sciatica help me plz!!!

kingspurs

i am suffering from severe sciatica where some mornings i cant even move my lower back, i work as an employed roofer which is a very phisical job which im not capable of doing. i am waiting a referal date for an mri scan and have been told the waiting list is 6-8 weeks i have no savings and obviously need to paid rent and bills am i entitled to any benefits plz help thx nick.

tenacioust123

Hi Kingspur

I totally understand where you are coming from, I have never experienced pain like sciatica pain in my life. Mine started about 2 1/2 years ago and I have since had surgery which has improved it slightly but bought other problems so I am now long term disabled.

I was unable to do my job when I first became ill after about 6 months I applied for Disability Living Allowance and recieved High rate mobility and Low rate care. Unfortunatelty I have not been able to continue my job and have been made redundant so I now claim Incapacity benefit.

Once you have had your MRI you will hopefully know what is wrong and what the prognosis is.

Good Luck

TT

bluedog

Hi Nick,

I get sciatica so understand how you feel.

Hopefully someone will come along soon who's got more ideas about what to do, but it may be worth getting in touch with the CAB as a starting point as they will check what you will be entitled to. If you aren't able to get to them, some offices have staff that will come to you. Without knowing your situation in full (not asking or being personal!), it's hard to say what you may or may not get but as you mention rent, I would ask the council for claim forms for Housing benefit and Council Tax benefit. (usually done with the same form, but councils do vary :rolleyes: ). My council only start a claim from the monday after they get the form so it's important to do this asap.

Good luck with the MRI.

cruyff73

Can't give any advice re benefits but have you tried having traction with a physio. I had/have a severely herniated disc which as time went on prevented me walking more than 50 yards. I had a few sessions of traction privately which sorted me out. Still get the pain in the lower back and mild sciatica but nothing that stops me getting on with life as I always have.

Hope you get sorted soon.

lolababy

Hi after your employer stops paying sickness pay you will go onto esa. To get more information visit directgov.com.

Blakespops

Hi, if I was you looking into claiming incapacity benefit would be my next move. After a few months if the problem has not gone you could claim DLA too.