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Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
- Andrew
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3 years 2 months ago #266358 by Andrew
Lumbar and cervical spondylosis was created by Andrew
Good Evening all
I`m considering applying for PIP because I have lumbar and cervical spondylosis (I was medically discharged from the Royal Navy in 1998 and subsequently classed as 70% disabled). My condition has worsened over the years; I`m now in constant pain unless I sit or lie down - which is also having a detrimental effect on my weight; some would argue this contributes to the problem. I also have asthma and have recently been "given" hearing aids by the NHS, so will also include these in any claim I make, should I go forward.
I have no problem "fighting my corner" for asthma and hearing aids, it`s my invisible disabilities (spondylosis) that I`m concerned about.
I`ve completed the PIP test on this site and, in my mind, achieved enhanced for Daily Living and Standard for Mobility.
My concern is the Mobility component. I don`t use a walking stick (I hope I never have to do so), but I do suffer chronic back pain when walking. Because of my service mentality, I just put up with pain, so I just "fight through" when I walk or go shopping. I`m concerned that this may be used against me.
The surgery I use is averse to prescribing opioid based pain relief. I used to be prescribed coproxamol and then cocodamol when coproxamol was banned. My surgery is now refusing to prescribe cocodamol because of the possibilities of addiction, so they have prescribed me Naproxen and Amitriptyline of late; neither of which work (for me).
What I`m trying to say is that I`m unsure how to approach this and how to complete the PIP form.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thank you,
Andy
I`m considering applying for PIP because I have lumbar and cervical spondylosis (I was medically discharged from the Royal Navy in 1998 and subsequently classed as 70% disabled). My condition has worsened over the years; I`m now in constant pain unless I sit or lie down - which is also having a detrimental effect on my weight; some would argue this contributes to the problem. I also have asthma and have recently been "given" hearing aids by the NHS, so will also include these in any claim I make, should I go forward.
I have no problem "fighting my corner" for asthma and hearing aids, it`s my invisible disabilities (spondylosis) that I`m concerned about.
I`ve completed the PIP test on this site and, in my mind, achieved enhanced for Daily Living and Standard for Mobility.
My concern is the Mobility component. I don`t use a walking stick (I hope I never have to do so), but I do suffer chronic back pain when walking. Because of my service mentality, I just put up with pain, so I just "fight through" when I walk or go shopping. I`m concerned that this may be used against me.
The surgery I use is averse to prescribing opioid based pain relief. I used to be prescribed coproxamol and then cocodamol when coproxamol was banned. My surgery is now refusing to prescribe cocodamol because of the possibilities of addiction, so they have prescribed me Naproxen and Amitriptyline of late; neither of which work (for me).
What I`m trying to say is that I`m unsure how to approach this and how to complete the PIP form.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thank you,
Andy
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- BIS
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3 years 2 months ago #266360 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
Hi Andrew
Have you had a look at our PIP guide? They are very comprehensive and gives suggestions on how claimants might answer each question. I wouldn't just think of your lumbar and cervical spondylosis in terms of 'walking'. You say you're in constant pain - so does it affect your ability to cook? Does it affect your ability to wash or dress yourself? You've said you fight through the pain, but does it make you slower, are there any safety issues and can you repeat actions in a timely fashion? Only you understand your condition and the impact it has on you.
In terms of walking - the DWP are interested in the distance that you can go. If you are in constant pain - do you have to stop at all, do you walk much slower than someone without the condition, does the pain affect your balance... ? etc. You need to consider all these things and put them down. You will find a better explanation in the guide. You should explain about your medication just as you have done here. Assessors can get fixated on the dosage of certain medications and often argue that people can't be in as much pain as they say because they're not taking anything - but you are (even though it's not helpful). If you describe in your application that you go shopping try and be clear what those distances are - as it is the activity that often excludes claimants from getting an award because the assessor will make assumptions about how far you can walk if you're shopping in a supermarket.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
BIS
Have you had a look at our PIP guide? They are very comprehensive and gives suggestions on how claimants might answer each question. I wouldn't just think of your lumbar and cervical spondylosis in terms of 'walking'. You say you're in constant pain - so does it affect your ability to cook? Does it affect your ability to wash or dress yourself? You've said you fight through the pain, but does it make you slower, are there any safety issues and can you repeat actions in a timely fashion? Only you understand your condition and the impact it has on you.
In terms of walking - the DWP are interested in the distance that you can go. If you are in constant pain - do you have to stop at all, do you walk much slower than someone without the condition, does the pain affect your balance... ? etc. You need to consider all these things and put them down. You will find a better explanation in the guide. You should explain about your medication just as you have done here. Assessors can get fixated on the dosage of certain medications and often argue that people can't be in as much pain as they say because they're not taking anything - but you are (even though it's not helpful). If you describe in your application that you go shopping try and be clear what those distances are - as it is the activity that often excludes claimants from getting an award because the assessor will make assumptions about how far you can walk if you're shopping in a supermarket.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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3 years 2 months ago #266363 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
Oh Andrew, just want to send my sympathy on your surgery's awful attitude to pain relief. There must be some directive from 'on high'; our poor daughter with chronic pain recently had her Tramadol slashed 75% by a GP taking over on the retirement of the long-term one. It took me months, and her a long set-back to get it restored. The point we had was that she never claimed the max prescription at the minimum interval so can't be an addict. May I suggest you swiftly and firmly [in writing, keeping a copy?] request a referral to a Pain Clinic. At least you can add this to your PIP evidence, especially if the GPs agree and you can show you have been referred even if not yet seen.
best wishes, Denby
best wishes, Denby
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3 years 2 months ago #266364 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
... oh and, Andrew, please do not take Naproxen without Omeprazole or other stomach protector. Even with this it is likely to cause stomach problems if taken long term [she said ruefully from personal experience!]. Pharmacist's advice is best.
Denby
Denby
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3 years 2 months ago #266371 by Andrew
Replied by Andrew on topic Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
Hi Bis,
Thank you very much. I`ve only just joined benefitsandwork, so am slowly working through available information. Thank you for the link.
Regards,
Andy
Thank you very much. I`ve only just joined benefitsandwork, so am slowly working through available information. Thank you for the link.
Regards,
Andy
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- Andrew
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3 years 2 months ago #266372 by Andrew
Replied by Andrew on topic Lumbar and cervical spondylosis
Hi Denby,
Thank you for your reply; It certainly looks like a directive from further up the ladder. It`s good you were able to have the medication reinstated for your daughter. I`m going to finish the course of amitriptyline (only a week to go) then I`ll be "knocking on the Dr`s door". Thank you for the advice about a pain clinic, that is something I can use on the Dr.
Regards,
Andy
Thank you for your reply; It certainly looks like a directive from further up the ladder. It`s good you were able to have the medication reinstated for your daughter. I`m going to finish the course of amitriptyline (only a week to go) then I`ll be "knocking on the Dr`s door". Thank you for the advice about a pain clinic, that is something I can use on the Dr.
Regards,
Andy
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