u/Upbeat-Fig1071

Ive had chronic back pain and sciatica for 14 years. Started as disc bulge....progressed to herniated with annular tear and degenerative disc disease and chronic discogenic back pain.

I've tried everything. Except surgery. I'm considering an artificial disc replacement surgery, but it's very risky and a huge decision.

How did you know you had TMS? I've had anxiety, panic, depression, etc. along the way as well. I've had so many physical injuries from sports. I've had my share of trauma and PTSD.

How do I know that I have tms and not a physical structural issue in my spine? So many people have hip, knee, shoulder, joint replacements as they get older and cartilage, etc. wears out. How is the disc not a similar process?

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I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been through an SSDI ALJ hearing, especially anyone who has represented themselves or dealt with an attorney who wanted them to withdraw their claim.

I’ve been dealing with chronic pain for approximately 14 years. My medical history includes:

- Lumbar disc herniation

- Annular tear

- Neuropathy and chronic pain following a testicular varicocelectomy

- 3 MRIs showing nerve impingement

- Numerous consultations with neurosurgeons, none of whom have recommended surgery

- 2 epidural injections

- Pain medications

- Physical therapy

- Holistic/alternative treatments

- Numerous other medical consultations and treatments over the years

My most recent job was a customer support position that I performed from home. By that point, I was essentially doing the job from bed because of my pain and limitations. I didn't disclose my disability to the employer because I was afraid that doing so would prevent me from being hired in the first place. I needed the health insurance from the job so I could continue seeing specialists and trying to find some kind of solution.

I eventually saw multiple neurosurgeons, but none recommended a surgical solution. At one point, I was even offered the opportunity to participate in a double-blind placebo-controlled stem-cell study that would have taken approximately three years.

Eventually, I resigned from my job, sold essentially all of my belongings, lived in my car for a period of time, filed for SSDI and ultimately moved to a lower-cost country because I could no longer afford to maintain my previous life in the U.S.

I'm currently pursuing SSDI. My ALJ hearing was scheduled via phone a few months ago. My lawyer was living out of the country and did not notify me in any way before my hearing that this could be an issue until a few weeks before the hearing. They then told me I could not attend the hearing from another country. Long story short, we got on the phone call, the judge was wondering why there was any issue (it was fine to have the hearing from overseas apparently), my lawyer wasn't prepared, and asked for an extension or rescheduling. The new ALJ hearing is scheduled for November 9.

The problem is my attorney.

She has told me that she isn't sure the medical evaluation I'm obtaining overseas will be given much weight by the ALJ. She has recommended that I withdraw my current claim and refile after I have received more "regular ongoing care."

I'm struggling to understand what additional care I'm supposed to pursue. The reason I applied for SSDI is because all of the care i have pursued has not fixed my injury / pain / disability. I've been seeking treatment for this for approximately 14 years. I've tried medications, injections, physical therapy, specialists, and multiple other approaches. I've had multiple MRIs documenting the underlying problems, and multiple neurosurgeons have evaluated me without recommending surgery.

At the same time, my attorney is the one who has been sending me functional evaluation forms and asking me to have a doctor complete them. I've been trying to do exactly that—to get an objective medical evaluation documenting my actual functional limitations. She has also told me that she does not believe I meet an applicable Social Security listing, even though I specifically provided her with the relevant Blue Book listing concerning nerve-root/nerve-impingement issues and asked her to explain why she believes my condition does not satisfy it. I understand that ultimately the ALJ decides whether the evidence meets a listing, but I'm having trouble understanding what my attorney thinks I should be doing differently to document my condition.

My attorney also recently told me that she is uncomfortable with my persistence in asking what evidence would be helpful and emphasized that she will not be involved in "manufacturing evidence." I have never intended to manufacture evidence or tell a doctor what to say. I was simply trying to understand what medical evidence would actually be relevant to the ALJ and what I should be doing to document my limitations.

At this point, it honestly feels like I'm fighting my own lawyer. I thought the purpose of having an attorney was to have someone help me understand the process, identify the relevant evidence, and advocate for me. Instead, I feel like I'm having to defend myself to my own attorney while simultaneously trying to prove my disability to the ALJ.

I don't really want to withdraw the claim and start over. I want to see the ALJ hearing through and get a decision one way or another.

So I'm looking for advice from people who have actually been through this:

- Should I try to find another SSDI attorney this close to the hearing?

- Is representing myself at an ALJ hearing a terrible idea?

- If you've represented yourself, what was your experience?

- What should I be doing between now and the hearing to prepare?

- Is it reasonable to proceed with the current claim rather than withdraw and refile?

- If I terminate my current attorney, can they still receive a portion of my past-due benefits if I eventually win?

- Is there anything specific I should be asking a prospective new attorney before agreeing to switch?

I realize nobody here can evaluate my claim or tell me whether I'll win. I'm mainly trying to figure out what my options are and what I should do next.

Any advice from people who have actually gone through an SSDI ALJ hearing would be greatly appreciated.

Been traveling for a lil over a year now. Gonna move to the Philippines next year for 6 months at least. Where do you recommend? Safety, beaches, decent wifi n some emergency medical care is really all that matters to me.

Has anyone had a lumbar artificial disc replacement surgery that was successful and remediated their pain. I've been dealing with chronic pain from an annular tear disc herniation for 14 years and I'm just getting so tired of the constant flare-ups lifestyle changes and basically like living a half life I guess I haven't given up hope for a cure or a fix of some sort something to make my life better. Wondering if anyone has had a successful surgical procedure with a disc replacement at one level in the lower back. If so what dish did you have and who was your surgeon how much did it cost etc?

What would you do if you were me?

I currently rent a nice place in da Nang Vietnam. My lease is up at the beginning of November and I'm going home to my home country to handle some business for the month of November and will be returning early december. I have a flight that goes into da Nang.

I cannot stay in Vietnam unfortunately for more than 180 days total in 2027 to avoid tax complications for the year.

So most likely I won't be renewing my lease because I will be gone for the month of November anyways even though I really like da Nang and plan on living in Vietnam for 180 days in 2027, and also have a flight I cannot change back to da Nang early Dec.

Basically I want to pick like two other places to spend some time living 2027 including 6 months in Vietnam. I'm new to this lifestyle and haven't explored too many other places. I do not want to hop around from place to place. I want to pick 2 other spots and just live there. Enjoy it. Commit. That's my style. Much more slow travel oriented.

Where would you recommend and when?

I guess I could renew my lease rental and do Da Nang the first 6 months of the year. Then where do I go? I always go home in nov. Or I could get rid of the rental/lease and start somewhere new in dec. Then make my way to Vietnam in the middle of 2027 and finish somewhere else at the end?

Any recommendations are welcome. I'm on about 2.5k/USD budget for two people but cheaper is always more preferred ya know.

Thanks!

I'm moving to the Philippines for 6 months starting in 2027 to live with my gf (she's from the Philippines).

We have been dating and traveling for 1 yr now (Thailand, Vietnam mostly) so this isn't a new relationship or long distance.

We are moving to the Philippines for part of the year for tax reasons, visa reasons, weather reasons, etc.

My question is. Where would you live. Our budget is about 2.5k. USD all in. That's rent (700) utilities (100) life insurance (20) health insurance (150) phone bill (50) food (900) fun (500) etc.

We love places like Da Nang Vietnam, beach life but still some city amenities etc. we are health oriented and enjoy swimming walking light exercise eating healthy sleeping well etc. etc.

Curious what you more seasoned expats may recommend. I know the Philippines has its flaws, so I'm hoping to minimize some of them by choosing the right location.

Also, we are not legally married, can she live with me? Be on the lease? Are there any legal/financial reprecussions I need to be aware of if chosing to cohabitate with a filapina as a foreigner?

Cheers!

I'm about 1 yr into my digital nomad journey if you will. Trying to retire early by geo arbitrage and moving / living in south east Asia.

To be honest I'm already getting tired of moving from place to place, visa runs, finding new accommodations all the time, not being able to make friends or integrate into the community too much etc.

Do any of you seasoned digital nomads relate? How do you manage? Did it take you time to find your routine? To navigate visas etc.?

Any advice or suggestions are much appreciated.

Do you pay taxes to the Vietnamese government? If you stay over 183 you are legally a tax resident. If you are from the USA you pay both taxes in USA and also Vietnam.

Hello I moved to Southeast Asia about 6 months ago and basically I have a few questions about what y'all do for your health insurance? Also is it true that if I just don't stay in any one particular country for over 180 days in a year then I don't owe any taxes in Southeast Asia anywhere?

My rough plan moving forward is 6 months in Vietnam, two months in thailand, two months in malaysia, two months back home for the holidays and then repeat.

Right now I have just the basic safety Wing health insurance plan for like $60 a month but I have some pre-existing conditions like a low back disc injury and I think I probably need to figure something out that's a little more reliable in case of emergency in general or anything related to that so I'm curious what you do for health insurance?

And then as far as the taxes go I currently don't have any income other than just passive income from investments and capital gains so but I was reading that if you live in one particular country for more than 180 days you can potentially be taxed there so I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Last question I guess for the more seasons digital nomads would you recommend just doing airbnbs if you were to live a schedule or routine like this or would you try to settle into more like multiple month lease situations in each country.

Ignore the poor grammar I did talk to text. I appreciate any advice or information thanks

Brand new in box. Thank you

I'm a foreigner living in Vietnam with a Vietnamese phone number. I have been watching the world cup games. Am I allowed to sign up for an offshore sports book like bovada or bet online and place bets while living in Vietnam? Or is this technically illegal? Please advise

Can anyone recommend a location for medical massage and or physical therapy.

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I have chronic back pain from disc herniation + many old injuries (broken bones, Sprains, strains, etc ) and would like to get some massage or physical therapy.

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As a result of my injuries, I'd like to go to a more educated or professional therapist for services.

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Thanks!

Does anyone know a store I could buy a microSD card reader to USBC connection and or to lightning connection. We have a cheap one from shopee but it seems to be malfunctioning and we need a good reliable brand

Quick synopsis.

37 year old male.

Chronic pain 14 years. Disc herniation, ddd, chronic discogenic back pain. Neuropathy. Sciatica. Etc.

3 MRI, 2 epidurals, 5 consultations with MDs neurosurgeons, physiatrists, regenerative medicine, etc. etc. Endless PT, medications, therapies, etc. etc.

Was told microdisectomy won't help, fusion not a great option, and that I could try double blind placebo study for stem cells starting a year later that would last 3 years and I may not even get the cells. Offered expensive regenerative procedures not covered by insurance and not guaranteed to have any efficacy. Basically told I'm permanently injured, with no solution, but not injured enough to receive assistance.

AlJ hearing is in 2 weeks. Hearing prep phone call with lawyer yesterday and she says it doesn't look like my case is strong enough to get approved. She's recommending I withdraw my claim. Judge has 75% approval rate. She says I'm too young and too educated (bachelor's) to get approved with my condition.

I feel like I've done everything, tried everything, there's no solution to my pain, it's not bad enough to get approved for assistance but I'm miserable living with it and there's no escape. I don't know. I'm obviously exhausted from the whole situation and process.

I guess what I'm asking is do you think I should listen to my lawyer and withdraw my claim? She's worried it would "hurt my chances of getting approved in the future" and I could be labeled as "the boy who cried wolf" or something.

I'm tired of trying to help myself and being unsuccessful, trying to ask for help and not getting any, trying to advocate for myself and it leading nowhere.

I'm okay with whatever outcome. I'm pretty detached at this point, from most things.

Any advice is much appreciated.