Spinal stenosis\ help!

[Pastie121]

Hi guys so glad to have found you all..

I’ve been diagnosed with 3 herniated discs, lumber stenosis, sacrolitious, scoliotious and tendon disorder. I’m at the end of my tether and waiting to go to pain management,on my letter if I’ve not heard anything by the 25 August ring them! I may get seen before Christmas!

I’ve been signed off from work at the moment for a month,as I’m really struggling sometime I’m finding it hard to stand on my feet..

Although not to bad when at home at least I can sit down when I need to..my sleep also is terrible I can’t lay the pain is horrific.

What I would like to ask is any of you people receiving pip,I’ve done the form but very doubtful of getting anything..

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Regards lynn

[Bevvy]

I do receive PIP and before that was on DLA. I have multiple issues which I guess is why I receive it. PIP is not awarded due to conditions but how conditions affect you.Did you have any help in completing the form? They are incredibly tricky to complete and is a skill to write in a way that will help you to receive the benefit.

CAB can help you. Even if can’t get appointment with them, they have a helpful website with info on as to how to complete form and also how to deal with verbal assessment. I say verbal because whilst some people have to go to assessment centre, my first assessment was done at home and second (due to Covid) was over the phone.

During the assessment it is important to explain how difficult things are for you. This can be hard because most people like to put a positive slant on things. This would not help with PIP application.

Another helpful organ is called benefits and work.co.uk They have guides to take you through the whole process of not only PIP but other benefits. You do have to join which costs around £20 a year but it is well worth the money.

Finally it is not uncommon for people to be turned down initially for PIP. Whilst discouraging it is worth appealing the decision. Often people get decision reversed as a result of appealing.

Hope this helps? It is all a minefield.

[Pastie121 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi bevvy Thankyou so much for your reply..it is very helpful..I had no help in filling in the form.I’ve just been truthful with it,I’m just worried that they will think I’m not bad enough to have the help..

I don’t want to stop working altogether,but I need to reduce my hours so that I can live a half decent life if that makes sense.

I’m struggling with it,then when I’m home it takes all my time to recover from what I’ve done during the day. Days off are usually resting up to get ready for my other half of week.

Maybe I haven’t put enough info in my application just have to wait and see x

Thanks again for info.

[Bevvy in reply to Pastie121]

For years I worked part time. This helped me keep my job and eventually apply for another job. The money I received from first of all DLA helped to pay the bills plus buy specialist equipment to make life a bit easier. Like you my days off where spent resting to enable me to attend work on the other days.So yes I 100% understand where you are coming from.

I have quite severe flare ups of my conditions which have resulted in protracted time off work sick. I have always fought back to return to work. However following 8 months of work with sickness I knew the time had come to say enough! With the support and understanding from work, and my gp I went through the process of medical retirement. This is not easy and required much evidence but I was granted medical retirement 1 1/2 years ago. Again PIP has remained useful, especially, to help with things such as heating bills and specialist equipment.

Let us know how application goes and feel free to PM me if you would like to.

[Pastie121 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi bevvy ,Thankyou once again for your reply. Very kind. What I’m feeling at the minute is pure relief I’m off work,but feeling incredibly guilty I’m not there.

I’ve been to have my hair done today,all the time in the world but didnt dare walk into town for fear of that pain it causes so took the car.

I will let you know how I get on but like I say I’m very doubtful,just need some support.

I’ve worked hard all my life and on the last leg of my mortgage would just be devastated to not be able to pay it after all the effort I’ve put into it..if I have to give up work..

Regards Lynn

[Bevvy in reply to Pastie121]

What type of work do you do? Is there any potential for ill health retirement IF it comes to it? I am aware that I am fortunate that working for local authorities in various forms for 30yrs meant that I could be considered for ill health retirement. As said previously it is not an easy process, and caused significant stress and anxiety. I was especially worried at how I would return to my regular (albeit part time) hours if turned down. IF you need to leave and have nearly completed your mortgage (mine finishes in a years time) then there may well be options offered by your mortgage company. Some years ago I took a mortgage holiday when money was especially tight due to reducing hours and not getting DLA at that stage.

One thing I will say is that if you feel you are not well enough to return to work, under no circumstances resign! This can have significant effect on applying for benefits. You would be seen as voluntarily leaving work and as such wouldn’t be able to apply for a number of weeks. Ultimately you would need to be dismissed from work on health grounds.

I really hope that it doesn’t come to any of this and you are able to return to work soon. Just want to forewarn you.

[Pastie121 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi bevvy, once again thanks for your kind reply..I manage one of the Greggs stores. 18 year I’ve been there..I’ve not looked into anything yet because this is the first time I’ve been off..but absolutely freaking out going back to it.. I know when I go back it will start all over again. I feel I’m getting a bit of relief threw not being on my feet all day.. I can potter around but can sit down,or should I say half lay down to get half comfortable.

The company are really good with support,not that I’ve used it,but know from other people..

Just see how I go. One step at a time ..

Thanks again for advice x

Regards lynn

[Sk1ppy in reply to Bevvy]

I would definitely advise benefitsandwork.co.uk/ they are a excellent for help and information well worth the cost 👍 gl 🤞

[Bevvy in reply to Sk1ppy]

Yes benefitsandwork.co.uk are very good and I belong to the organisation. Also CAB online advice on how to complete forms is also excellent these days.

[Pastie121]

Just a quick note bevvy. I’ve had a reply to my pip today after one week to say. I may have to see a health care professional , before they make a decision!

[Bevvy in reply to Pastie121]

Sorry hadn’t seen this message until today. Just to reassure you it is entirely normal procedure to have a face to face assuming with a health care person. If you have to go to them (they do limited home visits) they WILL start assessing you from the car park but you won’t see them because they are watching from a window!It is important to be clear in assessment all you cannot do. Also if they ask to see you do physical things such as stretching or bending don’t do it unless absolutely can. Say things like I physically can’t do that because…… eg will leave me in too much pain or am in too much pain to do that. Try to remember what you said on your form and reiterate when possible. Remember emphasise what can’t do not what can do.

On the whole I have find them reasonable and fair but reports from others haven’t been happy.

Again CAB website or benefitsandwork.co.uk organisation have stuff on websites.

Ps unless you do a reply to Bevvy (or do a private message to me)I won’t usually see responses because I won’t get notifications.! That’s why I hadn’t seen previous message and was just fluke I saw it.