Signed off work but worried

Parva

Foxy16 wrote: »

Hi Neckproblem,

If they think you have dystonia, then it will be cervical dystonia, I have had this for 15yrs, and it is not a nice condition. Google this and have a good read on it, in the meantime, go back to your GP and request you see a neurologist ASAP. I have tried acupuncture which does not work, and you have to be so careful having physio. One of the main treatments for this is botox, to relax the muscles. Sadly this does not help me, but it can help some. Good luck.

Amen to that! I suffer from this and the botox isn't making much difference. Just to make matters worse I lost my right leg to bone cancer two years ago (my femur actually broke on a waterslide in Cyprus). And yes, not just part of the leg, the whole leg and much of the hip. Dystonia or Torticcullus wotsit called is no fun, particularly when you are on crutches with only one leg. If you do have this condition then I sympathise, it's hard work just getting through one day.

neckproblem

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I think because of your housing costs you may be able to apply for Income Support as a 'top up' to your SSP.

Thanks, I did phone them on Friday and they have taken all my details, and will send out a form for me to sign and also send them some documents as proof of ID, so this may help me a little while I'm eventually diagnosed 100% thanks

Foxy16 wrote: »

Hi Neckproblem,

If they think you have dystonia, then it will be cervical dystonia, I have had this for 15yrs, and it is not a nice condition. Google this and have a good read on it, in the meantime, go back to your GP and request you see a neurologist ASAP.

Well I find it's worse when I'm walking, but it also happens when sitting but not as bad. The last doctor I saw did say he was trying to get me to see a neurologist but everything at the NHS seems to take ages (7 weeks just for physio). I find my condition quite bad when driving, to the point where the top of my spine feels like someone is pushing on it? its quite hard to explain but once I stop the car, my neck is rather stiff!

julia78 wrote: »

There isn't enough information Neckpain in whether u have mortgage or rent? U wont get a top up of any other benefit whilst receiving SSP as its similar to the payment u would receive under ESA assessment phase. I hope u get better soon and fingers crossed for u!!

Sorry, I find these Robaxin tablets makes me very forgetful, they don't seem to be helping my condition much either? so be glad to get off them. I see physio and doctor again this week, so hopefully get referred to a neurologist soon. I have mortgage since 2000, I did phone my bank and they seemed okay that I told them about it, so bit less stress there, but obviously if not much money is coming in they will soon be chasing me, I have two small kids who are my world, so hopefully things get diagnosed sooner rather than later.

That's true I find some days bit better than others, sometimes my neck feels like its broken or very limited movement, I changed my pillow, tried all kinds of medicine, so hopefully doctors can put my mind at rest and find a solution soon to this. Did you find that the doctors took ages to diagnose this kind of condition?

Parva

Are you sure that you are suffering from dystonia? The symptoms are that your head (neck) wants to turn away from where you want it to be, you know it's doing it too and have to fight a battle with the muscles to make it point the right way. Such is the battle in my neck that my shirt collar size is now over 19" because the muscles are constantly fighting each other, one wants to pull left, I want to pull right. I only ask because it generally affects people well into their forties though I guess it's not unknown for younger people to suffer it.

neckproblem

Well im not sure and so far doctors just keep putting me on various medication. Hopefully get to see neurologist sooner rather than later. My symptoms are that my neck muscles spasm and push my neck forwards and push my chin up so im aware of this and fight it especially when walking but it becomes very painful as I find I have to push my head down and my muscles then become very stiff in my neck. Sometimes it will go away for little moment but then return. When im driving my muscles go into spasm alot so causes my neck to move forward and ive tried all things like walking with double chin but the muscle spasm so powerful its like a battle with your own neck. Very frustrating as apart from that im very fit for my age (almost 40).

Parva

Certainly sounds like the condition we've described. Get an appointment with a Neurologist ASAP to be sure.

Lindarichmond

I’m 4 weeks pregnant now. Even though some says that it will not harm my baby, I’m not that daring to try Botox or fillers. I don’t want to take chance with my baby! However, i will taking it later and had consultation in Aesthetic advancements.

paddedjohn

Lindarichmond wrote: »

I’m 4 weeks pregnant now. Even though some says that it will not harm my baby, I’m not that daring to try Botox or fillers. I don’t want to take chance with my baby! However, i will taking it later and had consultation in Aesthetic advancements.

I'm confused now, are you the OP using a new user name?

neckproblem

paddedjohn wrote: »

I'm confused now, are you the OP using a new user name?

I have no idea who that person is! anyway I've had my MRI scan and awaiting referral with the neurologist, so hopefully they can shed some light on my condition. Physiotherapy doesn't seem to be helping much, but she has a positive attitude so all helps. She did say that I probably won't be able to go back to my old job, so they might have to accommodate me somehow, depends what the neurologist says and what caused it in the first place.


Thanks

BigAunty

If you are worried about mortgage arrears, then see the Shelter website as it has advice for home owners who are struggling with their mortgage.

If the condition causes you care/mobility needs in the future, look into PIP (personal independence payments) which is replacing Disability Living Allowance and isn't means tested.