Opinion ID: 772834
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Buxton's Self-Described Condition(s)

Text: 15 At the initial hearing before the ALJ in February of 1996, Buxton described her symptoms: bladder/urethra pain; fibromyalgia pain in her back, shoulders, knees, legs; aching/numbness/tingling in hands and legs; headaches; skin rashes; disorientation; depression. Buxton has never been hospitalized for any of her disorders. Buxton described a normal day as arising between 9 and 10 am, feeling weak and having to lie still for awhile; getting up and making herself tea and a light breakfast, and sitting/reading while she eats; taking a bath at 11 am; lying down to rest for 15 minutes after the bath because of exhaustion; depending on how she feels, then reading a book, or trying to dust or vacuum; making herself lunch/dinner. Sometimes she drives locally, but freewaysbother her condition. She goes out for dinner occasionally, but cannot stay long depending on the amount of chemicals at the restaurant. She can sometimes read newspapers briefly. 16 As part of her application for disability benefits, Buxton filled out a Disability Report 2 . On that report, Buxton indicated that she cooked for herself and her son; shopped often because she could not tolerate being in stores for a long period of time and could not carry many bags; could no longer handle yard maintenance. She further indicated her hobbies were walking and reading, and that she could drive her car. She indicated that she did some visiting with friends and relatives, but came home when she began feeling tired. Buxton expressed her opinion regarding the causal connection between her sensitivity to multiple chemicals, and her chronic fatigue: I have fatigue, weakness & suffer from many symptoms when exposed to any chemical. The fatigue will come & go, nothing consistent. 17 Buxton also filled out a Reconsideration Disability Report in connection with her application for benefits 3 . In it, she summarized her complaints as follows: To summarize: I can't go anywhere, stay anywhere for any length of time without reacting to some chemical or becoming tired. I stay home a lot. 18 In a letter addressed to the ALJ, dated August, 1998, which was introduced at the second hearing in lieu of her appearance, Buxton again described her ailments. For instance, Buxton explained: 19 HHV6 showed up very high for me.... HHV6 is one of the viruses believed to cause CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction). I was very ill with flu symptoms for a very long time.... I no longer have flu-like symptoms. What I am left with is immune system dysfunction. My immune system overreacts to foods, dust, pollens, molds, trees, grass etc. but most severely to chemicals. Even minute amounts can cause me to have debilitating reactions. There are many & varied symptoms: confusion, memory loss, dizziness, depression, crying, fibromyalgia, weakness, headaches, earaches, burning in all my orifices (throat, nose, up my urethra to my bladder[)]. 20 Buxton further opined that it was her chemical sensitivities which caused some of her cognitive symptoms: 21 With all due respect to the vocational expert, even a small office (such as an insurance agency) could be disasterous [sic] to me. Paint, carpeting, perfume, hair spray, cleaning products, insecticide, copy machines, etc. will cause severe reactions for me. I would be so confused, irritable, forgetful, sick & in pain that no employer would want me. When I am in a comfortable, controlled area, I am a different person. I can take care of myself. I am happy then and have a good, positive attitude.