OS ways and Poor Health

Prinzessilein

Good afternoon all!

I've been AWOL for a while...both Mum and I went down with the cold-bug that has been doing the rounds...boy does it ever linger!...It went to my chest and I went down with bronchitis which was NOT fun!

And then we have been going through a mound of form filling. Mum has finally seen the sense in applying for Attendance Allowance and then a week or so later I got the letter 'inviting' me to apply for PIPs as my DLA was up for renewal.....we chased Mum's results u as it has been a while since she sent of her paperwork and has been told over the phone that an award letter is in the post...so we are hopeful that she has been awarded AA....my PIP will take longer (and possibly need a face2face....AGGGGH!)

I had a battle at the GP a few weeks ago too...he decided to change one of my meds...I agreed to try the stuff he wanted me to take, but it disagreed with me. So he has reluctantly agreed to put me back on the old stuff....provided I don't take it too often as his concern is that it is addictive. (I have been on it for over 5 years without issues!)

And last bit of news...I am getting more and more concerned about my hair loss! ...Amongst my conditions is severe psoriasis including large parts of the scalp, which has resulted in thinning hair and now a marked bald area. ...I have been muttering for some months now about getting a wig (or two!)...I go the skin clinic every year or so for checks and might mention it when I go in a few months time, but I have already started looking at online sites!

Hope everyone is keeping warm and as healthy as life allows!

pollyanna_26

Hi Prinzess and welcome back . We're creeping back one by one along with friends from other threads . Spotting your pip thread the other day led me to fire the thread up again . Sorry you've had the horrible never ending bug , pretty well everyone seems to have had it for months on end . There's a post viral version which my dd and I are still wading through months later so I think it's one we all hope will never recur .
Like yourself those of us with a tendency to bronchitis etc have gone on to develop that or pneumonia so it is pretty brutal .
I'm glad your mum has applied for AA hopefully the written award confirmation will be arriving in the next few days .
I imagine your pip claim should be progressing through the system now but as I warned on your thread my daughters took 5 months from form sent to award letter . It varies from area to area according to how up to date the departments are so try not to worry . You'll keep your DLA until they make a decision on your claim .
Do you have support apart from your mum for the face to face assessment ? I can't recall if you have a support worker or similar .
The meds thing is because Drs now have to really review strong possibly addictive medications from Morphine to Codeine and everything in between . Just a safety measure , dds could flatten an elephant but they are handled carefully and used only as directed .
I have empathy re the Psoriasis until my 20s I was covered in the rash as was my mum before me . It lessened over the years so I only rarely get odd patches when stressed or overtired . My daughter is the same , she's 32 now and seldom gets the rash much except for her bad ankle with the damaged tendons . Downside is the psoriatic arthritis instead . If you feel a wig would help I think it's worth looking into what's available as it would help you feel less embarrassed which impacts so much on self esteem .
Anyway I seem to have written another mini manuscript again .
Remember we're here when needed and hope to see you here often . I for one am still wondering if the paint you were waiting for when you moved home ever turned up .
Gentle hugs to you and dear mum
polly

pollyanna_26

Csarina This sounds daft but I just realised I follow your blog - well if it's books , patchwork and gardening with DB I do
I think it sensible to prepare as much of you're able in case you do have to be hospitalised . You seem to have planned well already and some paid help is a good idea . I said a bit back if strategies dont lead to debt it makes perfect sense . I'm with you on the hard water issue . It was a shock to me when I moved here as I'd been used to soft water many years on it still doesn't seem to work well for hair washing and having to buy calgon tablets really bugs me .

Hope you've survived the two day challenge LW still sending the vibes .

polly

LameWolf

Well, it's been an interesting couple of days.....

I had to fight down a full-on panic attack with the ECG. Never again!! I just could not cope with someone I didn't know touching me.:eek: It was actually worse than having a blood test; with the blood test, I can mentally "detach" from my arm, (literally visualise it detaching at the shoulder, daft as that may sound) and it's like it's not a part of me while they do whatever they need to do. You can't do that when they're sticking nasty little sticky pad things on your torso! First thing I did when we got home was to ask Mr LW to run a bath for me.

The hearing test today was just about survivable (my hearing has gotten worse - surprise surprise); the audiologist didn't make me go in the soundproof room, and she put a chair for Mr LW so that he could hold onto my hand while the test was being done. So that's over for the next 6 months, thank the gods!

Some good news though - I have a "meet'n'greet" session on Friday with a Bull Mastiff / Boxer cross, to see if she'd like to have her holiday in September with us.

Oh, and I finally got my extra meds.:T

I hope everyone's had as good a day as possible today; I need to go and construct the pizza we're having for dins in a bit (made the base in the bread-maker earlier).

What else - oh yes, I don't have any direct experience of Wiltshire FF, but the elderly gent who used to live next door to us used to have them, and he spoke highly of them.

caronc

Afternoon everyone
Well of course the occupational health assessment was as bad as I'd feared actually got a couple of pointers re forthcoming PIP assessment which was helpful - don't know why I had got myself in to a knot over it. I know that realistically my work are not going to support my absence for much longer and this morning doesn't change that just makes it all more real I suppose.
Was absolutely drained afterwards so it was a quick lunch and then feet up - didn't sleep but managed to "unfurl" my thoughts after a couple of hours of quiet contemplation:)

pollyanna_26

LW I'm glad it's over for now . Bless the Audiologist - there always is an alternative way in most situations to treat people as individuals rather than one way fits all . It's amazing what can change by explaining clearly what will work for yourself . I find there is much more flexibility now in many instances which happens by drip feeding bit by bit until it becomes accepted .
Glad you finally have the meds at last .
Enjoy the pizza and chill .
Woo Hoo to a possible new furry friend , think we're summoning them up now .
polly

pollyanna_26

Caron I hope you get to chill a bit . Not sure how far you have to travel to Glasgow but the travel aspect always has us flattened before we arrive . Usually dd is awake all night worrying she wont wake early and how functional she'll be until the meds begin to kick in . I'm awake because I know she is .
Not sure how your employers are but the positive to the pip claim is the evidence it provides that things are a struggle . I don't know the back history and whether you've been claiming SSP or are presently receiving DLA .
polly

caronc

Thanks Polly - still on SSP for another few weeks and then ESA after that. Tbh my manager and work generally have been pretty decent but there is only so much and so long they can/will support. Thankfully I've not had to jump through hoops to them to prove how unwell I am IFYSWIM which would I think have tipped me over the edge. Glasgow is 30+ miles away so not sure how I'll be but I'll manage:)

LW - glad your ordeals are over:)

[Deleted User]

Pollyanna you do not need to buy calgon. Get washing soda from Wilkinson, put a scoop in with each wash, it will clear the pipes etc of limescale. I have used it for years.

Yes, books, patchwork, gardening are all featured on my blog, I hope you enjoy it.

I have been in bed for most of the afternoon,hunger has forced me out. I really hope I sleep tonight.......

westcoastscot

reading along still but nothing really to add -
oh, if you've been discussing WFF quite a few of my clients use them and really like them. I've a lady who can cook, but has such a fragile appetite that being around food whilst cooking puts her off eating. They're great - out of the freezer and into the microwave.
Lots of different textures, diets etc, including "normal appetite/full diet" - well worth it!