DLA, sending Doc out

[rpbert1]

Not to go on to long, but my son was put out of work when he was 18 by our Doctor, been attending hospital regularly. About 3 years ago his consultant told him to apply for DLA [something we had been telling him ,but he would not listen] He filled the forms in and was awarded it. He has been diagnosed with Severe Inflamatory Arthritis, which affects all his joints,he had been hospitalised for 3 weeks about 1 and a half years ago, and only last week was at his consultant, who are upping his medication and testing for other things, he was not sure what but will not get all the results for another 2 weeks, he also said the inflamation in his system is running riot[as he put it]. he has severe muscle wastage in one of his legs and is in severe pain with it, and a really bad limp which is affecting him, and over the last 3 years has actually detiorated a bit.
Why when you fill these forms in , and give permission for them to talk to the doctors and consultants, do they waste doctors time and money it costs for them to come out. Obviously they do not contact the consultant or doctor who have been treating who would be in the best position to give them answers to any questions they have, rather than someone who will only analyse him in a matter of minutes, and this is the 3rd time in 18 Months a doctor has come to see him.

[Twinkle Toes]

You're right it is a total waste of resources but that what these goverment departments are best at.

I agree with you that your sons GP or consultant would be the best point of contact as they know your sons case inside out!

Hope you get it all sorted out.


Gemma x

[mazz]

to help you could get a hold of all your sons paper and computer records regarding his diagnosis and condition admissions to hospital ect to back up your doctors and his specialist consultants opinions

under the freedom of information act you are entitled to these (you need to put your request in writing and in certain cases you will be charged a nominal fee for photocopying)

as part of the application process you can insist that they take into consideration your sons specialists notes and observations after all he knows your sons condition BEST

having your sons records and his specialist notes will help firm up your sons application for DLA

if you need any help and you do not have a social worker then the citizens advice usually have a benefits person who could support you during this visit

good luck

[matthews_mum]

Oh don't get me started on that one :angry: The doctor that came out for me when I applied told me straight away that he wasn't interested in what I was like on my worst days, that all he wanted to know was what I was like the day he saw me. Sods law it was a good day. If he had come when he was supposed to have (they mucked up the appointment) it would've been a completely different picture. I was a mess then and had lost my balance en route from the kitchen to the dining room, broke a wooden dining chair by landing on it and had thrown my porridge all over the carpet. :cry: My own GP who himself has RA so understands fully, was absolutely gobsmacked and told me to appeal the decision but by this time I'd had a gutful of the whole process which as you know is very depressing so I didn't. They did, in my case, contact my GP but he said they had quite clearly not taking into consideration the letter he had written to them.

I'm considering asking for reassessment (have a lifelong award) but my own GP is signed off with his RA at the moment and the other GPs in the practice hardly know me. Whatever happens I will be using the services of Welfare Rights this time round and will appeal if necessary. I completed my application for my Blue Badge renewal last night and had kept a copy of the last application. It shocked me at how much I've deteriorated since then. I have to state my case because I don't automatically get it because I don't get high rate mobility. I don't get any mobility at all but hopefully that will change on reassessment. Fingers crossed (well, if only...) I'll get the Blue Badge again as it's been an absolute godsend.

Ok so now that my blood pressure is sky high I think it's time for some chocolate to calm me down.

[rpbert1]

mazz, never thought of that, but we only recieved the letter yesterday and doc will be out on Fri, so would be unable to get his paperwork between now and then. I do not evisage any problems, but you never know with these doc`s. He is on DLA at the minute ,this is for the form they sent out to see if his condition has changed.Maybe they have a miraculous drug they have`nt told us about that cures Arthritis, and just checking incase he got some :tounge:

matthews_mum, i would go through the whole process of appeals if i had to. I think they hope with the amount of paperwork that people have to fill in,will give up on it, which a lot do. so hope everything goes well for you.

it makes me angry that they ask for details of consultants ,time spent in hospital, and if they can contact the consultant and doctors, and then they dont bother :angry:

[matthews_mum]

The very best of luck for Friday. I hope you get a decent doctor out to see your DS.

[matthews_mum]

I was just wondering how things went today. Hope it was ok :)

[rpbert1]

Yes things went ok, It was a women Doc and she was very nice ;)
Asked DS quite a few questions, got him to try and walk up the stairs , only let him walk up 3 stairs as he is not to good at the minute and his consultant is increasing his Methotrexate. Took a few measurements of his 2 legs.
Just for peoples info, and something i was not aware of, and maybe i should have known, She said at the end that she does not have any information on him and she does not see his application, she just asks what is wrong and how the illness effects him,so the more info he gives the better, and then she writes up the report, then the DLA decide [with the info she puts in and what his Consultants report says] if he will get his application renewed.
So for anyone in this situation, review your original application, and tell them basically what your original application had in it so as her report will have all that in it.

[matthews_mum]

I'm really glad it went ok. Please send her this way for when I apply for reassessment ;)

Thanks for the info..I didn't know that either. I will be prepared the next time.

How is your DS finding the Methotrexate? I'm on 20mg a week as well as Sulphasalazine and some other drug I can never remember the name of. :confused2 About 6 months ago I went onto the Methotrexate injections because I couldn't cope with the constant nausea from taking it orally. I'm finding it much better to cope with though having to inject myself once a week isn't pleasant. I still suffer nausea but there seems to be no rhymne nor reason for it. One week I could be perfectly ok but the next I've got my head down the pan :(

Anyway, I hope they get back to you soon and put your mind at rest.

Take care

[rpbert1]

Thanks Paula, he is ok with the drugs he is on, when he was on the metotrexate before his liver count went to high and they had to take him of it, this time he has been ok up to now, think they are upping it to 25mg. one of the tests he is waiting on is for an overactive thyroid, as apparently this can come with the arthritis, and he has lost quite a bit of weight, but think it is because of his arthritis being so active in his system.
She said at this stage they should get back to him in about 3 weeks.
Just remember what you said in your original forms, maybe if you have a copy of them ,maybe read over them, and give the answers to correspond with what you wrote, and do not do anything you do not want to, just because they ask you ,as they know nothing about you.

[matthews_mum]

It's amazing how different Consultants have different views. My Consultant told me that there is little point in raising the dose above 20mg as it's more than the body can really absorb. I'm facing having to change my meds completely if this lot don't keep on top of it and we all know what that means :cry: ....no being able to get out of bed for me so I'm going to try and persevere as long as I can.

As for the thyroid connection...yep, that's autoimmune disease for you :confused2 Mine's underactive. They say I have a higher than normal chance of developing diabetes for the same reason too...oooh can't wait!!! :cry: I have no idea what it's like to feel normal anymore! But hey, I've still got my sense of humour ;)

[sunsetlakes]

Hi

I am on the higher rate DLA and when I applied had to wait ages for my GP & consultant to respond!! When they finally sent out a Doctor to the home to assess everything went really fast - The Doctor that came out was really nice and actually offered advice that I had not had before - she told me there and then that her report would be favourable and that I would just have to wait a couple of weeks for it all to be sorted and true enough that is what happened. Your allowance is backdated to the claim date and so we received a nice lump sum when it went through - but the biggest bonus for me was to then get the blue badge - Joy of Joys, I can now go into town without worrying about how far away I am going to have to park - before the badge I had got to the stage where I would drive in and then not find a close parking space so drive home again!! I feel like I have a new lease of life!!
Keep "plugging away" it's worth it - and good luck with your sons condition x

[rpbert1]

thanks Linda , they are still paying his DLA , as he has had it for 2 years now, this was for his new claim form they sent out, so no lump sum :cry: but at least he is still getting money.
Yes the doc said he should hear within 3 weeks , so hopefully it will be ok, if not will just need to appeal.

Paula , i have a friend whos daughter is on injections, cannot remember the name , but they worked great for her, think it depends what areas you live in , I know here in N.I to get them you need to go through a whole process to get them as they are quite expensive, but her daughter lives in Derbyshire and her consultant suggested it to her and practically got them straight away, so depending on where you live depends a lot on the treatment you recieve.