’m proud of you.
For those sitting with the shame or the pain instead of reaching for just one drink, I’m proud of you.
So in case no one is saying it to you, or you’re struggling to say it to yourself, I’m proud of you.
Keep going!!! IWNDWYT ❤️
Hi beautiful souls
I’m 46, been on the peri train for about 8 years now, I’ve tried EVERYTHING and nothing is really helping. I have maybe 5 good days a month - which are spent recovering from the other 25 days 😥
I am on cycle 3 of trying estrogen + adding progesterone this month ( which I’ve already previously had a bad reaction to ) I feel like my baseline has improved for sure but I’m still crashing during ovulation and had a HORRIBLE experience this luteal and let’s just say I’m lucky to still be here.
I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this experience w HT? And if any of you have moved forward w chemical menopause +
Oopherectomy + hysterectomy. At this point I think it may be the only thing that can keep me alive but I’m a bit scared.
Any advice or comfort is so appreciated during this brutal time ❤️😥
Virtual hugs & comfort requested.
Im just coming out of one of my worst luteal crashes in a while… 😞
The kind where you totally self destruct and ruin all relationships in your wake. I tried reaching out to family for support but was met with…
“This is too much for me, get a therapist” when they already know I’m desperately seeking support and have 3 specialists helping me. I don’t blame them really… I just wanted to feel seen and supported but instead it just made me feel worse 😭 It’s so lonely and isolating and now 4 days later, I’m coming out of it and feel like I’ve missed days of my life, ruined relationships and am too exhausted to even try to life… it’s just so surreal and exhausting 😞
Just coming here for validation I guess, that this isn’t just me & that this will pass.
Thank you ❤️😭