Changes that you have to report

weetabix
weetabix Member Posts: 43
edited 8. Feb 2009, 15:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
can anyone tel me how long you have to have felt a bit better for to say that its a def change of circumstances.

I have been on Tramadol for severe pain now for a few weeks constantly. I have taken them before but they made me very dizzy and sick so i stopped although they seemed to work on the pain the side effects were unbearable.
I have now found another tablet that i have been perscribed helps with these symptoms, and therefore my pain has reduced. if i keep taking them i don't know how long it will last but it has lasted now for the last few weeks or so Do i have to tell the dwp about these tablets again? I did tell them i was taking them on my form a few years ago but i stopped just after i got the award again because of the side effects.

So do I have to tell them they are helping with my pain and that i can do more now than i could before due to taking them constantly?

any help would be appreciated

weetabix

Comments

  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I would wait a little bit longer just to make sure. The thing to remember is regarding DLA etc how would you be without these tablets? The fact that you need to take them to enable you to do things is a factor. What if you missed taking them, what would be the outcome? If you get a couple of months down the line and definitely see a difference then I would speak to someone first like CAB to see what you should do. I've heard people phone DWP up and for the person at the other end to get trigger happy and change their claim. I'd get advice prior to contacting them.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,086
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree.
    Take advice before you contact them.
    You are having treatment and are not cured.
    If things look good in a while maybe speak to someone at CAB?Take care
    and I am glad the tabs are helping g :( :!:
    Toni x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Weetabix this is such a difficult one and it does depend on which benefit you're talking about.

    I think it's because we're so honest that we battle with our conscience over accepting any benefits and even the most severely disabled can still feel a fraud.

    Arthritis comes and goes anyway and I'm sure the DWP must realise this and you must also consider how hard these benefits are to get in the first place. A few weeks of feeling better is still only early days, I would still wait a while longer if it were me, and then, as the others have said, ask advise before you speak to the DWP.

    I'm so glad you're feeling better. :D

    Luv Legs :)
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi weetabix
    I agree with Legs here be very careful what you do and what you say. Arthritis can come and go it can be up and down. Think about what your doing and weather or not you can manage if that part of your benefit is stopped. Honesty and truth is a good thing and I admire you for that but I would put it off for quite some time and see how the Arthur is going. Not wanting to put a damper on things you never know what’s round the corner. Take care
    Colin
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I agree with everyone, the tablets are not a cure and I believe they carry a warning about making you sleepy and driving etc. Don't do anything without advice first. Love Sue.
  • scorpiojackie
    scorpiojackie Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all,

    I was under the understanding that any changes in condition have to of been that way for a period of 3 months before they can be accepted as a 'change'. That would be the guidelines for both improvements or deteriorations of our conditions. (?)

    Maybe a question for the helpline ?

    Jackie
  • weetabix
    weetabix Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thankyou for all your replies. I have had RA for since i was 21 i am now about to be 53. i have had some pretty harrowing times over the years.i have not worked since 1980 . so working is not an option now i dont think.
    I would be in a lot of pain without the painkillers, but if i take them idefinatly and they have the same affect as now what do i do about that.
    I have already been accused of being a cheat by someone 18 months ago, that person obviously doesn't know me at all from the things they said.
    but it makes me wary now that if i feel better i better say so, or else.
    my hands are badly affected and my feet are deformed one is worse than the other. my elbows are really bent and my shoulders have no muscle on them at all and they are very very painfull. to the point they keep me awake hence the strong painkillers. my spine has an inward curve at the bottom my necks hurts most of the time. and i struggle doing things like getting dressed in the mornings to walking out . like you all say RA is up and down. I just don't want this person seeing me feeling better and then going back to them and then them catching me on video on a good day. then video me again some other day and that be a good day. on a good day i can walk quite a way. but on a bad day i dont go out.and if i do some walking i pay for it the next day. all day!

    I just don't know what to do for the best i am getting very depressed about it and the though of being judged a benefit cheat and then maybe going to prison for it. (ok now i read that back it sounds like i am being ridiculous) but thats how i feel .its like they have ruined my life as i knew it before. all i do most of the time now is sit in and make cards. and if i am able to go out i go with my husband or my 13 year old grandaughter i take her in my car to her pony where she keeps it and i sit and have a coffee with some of the other mothers and grannies there waiting for their girls.

    but i still feel like they have interfered in my life as it was. and i can never get it back the way it was before. i used to be so happy and active when RA allowed me.

    sorry for the rant it sort of all came pouring out

    W
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    First of all you are not a cheat. You have had years of ILLNESS and an illness that you would find difficult if not impossible to fake.
    Second you would not go to prison for benefit fraud, as you have'nt done anything wrong. Taking prescribed painkillers is not an offence :wink: ; its what we all do and if it were the prisons would be filled even more than they are :!: Blimmy, I'd certainly be there :!: :wink:

    It sounds from your 2nd post that you are VERY DEPRESSED. Some silly b........r has really hurt you in the past and is still hurting you now, I think. Have you discussed this with your GP or anyone? It may be they can reassure you and help with the depression.

    I'm glad you have a grandaughter to take out, that must be nice. You said you enjoy making cards, well I do that as well and it really helps me to forget myself (and everything else I should be doing :oops: ) , but never mind, the housework will wait, and life is to short :!:

    I hope you soon stop worrying and find a sympathetic GP or nurse, whatever to discuss things with, as it could help you a lot. :)

    Please stop worrying, love Sue xx
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You have changed your medication, not your disability.

    Copied this from www.yourable.com which might help:

    You only really need consider notifying the DWP if there is a significant improvement (or worsening) of your health condition MAINTAINED over a period of time, I would say a minimum of 3 months. If this situation ever occurs and you feel you might need to notify the DWP of a relevant change of circumstances it is highly advisable to seek independent advice (not DWP helplines, etc) from a welfare rights adviser BEFORE contacting the DWP. In that event it would also be wise to talk to your doctor about this as he or she may or may not think that you've been better (or worse) long enough for there to be an "established" change in your health.

    Hope it helps :D

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You are not a fraud or a cheat but someone who has a genuine illness. I can tell by your posts and one tiny little detail that I have picked up on and I'm sure the other posters will agree. You came here for help. Same reason I and others probably did - we are ill, struggling to come to terms with it and need advice and support. I'd say those were the actions of a genuine person. And just so you know, people only go to prison as a last resort after interviews etc have been exhausted. I strongly believe you will never find yourself in this position. take care xx
  • weetabix
    weetabix Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thankyou for your kind words all of you!

    I knowm that i am not doing anything wrong it bothers me that someone thinks i am. and yes they did hurt me and its not stopped hurting since.I wil never find out who did it but then i wouldnt want to know for fear of what i may say to them..

    I have coped all these years . but yet someone thought they were being clever.

    I have spoken to the gp about it and she said the same as you guys. i will keep coming back here as i know that you will all support me. thankyou i do feel a little better about the whole thing now..
    and yep have you seem the time i cannot sleep either lol

    weetabix
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What you have to remember Weetabix is that there are some really rotten people out there and what right had they to judge you anyway :roll: If the worst of the worst happened and you were videoed on a 'good' day anyone in the medical profession would know that RA comes and goes and with all your joint damage you would be able to get all the back-up you needed.

    Ignore what was said by one twit and hold you head up you have nothing to be ashamed about :wink:

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,086
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I reckon - if people can be as nasty as that - that we should all keep our financial business away from people (not us lot of course) incase they turn on us or don't get it themselves and get sour grapes.
    Weetabix (my X can eat 7 at one sitting! :wink: ) listen to your GP and for now do nothing.
    Toni x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Its hard to believe how horrible and nasty some people can be, but their are some who are either jelious or perverted and get some kind of pleasure out of doing it. Its easy for me to say put it behind you, but I can guess how hard that would be! I hope it helps you to talk on here. Love Sue xx
  • weetabix
    weetabix Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    . Thanks i really better fotr talking to you al it really has helped. so much that i went out today with hubbys anfd sister, i only went to the range to buy some bits to make more cards but its a first in a long long time that i have enjoyed the trip out and i was having a good day. i didn't have many of those last week the pills stopped working and i had a big flare up. I was in bed till today. So that and all the others replies on here answered my question for me.. it was just a matter of time really before they stopped working, its like all the meds i have ever been on.
    keep your chin up everyone if i can do so can you.
    I am really glad i found this Forum I will be here for long time now..

    weetabix
    ps( if your hubby can eat 7 in one sitting i hope you're toilet is close by )lol

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