Powerful antiretroviral drugs have markedly prolonged the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Many opportunistic diseases that once afflicted persons with AIDS, are now uncommon. While the impact of HIV/AIDS on those infected appear to be less severe now, recent studies show that patients continue to suffer from significant physical and mental impairments. The new medications seem to work well in containing most of the symptoms traditionally associated with the virus. However, these potent drugs have imposed new limitations on HIV/AIDS patients. Scientific studies have demonstrated that these medications can cause very serious side effects. For this reason, in Social Security Disability cases dealing with HIV/AIDS, it is extremely important to document all the symptoms caused by these medications.
In most SSI or SSDI cases, medication side effects are not the most important factor in proving a disability, however, details of the adverse reactions that a person has been suffering could make a significant difference. Even though it is usually not a smoking gun, this type of evidence sometimes can become the single grain of rice that tips the scale in the claimant’s favor. Nonetheless, bear in mind that, there are also many instances –particularly in cancer cases– where treatments with powerful drugs, such as chemotherapy, have been found to be sufficient evidence to establish that the claimant is disabled. For example, there are well documented side effects of drugs such as Atripla and Sustiva. (There are also some very compelling testimonies in YouTube from persons who take these medications.) Atripla and Sustiva have been found to cause symptoms of major depression. This is particularly troubling, since recent studies have established that HIV positive patients suffer from major depression at a much higher rate than the rest of the population. It is believed that, in many instances, the HIV virus itself might be the cause of the depression. It is probable that most Social Security Lawyers who handle large caseloads probably represent one or two claimants who suffer from both HIV and major depression. In addition, these two drugs have been found to cause chronic migraines, severe fatigue, feelings of paranoia and anxiety. Some persons who take Atripla say that the side effects of taking this drug are similar to “waking up with a hangover every morning”. Moreover, this drug can seriously disturb a person’s sleep. It is well documented that Atripla causes bizarre nightmares. This is why patients with a dark sense of humor call it: “A–Trip–la”, suggesting that the drug causes them to trip every night as if they had taken a hallucinogenic.
Most good Social Security Disability Lawyers are aware of how important evidence pertaining to medication side effects can be in winning a Social Security Disability case. Unfortunately, in many cases where the disability applicants are not represented by a lawyer, this information is not properly documented.
At Ramos Law, we know how to use Social Security Disability laws to win benefits for our clients. Not only do we know how to use the law to your advantage, we win more for you because we put our heart into what we do.
For a free evaluation with a Connecticut or Massachusetts Social Security Lawyer, you can complete the form on the right side of the page or call toll free (860) 519-5242. Our office represents Social Security claimants throughout both states and has offices in Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA.
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