Polymyalgia Help

yvonneem_2

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help me. I have recently been diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rhuematica and am having treatment.
Does anyone know if I can claim DLA for this condition?
Although I am having treatment I am still in a lot of pain and find walking and everyday things very difficult. I am working 40 hours a week and would like to continue to work but would like to reduce my hours as getting up at 5.30am every day is killing me.
Thank you

Indie_Kid

DLA is based on care and /or mobility needs - not diagnosis. You need to have had the care / mobility needs fo at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least another 6.

lyniced

sh1305 wrote: »

DLA is based on care and /or mobility needs - not diagnosis. You need to have had the care / mobility needs fo at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least another 6.

Yes, its says -

You may get Disability Living Allowance if:

• you have a physical disability (including a sensory disability, such as blindness) or mental disability (including learning disabilities), or both
• your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else's safety, or you have walking difficulties, or both
• you are under 65 when you claim

Normally, you must have had these care or supervision needs or walking difficulties for at least three months and they are likely to continue for at least a further six months. However, if you are terminally ill, there are special rules for claiming the benefit.

yvonneem_2

Thanks for your reply. What concerned me was reading list of disabling conditions and finding that Polymyalgia pain should die away with treatment over a period of three to four years and so I am supposed to be pain free.
I have great difficulty in walking. I actually look like a 90 year old but I'm only 52. I can't bend to pick things up or empty the washer. I have to get on the floor to light my oven and thenit takes me ages to get back up again. Getting in and out of the bath is a nightmare because it hurts and Im very afraid of falling. I have fell a few times outside which is so scary. Turning over in bed is almost impossible. I have to hang on to back of bed and pull myself into different position.

Basically I feel helpless but try to keep looking on bright side. Just I feel that although I need to carry on working it would help to know that I can reduce my hours and not suffer too much financially.

lyniced

yvonneem wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. What concerned me was reading list of disabling conditions and finding that Polymyalgia pain should die away with treatment over a period of three to four years and so I am supposed to be pain free.
I have great difficulty in walking. I actually look like a 90 year old but I'm only 52. I can't bend to pick things up or empty the washer. I have to get on the floor to light my oven and thenit takes me ages to get back up again. Getting in and out of the bath is a nightmare because it hurts and Im very afraid of falling. I have fell a few times outside which is so scary. Turning over in bed is almost impossible. I have to hang on to back of bed and pull myself into different position.

Basically I feel helpless but try to keep looking on bright side. Just I feel that although I need to carry on working it would help to know that I can reduce my hours and not suffer too much financially.

I am really sad to hear your obvious pain and discomfort. I think if you were to ring the Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) they would be able to help - its 0800 882 200. They are really friendly and helpful plus its a free phone number.

yvonneem_2

Thank you so much for that. I will certainly give them a call first thing monday morning.
Thanks again.

Mojisola

My Mum was diagnosed with Polymyalgia years ago and has been in constant, debilitating pain ever since. I don't understand it because reports I've seen from researchers in the ARC magazine say that if it doesn't clear up within days of going onto steroids, it's not Polymyalgia but she's been seen by several doctors and no-one has come up with anything else.

I hope for your sake that you get better results than she has. If you don't, then you'll certainly fit the requirements for DLA.

yvonneem_2

Hi there Mojisola,

It is the most awful pain ever I swear. No one understands and you are correct in saying that if steroids don't remove pain then its not Polymyalgia although I have read recently that steroids do not always work for everyone all the time. I had an initial period of say a month with very little pain but it has gradually crept back and I now am in same positon as before. I can't even paint my toenails now! Plus the steroids make you put weight on which is bad for your joints anyway.

Does your mother get ay help?

Mojisola

yvonneem wrote: »

Does your mother get ay help?

She gets Attendance Allowance and loads of practical help from me.

It's just awful seeing her in so much pain all the time and not being able to help.

yvonneem_2

I live with my 20 year old student daughter. She is going into final year at uni but I feel that she is staying at home because of me and the fact that I need so much help. She had places at uni's all over the place but ended up staying local. Feel so sorry for her to be honest. I am trying to encourage her to go and find her way but she just says she is fine being at home.

Its horrible for you and her to witness this nasty illness and not being able to do diddly about it.