Pregnancy Forums

Posted: 05 May 2008 at 9:37am | IP Logged

hi, it's only me. sorry it's been so long but have had probs with the computer and i have been very tired by the time i get to go on the computer, not helped by katie and maddie trying to get on the computer!

i thought i'd bring you up to date with what is happening but really could do with advice if there is anything else i can do, and specifically work and allowances.

i am still off work. i had a fall down the stairs on feb 16th. i'll not forget that day in a hurry. it was bad enough to put me in bed and then have to call the dr out and have the over zealous student basically push the notion that my mood was low! yes, because i am robbed of living life how i want to and i am in alot of pain...you moron! sorry, that feels better. anyway, i went down the stairs and my pelvis took the brunt. i was disappointed my rather large arse chose not to save me this time!

i have endured being told that i should be better now. why do i think i am not better?! i've tried telling them that i continued on a level with pain relief and though i worked i had to have drugs. the fall has caused me to flare up and though now improved from the initial fall i am now in a position that i am not back where i was, which was bad enough as it was.

right, i have been threated with redeployment at work. the thought of going back frightens me. i cannot be sat down for all day but neither can i push beds, pick uo heavy equipment, nor manual handle patients in bed or be on my feet working like a trojan all day, or try and keep patients from getting out of bed when they wake up with a head injury. work have been a little aggressive over things and because i work in a a hospital and this condition is not widely known they are frustrated but they want to be able to check up on what i am saying is true. i have the problem though that financially i am stuck. rather than leaving the profession all together i may have to go back to a job in an area that i hate just to keep the money coming in. if i am retired off work will i qualify for any benefits, allowances. what about a blue badge? sometimes i have problems. the other day at the big tesco's i had to park up close to store becuase my hips started to play up but it was a disabled space.

sorry for all the questions!

lastly, this is where i am up to. i have been signed off till 13th may, the day i see occy health. i have had a physio appt and given some exercises to strenthen my core. i have asked for a referral to rheumatology, about three times. i will then have to ask rheumatology to refer me to pain clinic. i've had an xray and bloods done. i have had gynae appt too. i will be having the mirena coil, but it looks like it's my bleeding disorder that causes me problems. another problem, for another page!

what else can i do? i feel like i am going mad. why am i not better?

Posted: 05 May 2008 at 10:11am | IP Logged

Hi hunny it’s good to hear form you again… (hope your brother’s inquest has given you some light).

I’ll answer questions that I know of about allowances later on for you hun…

I’m sorry to hear your still off work… (maybe we should get together?... give you something good too look forward too (well I hope good! lol))

It’s fab when doctors don’t understand the way the constant pain and limitations spd has on the mobility side of things as well as emotionally and mentally… it’s an all round battle.

Hun from my own experiences it’s probably down to the hypermobility aspect of spd… that and the bones are more than likely inflamed (medical term bone odema)… I think it’s a case of plodding along listening to your body… Unfortunately we can’t rest up 24/7 as we’d go crazy and our muscles would waist away… it’s a catch 22 situation. But by pushing for all the referrals your doing the right thing hun you are fighting… which is what we have to do every second of the day. Look for the smallest silver lining, your children’s smile, being able to put on your own knickers, socks, shoes…

I can understand you works point of view about redeployment but I think they are going about it in all the wrong ways… It’s difficult to see the limitations on what you can and can’t do as a it changes hr to hr minute to minute. Also how the pain (that is real) can be so intense, so quickly.

As for finding out about what help financially you might get call the local job centre plus or CAB. I receive Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit (as I can’t work but was), it makes a huge difference but hurts a lot knowing its official you are disabled. As for getting a blue badge I have one of these too. If you get the higher mobility rate of DLA you’re automatically entitled to get a blue badge, otherwise it’s not a recognised condition and it might be a battle to get one as you’ll find no one will say it’s going to be permanent as this would be soul destroying… you do need your gp to be understanding of your condition and all the limitations it has and the difficulties you face. The form it’s self can make you feel useless (well did me) especially as it came to toilet abilities, dressing, how far you can walk etc.

I’m on the core muscle exercises too hun, keep badgering them about rheumatology, you’re doing everything you possibly can but keep at them the day you don’t is the day you give up!

Please don’t apologise about the questions, life’s full of them and even if we can’t answer them but help shine a little light that’s good too.

Have you thought about seeing your physio and asking for an occupation therapy referral to see if they can give you anything to help you out at home? I’m waiting to see them and I was referred in Jan. It’s a long wait but it might be worthwhile calling and getting referred to see if there is anything they can offer you at home hun… get on the books you can always cancel it if you start to feel better.

Hope that’s helped a little.

Big soft gentle hugs

Tsena xx

Posted: 09 May 2008 at 11:54am | IP Logged

thanks tsena,

that helped!

dreading my meeting at work. it's not helped by the fact that there are no hard and fast answers and i don't really understand what's going on let alone what  or how i am suppposed to guide others.

feeling sorry for self today.

Posted: 09 May 2008 at 12:25pm | IP Logged

Aww hugs hun.... you're doing ok babes honest..... it's a hard thing to face. The uncertainty of the spd and having it after birth really can drive us mental and into the depths of depression.

The fact that you are still trying to find a way to work etc is most commendable. Just tell them untill you see rhumetology and the pain clinic you can't give them answers and due to waiting lists being so long everyone will have to wait for answers.... i so wish i could come with you to your meeting.

It's sometimes easier to explain it when your talking about someone else.... (maybe try that?)

Will be thinking of you babes and keep plodding hun x