Before I found my PM specialist, my surgeon & other assorted docs here were encouraging me to apply for SSI disability....I had been off work for 7 mos following my 3rd spinal fusion (this time with lots of hardware, just to make sure it held), my surgeon released me for work, but there was no way I could work 8 hours a day in the pain I was in....of course their story was that I didn't want to work & all I wanted to do was stay at home & get "high" off my pain meds....which they didn't want to prescribe anyway....after finding my PM doc, angel that he is, (despite the fact he's over 400 miles away and I have to fly to see him), I work 50-70 hours per week....aren't ya'll glad your not supporting me? I know I am! Your right, someone should do a study!