Struggling to work

General health and lifestyle
1

Hi I'm new to this forum. I have a second herniated disc within 2 years and severe sciatica down my right leg. I have been off work for 8 weeks and am now back at work doing a phased return doing 2 hours a day. I'm struggling so much with the pain even doing these short hours and don't know how I'm ever going to get back to my 32 hours a week. I'm really worrying as I can't afford to reduce my hours permanently and it's stressing me out so much. I am 40 years old and have worked for my company for 15 years.

I am waiting for my appointment at the pain management clinic next Thursday.

2

Hi Hayley,

If you are struggling at this stage then I would suggest you apply for PIP or DLA depending on your location. Most areas are now under PIP, rather than DLA.

PIP is a non-means tested benefit, which you can claim while you work, but this can cause you to lose the award. Depending on the length of time you have been working you could claim Contribution Based Employment and Support Allowance, this is a Taxable income, you don't actually pay tax as such, it just means it is an amount that would come under tax under some benefits.

If work becomes too bad then you would need to claim ESA and paid fortnightly, either way you have to be assessed if you are eligible.

Regards,

Les.

 

3

Hi les thank you for your reply my work are still paying me my full time hours for my phased return to work so I take it I wouldn't be able to claim anything??? What is employment and support allowance ?? I really don't understand what all these benefits are ?

4

Hi hayley. I had ovian cancer last yr I went off sick last October my employer paid me full pay for 6 mths I don't know if it employer will do this for u if not they have to pay u sick pay for 28 wks and u mite be able to claim income support to help top up it wages iv just gone onto esa they r paying my sick pay now I hope this helps u

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Hi Sandra thank you for the info 😀 I hope you are ok now x

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Hi Hayley,

ESA = Employment and Support Allowance, this will soon replace many benefits soon, then it will all change again to Universal Credit. It can be quite complex to many people and ESA has many other additional parts, depending if you have worked in the past, never worked, or even worked in the past but you now have a progressive disorder or illness.

Sandra is correct with what she has stated, Income Support is still available and could be used to top up your wages if your sick pay does not cover what you normally get.

Right claiming Benefits - ESA is similar to what you would class as a weekly wage, but various things affect it, because it is a means-tested benefit. So, claiming this is probably wrong anyway.

However, PIP is a "non-means tested" allowance - which means you can claim it even you are working. It is basically paid to people that have long or progressive orders either requiring care or problems with mobility.

Regards.

Les.

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I'm getting there cannot moan too much hope all goes well for u

8

Thankyou so much for all the info 😀😀

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Hayley u cannot claim esa until it employer gives u a SSP1 which u should get after u been off sick for 28 wks that what had to do

If u r still confused by it all go and c cab they r helpful or it local jobcentre they should b able to advise u also I went to cab

10

Hi do not worry the pain team are fantastic.I have Osteo and Rheumotoid  arthritis  .I was only in my twenties when the pain team visited me in hospital and they were absolutely fantasic and within 7 days iwas walking about practically pain free.I know we away do not worry but the words are just wated because if we were in your position I would be worried.But shortly you will think why was I worried.So do the best you can over the next few days and polish those dancing shoes you willbe using them again in a few weeks? 

        GOODLUCK AND BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE

11

Hi Michael,

Not all Pain Management Clinicians are like that, mine is totally useless. This is how bad he he was....

My Neurologist Consultant sent a referral to my Doctor, with instructions to remove Tramadol and Amitriptyline rfemoved from my long list of medications. The reason was simple, both of those drugs, especially Tramadol causes Seizures, I suffer from Epileptic and Functional Seizures - so it was a logical thing to do.

Anyway, I went to the Pain Clinic and seen a specialist, at the end I even asked if I had to see him again, his exact words were "That is really up to you?", I said to him surely you would want to check the progress - so he said 6 months then.

In that time, my Tramadol has not gone down, or even off it, it was increased and placed on Slow Release @ 100mg every 12 hours, so 200mg a day!  When I went to that Pain Clinic I was on 150mg Fast Release, there is a big difference between both.

I have seen my Neurologist since and he said why was the Tramadol still listed and highered!! So, I told him that was the Pain Management Clinic they referred for me to be weened off Tramadol, but because of Tramadol is a Class "A" drug, they could not change it without increasing it first. Well, needless to say he contacted the Pain Management Clinic this time asking for a definite change, due to the disorders and the Tramadol side-effects had increased due to there being only one plan of action drawn up by the Pain Management Clinic, when there should have been at least 2-3 fall-backs, which in my case were missing.

My Neurologist is not a person you mess around with, so I expect there will be a nice welcome to that appointment...lol

I'm used to it, I see many Consultants, Specialists and Doctors every month, last I clocked up ten appointments, and that was having to cancel one of them. I cannot even go 3 months without seeing a Neurologist, because I have to have 6 BoTox Injections in my neck, shoulder and left arm.

I'm under a Neurophysiotherapist, who are trying to get me walking again, the day that happens I'll put the flags out!

Anyway, just thought I'd tell you not all specialists are good with patients, I know quite a few people on here who have had run-ins with numerous people that do not do their jobs properly. My OT officer actually broke 4 out 6 protocols in a single day, when I checked on the Government website.

Regards,

Les.