So Very worried, UPDATE.

[jimmyr]

Hi there, i have been Diagnosed with T2 now for around 4 years, i am on 5x500mg Metformin pills spread throughout the day, also taking Repaglinide, in all with my other problems i am on thirty pills a day and i hate it, i no longer know what pills are for what, i just take them when i am supposed to, my son comes and sorts them into pill boxes for week at a time.

I am due to go to Recourse center where they are going to help me fill in a DLA form, i know it doesn't matter how many pills one is taking, i am taking them for Three Strokes, Angina, T2 Diebeties, Blood pressure, Had Two Heart attacks, Asthma, now i am Depression pills also.

The problem is this, i am a 60yr old man, who is terrified of this Dla form, my head retains no information, it goes Numb at the thought of having to answer all the questions, it really does, i do not know what pills are having an affect on what, i have been told by doctors that all pills have side effects, so what is causing me the worry, the pills, the problems, or the side effects.
I am worried also because i have been told that if they refuse me any DLA i can appeal, i worry because my son has just been to a tribunal because they stopped his DLA he has been awarded it back, but the people at DLA still refuse to give him his money, so what good is a trubunal if they stand for nothing.

I am almost at a stage of giving in before i have even started, because i know i will be my own worst enemy, because i know nothing in my head, i cannot remember how things effect me, i cannot explain this, the more i try the denser the fog in my head becomes, then this will leave me in bed sleeping for couple of days.
Sorry to ramble on so, but i am very confused, it was the occupational therapists that told me to go for DLA, i was only interested in a Blue badge so when my son takes me shopping it would be easier for us to park as my walking leaves a lot to be desired, because i have two sticks, and guess what, i do not know if its the Diebeties or strokes that are making me use them.

Thank you for being patient
Jim

 

[jimmyr]

Re: So Very worried

Sorry guys i forgot to mention, with my T2 i am overweight, this i know and my doctor says i need more exercise, but i cannot, my food is great i love fish i love vegetables, i do not scoff sweets, but i need exercise to lose the weight, the problem is this, i cannot do exercise, when i do i have to reach for my Angina spray, when i cause myself ant extra stress in the head or physically i get Angina attacks, is it even worth the stress of filling in the DLA form, i am stressed even now writting this post .

Jim

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Re: So Very worried

Hi Jim and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through so much but please don't worry about the DLA form or be terrified of it. It is only a form and there are people available, in various places, to help you fill it in. As long as you answer the questions truthfully then you have nothing to worry about. You said you initially only wanted a blue badge so if you don't get awarded DLA you've not lost anything and if you do get it then it's a bonus. And it's your choice if you want to appeal against any decisions. No one will force you to do something you don't want to do.

My advice would be to go to the centre and fill in the form. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Good luck with it

 

[shop]

Re: So Very worried

Hi Jim and Welcome.

I can understand how worrying and confusing it must be. My father in law ( lives in the same house ) Gets all mithered about forms and anything official etc, and he doesn't have all the illness and treatments you have to endure. I do think that If you want what you are entitled to to make life easier for you then it would be a good idea. Chocy is right though you dont't have to do anything you are not happy with.

Could your son or even the occupational therapist go with you and help you?

Either way good luck.

Lucy.

 

[SweetHeart]

Re: So Very worried

Hi Jim!

I'm sure there must be representatives from the Recourse centre who will go with you to represent you at the DLA, should it go to tribunal. Or could your son go with you?

Please don't worry, but it will almost certainly go to a tribunal as they do like to say 'No' automatically. We've been to the tribunal this year, and it wasn't frightening, the panel were very genuine people who are unbiased and friendly. There is usually a solicitor, a doctor and a disability specialist - they will ask you questions and you will have lots of time to think about your answers. Don't rush and just tell them exactly how things are for you. Write a list a week or so before you go, and add to it every time you remember something you need to tell them. They will need as much information as possible to make an informed decision.

You can also ask for advice at your local Citizen's Advice Bureau and they usually have people who will go with you to support and represent you. Please don't worry about it - although I know that is easier said than done.

Ju

 

[jimmyr]

Re: So Very worried

Thank you all for your Kind words of encouragement, i was fine until my son went to tribunal because DLA stopped his payments, i thought when he was awarded it again by the Tribunal that there was justice for them that have had a refusal, or had their money stopped completely, but it would appear that there is not anything in the tribunal at all, they carry no weight at all, because they told my son that his money would be reinstated, and backdated he spoke to the doctor and a disability specialist at the tribunal.
But the DLA are still not going to pay up, as said i was fine before this news, in fact i was quite looking forward to the morning out, if my claim is refused then as you say i can go to tribunal, but if they award it me, then how does the DLA have any authority to still refuse to pay, it seems that it is just a few guy managing to stay on the payroll, maybe i am missing something but as i have said, if they awarded my son his money and for it to be backdated, then it appears that the tribunal stands for nothing at all.
Thanks

 

[SweetHeart]

Re: So Very worried

Jimmy,

Get your son to contact a solicitor (where the first appointment if free) or the advisors at the CAB - if a tribunal awarded your son DLA then the DLA office is breaking the law by paying your son his Living Allowance. The word of the tribunal is legally binding and the DLA know this. Please don't give up your own claim - you are entitled to help to live your life as well as you can.

Perhaps you could both visit the CAB or the Recourse Centre?

Ju

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Re: So Very worried

It depends when your son's tribunal took place. It takes time for the result to get back to the DLA office and then for them to process it and pay any arrears due. I would advise your son to contact DLA directly and, if not happy with explanation, ask to speak to a supervisor.

 

[jimmyr]

Re: So Very worried

Hi Chocoholic, my son had his Tribunal hearing, and as said was awarded his DLA reinstated with back payment, he has got a Letter from DLA stating that they will not be paying as they are appealing against the Tribunals decision, so again i would have to ask what weight do these tribunals carry, when he was spoken to by DLA Doctor, DLA specialist, and DLA Solicitor, all of which were in agreement to his DLA being reinstated, this has left him very confused and sad, i was so pleased to see him happy when he was no longer going to have to try to survive on the forty odd pound from Job seekers, he was going to use his back payment to try to get into better accommodation, at moment he lives in a room that is in a House that is little more than a derelict house, yes he was so looking forward to moving back nearer mum and dad, but DLA are doing all they can to destroy his life.
This is why i say "How can the DLA go against what The Tribunal has decided" and get away with this.

I am a 60yr old male and his worry is causing myself great stress, if he gets nothing his life as far as he will be concerned will be over, he cannot afford to live.
Thanks guys for all your advice for my son and for myself.

 

[SweetHeart]

Re: So Very worried

Jimmy,

I think you must consult a Legal Aid solicitor with this. It also might be pertinent to get your son to a doctor for stress and depression treatment as I'm sure he must be suffering, going through all this. Keeping his doctor on board is a good idea in any case as your son will have to go back to the Tribunal and it helps if he has notes on how he's been coping/not coping with it all.

The CAB might be able to give you a list of charitable institutions that can help your son with better accommodation. Where we live there is a rent deposit guarantee scheme - if you mention that to the CAB there may be something similar in your area that your son might qualify for.

I would urge you not to give up, please, please don't give up. I know how useless it all seems, how futile, but don't give up.

Ju

 

[jimmyr]

Re: So Very worried

Well finally got a decision today, i am very depressed after waiting with such anticipation, below is what has been said.

Dear Mr Ryan
This Letter is about your claim for Disability living allowance.
Disability living allowance is made up of two components, mobility forhelp with getting around and care for help with your personal care.

MOBILITY

I have not awarded you either rate from and including 09/03/2012.

Care

i have not awarded you any Rate from and including 09/03/2012.

Although you have walking Difficulties, and you need help with personal care, to be entitled to disability living allowance you must be expected to satisfy the disability conditions for at least six months from 12/05/2012. your needs are likely to reduce so you will not satisfy the disability conditions on 18/11/2012. Therefore, you are not entitled to mobility and care from and including 09/03/2012..

How i made my decision.

Your claim form.
The extra information you gave us.
advise from a health care professional.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So there you have it, even though i do need this help i am not to get it, i feel so so bad, i have been under doctor for T2 for few years not months, i had my first heart attack and first stroke eleven years ago, i am getting worse with ny walking, yet apparently i am not in need of help.

What am i to do now, i cannot even afford to get to the Anticoagulant clinic every week, if it falls on the same day as doctors it costs nearly £20 by Taxi, i have been in touch with "Dial a ride and they say i will be picked up 2hrs before hospital and have to wait for two hours to be taken home, i cannot take this, i do not deserve this.
Please tell me what my next step is, i have no information in the head i find it hard to hold onto information in the head, i do not want to live like this, i wanted to get out, get a train to see my Grandchildren, but i cannot, no i do not want this.

Thanks for any help.
Jim.

 

[purplekat]

My OH, who has other health problems but not diabetes, has had similar experience to you with DLA/ESA. He went from getting almost max points on the old scale to zero in the new scale (and he's got worse, not better!). His doctors have told him to lift nothing, not to cook anything (in case he drops it on himself), but the new ESA assessment thinks he's fit for work!

I would suggest you visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau. There should be someone there who has the knowledge to help you with your appeal. My OH's friend's dad works for CAB, and one of the main things he did was help with appeals for various types of benefits, and go to court with the person to help win them what they should have been awarded anyway. I don't know if every single CAB office will have someone based there who can do this, but if they don't they will be able to point you to the right person, or arrange for them to come in to your local CAB possibly.

I really hope they can help you, you shouldn't be having this much trouble just trying to live your life.

 

[jimmyr]

Thank you for your reply PurpleKat, i have just spoken to the DLA concerning this letter, and been informed that they " although it says they had advise from a Health care professional in the letter" they never in fact contacted anyone at all, so they have lied on the letter they have sent me.
They are now sending me an Appeal form so i can write down my grievances of what i do not agree with, and one is the fact that they have lied on the letter and spoke to nobody even though they said they gained information from Health care professional, so who are they to "Assume" i will be ok by the date they have said.

Jim

 

[jimmyr]

Since my first stroke i have got progressively worse (2001) since being diagnosed with T2 (5yrs ago) i have got worse, since being diagnosed with Severe angina i have got progressively worse, (cannot walk without having to use my spray under the tongue) since such high BP it is worse, never stabalizes. I do not Smoke and i drink very special occasions such as weddings and Christmas. how then without contacting my doctor would Those people at DWP know that i will be better after six months, they are liars and as said for them to lie to me about contacting doctor then they are Lying to thousands, i am going to take it up with a newspaper, they cannot be allowed to treat people this way and expect to just walk away from any consequences they have left behind.
To openly lie in a letter to me, then to admit they should not have put such in the letter means they are the ones purgering themselves for the government.

Jim

 

[hanadr]

Jimmy
you need to believe in yourself. you are a capable person. As to not remembering. that's probably the effect of worry. How about getting in touch with the Diabetes Uk advocacy service. they might be able to help with those forms.
Exercise for weight loss?
it's not essential;it does help a bit with weight losss, but diet is the most important. I don't know what you eat, but you say fish and vegetables. I would say have you tried the smaller plate trick? Just serve your meals on SMALL plates. It works for lots of people.
It's worth a try. It won't hurt you.
Good luck and have faith in yourself
Hana

 

[jimmyr]

Hi Hana, i am so tired, i would not feel like this right now if they had done their Job, but to say they were in touch with doctors is plain lies, and how many others have given up because their doctor had "Supposedly" said they were ok, i am so tired of all this, i would not have even applied for it if my Occupational therapist had not suggested it, i only wanted to try for a Blue Badge, so my son could park easier when we go shopping, but Hana because of that one blatant lie i will have my day, when the DLA asked on the Phone "What was in the letter that i did not agree with, i told them "The lies that the DWP had put in the letter to me hoping that i would just go away. and then they would have saved a few bob, then to be told on the phone "That seems a bit unfair" i asked what doctor they had spoken to, she went away and came back and said " Mr Ryan i am sorry but We have not contacted "Anybody concerning your claim for DLA" there was nothing showing in my records.
So there we have it, they could not care less about those that are in need of help, more concerned about saving the government a few Bob.
I am on 2500mg of Metformin a day.
I am on 160mg of Repaglinide 4 times a day. (640mg).
I am on 9mg of Warfarin each day, and i cannot even get any help to get to the Hospital.
Plus i am on countless other pills for other stuff such as Strokes, Angina, Asthma, BP, Depression, Heart Attacks.
In all i am on 35 pills a day, i have terrible side effects, why are they wasting so much money on me if i do not need any help, i know i feel better without them, i know without them i feel better in myself, but i also know that i don't know what is happening inside of me, i have had a great life, a full life, i am now a burden on so many people, i have to rely on others to help me and i want to do things myself but i cannot, i am getting worse, but DWP say i will be OK in 6 months time, how dare they play God with what is left of my Life.

But the DWP know me better than the Doctor or the consultants i have been seeing for a long while.

 

[ladybird64]

Since my first stroke i have got progressively worse (2001) since being diagnosed with T2 (5yrs ago) i have got worse, since being diagnosed with Severe angina i have got progressively worse, (cannot walk without having to use my spray under the tongue) since such high BP it is worse, never stabalizes. I do not Smoke and i drink very special occasions such as weddings and Christmas. how then without contacting my doctor would Those people at DWP know that i will be better after six months, they are liars and as said for them to lie to me about contacting doctor then they are Lying to thousands, i am going to take it up with a newspaper, they cannot be allowed to treat people this way and expect to just walk away from any consequences they have left behind.
To openly lie in a letter to me, then to admit they should not have put such in the letter means they are the ones purgering themselves for the government.

Jim

Hi Jim

I have read all your posts and I am sorry that these matters are causing such stress. Unfortunately, it is the same for everybody who applies for these benefits, nobody gets an easy ride and since the arrival of ESA, it has got even worse.
Bearing in mind that DLA will be replaced by PIP in the fiture, we sure have got some fun to look forward to.. :roll:

I have got a lot of experience of dealing with DLA/ESA, their forms and how they work.
First thing that strikes me are the fact there are some seperate issues in your posts, things that may be contributing to you getting turned down. Please don't think I am judge and jury because I sure as heck am not but it may be worthwhile considering all the factors.

You have mentioned that you cannot exercise at all because of severe angina attacks. Usually gentle exercise can help and is usually very important and if your doc has advised you to try, is it worthwhile giving it a go? DLA is to help cover the extra cost of living life with a disability and they will try and pick apart your claim. If your angina is so severe that you are inable to walk without the use of your GSN spray then you should be under the care of a cardiologist, especially as the condition is worsening. Are you? If so, their name could be added to the list of people who are involved in your care who they could contact.

And yes, I did note that they didn't contact anyone medical which leaves them up you know what creek without a paddle. Do yourself a favour though Jimmy, forget about going to the press.
I hear how your numerous conditions are having a rebound effect on your life, I also suffer from depression so know it really hits hard. I have close family members both who have heart conditions, those who have had heart attacks, those who have lifelong disbailities that will impact on their life forever.

The way things stand now, none of these gives automatic right to be on benefits, you have to fight your corner, show them the proof of how your diagnosed physical conditions affect your life every day but especially on your worse days.
What you can do for yourself in the meantime is to get letters from everyone involved in your care at present. A letter from the OT will help but bear in mind they will want to know what it is that makes it impossible for you to walk so you need as many letters as you can get.

I really do advise you to get some help from CAB if you geneuinely want to go ahead with this claim but I would be very wary of saying you only want to do it for the Blue Badge and easy car parking access..that won't go down too well.

Forgot to ask..do you get other benefits such as Incapacity or ESA? That would help your case.

 

[jimmyr]

Hi Ladybird, i have not been trying to do this on my own, i would not be able to, by head does not hold onto information very well at all since two strokes ago, it feels like a Maltezer lol, little air pockets of nothing, sounds stupid i know but that's the way i am left since last stroke, i have tried explaining this in my application, anyway no not doing it on my own, The "Disability resource centre" in Luton helped me with the form, they have people that do this all day long, and yes a very lovely lady helped me fill it in, we did supply names of cardiology consultant that i am under, but again they never even contacted the Hospital to speak to him, i am sure they must lie to thousands of sick poorly applicants, i am sure it will not be just me that they have blatantly Lied to.
So now i need to contact the lady that helped me, in order to help with appeal.
I do not go out alone for fear of falling, i have fallen, and they have this info, why why why would they not contact health professionals to find out about me.
One saving grace may be that if i was trying it on would i bother going to appeal, they have broken the Law, they have lied to save a few quid and guess what, i havent even heard about the Blue badge i was after, and i posted that application form way before the DLA form lol.
Yes i am on "Incapacity Benefit" Ladybird, i get so depressed when i see government officials branding Me a "Scrounger", i want to be able to go see my Grandchildren instead of begging my busy children to bring them to see me, i cannot even afford to go Hospital anymore, bus stop is far and my legs and arm ache so much, i have to get a Taxi, cost £10 each week for Hospital, Doctors week it ends up costing me for both trips 20, i cannot do it, i cannot get any help, and i have tried, yes i do feel a little sorry for myself, i can get no help from nobody, yet with the money i am making the Pharmaceutics you would think someone would help.
I have even been asked to help with clinical Trial with a Cholesterol pill, be a Guinea pig, help them to make Billions, no i will not do it.
Jim

 

[ladybird64]

Jim, I know you said you have applied for your Blue Badge, did you apply to your local council/authority?

It isn't actually necessary to be in receipt of DLA to get one as it can be obtained of your doctor is willing to back you up and say that your mobility is very impaired. I have found this link that you could check out for yourself.

http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/ ... p?LGSL=279

I agree that you should go back to the service in Luton to get some help with an appeal for the DLA. You may not get the highest rates but you certainly sound as if you would qualify for some extra help to enable to manage living with the conditions you have.

As well as getting the help with the DLA, perhaps the Luton place can also help you deal with applying directly to LA if you haven't already.

Yes Jim, I do understand about the scrounger accusations. Unfortunately there are a small minority that cause no end of hassle for those who genuinely need extra help, plus a couple of successive governments who are intent fixing their figures to make themselves look good. Never mind the hell they put people through in the process, that counts for nothing.

Believe me, I do understand because I have been through it with my own daughter. When she had to go for the ATOS medical, I dearly wished that either Blair or Cameron were standing on the sidelines..I would have punched their lights out. :evil:

My girl receives DLA higher rate for both care and mobility and has done since the age of 5. She received the lifetime award for DLA meaning that her condition would probably not change/improve significantly in her lifetime.

ESA said that there was no reason why she couldn't go into their work related activities group and said there was nothing physically wrong with her mobility. The following appeal took me nearly 7 months, I had to do it on my own as CAB were worse than useless.
That process brough me to the edge of a breakdown but I did it.

I won not because I had a point to prove but because it was the right thing for my daughter. Depression or not Jim, you are going to have to be a strong man to take them on. You can do it, you have help to do it so go for it.
I know there are limitations on your memory etc but you can work with that..you have expressed yourself eloquently here.

Good luck. :thumbup:

 

[jimmyr]

Thank you so much for your input Ladybird.

Jim