have to reduce work load

saralea247

hi everyone out there, i am a new user on the forum saralea and wondered how many of you out there have O.A . I am 57 and had to give up contracted work as was unable to fulfill my contract needs, as i live on my own i am finding it hard to do every day activities that i took for granted. I am also finding it hard to get part time work and almost used up most of my savings since stopping work last November, i had been adviced to apply for D.L.A. but never thought it could be so soul destroying , has anyone had the same experiance, my O.A. is my hands, foot knees and back.:|

stickywicket

Hello Saralea and welcome to the forum. I think you'll find there are a lot on here with OA, including me, though mine is as a result of years of RA. There are also many who are struggling to work and many who have problems with DLA. I think you'll find more people answer you if you re-post this on the Living With Arthritis forum as well as here. As for simple tasks - have you read our 'Simple Ideas....' thread near the top of the Living With Arthritis forum? We're quite an inventive lot If you need grab rails or a pick-up-stick or suchlike, have you seen an Occupational Therapist? You can self-refer.

christinac47

saralea247 wrote:

hi everyone out there, i am a new user on the forum saralea and wondered how many of you out there have O.A . I am 57 and had to give up contracted work as was unable to fulfill my contract needs, as i live on my own i am finding it hard to do every day activities that i took for granted. I am also finding it hard to get part time work and almost used up most of my savings since stopping work last November, i had been adviced to apply for D.L.A. but never thought it could be so soul destroying , has anyone had the same experiance, my O.A. is my hands, foot knees and back.:|

hi there sorry to here your not working now i am still working have O&A in my spine and big toes i am fine it hard to keep my job and have other health proplems to tryed to claim benifits for help and got turned down so i know how you feel as i feel helpless that i cant do the thing i use to

GraceB

Hi,
I'm nearly 48 and have had osteoarthritis since my mid thirties. I currently have a partially replaced right knee (currently flaring); left ankle which needs brutal and bone destroying surgery due to OA; left knee has OA in it and is flaring and also needs replacing; plus I have OA in L4/L5.

Currently, I'm working full time in an admin role but am finding it more difficult by the week to continue. I've asked to reduce to 4 days per week due to health but that was refused. I'm still trying to work out what to do for the best.

It's so difficult when your body doesn't want to co-operate.

Can you investigate part-time work, or working from home perhaps? Also have you talked to your GP about a referral to Occupational Therapy as they may be able to help you wish specialist equipment.

When completing your DLA form write down everything as for your worst days and say when you need help, e.g., 'I need help with preparing a meal'. If you haven't currently got help it doesn't matter for the purposes of your claim - that would just emphasise the fact that you need that type of support.

I also think you may be wise to go and talk to your local CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau); also see if you can get a Blue Badge as that would help get you nearer to shops, etc., and reduce the walking. The CAB may be able to help you get some benefits as well.

Good luck; try posting on LWA as already suggested, also have you thought about ringing the Helplines?

Take care,
GraceB