Has anyone seen Occupational therapist for Blue Badge????

[Jeannie]

I applied for a blue badge and they wrote back to say I have an appointment with occupational therapist. Feel worried n wondered if this is normal prior to being given a blue badge ??

[Hidden]

Yes, you always have to see an occupational therapist before a blue badge is issued.Good luck with your application.

[Jeannie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks appreciate your answer. I have thought this through for a very long time n I'm sure it would make it easier on those "bad days"

[Hidden in reply to Jeannie]

I couldn't be without it! Good luck!

[Redditch]

poor you, needing a blue badge.. is it just your thyroid condition? what meds are you on? have you tried different combinations... many people do get back to normal you know... hope to heaven it's just not your thyroid that you need a blue badge for... good luck

[TTLady]

Maybe they don't really think you need it. My daughter has a blue badge but never got assessed first. All the rules for any kind of disability have changed recently and been tightened up.

[DawnD]

Hi Jeannie - what a coincidence - I have literally just got home from having an appointment with an Occupational Therapist to see if I can get a Blue Badge!! Mine, however, is due to mobility problems, not having an underactive thyroid (I cannot see how having an underactive thyroid would qualify you for a blue badge on its own). Anyway, the rules have changed and unless you qualify automatically - the reasons are shown when you first submit your application - then you have to be assessed.

[Hidden in reply to DawnD]

Yes, I would agree with Dawn there. My husband's original application 3 years ago for a Blue Badge was given after the County Council wrote to his doctor. This has now changed and when your badge expires you have to attend an OT appointment, because he didn't automatically qualify, i.e. receiving Mobility Allowance and some others qualify automatically.

[Danifox6 in reply to DawnD]

Bit presumptious to say you cannot see how having an underactive thyroid would qualify on its own. I am crippled by my thyroid.

[DawnD in reply to Danifox6]

No offence intended, Danifox6, it's just that I have always been told that once the doctor has worked out the correct thyroxine for you, then you are 'virtually normal'!. (although I know from my own experience that it is still very difficult to lose weight).

[PinkNinja in reply to DawnD]

I appreciate that if you are relatively well on thyroxine, then you wouldn't know what some people experience so I'm sure you didn't mean any offence There is a huge myth that all anyone needs is that little white pill to be 'virtually normal' but for some people this is far from the case!

Some people cannot convert thyroxine so it is useless to them. Actually it is worse than useless because it builds up in the body like a poison. This can cause excruciating pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue, impaired cognitive function, severe mental illness, serious oedema, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and coma or death. Fortunately most people do well on thyroxine but there still are many of us for whom it is more of a poison than a cure. It appears to be a genetic problem with a defective gene. There is also another defective gene that causes thyroid hormone resistance so people have to take mega-doses of T3.

I have been pretty much crippled for the last few years. I was even sectioned and in a mental health hospital for a year at one point. Since stopping thyroxine and taking dessicated pig thyroid I am so much better. I am able to work and lead an active life. I'm still not quite there because the T4 in the dessicated thyroid is starting to build up so I am going to have to replace some of it with liothyronine.

You are right that most people will be restored to 'virtually normal' on the correct dose of thyroxine (correct dose is another thing that doctors often get wrong) but unfortunately most doctors don't realise that there are those of us who are seriously debilitated on thyroxine.

I know you didn't mean any offence. It took finding this site to find out why I was pretty much crippled, depressed and unable to function. No doctor ever told me this could happen.

If you are still finding it very difficult to lose weight you might want to look at whether your dose is correct. If you can get hold of your latest blood test results you could post them as a question and someone will be able to help. Other things to look at are iron and ferritin (stored iron). If these are below optimal levels your body will not use thyroxine as well as it should. Folate and vitamin B12 are also important to check as is vitamin D (involve in so many metabolic processes). If you can get these checked, post them for us on a question. Bear in mind that the NHS normal levels are often far too low.

Carolyn x

[Danifox6 in reply to PinkNinja]

I have just sent off my genetic test today.

[PinkNinja in reply to Danifox6]

Let us know how you get on. I am seriously considering taking the test. It might get me my T3 on prescription

[Danifox6 in reply to PinkNinja]

take the plunge £60 for some answers, not bad

[Jeannie in reply to Danifox6]

Genetic test????

[Danifox6 in reply to Jeannie]

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Danifox6 in reply to Jeannie]

I posted it off today, I don't know why I feel excited about it!!

[PinkNinja in reply to Danifox6]

Sorry to hear you are still in such a bad way with your thyroid

Carolyn x

[Jeannie in reply to Danifox6]

Thanks. I do think a lot has stemmed from thyroid. For first 6 years did great but was left, once again for years, with inadequate replacement. Takes along time to become bedridden and along time to respond to meds. I have had some improvement from T3. Sending you good vibes xxx

[Jeannie]

Thanks for replies - my thyroid condition seems unstable. Have arthritis, coccydynia, fibromyalgia possible ME - that said - DrSkinner does not believe in ME he believes people often diagnose with fibro/ME when in actual fact Thyroid meds are wrong. Thanks again for everyone's input xx

[ChemicalAngel in reply to Jeannie]

Hi Jeannie. My mum got an appt to see occupational therapist to get her blue badge for copd. The day of the appt it was really bad weather, and we got a call to say that she didn't need to go in and that she will qualify for the badge as they had contacted her GP.

Hope you are successful

Ann xx

[Hidden in reply to Jeannie]

I have had a blue badge for a few years now due to arthritis, but my hypothyroidism and asthma were taken into account as well.