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I don't think I can return to work and basically just don't know what to do

Hey I'm chez I feel a little out of my depth here and not even sure I'm in right place but here goes Today I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knee and back I have also been referred to a rheumatologist as have blood result that show inflammation. The first doctor I saw thought it was lupus but one I saw today said he doesn't think so nor does he think rheumatoid arthritis but I have some sort of other disease. I haven't been tk work since March and didn't earn enough for sick pay so got changed to universal credit and lost my tax credits and a lot of money it took them ages to pay anything and it was a lot less than I got when working and claiming tax credits. I still have my job am on long term sick but with the pain I don't think I can return to work and basically just don't know what to do
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Disability Gamechanger - 2019
Scope
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April2018 surely u can't use ur phone in a childcare setting? For your protection and the children's protection.
Also my employer is er not exactly Forth right in helping but due to nature of my job ie a lot of walking bending ect I'm not sure if or when I will be able to return as it stands atm I need atleast a hour if I hoover my living room to recover due to pain so I have no idea what the furutre holds in job respect
How are you doing today?
I'm doing OK thank you I will let u know what happens with assessment I'm not sure how it all works as like I said I never requested a form but they sent it to me. Is there anything specific I should take I have my test results ect on my phone from my online doctor site but haven't anything written from doctor or anything. I've read a few things on here that makes me nervous about going as ppls experiences have not seemed very positive. But I shall be letting you know what happens x
If you need further advice after you get the result of the assessment, there are lots of people on here who can help.
Will
get it recorded and don't do anything without a recording, as not saying people lie, just there words in a written report, aren't maybe the same as you have said them from out of your own mouth, that's first piece of my advice,
second, get a complete set of hospital notes, scans, MRI results and have a copy sent to the place who's doing the assessment plenty of time in advance, take in person or use recorded del and always make a back up of anything sent you, and filled in by yourself, no matter the cost, having it will avoid any issues if they arise in the future and will i;m sure pay for themselves many times over.
never reply to any verbal question without thinking first and seeing what you first placed on the paper work you sent them.
only reply when your ready and don't be surprised to be asked loaded questions in a nice manner just to fool you, it happens, how did you get here today etc?
do you cook and enjoy making meals?
you say you have issues walking?
so don't tell then you enjoy dog walking, riding a bike, shopping, swimming or anything which will counter what you said about being unable to do something, and don't be surprised if you say you can't do something, then they found out from twitter, facebook or anywhere else you can, it happens.
the same NHS doctors and nurse say one thing in hospital, then once working for the DWP on a WCA tell a totally different story some times, again in happens, worse case, you prove it with notes, they don't read it, and go on how you are on the day, and there views and opinions on how you look and feel and act.
those who have a better acting ability score well here, those who don't some times fail, even with a massive amount of paper work saying other wise, then again it happens, in the end, you aren't to tell them lies, but being honest also doesn't go down well or in your favor.
you have to tell them how you are on a worst day, then they make there mind up on how you look on the day your assessed and with what you have written on the form and form there own opinion, hopefully it all goes well, if it doesn't, your also not alone, then everyone will shout up and give you advice on what to do next, more hoops to jump through, so good luck
The second statement is one that is oft repeated but nevertheless remains wrong and actually dangerous advice. You absolutely must not present your worst day and infer you’re like that all the time. I’ve heard individuals and even advice services say it but legally it is wrong and potentially it is fraud. There have been, and I posted this here last year also, 2 fraud prosecutions on the basis of “worst day” and 1 of them succeeded.
Most people, if not all, have variable conditions and it is far better to present those variations accurately in all their glory as the key to disability benefits is whether or not you can do something reliably or safely.
Have you considered re training in some way? You have an interest in looking after children, so what about teaching assistant qualifications? It's most likely that a school will be more willing and more able to support any reasonable adjustments you require. The government may be able to assist you with any costs of re training and the provider will be able to provide reasonable adjustments to assist you in your course.
I'm currently in the process of retraining.
Yes I defo have I just need to try and get to the bottom of what is going on the degenerative changes in my knee and back are labelled as servere ie to progressional for my age and atm the pain that it causes is limiting everything but doctors won't prescribe anything higher than I'm on but yeah if they could sort pain even a bit that would b helpful. It's frustrating I've been telling doctors for years something is wrong but only now it's got to point where can hardly walk has anyone even looked into what is going on my blood results point to autoimmune disease but doc don't know which one hence going to see a rheumatologist but that isn't until Sept.. But now thinking could get my teaching assistant qualification or something else or at least start whilst I wait just been so focused on trying to find out what's going on its been whole consuming x thank you for advice
Tbf lady at desk was very nice and apologetic even more so after my mom had to get me a chair because the pain of getting there was to much and I wasn't the only one they turned away today. So will b trying again on Wednesday got a morning appointment so hopefully that one should be OK. Do have to say a) they certainly do not make it easy for ppl to get into their offices u can't get dropped off right outside then the aera for waiting room is another fair walk not sure how far it is but I had to stop I don't know how many times and once in there my mom had to go to reception desk as I literally could not make it without a rest first
C) some of the people there getting their appointments cancelled where a hell of a lot worse off than me I just don't know how ppl cope with all of this
Scope
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Time will tell what the assor made of it all.
Will update when get my report
Thanks for letting us know.
Scope
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Like @Adrian_Scope said, I really hope it's a positive outcome.
Scope
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Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.