Cervical Spondylosis ESA
Posted , 12 users are following.
I am new to this site and I have found it very interesting and helpful.
Let me begin.
Almost a year ago I was having problems with my right hand, my GP referred me to a doctor at a local surgical centre. I was immediately diagnosed as having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. My hand was operated on a month or so later, without me first having any tests. My hand has never recovered. Due to continuing pain I was sent for a nerve induction test which revealed that the problem lay elsewhere. I then saw a neurologist who suspected CS. I then had an x-ray and MRI scan. The scan clearly shows what the registrar called considerably where and tear to a large area of my neck. I have stenosis, two herniated discs and a lot of wear to the vertebrae and a trapped artery. The registrar said that it was cuased by heavy work. Surgery would invole a major operation and did not think it advisable, he said that nothing could be done for the trapped artery. Incidentily, in America a trapped vertebral artery is referred to as \"Bow Hunter's Syndrome\" - I was an archer for fifteen years and no doubt this contributed to the damage. I am now waiting to see a Neuro Surgeon if only for a second opinion to convince the DWP bods, also I am to see a physio therepist.
From the end of May last year I was claiming ESA, I had a so-called medical assessment by an ATOS doctor who had special powers. He could tell my pulse rate and that both of my heart chambers were working normaly without taking my pulse or using a stephoscope. I told him that I was having carpal tunnel release two days later, also, that I had severe tennis elbow. I performed the required movements, albeit with pain and answered his many questions. He spent most of his time clicking answers to questions on his computer. Naturally I failed the test. The Decision Maker would not take any notice of medical evidence from my GP, consultants or surgeons or that I had surgery two days after the assessment. Many people ask what planet the ESA decision make comes from, I have found that ESA (Employment Support Allowance) also stands for European Space Agency. So perhaps the decision maker really has come from somewhere in outer space, he or she certainly is not human. Anyway I took my case to a tribunal and WON. I am now to have a second assessment in two weeks.
I was hoping for some successful treatment for CS but have not been given much hope, particularly as surgery has been ruled out due to the risks. I now have to live with CS for the rest of my life, I am 50 years of age. Will physio help, what about painkillers though I do suffer from vertigo, will a Tens Machine be of any benefit? The CS is causing pain in my hands, arms, shoulders, neck and is causing lower back pain due to change of posture. I am beginning to get pains in my legs and all my limbs are becoming a lot weaker.
Can anyone offer advice or a few crumbs of comfort?
3 likes, 34 replies
lesley1954 janner
Posted
I was also claiming ESA due to having spondylosis. I have not been able to return to work since February of this year as the pain is now excruciating. I am due to go back to see the orthopaedic surgeon in 2 weeks to discuss surgery.
My ESA payments have been stopped as I didn't score any points when I went for my medical assessment. I am also taking mine to a tribunal. I have enough medical evidence as I have suffered for over 30 years.
janner lesley1954
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When you go to the tribunal hearing take someone with you. Let the tribunal people see what you cannot do more so than what you can do. You cannot lift things like cardboard boxes or open cartons of liquid (I always make a mess). Cs effects the use of your hands and arms, it causes pains in your shoulders. You may be wise to get advice from your local CAB or a disabilty help service as they know how to deal with tribunals and even can help you fill in those dreaded questionaires.
In July I was surprised to learn that I have been placed in the support group of ESA without having another medical assessment. I had been in the work related activity group for five years, perhaps the DWP now realise that I cannot grow a new spine in order to be fit for work.
Chin up and think positive.
Regards,
Janner
lesley1954 janner
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daryl65100 janner
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Gerry_the_neck daryl65100
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What you describe is so common with C/S and trying to deal with the benefit systems. None of us really want to be dealing with these people, and they keep coming up with evermore complicated barriers to making the process easy to negotiate. I've been in that situation mysel;f, so I know how difficult and distressing it can be. THe only thing I can think of is this.....if your weekly benefits have been stopped, or reduced, even temporarily, then you are entitled to ask JSA for emergency payments to tide you over until the problem is solved. Depending on who you are dealing with, you might have to insist on this, because, as far as I know, they can be reluctant to advise people that emergency payments are available....by law. If you don't feel you can insist, the other option is to go to Citizens Advice in your area, and they should be able to help you in your dealings with the benefit people. Unless you have been officially sanctioned, they are obliged to ensure you have some benefits to live on....but sometimes you just have to keep pressuring them.
Hope it works out
pat98023 janner
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Gerry_the_neck pat98023
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I have looked into the ESA for C/S issue in some detail. Although C/S is recognised as registered as a qualifying condition, it still must be assessed , and that assessment is mostly concerned with mobility issues. Until the mobility test is certified, the other C/S issues (headaches, stiff neck, arm pain etc ) are not even considered pertinent, and won't really influence the outcome. A doctor's, or consultant's, note confirming mobility limitations is vital to any assessment. I don't know if they have relaxed this since ATOS were sacked as assessors.
It seems there are really only two benefits possibilities....either pretend to JSA that you are still capable of working 9 to 5, and hope for your situation not to get too pressurised (unlikely!), or apply for JSA and hope that they view your condition as eligible (also unlikely without proper certification). They have unwittingly created a huge grey bureaucratic area which we pick our way through, against the odds. Until policy is written up by people who really know the issues....i.e 'us', then we will always be at the mercy of nimcompoops who are more concerned with protecting diminishing budgets than with helping real people.
pat98023 Gerry_the_neck
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my CS has flared up again probably due to the stress alone so sick of it, they put me on tramadol last yr as Id developed bad reflux from taking iboprufen. what do they think we are machines.
Gerry_the_neck pat98023
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pat98023 janner
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so I went back to the onther doc (same practice) and complained that my nose about feeling unwell, she diagnosed Sinusitus, gave me antibiotics, and I almost immediately felt better, + 2 days went to Dentist, I had a tooth abcess, she also gave me antibiotics, 4 packets of antibiaotics later and aremoved open tooth, and I was well again! I couldnt believe it! my neck was still in pain but I felt so lucky to be alive, cos that infection had gone straight into my bones.
Any way then I got on with dealing with the neck pain, they sent me to physio, the girl doing it tried to turn my head so much that I would have been looking at my bum, needless to say I didnt go back,however... I did not give up, I continued with the diclofenc,until they refused to give me any more, then I gust got Iboprufen and only did gentle exercises, I started taking two different types of fish oil, and even tried rubbing it into my neck, Ive gone to bed with the hot waterbottle under my neck, (bliss) ( but not to sleep) and started taking vitamins,they seem to help,I allways keep my neck warm and wrapped in winter, and yes sleep on the side that doesnt hurt if there is one, or try different postures ,after three years I was much better. and ive tried iboprufen gell on the neck.that helps too. I hope this might help someone :@]
daryl65100 janner
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andyk99 daryl65100
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pat98023 daryl65100
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at JSA. read artical on ATOS ! God! pray for Help. this cannot go on
know what . . . It reminds me of the Third Reich.
Gerry_the_neck pat98023
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pat98023 Gerry_the_neck
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about what they did to women in camps, and how they used them for experimental uses like "strapping them to tables slicing their legs open (without any aneshtetic) and fillling them with and dirt and glass shavings, sewing them back up to see if their experimental antibactirial drugs could heal these sort of wounds,because they wanted to find the best way to heal their soldiers. if theystruggled/ screamed too loud they shot them if they survived they would probably never walk again,and then to top it all when the war was finally over and their ematiated bodys thought that help was finally at hand they were raped by the arriving soldiers.
Gerry_the_neck pat98023
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