Hi
i have osteoarthritis in both knees, hypermobility in my other joints, depression, hiatus hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, underactive throid, kidney disease. I take various meds for these.
I applied for dla mainly for the arthritis and included all the other things. I got a letter this morning saying im not entitled, they havent even written to my rheumatologist who i see for the problem, they wrote to the gp, who i never see for the problem, so how do they know how much i struggle.
The letter says:
'Using suitable walking aids, although your walking is limited, you are not unable or virtually unable to walk'
My walking is very limited because i am virtually unable to walk as it is too painful.
also:
'At your own speed, you can safely: get in and out of bed, manage your toilet needs, use a bath or shower, dress and undress, get up and down stairs, get in and out of a chair, move about indoors, manage your treatment and medication'
I cant believe that have they not read what i put on the form, going up any stairs causing the worst pain i have, i have to bend over put my hands on the stairs and go up with feet and hands, this means i don't have to straighten my leg as much, going down it go down on my side, frightened that my knees are about to give way and i will fall, i told them all this.
My ex partner is my carer, he comes down at 7.30 every morning to help with me getting up and helps me down the stairs and gets my son ready, he stays for 20 mins and he is my life saver, he also comes down at 7pm to bath my son and put him to bed. I can get in the bath but cant get out, i have to have my carer hoist me with our arms interlinked and he holds me while i get out, omg, im furious. get in and out of bed, i lay in bed for an hour trying to losen my knees doing excercises physio gave me, because getting out of bed is terrible i try to stand but most of the time fall back because i cant get my balance properly. When i can get my balance i have to stnd there for a minute or 2 before rtying to walk out my room either with one hand on the wall or my carersupporting me.
as for tablets, i take 15 for my kineys throughout the day, 1 for hiatus hernia, 1 for depression, 1 for underactive thyroid. Just taking allthese tablets depresses me, in fact i havent taken my kidney one properley for 6 months because i forget while i am out because i have so many.
I put all this in the
I put all this in the form and why havent they taken any of it seriously.
i am fuming at the gp's, they should have directed them to the rheumy, they are gonn get a tongue lashing from me on monday.