dla letter

princess935

i wrote yesterday about my dla refusal.

I got the letter today, they havent even written to my rheumatologist who i see for the problem, they wrote to the gp, who i never see for the problem, so how do they know how much i struggle.

The letter says:

'Using suitable walking aids, although your walking is limited, you are not unable or virtually unable to walk'

My walking is very limited because i am virtually unable to walk as it is too painful.

also:

'At your own speed, you can safely: get in and out of bed, manage your toilet needs, use a bath or shower, dress and undress, get up and down stairs, get in and out of a chair, move about indoors, manage your treatment and medication'

I cant believe that have they not read what i put on the form, going up any stairs causing the worst pain i have, i have to bend over put my hands on the stairs and go up with feet and hands, this means i don't have to straighten my leg as much, going down it go down on my side, frightened that my knees are about to give way and i will fall, i told them all this.
My ex partner is my carer, he comes down at 7.30 every morning to help with me getting up and helps me down the stairs and gets my son ready, he stays for 20 mins and he is my life saver, he also comes down at 7pm to bath my son and put him to bed. I can get in the bath but cant get out, i have to have my carer hoist me with our arms interlinked and he holds me while i get out, omg, im furious. get in and out of bed, i lay in bed for an hour trying to losen my knees doing excercises physio gave me, because getting out of bed is terrible i try to stand but most of the time fall back because i cant get my balance properly. When i can get my balance i have to stnd there for a minute or 2 before rtying to walk out my room either with one hand on the wall or my carersupporting me.

as for tablets, i take 15 for my kineys throughout the day, 1 for hiatus hernia, 1 for depression, 1 for underactive thyroid. Just taking allthese tablets depresses me, in fact i havent taken my kidney one properley for 6 months because i forget while i am out because i have so many.

I put all this in the

I put all this in the form and why havent they taken any of it seriously.

i am fuming at the gp's, they should have directed them to the rheumy, they are gonn get a tongue lashing from me on monday.

skezier

Hi Princess,

I hope you will appeal this one flower cus it doesn't sound fair.

I think its a good idea to get the gp on side rather than complain maybe? You might find it better to go see the gp and explain what you can and can't do so they know.

Your consultants letters might help as well?

I rally hope you can get it sorted and if you haven't already seen them either the cab or dial might be able to help you. hang in there flower. Cris x

bubbles

Hi Princess, sorry to hear about the letter from the DLA - I have had to put them right on more than one occasion.
I would assume that the GP has letters from the rheummy, if so, he can refer to them in a letter to the DLA. I would keep the GP on your side, probably make an appointment and say that you are appealing against the recent DLA decision and would appreciate their support. Giving them a copy of your letter to the DLA is always worthwhile, as the GP often does not know how you manage at home and the amount of time and level of care needed. When the DLA ask them certain questions, the GP can only tick "don't know", which is no help to you.

DLA is based on level of care needed, amount of time that this care takes and whether it is frequent and significant, throughout the day and or night. Unless a person has certain diagnosis, in which case, special rules apply, then the award is based on care needs and not the illness per say.

Do appeal, make sure you address each point they make, keep copies and I wish you every success. Take care, XXX Bubbles.

madwestie

Princess, i agree that getting your Gp on your side will help do you see any other health proffesionals could you get them to write letters as well outlining the help you need and what you have difficulty doing you could also get you ex to write one saying what he has to do to help you and ask your rheumy to write one you can send all these in with your appeal.
You could also try one of the organisation like CAb or Dial to help you with your appeal.

You can ask the DLA for a copy of the letter/report that your GP wrote he may have been on your side you never know.

Good luck with your appeal

Tracey

frogmorton

Oh Princess :sad:

How brave do you feel?

I ask this because your post is yet another example of the way DLA is(NOT) being awarded to those who desperatekly need it these days.

I would LOVE you to go to your MP like one of the other lasses did on here to her ESA and make sure he/she knows the mpS NEED TO BE RAISING THIS IN PARLIAMENT sorry that was caps lock by mistake. :oops:

Agree with Bubbles it is possible that DLA asked GP specific ques so he/she only answered them??

Now off to CAB with you you hAVE to appeal - we are right her behind you.

Love hugs and support

toni xx

princess935

thanks guys, i phoned them friday, thats when i found out, and i requested a copy of the gp's letter, so will wait til i have it before i see them.
I am seeing the theumy at the hospital on 27 may to have injections in my knees and hopefully this will help a great deal. I gets me down that at my age i have this, im 33, i used to do a hell of alot of running every day, i didnt know back then that i had extra bones in fee and that my feet where flat. i was in the army. I think all of that did the damage i now have.
I would give anything to be able to run after my 5 year old.

thanks again

tkachev

Definately appeal. I had to ask my Rheumatologist to write to the DLA on my behalf and that clinched it for me. They have all the information required to help. Like you I never visit GP for arthritis problems, for me it is too big for them to deal with, they can sort my coughs/colds etc.If you have any up and coming treatment( ops for damaged joints that will be needed in the near future, any stronger treatment that are considering) get the rheumatologist to write this in a report too.
I am sure you just need to get your point across.
Your claim will be backdated so you won't lose out. Do get CAB to help you as they know how to say things.

Best of luck
Elizabeth

princess935

spoke to dla today who said if they dont get a report back from the consultant after 4 weeks they go to the gp, they didnt even chase it, she said they do not have to. poke to rheumy secretary who said she has never receive it. Really dla should phone to confirm they got it. The rheumy secretary confirmed that on 25th Jan 2011 they sent letter to gp confirming osteoarthritis and hypermobility. Phoned doctors who said they never got it, so not down as having arthritis. So that explains why dla think there is nothing wrong with me.

I asked for reconsideration, they will not request another report from rheumy, she said its for me to show evidence now. So got injections next week and seeing the registrar, then seeing the rheumy on 6th june, the secreatary told me to tell consultant about dla, and when writing to the gp to send me a copy for evidence of my condition, and she is going to send me a copy of the letter from january.

The dla woman was saying how far can you walk, i said before i get pain a couple of metres, she said the pain thing has nothing to do with it, i said well thats not fair, i have to walk through my pain otherwise i wuldnt get anywhere, i told her not very far, also told her that the inner sides of my knees look bruised after i have been walking and that i have photo evidence.

just shocked that they didnt follow up rheumy report if they had they would have realised that they never got it. And this is supposed to be professional, i worked for the government and i had to make sure 7 days from the date i sent a letter to a company that they received it.

oh dear, but on a good note, they made the decision with no evidence of my condition, so now they are going to get bombarded with it.

thanks for reading

woodbon

Hello, I'm so sorry for you, its such a pain having the worry of chasing things up as well as feeling unwell.
At least you can appeal and this time make sure that they get all the evdence and plenty of it, as you said, bombard them!
If you post anything to them, I'd get a proof of postage receipt from the post office, can't be too careful! Love Suexx

princess935

thanks

going to see the gp tonite(they have evening appointments) to discuss my problems and the dla form.

I know that dla are trying to stop people claiming, but refusing to chase up reports from the hospital and just leaving it if its not returned and making a decision on nothing is just silly, i really think i am going to get my mp involved. I called them back this evening and they confirmed that they will not send another report form to the consultant, as if knowing if they did the report would confirm all i said on the form.

just nasty tactics