DLA Medical

annebr

Hi,

I have just received a phonecall about my DLA appeal. I have to attend a medical tomorrow morning (they have a cancellation). What should I expect?

Thanks

Anne

woodbon

Good luck with the medical I am just about to go though all this. My GP thinks that I should get it and said she will support me, but I don't suppose I will! Sorry, I'm not being very supportive to you.

Let them see how much pain you have. Don't lie, but don't gloss it over. Think about the new stratagies you use to do things now (if you are like me), and how tired and slow things have got. If doing something they ask will make you hurt and feel ill, tell them that you will do it but tomorrow you will not be able to do anything much. If you have slip on shoes, as I guess, we all do on here, say that you can only put on this type of shoe as you can't bend to put on anything like trainers.

I don't know if this is how to approach it, and I look forward to reading other peoples comments. I feel you have to say things out loud and make a fuss, say if you hurt anywhere.

We get so used to making the best of things that we still do it even when we need to show how we really feel!

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Love Sue

annebr

Thanks Jan and Sue,

I phoned my OH at work and he agreed don't play down how sore you are. The problem is that I can walk (using my stick) but I end up in pain, which they can't see. Also stupod thigs like cutting my toenails I now have to get on OH to do for me.

Why do these things make you feel like a fraud? I am glad that I got a cancellation for the morning as it doesn't give me time to think about it and worry.

The galling thing about this is I know of people who have claimed DLA claiming they are alcoholics, they are not. When they go to the medical they drink a can of beer, wear dirty clothes etc and they get the benefit plus extra to 'feed their habit'.

I have never signed on/claimed any sort of benefit in my life and now I am going through this. I will be careful what I say as you said Sue I won't gloss over how simple things are more difficult and tiring.

anne

jaspercat

Hi Anne, I had a medical at home, the doctor was really nice but I told him how bad things get, the important question, if they ask it, is about preparing a meal from scratch and lifting things in and out of the oven and full pots of pans, just say no you can't do it at all love Jaspercatxx

frogmorton

Hi Ann
Just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow and well - jsut say it as it is! Don't be a hero...tell them the pain you are in and make sure they know what you can't do
I didn't realise that thoise with additions got extra money!!!
That is not right
Ann good luck and do let us know how you get on.
Toni x

bertyboy

hope all goes well if you cant do something dont do it i could not even get on the step to get on the bed :oops:

annebr

Thanks everyone, I will update the pot when I get back tomorrow to let you know how it goes.

Does anyone know how quickly after the medical you get a decision?

Anne

dorcas

Just wanted to add my good luck to you for your medical tomorrow...

don't feel like a fraud! you are entitled to this help and it could make a difference to your quality of life/ to be able to use the xtra money for support and getting around etc...

it's always the good folks that have to fight for their rights....if you were a benefit dodger you would have used every trick in the book and sailed through with the original application!

Just tell it as it is; make notes for yourself to take in with you of what it is like for you doing the everyday tasks... think of every aspect..from personal care to getting around and everything in between! and if necessary give the doc your notes.

That way you will be prepared and not have to rely on remembering everything when you're with the doc. Hope too that you have someone going with you?
will be thinking about you and hope all goes well. x

ritwren

I know I'm too late to wish you all the best, have only just read your post, but I do hope this morning has gone well for you. It's an absolute disgrace that genuine folk have to feel so stressed about these things while others seem to sail through them. Fingers crossed for you.
rita

skezier

Hi Anne,

I'm like Rita and too late to wish you luck but really do hope it went well. Cris x

annebr

Hi everyone,

Well had my medical (if that's what you call it). I ended up in a bit of a state this morning and was up from 6ish worrying. My appointment was 8:50 so at least I didn't have all day getting into a state.

Basically it was as everyone said, the Doctor (???) had a form to fill in with questions from DWP so we went through that, talking through the OA and FAI. He seemed very intrested in what I did all day, did I have hobbies, watch tv, surf the net... I explained that I done light chores in the house and everything I done took at least twice as long and that I tired easily. DId I go out walks round the shops??? He then got me on the bed, which was very high and tried to get me to do some leg movements, which I couldn't do.

I told him about the aids I used in the house and how my OH had to help me do a lot of stuff. I didn't lie but done as you all advised and tried to tell him how much pain I was in.

The best question was....'When did I expect my legs to get better?' I then had to explain to the Doctor that OA doesn't get better.

I really had made myself ill this morning so had to take my meds and lie on the sofa for an hour when I got it, my head is still splitting.

It makes me so angry that we have to jump through hoops to get an extra £18 a week. I have never signed on, claimed benefits in my life and although I am not working at the moment, i am still paying tax.

I will let you know when I hear from them about the appeal, sorry for the rant.

anne xx

woodbon

I'm sure a lie down will cure your FA, (Where do they get these people from?) Sorry, I don't mean to be flippant. I do understand what you mean because I am in a similar position, I can do things but not very much and not very well and then I feel ill and have to rest the next day! I chatted to my G about this yesterday, and she said she would support me and not to worry, but its so silly. I've been retired from work and given my full pension as the council's doctor dosn't think I will work again, you'd think that was enough with a my GPs certificate and hospital notes!

If you fail, make sure you appeal, its quite common. I'm sure the others will tell you. Love Sue

tkachev

Hi Anne,
You will get a really cr***y report,they wont have listened to a thing you have said,they will say you can do things you cant. Just appeal and dont get upset because it seems to be happening to everyone.I also think they try to pretend to be on your side to gain your confidence and then they will throw it all in your face later in the report!
Be warned.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

annebr

Thanks Sue & Elizabeth.

This is my appeal, they rejected me the first time saying I would be 'cured' by March next year.

Some of the questions implied that all I do is watch tv and surf the net, which I put him right on.

To be honest not holding out much hope. I am just angry at myself for getting so worked up about it, I am not a fraud I genuinly do not feel well.

Do they send you a copy of the report, will be intresting to read?

Does anyone have any idea how long I will wait for a decision now?

Thanks for all your support.

Anne

tkachev

Well they know you must have been bad cos you had a hip resurfacing. You couldnt have made that up.Half the forum gets told they have to leave their jobs due to ill health, then told they are well enough to work.It is all so confusing!
Best wishes
Elizabeth

sharmaine

Hi Anne

At my medical I thought carefully about the questions they asked and gave my answers with care. If you can't stand for long periods tell them; if you have trouble reaching tell them; if you can't put on your shoes etc tell them.

You will be fine. Don't worry they will have all the information from your GP (hopefully)! They will want to see what meds you are on prescribed and non prescription and will ask you to do bending etc. I took all my meds with me.

Good luck.

Sharmaine

annebr

Sharmaine,

Thanks. I must admit the advice from others on the forum was very useful. i also made a note of points I wanted to tell them so I wouldn't forget. I gave them a full list of meds for all my ailments. And also, thought carefully about answers, as i felt some of the questions were trying to trip you up.

Hopefully get a decision quicky, although i am not holding out much hope for anything.

anne

ifeelninety

My friend (he has PA)got the doctor sent out to him and he was really possitive about it - the dr did listen, let him read the notes afterwards to make sure it was all correct. Dr said he was one of the most genuine cases he had seen.

He was awarded HRM and LRC - Hope you get the answer you are hoping for - you deserve it! It is a lot of stress and worry ( bad enough being ill without all that)