OA at 34...Encouraged to apply for PIP

johnsons_baby

Hello,

As the title suggests I'm 34 & last year developed knee and back pain following a car accident in May. Since then my husband has had to help me with getting dressed, bathing etc.

After MRI scans, x-rays and surgery I've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knee and back in December.

I have been told that my knee is severe and I can't walk far, my knee gives way, I fall and then I hurt more. I'm too young for a joint replacement at the moment apparently.

My GP has been less than helpful refusing to advise on pain management or even prescribing anything stronger than over the counter medication.

It has come to the point now where I am struggling with even getting out of the house now, my knee is so swollen that it hardly bends, my back is painful that it stops me moving around. I'm currently considering opting for VR at work as I'm on admin only part time work since surgery but I am thinking about how potentially we manage after if I get granted VR.

I see a physio every week and they have given me crutches and a stick for mobility and getting around, they have said I should seek some advice about PIP.

Considering I have only just been diagnosed with OA can I apply for this after 3 months of diagnosis. What will my GP be asked for? They caused a massive delay when I asked for a letter before diagnosis about my pain. Would I have to go to an assessment? I have a copy letter from my consultant to my GP confirming moderate OA in back and severe in knee and being unsuitable currently for joint replacements or further surgery. It asks for my condition to be managed by the GP.

I haven't decided whether to apply or not and I'm not sure if I would qualify.

Any assistance is appreciated

NeilCr

Some overall info on PIP here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

If you go further through the links you will find more detailed information on the form, the descriptors etc

Might well be worth a visit to your local CAB to talk it through

Tolly_T

It's not about when the diagnosis was made, it's about when the problems started. You've had the problem for more than three months so you don't have to wait a further three months. The diagnosis is useful to show that it's likely to last for a further 9 months.

When you try to decide if you would qualify check the points bearing in mind all the reliability criteria - safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period.

Also remember variability, if you can do something only first thing in the morning, or only later in the day, you might not be considered able to do it if normally you would be expected to do it at a certain time of day.

It's not all about the help you actually receive either, it's about the help you need. If you manage to do something but it's very difficult, takes you a long time and causes a lot of pain you probably need help with it even if you're still doing it yourself because your circumstances mean you have to or because you don't want someone else to take over completely.

It's unlikely that your GP would be contacted. You would be able to send a copy of the letter from the consultant as evidence of your condition. It would be worth asking the physio for a letter too as it sounds like they are supportive. You'd probably have to go to an assessment. Most people do. I asked my GP for a supporting letter which confirmed my diagnoses, medication, and how my condition affects me in terms of the PIP descriptors and I had to go for an assessment and my GP's letter was ignored in favour of what the assessor wrote.

TELLIT01

Yes you can apply for PIP, I would also be looking for a new GP. I've suffered with OA for years - nothing like as severe as you have. My GP's view is that effective pain relief puts off the dreaded day when surgery may be the only option. On his advice I started with paracetomol and then added Ibuprofen to that. He was happy to provide both on prescription.

teddysmum

Ask your consultant (you could email their secretary, without waiting for an appointment) to recommend that your GP give different pain relief.


My GP was prescribing a controlled painkiller, but after a car accident I needed more and the practice's in house pharmacist refused more than a 50mg increase. A letter from my consultant made the full dose available.

johnsons_baby

Thanks all for your responses.

Using the link it does look like I may qualify but I think I will get some advice from the CAB or we do have a council sponsored benefits advice drop in locally too.

I am very wary about treading this path, it's not something I want to have to do but I may have to, I can no longer do the ironing standing so we bought a press steamer to help, its things like that that makes life easier.

About my GP, he's terrible and I have put in a complaint. I don't think it will help but we want to change surgeries asap!

TELLIT01

Well done on putting in the complaint against your GP. So many people are scared to do so for fear of repercussions.

Glen_Clark

johnsons_baby wrote: »

I'm too young for a joint replacement .

No you are not! If your knee is bad enough to need replacing they should replace it. Sorry but the fact they won't replace it suggests it isn't as bad as you say.

TELLIT01

What should be done and was is done can be very different things when dealing with the NHS. I've had severe knee problems for many years, and my hip started to go probably about 10 years ago.
My GP said the same to me as johnsons_baby seems to have said to her "You're too young for replacement surgery". As long as it can be managed by using pain relief he was adamant that no surgery would be considered. He put a lower age limit for surgery as 'Over 60'.
Unfortunately for j_b, her GP doesn't even seem to be interested in providing pain relief.
Effectively calling the OP a liar when you can't know the full story is out of order.

swingaloo

I think its scandalous that a doctor would prescribe Paracetamol or Ibuprofen on prescription.

They cost pence over the counter as opposed to the cost to the NHS of prescribing them.

TELLIT01

swingaloo wrote: »

I think its scandalous that a doctor would prescribe Paracetamol or Ibuprofen on prescription.

They cost pence over the counter as opposed to the cost to the NHS of prescribing them.

I don't pay for prescriptions so it saves me a considerable amount of money by having them on prescription.