Help! should I appeal.

Had operation on herniated disc October 2010 and received benefit for 2 months, filled form, went for medical and failed. Got no points. Now have dropped right foot and detrusor failure (bladder muscle) doesn't work and have to catheratize myself 5 or 6 times daily. Dropped foot increases risk of tripping over which I have done several times, also have almost permanent pain in right heel and severe pain in right leg in the morning when I get up which lasts about 15 minutes and leg aches if I walk too much. I can't crouch or kneel down and get up again without supporting myself . Lately I've also had problem with bowels and can't hold myself more than 10 or 15 minutes and don't go out 'till I've had bowel movement in the morning. Haven't told the GP about this yet. My bladder and possibly bowel is due to back injury. Several years ago had retinal occlusion in one eye and have severe sight restriction in that eye. I am 61 yrs old self employed and never claimed benefits before. After I failed medical I found this site on the web. Do you think I should appeal or wait' till my back gets worse as some pain and aches are returning to my back. I have several worn discs and had private MRI scan which shows this. I also have the CD of my MRI scan. Can anyone advise or help please.

Hi Ticker

We can't give advice on individual circumstances; you need to seek face-to-face advice for that.

I can only say that (assuming this is a claim for ESA) if you failed the medical then you have nothing to lose by appealing, but you only have one month from the decision date. Also, if you condition has become significantly worse or you have a new condition since the date of the decision you can make another claim for ESA as well as appealing.

If you do appeal it is important to make sure your doctor is up-to-date with your condition. Please read the guides in the members' area.

Hope this helps

Derek

ticker wrote:

Had operation on herniated disc October 2010 and received benefit for 2 months, filled form, went for medical and failed. Got no points. Now have dropped right foot and detrusor failure (bladder muscle) doesn't work and have to catheratize myself 5 or 6 times daily. Dropped foot increases risk of tripping over which I have done several times, also have almost permanent pain in right heel and severe pain in right leg in the morning when I get up which lasts about 15 minutes and leg aches if I walk too much. I can't crouch or kneel down and get up again without supporting myself . Lately I've also had problem with bowels and can't hold myself more than 10 or 15 minutes and don't go out 'till I've had bowel movement in the morning. Haven't told the GP about this yet. My bladder and possibly bowel is due to back injury. Several years ago had retinal occlusion in one eye and have severe sight restriction in that eye. I am 61 yrs old self employed and never claimed benefits before. After I failed medical I found this site on the web. Do you think I should appeal or wait' till my back gets worse as some pain and aches are returning to my back. I have several worn discs and had private MRI scan which shows this. I also have the CD of my MRI scan. Can anyone advise or help please.

You might not have to contact your dr over bowels and bladder go to your local hospital or PCT web site it should be self refer to Incont team ... they will if you want then tell your gp for you and will supply you with a letter about your problems that might come in handy

Hi Derek
for my bladder and bowel my condition is the same as I told interviewer at my medical and the letter from ESA showing I have no points states "you usually have control of your bowels and bladder" no points. It also says "you can walk 200 metres" no points this despite saying at medical that I have pain walking and bowel and bladder problem. It seems to me that she ignored what I said.

Thanks for reply
My GP knows about bladder problem, already had urodynamics test at hospital urology dept that shows detrusor muscle failure. get cathaters on prescription. Haven't told GP about bowel problem yet.