Fed up!

sarahpeps

Hi, Im new to the forum (been seaching web for OA help and found this). I am 41 and was diagnosed with OA 7 years ago. Up until now its been bearable and Ive managed to keep working (self employed) and kept up with our 3 teenagers.
I have been laid up for a week now with too much pain, doc has put me on strong painkillers which help but make me drowsy. Just wondered if anyone else at my age suffers the same? I feel that others (family included) think that I am exaggerating the pain and am being lazy.
As yet I havent claimed any benefits but am now wondering if I am entitled to anything? My hubby is a S. E builder and Ive been running a busy B&B. I have now taken on a cleaner as am finding it all too much to do - I'd really like to pack it all in but we need the money.
Sorry to ramble on - Im just feeling thoroughly fed up with my useless body at the moment

minky67

Hi,& welcome to the forum,im sure you'll be addicted as most of us are.
Im 42 & was diagnosed with OA at 40.I had been working full time with knee & right hand pain. Then my neck joined in until i had to go sick & have physio to get the movement back( neck had completeely seized up )I had to have diazapam for a wk as the pain was cronic. Ive also got Fibromyalgia ( which affects muscles,tendons & ligaments.fatique & IBS )
Most of my joints are affected & i can no longer work.

Benefits, you could try looking at the job centre site for advice on what you can claim,or google '' entitled to'' thats a good site & private. you put in details & it gives you what your entitled too.
Rent,council tax, tax credits,esa & dla are all covered at that site.

Hope that is some help for you.
Take care & post again if you have any more questions as you will get a reply.
debs

tillytot41

Hiya Sarah,totally know where you are coming from.Im 41 too,am in wiltshire.Ive not had a definite diagnosis yet but my doc thinks ive got rheumatoid and i am seeing specialist tomorrow.
There is a benefit checker online so u can use that to find out what ur entitled too.
Ive got kids too they are 13 and 10,girl and boy and they are my arms and legs at the mo.I dont have a partner so keeping on top of the housework is a nightmare for me.
Glad you have found this place,im quite new too but everyone has been so kind and helpful on here during a really horrid time.
Really hope you are feeling better soon.
Ali xx

woodbon

Hi, I have OA too, but I'm a bit older than you, I'm 54. It is horrible having to put up with the pain. Do the painkillers your GP gave you help much? Quite often it takes some experimenting to find the drug that helps you most. I've taken quite a few different ones in my time, but at the moment Tramidol are the best for me. We are all different and that means that it needs patience to try and find the right drug. I hope that you will find this site helpful, I know that I certainly do! Love Sue

sarahpeps

Thank you all so much for your relpies, its nice to get a warm welcome and to know others feel as I do!
At the moment I am taking co-codamol and diclofenac, both make me very sleepy so I take them once the kids have gone to school and at bedtime, as I know I will sleep for two hours solid once they kick in!
Ive been on a few websites regarding benefits and think I may be entitled to DLA, but why do they make it so confusing with all the different types of benefit? One I'm sure said you are entitles to it if you had no legs - bit drastic!
I am fortunate to have a helpful husband and (sometimes) helpful kids. Hubby has recently taken severance and is self employed so money is very tight, we are relying on his payout to last six months then ...????
Im sure this time of year makes me feel worse - dark days and cold - maybe I should emigrate somewhere hot and sunny?!
Looking forward to nattering to you all on here.
Sarah

skezier

Hi Sarah,

I am sorry you have been told you have oa, I don't think it matters about what age really. I got my first diagnosis of oa in my teens so I do remember how cheated I felt. I wonder if our gp could come up with a different combination of tablets that don't make you feel sleepy? Can I ask how long have you been on them cus sometimes it takes your body a bit of time to adjust. Could I hide in your bags when you emigrate please Take care Cris

sarahpeps

Ive only been on these meds for a week or so, I see it as a temporary measure (hopefully!). I havent had to rely on meds before, just managed to get through with help from family, hot baths and ibuprofen. However this seems to be a really bad flare up and Im pretty scared! - What if this is it? Will I be like this forever more? Im going to ring my doctor tomorrow and speak to her (different doc gave me the recent meds).

Also I have just filled in the 56 page form to apply for DLA!! Why 56 pages for goodness sake? By the end of it my writing was a complete scrawl - they dont think about those who have trouble writing!!
Sarah

tillytot41

Sarah i should have said i would strongly recommend you get citizens advice to help you fill out the DLA form,i had a friend who knew how to feel out these forms and i was still turned down first time,now i have the cab representing me and they feel strongly my appeal should win(we will see).
I dont think you will feel this badly forever hun,cant say how long your flare up will last unfortunately.
Oh and im going to live in spain(ha ha i wish)but i keep telling everyone (i can dream)
Ali xx

sarahpeps

We'd love to live in Spain or Southern France - have to wait for kids to leave home!!
Ive just had a letter from my local council about my blue badge application (I only posted it on Monday!!) They have said that I can have one
I have mixed feelings, on one hand Im thinking 'great' shopping will be so much easier - especially at the supermarket. But on the other hand I feel quite sad that I am now officially 'disabled'
Sarah