I'm going through this exact same situation right now - got my IME letter yesterday for a shoulder injury claim and immediately started panicking! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful. It sounds like this really is just standard procedure rather than them singling out my claim. I've been on SDI for about 9 weeks now, so the timing matches what others have mentioned about the 8-10 week review period. The advice about keeping a pain journal and writing down specific limitations is gold - I'm definitely going to start doing that this week before my appointment. My biggest worry was that they'd catch me on a good day and think I'm faking, but it sounds like being honest about the fluctuating nature of the condition is actually the right approach. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, especially those who came back with updates after their exams. It really helps to know that most people get through this without issues when they have legitimate medical documentation. Still nervous, but way less stressed than I was this morning!

I went through an IME about 3 months ago for a nerve injury in my hand, and I totally understand the stress you're feeling! Like others have mentioned, it really is standard procedure - my claim was also right around the 9-10 week mark when they scheduled it. One thing that helped me prepare was actually calling the medical office directly (not EDD) a day or two before to confirm the appointment time and ask about parking. The office staff was really helpful and even gave me a heads up about what to bring. Also, if you're taking any muscle relaxers or pain medication, try to time it so you're not overly drowsy during the exam - I made that mistake and felt like I wasn't able to communicate my limitations clearly. The doctor I saw was actually really understanding about the variability of symptoms. I told him straight up that some days are much worse than others, and he said that's completely normal for back injuries. He even asked me to describe both my worst days and my better days, which helped give him a complete picture. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much - the vast majority of these exams go smoothly when you're honest and have proper documentation. Sounds like you're well-prepared and have everything in order. Good luck with your appointment and your gradual return to work!

I just want to say how impressed I am with how quickly and thoroughly you're handling this situation! Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you have a solid plan now. One small additional tip - when you do get through to EDD on the phone, ask for the representative's name and ID number, and jot down the date/time of your call along with a summary of what they told you. If there are any issues later, having that information can be really helpful for reference. You're doing everything right by acting fast and getting multiple copies of documentation sent different ways. Medical certification errors happen more than people realize, and pregnancy claims especially have well-established timelines that EDD is familiar with. Try not to stress too much - you've got this handled!

I went through something very similar with my pregnancy disability claim! The exact same error happened - my doctor accidentally put my due date as the return-to-work date instead of 6-8 weeks postpartum. Here's what saved me: I immediately called both my doctor's office AND EDD the same day I noticed the mistake. My doctor's office was super understanding and rushed a corrected form with a cover letter explaining the error. The key is speed - don't wait for EDD to process the wrong form first! I also recommend sending the correction multiple ways (mail AND fax) and keeping detailed records of everything. EDD knows pregnancy recovery doesn't happen overnight, so they should understand this type of medical error. You're being really proactive by catching this early - that's going to make all the difference in avoiding any benefit interruption during your recovery period.

Hey OP, what state are you in? The process can vary a bit depending on location.

I'm going through the same thing right now! One thing that helped me was creating an account on the EDD website if you haven't already - sometimes the status updates there before they send any mail. Also, make sure you have your SDI number handy when you call. I've found that calling around 8:15 AM right after they open gives you the best shot at getting through. The wait is brutal but worth it when you finally talk to someone who can give you real answers. Stay strong! 💪

So just checking back here - did u get ur claim figured out? I'm curious what happened since I might be in similar boat soon with my pregnancy leave ending next month 😬

I'm going through something very similar right now! My pregnancy disability ended last week and I'm dealing with postpartum anxiety. My doctor wants me to file a new claim too. Reading through all these responses is SO helpful - I was totally confused about the dates too. It's reassuring to see that @aa3cde904ab6 got approved so quickly following this advice. I'm definitely going to use my original last day worked and make sure my doctor is super clear about the new diagnosis date. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Welcome to the club, buddy. I filed back in September and still crickets. The system is a joke 🤡

I'm in a similar situation - filed my SDI claim in December and still haven't received any official communication from EDD. It's incredibly frustrating, especially when you're dealing with a disability and need the support. I've been checking my online account regularly and it just shows "pending" status. At this point I'm wondering if I should try some of the suggestions here like calling early in the morning or even visiting an office in person. The uncertainty is almost worse than the waiting itself. Stay strong, we'll get through this eventually! 💪