New and just got diagnosis

Mrsl

Hi I am new to the site and have just got my diagnosis of OA after fracturing my ankle 7 years ago. I have suffered for years and suspected I had arthritis it was quite upsetting to get the diagnosis. I'm a TA in a nursery and love my job and also have to work financially. Some days are a struggle most afternoons are and when I get home I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do routine chores due to the pain. I can walk for a length of time but in a lot of pain. I carry on with the pain as I don't have an alternative things have to be done and I'm only 33 with 2 boys! I lean on the trolley to help in the shops etc. I am also finding it increasingly difficult to sleep and often wake and can't get back to sleep. I am applying for PIP although I'm concerned I would meet the assessments. I know there are people far worse then me but I'm feeling quite miserable and weary about the future thanks for reading

barbara12

Hello Mrsl
And a warm welcome to the forum,gosh it must be so hard for you working and having a family to look after, touch wood my ankles are the one things not effected yet..have you got pain relief to get you through the day....I'm so glad you have joined us..at least you now have some support and there is lots of info to be had on the forum..

Slosh

Hi, I'm relatively new to all this and HAVE OA in my neck.
Do you work in an LEA funded nursery? If so I would suggest you ask your head to refer you to Occupational Health. I work in a primary school and found their advice very helpful.

Lubs

Hi Mrsl,

I'm a secondary teacher and I have psoriatic arthritis, spondylitis and fibromyalgia. I was finally diagnosed with all three conditions this year, which helped me to decide to go for early retirement on ill-health. At the moment I'm just waiting to see if I get it.

I've coped with teaching and being a head of year by making sure my school were aware of my condition. They have a duty of care towards you, so my school helped with meeting with me on a monthly basis whereby I could ask for help with things (but everything does have to go through to the head teacher to be approved). I would ask for things like if someone uses my room, then they need to clean the white board, I would also have it deep cleaned every half term because I just didn't have the energy to clean three boards, even if the students did it.

So my advice is go to occupational health, they will help to keep you in the work place longer, get you a better chair etc. when you are tired you can let someone know without the fear of losing your job etc.

Definitely go for PIP it helps with getting the blue badge and other things you may need. Most importantly lister to your body, when tired you need to rest and sleep.

Sorry for the long post but I hope it gives you some reassurance.

Take care
Lubs

bubbadog

Hi Mrsl wanted to welcome you to Arthritis Care forum and hope some of the others advice will help you.

dachshund

Hello Mrsl
welcome to this lovely forum the people on here are so kind and help
full. have you seen the magazine called inspire it has things to do and help in it.
take care
joan xx

DebbieT

Hello & welcome,

I'm sorry things are becoming such a struggle

If you haven't already, this may be the time to see ure GP about some pain management. Arthritis is degenerative & for life, as you know, so there is no point in trying to soldier on thru pain. You'll never be free of it but it can be managed to an extent & that will aid ure sleep etc

It's not easy to hear or except is it but uve been given some great practical advise regarding work etc Things aren't always as bleak as we fear!!

Good luck & keep in touch.

((((Hugs))))

Xxx xxX

Mrsl

Hello thanks for all the replies. Yes I think I will pay the gp visit. I'm a little wary of involving the oh yet I'm only just past my probationary period and I also love working nursery so don't want that to change. I'm concerned about applying for pip as I have heard they are not worried how you walk and how painful it is if you can walk you can walk if you see what I mean? Thanks again for the replies x

dreamdaisy

Is it in just the one ankle? If so I suspect you won't qualify for PIP just yet but you won't know until you try. When I am transferred from DLA to PIP I know I will not be awarded as much because I am reliant on walking aids to get around so I will be able to do their qualifying distance, albeit with difficulty. DD

Mrsl

Yes just one ankle albeit my leading foot. I wondered if I would qualify for the care component? Thanks for the reply. X

dreamdaisy

To be honest I don't think so. I understand you are in pain but surely you can still do the basics such as cooking, cleaning, washing, dressing etc. ? I qualified for higher-rate mobility but have never applied for the care element because I can still do the necessaries, albeit differently to how I used and much slower. DD

Mrsl

I can do most of it because I have to sometimes I have no idea how I manage. By the time I finish work I struggle to walk and stand to cook, clean etc i often can't Hoover particularly the stairs and frequently put off going upstairs for the toilet etc

Slosh

If you have only just been diagnosed it is probably too soon to apply anyway. I suggest you request an OH appointment as they will suggest things for work than can help . You have also not mentioned what your GP is planning on terms of treatment, has he/she referred you to a specialist? You need to look at treatment options first.
I first went to my GP in April last year, saw OH in May and was then on reduced hours with regular review meetings until I finally was told to stay off until I had my op and was fully recovered. The advantage of reduced hours as an interim measure is that you do get paid as normal and it is not counted as sick leave. It also helps a lot psychologically to keep going at work.

dreamdaisy

I presume that the care component applies to the costs of employing someone who is executing one's physical care: washing, dressing, toileting etc. rather than to someone who can still do these things albeit with some discomfort. I have higher-rate mobility under DLA (which is now being phased out by PIP) and realise that I will lose some of my allowance because I use walking aids: I reckon that's fair enough.

I fear that you are in the very early stages of this malarkey but obviously have a notion about what benefits should apply. Don't be surprised if they don't - people facing more difficulty than you are being turned down and I don't think that your current situation would be viewed in any kind of favourable light. DD

tjt6768

I wanted to welcome you to the forum. I'm sorry that you've had to join but you are in the best company here for good and honest advice.
We are a friendly bunch.

(((YBH'S)))
They're Yorkshire Blokey Hugs. Not given out lightly I may add.

dreamdaisy

Hello, how are you getting on? I've been thinking of you. DD

Mrsl

Hi I'm actually having a very bad day. Busy day at work yesterday and am now hardly able to walk on it and can't sleep. I'm going to try for the pip just to make life a bit more bearable and enjoy my family more it would help the expenses from ankle. I'm feeling really down operation seemed to be pointless and I am now awaiting a scan to see if my gallbladder needs to be removed and my migraines are coming back with vengeance I'm also a chronic migraine sufferer under a neurologist feel 33 going on 63!

Boomer13

Hi;

It's a rotten combination: bad gallbladder, migraines and arthritis I'm sorry you have them, I do to.

Take care, I hope you have luck getting help.