Walking how much pain?

daska

TOBRUK wrote: »

I like your thinking, the way you work the price out over a year - when you put it like that ... well, it's a good way of looking at it. I shall have to remember that when I am trying to justify buying something in future.;)

I'm currently using it to justify buying a robot vacuum cleaner. My care budget is being slashed so I did a quick calculation that it takes about an hour to vacuum the flat. Assuming it's vacuumed once a week at £8/hour (std rate for PAs here, agency is £14:eek:) is £416 = enough to buy a top of the range roomba. And with any luck it'll work for more than a year leaving both myself and SS quids in

TOBRUK

sunnyone wrote: »

Lyrica is the newer, better version of Gabapentin and it has less side affects but it costs more, Im much happier on Lyrica and the dosages are much lower when compared to Gabapentin for the same amount of drug in your system.

This is what I have, the Lyrica 'Pregabalin' and am taking the highest dose of this which is 600mg a day - 3 x 2times a day. They come in 50mg, 100mg and 200mg - I used to have the 100mg but for a time now I have been having the 200mg, it makes a difference when cutting down the amount of pills you have to swollow! I have never had the Gabapentin so I wouldn't know of any side effects with that. I don't have any side effects with the Pregabalin. I have read somewhere else that the Gabapentin was a cheaper version.

Saversue wrote: »

Very interesting, I will mention it to my GP, but doubt he will change it unless I give him a good reason, must already be costing the NHS a fortune.
What side affects did you have, I am guessing acid reflux, slow digestion and constipation, or did it make you drowsy?Nothing seems to make me sleep during the night - only in the mornings.

Well, you could always speak to your doctor and say that you'd heard of someone taking Gabapentin who were having some problems with it and was put on Pregabalin (Lyrica) as it was the same drug and have found it better.

daska wrote: »

I'm currently using it to justify buying a robot vacuum cleaner. My care budget is being slashed so I did a quick calculation that it takes about an hour to vacuum the flat. Assuming it's vacuumed once a week at £8/hour (std rate for PAs here, agency is £14:eek:) is £416 = enough to buy a top of the range roomba. And with any luck it'll work for more than a year leaving both myself and SS quids in

I was only thinking how good it would be to have one of those when I saw it (not that make) on one of those shopping channels! I was wondering though how good are they really? I understand that it cleans on hard floors and carpets, you can programme them to work on a daily, weekly or whatever basis, and when it finishes cleaning it goes back and parks itself on it's station! How wonderful IF it works effectively. And using your logic about justifying buying such an item would make me feel a lot less guilty!:D

There is a similar product for cutting the lawn!

If you do get one of the robot cleaners, please let us know how you get on with it - I would be very interested to know how well it does clean and how effective it really is!

soolin

Can I just remind people of the following rule, there are some posts that are borderline for removal and I would hate to interrupt the flow of the thread:

MEDICAL ADVICE

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on this forum as it’s not what this site is about. While discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable we ask you specifically not to discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please see this rule on the Health Board). If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/EMAIL].

daska

TOBRUK wrote: »

I was only thinking how good it would be to have one of those when I saw it (not that make) on one of those shopping channels! I was wondering though how good are they really? I understand that it cleans on hard floors and carpets, you can programme them to work on a daily, weekly or whatever basis, and when it finishes cleaning it goes back and parks itself on it's station! How wonderful IF it works effectively. And using your logic about justifying buying such an item would make me feel a lot less guilty!:D

There is a similar product for cutting the lawn!

If you do get one of the robot cleaners, please let us know how you get on with it - I would be very interested to know how well it does clean and how effective it really is!

Can't comment on other makes but my sister has had one for several years now and loves it.

N.B. doesn't work with 'clutter' - that's the fatal flaw in my otherwise wonderful plan :rotfl: Mum bought one but dad got tired of moving all her stuff out of the way...

daska

......................... oops

TOBRUK

Thanks daska, I have read all the reviews on their website and they are great reviews - I'm always worried that they make reviews up! One of the people there had MS and she thought it was wonderful, another review was by a doctor and said that his wife was also a doctor, he was saying that he'd bought two! They both thought it was wonderful as they didn't have time to clean with busy lives and having a small child. There is also a robot that washes floors!!

Graz-D

How easy is it to claim VAT exemption on products? An elderly relative also has trouble walking because of arthritis and dizziness on top of other problems, and I've noticed several websites with a VAT exception form but need some advice about what to put, especially that I'm filling it in for her! Thanks

Natty68

Can I just pop in and say that I have always filled my DLA and IB forms in by telling the truth, and I can truthrully say I haven't had any help with either of these. I sat down and wrote out what I wanted to put on paper first, then read it over and over until I was happy with the actual forms. I did tell them that I have good days and bad days, and that on the good days I could go to the "safe" places or go out with my DH but on bad days I was unable to even function beyond waking up, if you see what I mean?
It is true that we kid ourselves that we need less help than we think we do but after writing things down, things then come to me like "oh what about the time I left the hob on and went out" things I realised that I wasn't being truthful.
The other thing that helps is I take a copy of the form before I send it in so that I have the previous ones to refer back to so that I can see if I have improved or not.
On the last time I must have been doing something right as I got the indefinate awards on both of the them, although we aren't sure if it was because I had been recently diagnosed with Bipolar, was on a mood stabiliser and was still a danger to myself and outside if not careful, as well as the clinical depression that I had had for over 10 years, when the form was submitted (I have had it now for 15 years and boy do I know it!)

Sorry didn't mean to waffle, I get so annoyed when people say that they have to fabricate forms etc.. Why can't people just tell the truth and if they are deserving of the award then they get it.. I always think why did I get it and others don't but then I don't know what others have put etc...

TOBRUK

Graz-D wrote: »

How easy is it to claim VAT exemption on products? An elderly relative also has trouble walking because of arthritis and dizziness on top of other problems, and I've noticed several websites with a VAT exception form but need some advice about what to put, especially that I'm filling it in for her! Thanks

Hi Graz-D, I have done this twice - once for repairing and fitting my car adaption - they just needed to see my DLA award letter where it states your award AND the rates you are getting, they filled in the VAT exempt form and I signed it. It was only a one page document stating the disability, and I think they put down my insurance number.

The second time was recently when I bought a new single handed keyboard. I had to send them a photocopy of my DLA award letter with payment for the keyboard before they sent it out. They must have then filled in the exempt form.

The problem I have with showing the DLA award letter or making a photocopy of it (perhaps I am worrying without cause) is that my details are on the letter including my insurance number. I don't know if anyone else is bothered by this, but the DLA award letter is the only proof you can produce (I think) to show you are eligible for VAT exemption.

Graz-D

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi Graz-D, I have done this twice - once for repairing and fitting my car adaption - they just needed to see my DLA award letter where it states your award AND the rates you are getting, they filled in the VAT exempt form and I signed it. It was only a one page document stating the disability, and I think they put down my insurance number.

The second time was recently when I bought a new single handed keyboard. I had to send them a photocopy of my DLA award letter with payment for the keyboard before they sent it out. They must have then filled in the exempt form.

The problem I have with showing the DLA award letter or making a photocopy of it (perhaps I am worrying without cause) is that my details are on the letter including my insurance number. I don't know if anyone else is bothered by this, but the DLA award letter is the only proof you can produce (I think) to show you are eligible for VAT exemption.

Hi thanks for the reply! The problem I have is websites seem to differ in requirements. As you said, some require DLA or doctor letters, and others such as Homecare products says the elderly / disabled or sick person only needs to enter specific details of why they are chronically sick or disabled to claim VAT back. The form however must be filled out by the person who is disabled, and not carers (seemingly)...:think: