Unable to drive
I’m really looking for some guidance!
I have psoriatic arthritis that greatly affects my left foot/toes/ankle and knee. I have a 6 month old and 4 year old who depend on me for all aspects of life. I am a breastfeeding mother and have recently been put back on DMARDS (sulfasalazine), naproxen, co-codamol and steroids. My foot is that incredibly painful I am now unable to drive, walk for any longer than 5 minutes, and this has effected every aspect of my day to day life. I can no longer take my eldest to school, attend appointments, go outside for walks, shopping whatever you name it. I have just applied for a Personal independence payment (which I’ve just been informed can take up to 6 months) i am at a lost on what i am suppose to do. How am I suppose to return to work next month? How am I suppose to take my boy to school? How am I suppose to attend my hospital appointments in the mean time? Who am I suppose to be asking for help until I get the decision from DWP? I hate hate hate living like this and it’s really affecting my mental health and my family.
Comments
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I remember, with some unease, those difficult years of having two small children and RA. Presumably the sulf will start to work eventually and, presumably, you've been given the all-clear to breastfeed while taking cocos.
In reply to your questions - what I did was:
- Enlist a friend or neighbour to take my elder lad to school and back.
- Get hospital transport for appointments.
- In some areas there are people willing to volunteer lifts for other essential journeys.
- I've no answer to returning to work. I couldn't.
- Get groceries delivered and do the rest online.
- If walking aids help try your local disability store. Some will come out to you. I used the baby's pram as a walking aid!
- Good luck and I hope the sulf kicks in soon. Is that what you were on previously? Did it work then? Our arthritic bodies (well, mine any way) take ages to recover from childbirth.
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