Things get better... ? I'm not so sure — Scope | Disability forum
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Things get better... ? I'm not so sure

Craig72
Craig72 Community member Posts: 43 Connected
In 2014 I had to stop work due to my back and knees, I noticed after I was in a accident at work in 2007 my knees would have a sharp pain going through them. this was ongoing for years then at the end of 2014 I went for a X-ray and my doctor said you have degenerative advance osteoarthritis...in both knees ? I applied for E. S. A and problems arrived a short while after going for an assessment  I failed with 10 points out of 16 I think,  ? after about 10 calls to D. W. P  they said we will put you in a suport group for 12 months you don't need to send any certificates...arfter that time was up another assessment ? and again I failed on points ? so 3 mandatory reconsiderations and a paper tribunal my condition has worsened I'm in pain all day from shoulders knees back feet and hand. I now have spondylitis and my gates shifted the the specialist put in my  medical notes.   the surgeon then said I wouldn't do surgery because your to young 46 and you would be back again in less than 6 or 7 years so the D. W. P have had all this info countless certificates and medical notes,  I struggle to move now driving is getting hard moving in general is difficult I've got morphine patches and tablets for pain and my depression is at a low.  I've now been to mental health  back and forth and  to doctors that all this has finally broken me ? the pain is on a different level now,  I don't sleep due to pain and restfulness and still fighting for benefits I've got a P. I. P assessment  soon, so am I positive absolutely not because my last assessments were a joke if you can turn over your hands and talk and dress well your fine.... ?? the D. W. P lost my paperwork and cut me off the phone after a hour and 20 mins....my partner has chronic fatigue syndrome and a daughter with A. D. H. D I also found my partners dad who passed away in his flat ?so we have a hell of a lot going on my partner helps me loads. I don't want people to take a negative from this because we all go through things in life,  and some people have had positive outcomes on here ?  so maybe my disability is on the low end compared to some on here, not only was I broken physicaly over the years,  the system has now broke me mentally, so my pain is a everyday acurance now I don't want to get hooked on painkillers and my depression is at a low...? I've been through loads but finally this P. I. P will be the last I'm burnt out,  so 4 years on and nothing has changed there is not much more I can do also contacted my local PM and he just reiterated what my health care professional had said ?? oh well 

Comments

  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,780 Pioneering
    edited May 2019
    Hi @Craig72 thank you for sharing this with us. I am sorry to hear this. How are you doing today? My sincere condolences to you, your partner and family.

    Have you tried your local CAB  for advice, we have some information on PIP assessments. 

    I'm sorry to hear they lost your paperwork, have they updated you recently about this?

    You may want to contact your GP again and see if there's suggestions, to reduce the pain. For example, maybe referring you to a pain clinic.

    Please keep us updated. :)
  • Craig72
    Craig72 Community member Posts: 43 Connected
    Thank you....? going again to pain clinic 16 June... and what the D. W. P lost I got back together over the year it took a while......im moving about better than most people I guess but have to think of the future obviously it's not going away but if I can't work due to my disability and I failed the assessments not sure what to do now... just burnt out got a P. I. P assessment this week can't wait... ??
  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,780 Pioneering
    Hi @Craig72 no problem :) That's good to hear, I hope it goes well. 
    Glad to hear this, that's a long time, but relieved to hear you got them back. 

    I'm sorry to hear this, a lot of our members can relate to this. I hope it goes well this time.
    There's some guidance on the citizen advice website on; How the DWP makes a decision on PIP claims

    Our members may be able to offer some advice and will reply to you. In the meantime please take it easy and let us know if you have any questions. :) 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Hi @Craig72, when is your PIP assessment this week? Best of luck with it, the link Antonia provided above may help. Please let us know how you get on. 
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