Sciatica and DLA...

Jam_Buttie

OH's DLA is up for renewal soon and was wondering if anyone knows any good words or phrases to use on the papaerwork for Sciatica?! As getting it across on the forms is really hard work!! :mad:

We've been told by the CAB its not what you write, but how you write it etc...

TOBRUK

What was written on the last form you sent in if the problems are the same? It's how your illness/condition affects you and your needs. I can't see how anyone here can tell you what to write as we don't know how your OH is affected.

[Deleted User]

if thats the only advice CAB can offer then try welfare rights,as TOBRUK suggest this time keep a copy of the application it does help

tanith

I wonder if what they mean is that Sciatica is a general term used for irritation of the Sciatic nerve but there is a root cause for this which can usually be treated ... for example disc herniation or nerve impingement... does the patient have a diagnosis of what is causing the Sciatica? My guess is that is what CAB meant when they said its how you put it.. Sciatica can mean lots of different things.. you need to describe how the pain affects on a daily basis.. what can or cannot be done.

Unity

Sciatic nerve pain usually starts in the hip and lumbar spine and dependent on how bad the trapped nerve problem is it radiates into the buttock, down the thigh and at its worst into the calf, heel and foot. This makes it impossible (in my case) to walk without extreme pain starting with the first step. Therefore I can't walk any distance before I start to feel pain. If it is the same for your OH then he should write this. I have described it as feeling like the worst form of toothache from my hip to my foot.

I hope that helps

pipkin71

Unity wrote: »

Sciatic nerve pain usually starts in the hip and lumbar spine and dependent on how bad the trapped nerve problem is it radiates into the buttock, down the thigh and at its worst into the calf, heel and foot. This makes it impossible (in my case) to walk without extreme pain starting with the first step. Therefore I can't walk any distance before I start to feel pain. If it is the same for your OH then he should write this. I have described it as feeling like the worst form of toothache from my hip to my foot.

I hope that helps

I'm the same when sciatica flares - I can't walk at all

Agree with TOBRUK though, in that we can't suggest what to write because we have no way of knowing what affects the OP's husband, as even sciatica will have different symptoms for those who suffer it.

Unity

pipkin71 wrote: »

I'm the same when sciatica flares - I can't walk at all

Agree with TOBRUK though, in that we can't suggest what to write because we have no way of knowing what affects the OP's husband, as even sciatica will have different symptoms for those who suffer it.

Definitely - I think you've misunderstood me I wasn't suggesting that he should write what I said word for word, (hence I didn't put anything in quotation marks) I just meant that he should tell it like it is, in his own words - putting as much personal information in as possible. Unfortunately the trouble with most applicants is that they don't write enough, fearing that they will be seen as moaning, when actually the reverse is the case. If claimants aren't specific about how their condition affects the help they need with care and mobility, they will lose out. As many have said before and no doubt will after - it's not what's wrong but how it affects the daily and nightly life of the claimant.