Am I permanently incapacitated?

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[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 0
edited 29. Nov 2011, 14:24 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
Hello,
I was wondering whether you could help me. I need to get a consultant's letter or medical report that will confirm my permanent incapacity and I have no idea whether I qualify.
I have had RA for the last 8 years. It's not well controlled and progressing fast. Because of it I had to stop working in December 2007 and I am on DLA since April 2008 (middle care, higher mobility).
I am on mtx 25mg, was on Etanercept for 2 years, which wasn't helping, and I'm now on Rituximab which as my doctor said is the last resort. I am only 33 years old. I had one hand surgery, two surgeries on my left foot and waiting for another one on the same foot in Feb 2012.
Am I permanently incapacitated? Please help.

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  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,493
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Nesia

    Thanks for your posting.

    I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties that your RA is causing you.


    The best person to talk to about whether you are permanently incapacitated would be your doctor or rheumatologist.

    Benefits specialists may also have information on what counts as being permanently incapacitated.

    You can either contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm), DIAL UK (http://www.dialuk.info/about.asp), The Disability Law Service (http://www.dls.org.uk/about_us/contact.html) or Turn2Us (turn2us.org.uk/).

    You are welcome to ring the helplines on 0808 800 4050 if you would like to have a chat about your current situation.

    Regards

    Nick
    Helplines Team
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Nesia

    I hope you don't mind me asking, but why does the Dr say that Rituximab is the last resort? There are quite a few biologics that you can try, I am about to try my 4th, as I am not well controlled either.

    I would approach your consultant for a report, I have done that recently to try to obtain my pension. He may charge a fee for it though. I say consultant as he is the one who knows your care best and your history.

    Good luck

    Janie
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello Janie68,
    Sorry it took me a while to answer your question. The reason for rituximab being my last resort is that I was on other biological treatment (etanercept) before and it didn't help and she said that the other ones that are available work in a similar way so there is no point in trying them. Next one on the list would be tocilizumab but it is not approved yet (so I heard).
    Take care,
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