Hi Poppy & All, Please bear with me whilst I try & explain. I have read every post I can find regarding the title of post! I am sure I have now got full understanding of when a 'change of circs' is not a change of circs. I need confirmation of my thinking, please.
As briefly as poss, 2000/01 Lymphoma & chemo side effects left me with lifelong Chemo Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. This affects both my hands and feet. (I have report from Christies confirming this). I was awarded low level care, no mobility.
2008 I have MRI Scan on Lower Lumbar/Sacral which reports 'Lumbar curve to the left. Disc degeneration at D10/11, D11/12 and, most markedly, L5/S1. Broad based disc bulges at all 3 levels. Facet joint degeneration at all 3 levels. Bilateral exit root crowding'. On basis of this asked DLA to be looked at again. I was awarded High rate Mobility and Middle rate care, Indefinitely. This is and always has been the main cause of mobility problems.
Then came the change of DLA to PIP. Over these years Christies also advised I had Avascular Necrosis of both hips as well as C.I.P.N. In 2015, due to anxiety, rather than wait for PIP migration, with help of welfare rights group, we completed PIP application. We sent a fully completed PIP application with large amount of supporting medical evidence, including report from Christies, MRI scan of Lower Lumber/Sacral, and letter from Orthopaedic Surgeon regarding Total Hip Operation (left leg only). When we got to face2face PIP appointment, they couldn't find my application & medical evidence. We had member of welfare rights team at this appointment. So this entailed DWP staff having to complete their PIP report there and then. I was awarded Enhanced Mobility and Care.
Throughout & after the above PIP award, I have suffered 2 further cancers, 2016/17 relapse of Lymphoma. I underwent 15 sessions of Radiotherapy. In 2nd week large lump on neck, this was confirmed as Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma ALKneg. For this, I received 2 different chemotherapy followed by Stem Cell Transplant, which left me severely immunocompromised. Shortly after discharge, I suffered Shingles. The rash spread my lower back, left lower leg and left foot. I now have Post Herpetic Neuralgia at these sites.
Then in 2023 I had left hip Total Hip Replacement. At same time I have since been diagnosed C.O.P.D. Stage 2 & Grade 5 on MRC Breathlessness Scale.
Now, as I say above, I have read all posts regarding THR's, knee replacements etc., & read that having these operations are not a 'change of circumstances'. This is because, & I hope I have got the correct train of thought, that because of my other disabilities & health problems, as detailed above, I still have mobility problems, due especially my lower lumbar, C.I.P.N. of hands and feet, (AVN right hip altho no treatment yet), Post Herpetic Neuralgia. Not forgetting C.O.P.D. which leaves me breathless at slight exertions.
So even after THR & above, I still cannot mobilise much further than 20 metres due severe discomfort and fatigue, nor do it repeatedly, reliably or within timely manner. This is why there is No Change of Circumstances.
I am sorry for the length of this post, but I need to get it right in my own head. Can you please confirm I am correct in my thinking? Many, many thanks for bearing with me.
Fletch69.
