Walking how much pain?

TOBRUK

debbiedeboo wrote: »

Hi
I wasn't suggesting that anyone should be dishonest. It's just that many people have a tendency to make out they are doing better than they really are. When I was filling in my latest application I was talking through things with my friend who is the care worker and we came across the question 'how often do you stumble'? I said it was probably only about once a week but then my friend said but I see you stumble everytime you try to stand up and my husband agreed and when I thought about it I realised I stumbled several times a day. We have a tendency to not see how bad we really are so I think it is better to err on the worst case scenario because to be honest that is probably more accurate. xx

Tobruk: I do think the diary thing is a good idea though xx

I understand what you are saying debbiedeboo, this is why it needs a lot of thought and taking your time to fill it in. I find keeping a diary near the time to re-apply helps along with looking back at your previous application to see whether your needs have changed.

Also, although it may be depressing you have to sit down and think about how you really are, being honest with yourself - as you found when thinking about the 'stumble' question and the realisation that you stumble far more than you first thought. I think if I remember as the form had changed when I recently filled it in, it asked something like how many times have you stumbled in the last week, or something similar to that.

I know how difficult the form is to fill and you need to stress your difficulties and what they are in your answers to each question and repeating on just about each page.

Invasion

Benefits and Work specifically advise you NOT to fill in the forms based on your worst day. Doing so is fraud. Your worst day describes days that are worse than average days. You should use average days to fill in you form, as by the nature of the word average, those are the ones you have most often.

pipkin71

ninelives wrote: »

It needs an expert to fill in DLA forms

Sorry, I disagree. It doesn't need an expert, but some people prefer to have others fill the forms in for them.

qwertyuiop12345

debbiedeboo wrote: »

The problem is Pipkin is that you don't know when you are going to have bad days or how often. One week you may need help seven days but another week you may feel moderately well.

If you have a variable condition that is one way sometimes and different another week then this is exactly what you should write on the form. It is quite easy to explain variability as you have clearly done in the quote above.

If a claimant writes on the form that they have a certain problem, without qualification, but in truth that problem only occurs on bad days then they have lied on the form and this is fraud.

It isn't uncommon to hear of 'professional advisors' telling people to report how they are at there worst, but this is terrible advice and it is the claimant not the advisor who will get in trouble if this bad advice backfires!

nogginthenog

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi forgotmyname, there is nothing to say or stopping you applying for DLA, however, look at their website to see eligibility criteria and then make a decision whether or not to apply. Based on what you say about your condition I would apply for DLA, fill in the form and see what they decide.

As far as driving is concerned if I have understood you properly - you are worried that if your medication is increased you are worried you may not be able to drive, is this correct?

You are currently on 600mg of gabapentin 3x daily and 30/500 solphadol. I am on 600mg Pregabalin (similar to gabepetin but stronger and more effective - gabapentin is cheaper) a day, plus I also take:

120mg Dihydrocodeine twice a day - these are slow release painkillers and gives a continuous flow of pain relief,

baclofen 10mg 3 times a day - a nerve painkiller and stops twitching/jerking,

and 10mg Armitriptyline every night.

I also take paracetemol 500mg - two 4 times a day, (I used to take co-codamol 30/500mg but unable to do so now as I'm taking the Dihydrocodeine)

plus other medication. I am allowed to drive despite taking all this medication.

I think you should apply for DLA as you have difficulty walking, getting up from a chair, constant pain etc. I would let your GP know that you are applying and it helps if your GP knows exactly your difficulties and needs are on a daily basis as DLA may very well contact your GP for a report as they did in my case.

Good luck.

I hope your having kidney and liver function tests done every 6 months
if not go see your doctor.

TOBRUK

nogginthenog wrote: »

I hope your having kidney and liver function tests done every 6 months
if not go see your doctor.

nogginthenog, I see my GP every 4-6 weeks regarding my health and reviueing my meds to see how they are working. To think of it I haven't had any test by her recently but I have been in hospital 4 times since August; once in intesive care for over a week when they did all sort of tests and I had a major operation a week before Christmas so I hope they are doing all the necessary tests. Thank you for your concern.:)

kingfisherblue

A couple of things I feel compelled to comment on. First, you do not need an expert to fill in DLA forms, but for anybody who is not confident about their ability to complete the form fully, it is a good idea to get advice. I am not an expert, but I have never had to seek help in filling in the forms. My son receives HRC and HRM indefinitely. I have also helped several people to fill in the forms. It's just a question of being honest about your needs.

One person that I helped was in remission from bowel cancer. I asked her about leakage. She replied that she did get it, but was too embarrassed to see her doctor. I pointed out that she had told me. A few weeks later, she told me that she had seen the doctor, who had arranged further tests and a supply of continence pads. The details were also included on her DLA form.

The other point that I would like to comment on is the honesty of applicants. To only write about your worst day is dishonest and fraudulent, no matter who advises this approach. I would not feel comfortable writing only about my son's worst days, as this would not be a true reflection of life with him. Instead, I write about his average days and then give further details regarding his worse days. This is more accurate and honest, and he still gets HRM and HRC, due to the substantial amount of care he needs both day and night, and the problems and pain he has with his walking.

Honesty is the best policy - then you can't be caught out with lies.

Saversue

I have always completed my own forms.
Recently I tried to get advice from CAB and DIAL and was turned down because I don't receive any means tested benefits, so it depends on your circumstances.
I again completed the forms myself before finding out about Welfare Rights through the Council, but as I had already sent my forms in and asked for a reconsideration, it was too late for them to get involved.
Luckily I got indefinite HRC and an increased time on my HRM.

I take over 40 tablets per day as well as Steroid nasules and two types of eye gel.
Including for pain
3 x 3000mg Gabapentin x 3 per day
2 x 200mg Meptazinol Hydrochloride x 4 per day
2 x 500mg Paracetamol x 4 per day
150mg Amitriptyline
Zopiclone 7.5mg
5mg Diazapan x 3 per day for acute flare-ups.

I have over 20 items per month on my repeat prescription and its a full time job taking all the right things at the right times.

Good luck to everyone in the same situation.

TOBRUK

Saversue, have you got a pill dispenser, you know the 7 day 4 times a day (could do with 5 times a day for the inbetween tablets) box? I have used it for about 6 months now as I kept forgetting whether or not I had taken my tablets! The only thing is that it takes ages to fill, but it is worth it.;)

forgotmyname

Toilet problems, I cannot urinate without using a catheter, My bowels are irregular not helped by the tablets, But i can sit on the toilet for sometime and do not get the feeling if i have finished or not, Sometimes i finish then find myself messy a little while later, It's emabarrassing to think about. I can use the catheter and less than 20 minutes later i can desperate for the toilet again.

They took me off amiltryptaline?spell? as that cause cause bladder issues. I have regular checkups with urology who test my blood and have ultrasound scans to ensure nothing is damaging my liver & kidneys.

Recent appointment the consultant said he was suprised they have not operated on me especially at my age. (under 45).

Already in pain management, Hydro therapy, Not helping but its keeping me active.
The tens machine they gave me was useless, Unless i turned it up so high i flinched it did nothing.
Recently had another session with the physio who was concerned at my results, little sensation on the souls of my feet and spasms/shakes in my legs when in certain positions.
Referring me back to the neurology but when i contacted them no appointment has been made.
I really need a different hospital/consultant but everyone tells me a certain hospital is best but this consultant also works there 3 days a week, I may end up with him again?

Parking ticket no worries, i sort of sold the car to someone, they sold it to someone else etc etc.. They all denied owning it on the day in question. oops.

One of those days when i wished i had not gone out. Problem is if i keep doing that i am scared i will be like the people you seen on TV, 30 stone plus and unable to move and scared to go out.

Thanks to all who posted.