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We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Hi, my name is staypositive! Spinal Stenosis

staypositive

Hi, after 5 montbs of agony, i eventuly got an MRI scanwhich confirmed i had spinal stenosis. The worst bit about my experience was being told it was muscular and not having any pain relief as i have trouble with my stomache and could not take anti inflammatorys. I took soluable paracetomal which helped pretty much instantly for about an hour then the pain kicked in. I am now on a smaller dose of Napoxen, which has been a game changer. I can niw get out of bed and can function on a low scale, which i hope will improve once i see the orapedic surgeon. Stay strong all and dont give up keep trying evevdry option. Staypositive.

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Comments

Cher_Alumni

Hello @staypositive and a warm welcome from me! How's your day going?

I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing chronic pain from your spinal stenosis and really hope seeing the orthopaedic surgeon can bring about some more relief for you. Your positivity radiates through your post though, and made me smile! What a great mindset to have.

You might want to have a browse of our Physical and neurological impairments category as many other members have this condition and you may be able to relate to their stories and experiences.

Wishing you all the best. Take care and I look forward to speaking again soon.

staypositive

Thank you, i believe its important not to lose hope but appreciated how difficult everything can be when you're in pain. I will check out the catergory you suggested. Many thanks.

Alex_Alumni

Hi there @staypositive and thanks for sharing a bit about yourself, I agree, it's important to to hold on to hope, while also acknowledging how hard it can be managing chronic pain. I hope you enjoy your time here on the community.

I'm sure you'll soon find you're not alone, many of our members are going through similar things, and the great thing is we can all support each other

Sandy_123

Hi @staypositive welcome a lot of member suffer
With their backs including me. I'm glad you found something that works well for you. Look faward to seeing you around

staypositive

Thanks for message im sitting with a tens machine on at minute, got an appointment with surgical orthopedic's tomorrow so hoping i can get permanent pain relief and get back to work as without pain relief i cant function. Ive been looking into best exercises to do so i have something positive to focus on.

Sandy_123

Good luck with your appointment, you'll have to let us know how you got on, if you want to. Do you find the tens machine helps

staypositive

Its more of a distraction from the pain.that in its self helps.

Sandy_123

If it helps its a good thing

staypositive

Appointment assessment, got 6 steriod injection in back which is to help with numbness in leg. 6 days later and still have same symptoms. Hoping they may subside in next week or so. Can anyone advise what would likely be next part of process and what the success rate is. Im desperate to get back to work so i can start living my live again but seem to have hit a brick wall. As my review date is not until 4 months, any ideas what i can do in the mean time as i'll not be getting paid soon. I can still carry out every day activities but in so much pain and not sleeping so wouldnt be able to function at work yet. Any advice would be much appreciated.

poppy123456

We can't give any medical advice because we're not medical professionals and you should speak to your GP if you have any concerns.

staypositive said:

any ideas what i can do in the mean time as i'll not be getting paid soon.

Are you currently claiming any benefits? if so which ones? Are you claiming SSP from an employer? Live alone or with a partner?

staypositive

Hi Poppy, thanks for respinse.No im employed have no partner but have two adult working children at home. ive been on sick since November and was hoping pain woul be relieved with injections so i could return. My wage will stop next month. Is their any benefits i would be entitled to? Or do you know of any other Nhs treatment??
Thanks

poppy123456

We can't give you any medical advice because it's against the rules to do that. We are not medical professionals.

There's New style ESA but it depends on your NI contributions in tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. You will need the SSP1 form and a fit note to claim this. If over 25 it pays £77/week. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-detailed-guide#how-to-claim It's not means tested savings/capital and pensions of up to £85/week are ignored. It can also be backdated for 3 months (providing you weren't claiming SSP at anytime during those 3 months)

Universal Credit but it's means tested. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. You should report your health condition if you claim and provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

UC can also include help with any rent. If you claim help with the rent there will be a deduction of £77.87/month deduction for each adult son (if they are 21 and over) Unless either yourself or they are claiming either daily living PIP or mid/high rate care DLA. https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/benefits/universal_credit/deductions_from_universal_credit_for_non-dependants

If you claim both UC and ESA at the same time the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

There's also PIP, unless you live in Scotland and then it's Adult Disability Payment. Neither of them are means tested so other income/savings/capital will not affect the amount you maybe entitled to. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip