Am so sore

[ajj1001]

I'm still struggling after being assessed/tortured* (*delete as appropriate) by the physio on Tuesday. I have got to go and see the welfare rights woman soon to see why on earth they are saying I am fit to work. Not looking forward to trying to concentrate on speaking clearly when I'm in pain (the gabapentin gives me a time delay in remembering something and being able to say it!). Don't want to but need the money . Right go and get dressed woman. (talking to myself I know).

[Katie]

Ali, I'm so sorry that you have to jump through these hoops Why they feel the need to torture people like us like that I just don't understand. Do our medical records not speak for themselves???

Are you not qualifying for some sort of disability payments? While they certainly aren't full pay, they do help make ends meet. I know that's personal information, so no need to answer.

Not only do we have to suffer in pain, but financially as well, as if we enjoy being broke as well as hurting physically.

((((((Hugs))))))

[KBear]

Well said Katie.

Alison- I have heard of pt (physical therapy) as being referred to as pain & torture (pt)! LOL
I hope you get to feeling better today and that your meeting goes well . Sending you a virtual hug!

[Terry Newton]

I wish you good luck in your appointment. They should have the ability to look at your entire history and see the gradual decline of your abilities justifying support. It sounds thoroughly American to deny people based on the minimal desire to pay for anything that might interfere with the profits of the few.

I wish you good luck and support for what you are going threw.

[KBear]

I wish you good luck in your appointment. They should have the ability to look at your entire history and see the gradual decline of your abilities justifying support. It sounds thoroughly American to deny people based on the minimal desire to pay for anything that might interfere with the profits of the few.

I wish you good luck and support for what you are going threw.

Alison, you are in the UK right? I was reading to my daughter last night about schools around the world and we were on the UK section!

Terry- Looks like this is a world phenomenon, as I have heard of the same thing in Canada & The UK.

[ajj1001]

I'm sure the physio didn't mean to hurt me, my thoracic spine and hip joints are so immobile that assessing me has moved muscles that don't move anymore. Sure it'll go off in a few days.

The welfare service have agreed to represent me, I am currently assessed as being ok to work and am short 3 points of being incapacitated. On what we went through today I should have a further 50 points added to my assessment and she is amazed that they have denied me. I managed to keep it together pretty well apart from talking about how my condition limits me which is always pretty upsetting.

I am now waiting on the gov getting back to me with appeal details and my ex employer about ill health retirement. It gets pretty overwhelming some days.

Are you not qualifying for some sort of disability payments? While they certainly aren't full pay, they do help make ends meet. I know that's personal information, so no need to answer.

Not getting anything at the moment apart from a small disability payment that I have had for the past few years (whilst I was working). They say I am able to work !

Alison, you are in the UK right? I was reading to my daughter last night about schools around the world and we were on the UK section!

Yup not far from Manchester United (not that we support them) What were you looking at?

[dalhousie]

A few years ago whilst on incapacity benefit I was judged fit for work whilst having treatment for my disc probs @ L1/2. My condition was deteriorating all the time & my GP filled in an appeal form to say I had significantly deteriorated since my DSS medical & the decision was reversed.

Employment & support allowance seems to be replacing incapacity benefit but don't they have a similar appeal system?

BTW I was told that if I was unable to attend the centre due to pain/disability they would do an assessment at my house. The reason why you claim the benefit is because of limited mobility. Maybe they don't offer that now but it's worth asking about.

I used to have DSS medicals on a regular basis & I found it sooooo stressful. I felt like I was going to see the Gestapo & I couldn't afford to lose it. When filling in forms or answering questions I did so on a worst possible pain day. I don't have another one now 'till late 2010. Hope you get a good outcome .

[Cindylou]

Alison, hang in there. I know initially the p.t. can increase pain for a bit. Usually, not always mind you, this dissipates as your muscles warm up to being active again. And I know you know that. I also want to wish you good luck with your disability appt. It can be extremely difficult to put on a suit of armor for battle when the pain just grinds you down. I know I lose "my fight" when the going gets really rough. We're here for you!! You can do it!

[KBear]

Alison, I had just seen Terry's post about it being American to deny people benefits and was thinking you were in the UK, so thought maybe I missed something. Now, I see it by your name, duhh! (some days, ok most days, my brain no longer functions properly )

Hope you feel better soon!

[ajj1001]

Employment & support allowance seems to be replacing incapacity benefit but don't they have a similar appeal system?

The appeal system does appear to be similar. I think all people are being moved over to ESA eventually.

BTW I was told that if I was unable to attend the centre due to pain/disability they would do an assessment at my house. The reason why you claim the benefit is because of limited mobility. Maybe they don't offer that now but it's worth asking about.

I used to have DSS medicals on a regular basis & I found it sooooo stressful. I felt like I was going to see the Gestapo & I couldn't afford to lose it. When filling in forms or answering questions I did so on a worst possible pain day. I don't have another one now 'till late 2010. Hope you get a good outcome .

They came to the house to do the assessment as it was before I was driving and what was written in the report was completely different to what he was told then?

I have been given DLA indefinitely since my recent deterioration. Left hand doesn't know what the right is doing. At least the welfare rights woman was appalled and seemed pretty confident that a reasonably favourable panel would given me it. Its not much but it all adds up.