DVT and ESA

CraigS1974

I recently claimed for ESA after being diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis, and had 6 months treatment due to the DVT being so severe.

I had a final INR blood test a week ago and was told my treatment was over.

Last week I had a medical with an Atos doctor and today I got back a statement saying I scored 9 points for only being able to walk 50 metres.

I haven't been out of the house further than the doctors for blood tests, so have been unable to use a bus and my confidence after 6 months is low to face the real world again. I haven't had any form of physio due to not being able to fully walk properly yet and haven't been told by anyone if I will be having any further treatment for DVT.

Should I appeal against the medical outcome?

dmg24

Low confidence is not sufficient grounds to claim ESA, in fact many people on JSA for any period of time will also have the same problem. Assuming your med certs were for DVT, is your GP even willing to continue to sign you off?

CraigS1974

My current certificate will run out in a couple of weeks time, but I don't know what further treatment if any I will be having i.e. scans, thrombosic test.

After 6 months of being mobile after a big blood clot, it's a big step to go through back in to 'normal life'.

At the moment I am not able to kneel down or anything physical like that, yet i was declared 0 points.

dmg24

I would contact your GP now. If you think you need physio, you need to ask for it. Delaying for a few weeks will not help you at all.

CraigS1974

I am booked in to see a doctor later this week who will hopefully send me for physio help.

Penny-Pincher!!

If your clinic have taken you off Warfarin and no longer require your INR readings then they must have done all the thrombosis tests, vascular ultrasound etc as they wouldnt be allowed to take you off Warfarin until they were completely satisfied. You must no longer have a DVT and it fully dispersed.

I have been on Warfarin for 5 years and have my INR done every 2/3 weeks, have vascular ultrasounds every 3 months and also have a home testing machine. I have never heard of anyone needing Pyhsio for a DVT.

It sounds like you're feeling a little low morale wise. Chat with your GP about this as they can advise further treatment or just make sure you're okay.

PP

sunnyone

CraigS1974 wrote: »

I recently claimed for ESA after being diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis, and had 6 months treatment due to the DVT being so severe.

I had a final INR blood test a week ago and was told my treatment was over.

Last week I had a medical with an Atos doctor and today I got back a statement saying I scored 9 points for only being able to walk 50 metres.

I haven't been out of the house further than the doctors for blood tests, so have been unable to use a bus and my confidence after 6 months is low to face the real world again. I haven't had any form of physio due to not being able to fully walk properly yet and haven't been told by anyone if I will be having any further treatment for DVT.

Should I appeal against the medical outcome?

CraigS1974 wrote: »

My current certificate will run out in a couple of weeks time, but I don't know what further treatment if any I will be having i.e. scans, thrombosic test.

After 6 months of being mobile after a big blood clot, it's a big step to go through back in to 'normal life'.

At the moment I am not able to kneel down or anything physical like that, yet i was declared 0 points.

You say in post one you got nine points and in post 3, 0 points, which was it and it really does matter.

Your current certificate is now cancelled and your GP will get a letter telling them not to give you anymore certificates for the same problem unless the problem is significantly worse.

Once treatment is over for DVTs, it over and unless it has meant lasting problems its unlikely you will qualify for ESA.

Are you off warfrin and do you have any follow up appointments about it booked?

Why do you think physion might help you, do you have muscle wastage or weakness in the affected area?

Penny-Pincher!!

I had a major DVT 5 years ago diagnosed which had literally cut off the blood supply in my right groin area the sonographer nearly had a heart attack and was admitted for 2 weeks to try and break it down and become warfaranised (sp).I was then diagnosed Hughes Sydrome to do with my SLE and my right leg is still so bad that they have spoken about operating as my artery (sp) is now permanently damaged.

Even with the severity of the above, physio has never been mentioned. I attend my warfarin clinic regularly and have got to know many people over the years and I have never heard of anyone needing more than a few weeks off work, but tese have been in extreme circumstances.

PP
xx

sunnyone

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

I had a major DVT 5 years ago diagnosed which had literally cut off the blood supply in my right groin area the sonographer nearly had a heart attack and was admitted for 2 weeks to try and break it down and become warfaranised (sp).I was then diagnosed Hughes Sydrome to do with my SLE and my right leg is still so bad that they have spoken about operating as my artery (sp) is now permanently damaged.

Even with the severity of the above, physio has never been mentioned. I attend my warfarin clinic regularly and have got to know many people over the years and I have never heard of anyone needing more than a few weeks off work, but tese have been in extreme circumstances.

PP

xx

My relative had to have the clot excised (in the left groin), it was life or death and the the best the surgeon hoped for was a lost leg (against the only other option, death) but against the odds they are semi ok, the op has left some damage but with warfrin everyday for the rest of there life and regular inr checks they are doing ok.

They are over retirment age now so in work benefits dont come into it, I posted to see if my experiances/knowlege could help the OP.

healy

CraigS1974 wrote: »

I recently claimed for ESA after being diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis, and had 6 months treatment due to the DVT being so severe.

I had a final INR blood test a week ago and was told my treatment was over.

Last week I had a medical with an Atos doctor and today I got back a statement saying I scored 9 points for only being able to walk 50 metres.

I haven't been out of the house further than the doctors for blood tests, so have been unable to use a bus and my confidence after 6 months is low to face the real world again. I haven't had any form of physio due to not being able to fully walk properly yet and haven't been told by anyone if I will be having any further treatment for DVT.

Should I appeal against the medical outcome?

You have the right to appeal. Whilst you are appealing you will be paid the assessment rate of ESA.

CraigS1974

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

If your clinic have taken you off Warfarin and no longer require your INR readings then they must have done all the thrombosis tests, vascular ultrasound etc as they wouldnt be allowed to take you off Warfarin until they were completely satisfied. You must no longer have a DVT and it fully dispersed.

I have been on Warfarin for 5 years and have my INR done every 2/3 weeks, have vascular ultrasounds every 3 months and also have a home testing machine. I have never heard of anyone needing Pyhsio for a DVT.

It sounds like you're feeling a little low morale wise. Chat with your GP about this as they can advise further treatment or just make sure you're okay.

PP

Penny I was told that I would recieve treatment for 6 months which has now ended, then about 5 weeks after I might have to have another ultrasound scan and thrombosis tests as you mentioned, to see if I needed any further treatment.

My muscles still feel weak due to not being mobile with the clot