Mri scan results

gigi77

Hi, just after some explanation if anyone can help. Had my MRI results and it shows mild cervical spine and thoracic spine degenerative changes.  I received this via letter from neurologist, he’s discharged me back to Gp as scan of brain was normal.  Can’t get appt with Gp for 3 weeks.  Does the results mean oestoarthritis ? 

poppy123456

Unfortunately we are not medical professionals so we won’t be able to give you any advice regarding this because it’s against the forum rules. 

calcotti

From the community rules
"The online community is not intended as a source of medical or professional advice." 

gigi77

Thank you both for that your response is much appreciated, was just wandering if someone on the forum had the same thing. 

Hannah_Alumni

@gigi77 I hope you are able to get a GP appointment soon so you get some clarity! 

gigi77

@Hannah_Scope thank you unfortunately no gp appt for 3 weeks that’s when they booked me in for to discuss results.  Absolute nightmare at present as I’ve been off sick from work since beginning of work with bad FND symptoms and chronic pain from Adenomyosis.. I have a work capability Monday morning, I have a very manual job and to be honest can see how I could ever go back to it, even doing something else within the department would be difficult .  Have looked into new style ESA but that looks a minefield 

poppy123456

gigi77 said:

I have a work capability Monday morning,

That suggests you're claiming Universal Credit?

gigi77 said:

Have looked into new style ESA but that looks a minefield 

There's no financial gain to claiming this and UC at the same time because it's deducted in full. It's still worth claiming though because it's not means tested like UC is.

If you're claiming SSP from your employer than you can't claim ESA at the same time. You can start a claim 3 months before the SSP ends but ESA payments won't start until it's ended. You will need to have paid the correct NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years to be entitled to payments.

gigi77

I’m not claiming universal credit I’m currently on SSP and recieved an email this morning from my employer that they want me to attend a work capability assement this Monday at 7am due to my long term sick. 

gigi77

I have got full NI contributions for past 7 years and my SSP will end be going September 

gigi77

Beginning September sorry 

gigi77

Also wouldn’t be entitled to UC due to my husbands earnings 

poppy123456

gigi77 said:

I’m not claiming universal credit I’m currently on SSP and recieved an email this morning from my employer that they want me to attend a work capability assement this Monday at 7am due to my long term sick. 

Ah ok, thanks. When you mentioned work capability assessment (WCA) i thought you were referring to UC, as this is what a WCA is related to. (as well as ESA)

You can start a claim for NsESA if it's 3 months until your SSP ends. You will need a fit note from your GP as well as the SSP1 form from your employer. Payments won't start until SSP ends but at least you will have the claim all sorted ready for payments to start.

You will be entitled to £84.80/week. Any pensions of up to £85/week will be ignored. There will be a deduction of 50p/week for every £1 over that amount. It's not means tested so other income/savings/capital will not affect the amount you're entitled to.

It's paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group. If placed into this group you'll be entitled to £129.50/week from the 14th week of your claim.

You will need a work capability assessment, which will determine which group (if any) you'll be placed into.

You can also use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to UC. If you live with a partner then you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

gigi77

Thank you so much Poppy for your knowledge and clarification. I’ll ask work on moray about that form and end date for ssp and like you say at last in would all be in place for when ESA would start .  Have a lovely weekend  

Hannah_Alumni

@gigi77 Hopefully it fly's round for you! I'm so sorry you've been so poorly, are your GP / specialists keeping you as pain free as possible? 

I'm keeping everything crossed for you for Monday!  

gigi77

@Hannah_Scope I’ve tried a few different pain relief and combinations but nothing to much use.  Unfortunately with the NHS crisis 2 of the waiting lists I’m on for help are min 12 months. But I’m well aware there are people far worse off than me. Thank you so much for your kind words, I think the main thing that bothers me is that I don’t think I am realistically going to be able to continue with going back to work and that’s hard to accept that with regards socially, financially and having a routine .  Bit health comes first 

L_Volunteer

Your feelings are still just as valid as anyone else's @gigi77! Health does come first but it is understandable you are finding processing the implications of this very difficult. Not least as it can affect you socially, financially and more generally with a lack of routine 

Does anything help to make this more manageable for you? For example, could you build a different type of routine? Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to help. We are all here with you, even if that just looks like us listening to you 

Hannah_Alumni

@gigi77 I hope they find a combination that works better for you soon! L has given some great advice above. I know exactly what you mean about having a routine. I started researching my family history as a way to interact with people online and keep me in a routine