First post although member since 2012.

Hi,

Although a member for over a year this is my first post in the forum. I hope the hot summer didn't affect your asthma too badly.

I was diagnosed with asthma in 1987, a year after my multiple sclerosis diagnosis. For many years until about 1992, my symptoms were very mild, but then became progressively worse. I used to nebulise on bad spells with a compressed air nebuliser, but found it caused bronchospasm, so my Respiratory Consultant switched me to nebulise on oxygen (O2) which made a big improvement. However, 8 years ago I was also diagnosed with bronchiectasis which is a type of COPD. I now have an oxygen concentrator which I have to use when my oxygen saturation levels drop, I keep a check on my oxygen levels with an oximeter which aren't available on the NHS, so I had to buy my own. I have never smoked in my life. Since being provided with an O2 concentrator and back-up bottles of 02 I rarely now have to attend A & E.

I am now72 and a retired Welfare Rights Lawyer and former Social Security Benefits Tribunal Member but work part-time for free for one of the largest welfare rights forums in the UK, which is benefitsandwork.co.uk

Membership currently costs £15.99 per annum, but this is not to access the forum, but helps to pay for the guides we produce and make available online, rather like some other disability organisations who produce benefits guides in hard copy, but at a much higher price than our guides. For example, Disability Rights UK currently charge £29.99 for their Disability Rights Handbook.

Please note, I am NOT trying to tout for business for benefitsandwork.co.uk, as we currently have over 5,000 members and our forum attracts around 2,000 hits per week.

I just wanted to introduce myself, and I'd be more than happy to answer questions on sickness and disability benefits which many with asthma may be able to claim if they don't wish to visit Benefits and Work. However, please note my expertise is for sickness and/or disability benefits, so I am not qualified to give advice on benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or the new Universal Credit.

Kind regards.

Jim Allison