Help & Advice

SammyTyler

Hello

I need some help & advice for my other half.....He is currently been on ESA for a few years now after winning his appeal back at the end of 2013, hes been attending the interviews at the job centre hoping that they could offer some form of training but nothing has been forth coming.

We recently received one of of them ESA 50's which hes trying to get filled in for re assessment.....The issue is since winning his appeal there has been no really change other than trying to do with out the medication due to the bad side effects, still hes in pain, struggles to walk any sort of distance without being in pain, most days hes up and down like a yoyo... (between sitting and standing) ...and because of this continuous pain gets him pretty down, always seems to be on a short fuse....
My concern is the last time he saw our own GP whilst we have her support, theirs little more she can do for him, consultants have suggested that losing weight ,giving up smoking, exercise more is the answer to his issues..He has been trying.... gave up smoking and lose 6 stone in 2014 didn't make a blind bit of difference to the pain and as far as trying to exercise... how can he do when hes in pain...just makes it worse...

I don't think he knows which way to turn... whilst filling in this ESA50 might sound straight forward, most of his medical paperwork is dates back to the original application for ESA.. we don't have anything new or current and by all accounts hes of the mind frame that this is just another case of going for a medical dwp not awarding the points and yet another fight ...but then he's even though about signing on JSA, but Ive already told him that if hes in pain with is back and struggles with movement... how can you be deemed fit... because by signing on this JSA your accepting that you are fit for work and have to apply for what ever job they see fit... so if its something like Removals or lugging heavy boxes about...I don't see him being able to cope at all

I am at a loss how to help him go forward with this...

pmlindyloo

SammyTyler wrote: »

Hello

I need some help & advice for my other half.....He is currently been on ESA for a few years now after winning his appeal back at the end of 2013, hes been attending the interviews at the job centre hoping that they could offer some form of training but nothing has been forth coming.

We recently received one of of them ESA 50's which hes trying to get filled in for re assessment.....The issue is since winning his appeal there has been no really change other than trying to do with out the medication due to the bad side effects, still hes in pain, struggles to walk any sort of distance without being in pain, most days hes up and down like a yoyo... (between sitting and standing) ...and because of this continuous pain gets him pretty down, always seems to be on a short fuse....
My concern is the last time he saw our own GP whilst we have her support, theirs little more she can do for him, consultants have suggested that losing weight ,giving up smoking, exercise more is the answer to his issues..He has been trying.... gave up smoking and lose 6 stone in 2014 didn't make a blind bit of difference to the pain and as far as trying to exercise... how can he do when hes in pain...just makes it worse...

I don't think he knows which way to turn... whilst filling in this ESA50 might sound straight forward, most of his medical paperwork is dates back to the original application for ESA.. we don't have anything new or current and by all accounts hes of the mind frame that this is just another case of going for a medical dwp not awarding the points and yet another fight ...but then he's even though about signing on JSA, but Ive already told him that if hes in pain with is back and struggles with movement... how can you be deemed fit... because by signing on this JSA your accepting that you are fit for work and have to apply for what ever job they see fit... so if its something like Removals or lugging heavy boxes about...I don't see him being able to cope at all

I am at a loss how to help him go forward with this...

The best thing to do is visit the doctor and explain that he is having another WCA and that he needs some up to date evidence for his assessment.

This could include the side effects of the medication and what he has tried to do to help himself (with no real improvement)

If he is refused ESA then he has to apply for JSA (unless you can survive financially without it) whilst he is going through mandatory reconsideration. This usually only takes a few weeks. After that he can go back on ESA whilst waiting for the appeal.

Many people face this situation and the Job Centre are used to people having to claim JSA whilst waiting for the mandatory reconsideration. They will make allowances for his disabilities.

If it is impossible for your OH to take on what is required of him when on JSA then he can (after the first interview) produce a fit note and go sick. (you can do this for an extended period of 13 weeks if necessary)

If he is not awarded ESA at the first WCA then he is found fit for work that will override any fit note from the doctor.

However, as I said the Job Centre is used to this scenario so it shouldn't be a problem.

SammyTyler

Thankyou loo

Ive had to arrange a telephone appointment for this coming Monday as the GP is away on holiday, lets hope she can be of some assistance, if he's got to see her then this might delay the spending in the medical evidence, so I think the best thing to do is send in the ESA50 on time with it duly noted that medical info to follow

pollyanna_26

Sammy Very good advice from pmlindy . Has your other half ever been referred by the gp to a pain clinic ? My youngest daughter is on dla high care , low mobility and esa support group . She is fortunate she sees her gp fortnighly and has recent consultants letters . The best thing that helped her was referral to an nhs pain clinic . The support for pain , mobility and the struggle to come to terms with restricted living has been brilliant . Maybe worth discussing with the doctor .
Wishing you both well .
polly

SammyTyler

Polly ..He got referred to the local pain clinic afew years ago and they put him on gabapentin....had to be taken off them after a few weeks as he ended up having a a few episodes of a sudden urge to share a sharp knife with himself, so they changed over to pregabalin but had a few bad side effects ended up being coma toast when talking them, always wanting to sleep and walked around like a zombie became somewhat clumsy even on just a few a day...Pain clinic did arrange for cardual epidurals and facet nerve injections but they didn't make much difference so he got taken off there books, Hes been to see specialists but they don't see the need to operate... 2 out of the 3 referring to his weight and size but due to the pain and the inactivity he's put it on .... finds losing it harder than ever... and exercising is difficult when hes in pain..its that vicious circle...

pollyanna_26

Sammy Sorry to read of the medication problems . Daughter is on Pregabalin and has managed well for a few years with it . She is also on twice a day time release morphine with back up oromorph for very bad days . Hers meds total an average of 12 items . The reason she sees our doctor every two weeks is to closely monitor her meds and adjust as needed . She has a number of different illness's and is zonked a lot of the time because of the meds . However they do allow her a day or so every so often to get some fresh air andbe in the world .
We are so lucky that our gp is one a million and knows her so well .
The same practise did my ante natal care when she was born 31 years and this young doctor replaced her original doctor when she retired .
I do think more should available for your oh . From the pain clinic angle has he had the correct physio ? my daughter has gentle exercises she tries to do at least some of each day and has also has attended sessions organised by the pain clinic tailored to her needs .
She also has done hydrotherapy at our local hospitals heated pool .
The need is also obvious for a proper assesment of his conditions and needs . I have had to fight a few things outside of the surgery , in hospitals , but if you don't speak up nothing changes .
Is he able to get out and about at all ? You are probably well aware of the frustrations and impact on mental wellbeing these conditions can lead to . We don't manage big outings any more but time outside in the sunshine is a great joy . Little outings somewhere nice can lift the mood .
I am sorry for the long post and the questions but I would like to see things improve for you both .
Take care
polly