DLA help and support, please?

HopeAndDriftWood

I will
I feel very supported in this thread...Thank you all so much.
Received my medical questionnaire for my ESA claim today, and am filling it in now. So far I've been ticking 'It Varies' for everything, but if I'm in pain when I do it (walking, etc) do I tick no?

Thanks x

McKneff

hi SS, if the form is asking you if you are in pain when walking and you are then by all means say yes

The DLA claim form is a nightmare and i would suggest you might get some help from CAB.

Attached is an example of a DLA claim form which i found a while ago. Have a look at it before you fill your form in.

And dont be brave (thinking well, its not so bad so I'll just not bother with that bit) If youre in pain, let them know. Here is the link

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1241219

Paparika

I had to start the ball rolling with DLA this morning asking them for a claim pack and asked about the questions asked because although they may want a yes or no, most often the answer is maybe, sometimes etc..


He was lovely and told me for my son and OH to write a diary for a week on what they have to do for me, which will help the assessor.

getting dresses and going to the loo, ofc i want help but when it's just me and my son (14) i have to put up with the pain and do it myself

tenacioust123

I never tick the boxes on the DLA form, I always write in the boxes, not everyone fits into the tick box criterea. If there is not enough room I write on a seperate piece of paper.

HopeAndDriftWood

I've finally finished it. It took forever, my writing was a nightmare by the end and it hurt my hand so much...
Hopefully they have enough information there, but I think I'll type out how it's affected me over the last week and send that too, it can't hurt!

HopeAndDriftWood

Hello again everyone
I'd like some more advice, please?
I sent back the questionnaire for my ESA yesterday, and today recieved an appointment to go to a Pathways To Work Interview. I didn't think I'd get one of these until I was on the main rate?
Also, I had a drs appointment yesterday, but not with my usual doctor. I mentioned fibromygia (sp?) but she didn't seem to know what it was and brushed it off. I'm going to make another appointment and try and get my doctor, but who do I ask to be referred too to be diagnosed for this?

Thank you

McKneff

Hi SS
Dont know anything about the Pathways to Work thing.

So what did the other doctor actually say, did they do anything. I think i shoudl do exactly what you say.
See your own doctor but let him do the diagnosis.
It could be many things. Dont understand the 'suspected RA' A simple blood test would confirm RA
But do ask if you can be referred to a Rheumatologist.

Good luck.

Paparika

SaucySecrets wrote: »

Hello again everyone
I'd like some more advice, please?
I sent back the questionnaire for my ESA yesterday, and today recieved an appointment to go to a Pathways To Work Interview. I didn't think I'd get one of these until I was on the main rate?
Also, I had a drs appointment yesterday, but not with my usual doctor. I mentioned fibromygia (sp?) but she didn't seem to know what it was and brushed it off. I'm going to make another appointment and try and get my doctor, but who do I ask to be referred too to be diagnosed for this?

Thank you

I saw an RA consultant for mine, as i thought i had RA, but then going through the booklet he gave me all the info made sense to how i was.

I've had MRI scans, lumbar punchers, blood tests after blood tests, more rounds of mri and lumbar punchers, since dec 2007, my neurologist thought i might have MS but seeing all the symptoms are similar to ME/Fibromyaglia then it could be the latter i only have, with the on going uvitis and not have MS after all, as i've been told time and time again there is not one single test but lots of tests

keep pestering the doctor hun, if you see her again tell her its very similar to ME, if she still dismisses it sit there and ask for a second opinion, you are entitled to that.

HopeAndDriftWood

Blood tests suggest I don't have rheumatoid arthritis, but are 'borderline'. Scans apparently show massive deterioration. No actual diagnosis, though, I am always just signed off with RA and told that any pain etc I get is from that or the strain.

I have to phone back at 5 to see if my dr will be able to see me tomorrow, and I'll tell him how much its affecting me and how much I need help. Hopefully he'll then try and diagnose me himself...Nobody seems to want to suggest anything other then that it's RA and there is nothing they can do. I think its because they don't want to disagree with anyone else, and I've seen so many people, but no one has actually done anything.

How do you all cope with it? It's got so much worse so fast...I used to work in a nursery and hold two babies at a time effortlessly, now I can't hold my own nephews for more then a few seconds, literally.

McKneff

Hi SS, how long have you been like this.

The painful onset of mine too a good 6 to 9 months to settle to a point i could go back to work. I do reception and accounts but my job entails going around the offices too so it was good for me to get some rest while sitting and excise while moving around offices. You just have to learn to pace yourself and not overdo it so that you have a flare up tomorrow. It will settle down, i promise,
in the meantime you just have to go with the flow I'm afraid.

Where abouts in the country are you. There are a lot of RA practical groups around (and you dont have to have RA to be involved)