ESA and sleep apnea

I have done one of these and its so flawed, I have had arthritis for 15 years in my neck wrists and knees and the only check I had for that was she jiggled my kneecap, she did check my arms for strength but not my wrists and nothing on my neck. My doc is concerned about my BP but they said was OK, I have breathing problems and could only move the machine about 1/4 way up but that was ok by them. I am still undergoing tests at the Hosi for this. The woman who done the test said I could walk 20 yards without a rest but that turned to 400! on the final report. So ended getting 6 points for my poor hearing and nothing for my other things.

I dont want disability just some sick benefit to help out while I get a bit better, but Ive now found out if you are self-employed just forget it. The entire system is so screwed up.

[paultomasi]

Recently diagnosed OSA (80 occurances per hour. Oxygen dips to 30%).

Attended WCA 17/12/10 and failed (0 points).

Appealed and in reciept of ESA (assessment rate) while awaiting.

Just received letter from DWP requesting info of reasons for appeal (for further consideration).

Well and truly shafted by ATOS (should have done my research before WCA).

Urgently need case studies of successful appeals.

Thank you for any help offered.

PS.

Continually fall asleep during day. Recently developed dizzyness and head pain.

Wake on occasions with blue around lips and nose as well as terrible headaches.

Struggling with CPAP (2nd mask) leaks, discomfort etc.

[acebass]

The one thing you wont find on here is 2 people the same.

I sometimes go to bed having forgotten to collect my clean mask fro m the bathroom (even when I have been there first), how is this possible you say!!
How should I know, my brain knows it has to collect the mask every night and assemble it before i get into bed, but sometimes this just doesn't happen, and that really annoys me....doesn't explain why I do it, but there you go....

[Sparticus]

The one thing you wont find on here is 2 people the same. Like a lot of illnesses everyones experience is different. When I wake in the morning, I sometimes jump up in bed not realising Im attached to my machine, and then send everything flying. At first this will seem impossible as your body and mind are still comming to terms with your cpap but a few months down the line it does change, its getting there thats the challenge. As for the fun being made at me, yes I get that alot and I laugh along with them because its easier than trying to explain how it feels, I guess that they would stop if they knew the truth. I went from an AHI (Apneas an hour) of 45 to a reading of 3. Although I now use my equipment it doesnt mean I wont fall asleep half-way through the evening this is because I choose to only sleep for about 4 hours instead of 8. As for work well my boss has the same condition so this was never a problem. I hope this help a little.

[jaykop]

Hello everyone i am new to this site and i have just started wearing a cpap to bed as i stop breathing 27 times every hour so as you all know i dont get a very good nights sleep.As you all will understand i am finding it very hard to get use to wearing a mask going to bed but the problem i am having is because i still feel very tired all the time i am off work and only getting ssl but come the end of jan 2011 i will have to claim Employment and Support Allowance but does anyone have success claiming this or is thier an other benifit that would be better suited for people like myself as i am not ready to go back to work just yet....

p.s thankyou all for any advice you can give me

[Lainie]

@scouserpaul.id go one further and apply for the care element of DLA. kids and adults with ADHD etc get it and i have heard of some who have sleep apnea being successful.

the wca for esa is all wrong. it only focuses on the physical side of things. i hear so many complaints and people saying their mental health conditions etc dont get taken into consideration. however others with behavioural problems that storm off or go off on a rant pass the wca - unbelievable.

[scouserpaul]

soz shuckie n others

b4 i reply shuckie r u a para? hmmm

Just jokin it is a royal marine thing n if 2 get together we tend to yomp off on one.

so not to be ignorent to all >>>>>>>

To me the important thing about this is that i think it proves that sleep apnea is not the fat lazy sickness its made out to be because royal marines training is prob the toughest in the world and we come out of it with a sort of a confidence and a high degree of fitness (its a lifetime thing) .. yet i felt embarressed by my illness and judged by pple who have never walked in my shoes and cudnt..

but shuckie i respect u and think in many ways we r pioneers here, lets not just take the medical view lets make our own... its a fairly new science but most of the judges dont live with it..

sea soldier if u dont mind old oppo wud u send me that esa file u presented to esa tribunal [email protected] .... would welcome any mail from all on forum

[shuckie]

Hi scouserpaul!

Well, seeing as you asked so nicely, I am replying even though I have no idea about half what you 2 are going on about!!! lol

Are you allowed to translate what you're talking about for the rest of us or would something horrible have to happen to us if you did that?


Cheers

shuckie

[SeaSoldier]

scouse paul,
Good to hear back from you opps. Good to talk to another ex-RM. It's pretty strange really, my pash said about the leg thing years ago but coupled with the apnoeas (I wasn't diagnosed then), we put it down to nightmares and related sh*te from my days in the Corps (the sitting bolt upright gasping for breath, kicking around, etc.)
I have no problem copying you in on the statement I sent to the tribunal prior to the hearing mate, as I said, , it's pretty generic and you can finetune it to suit yourself. It definitely worked mate and the panel were impressed. PM me your e-mail addy and I'll get it off to you.

Good idea to get them on the Endurance through the smartie tubes etc, but I think we should break them in on the bottom field first!

Per Mare Per Terram.
(Once again, apologies to the civvies reading this!)

[acebass]

Replies

Well, seeing as you asked so nicely, I am replying even though I have no idea about half what you 2 are going on about!!! lol

[scouserpaul]

ello old bootneck

ello mate glad to hear from u and made up u lived up to marine mantle n never gave up

made me laff at cap comforter (they was the days huh .. pain ...) .. maybe get these atos pple (they cud be paras in discuise.. kiddin ok ) to ctc and drag em around endurance course maybe drown em in peters pool hey... anyway serious... as if i was jokin hmmmm ha ha

i'm at 14 week deadline for decision now.. had appointment today with jobcentre n they said my claim aint even been looked at yet by DM isnt it funny that they can move times back to suit em but we cant.. i was ok to him no point shooting the messenger hey

will be interested (in ur report to tribunal) and how u went about it if u dont mind mucker after i get my rejection ... i'm gettin really paronoid now as my girlfriend says my legs r goin all nite as in restless leg syndrome (is this my fatigue prob).. maybe its all that yompin ha ha ...

i notice many read but not reply.. come on pple its about us that r living it .. make ur point cos it means much more than pple who never been there.. we need to build a data base...get involved u lot...

we cud have sleep apnea nite out who brings the horlicks

n old sea soldier respect for u and the green lid hey

[SeaSoldier]

Osa & Esa

scouserpaul,
Hello mate, just joined this forum and read your post with interest. Small world - I am also a former Booty with OSA who was shafted by the WCA doctor.

There is real hope mate. I had my tribunal last week in oxford and won. They awarded me the 15 points on physical descriptors on the grounds of remaining conscious during waking moments.

I did, however, submit a 5 page statement of facts to the tribunal clerk prior to my hearing which the panel said helped no end. They only asked me 2 questions, then adjourned for 4 minutes! They called me back in and told me I was successful. Not been so happy since gashing the cap comforter all those years ago!

(Apologies to those who don't understand some of the words used above, it's a 'Royal Marine thing!)

If anyone wants to PM me for more info of how I beat them, I would be happy to talk or provide a copy of the letter I composed, it's pretty generic and could be used by anyone!

[scotlady]

I don't know what they find so funny about the idea of someone not sleeping properly each night, at risk of developing serious health problems as a result, and needing to have a mask strapped to their face each night to have the same kind of sleep most people take for granted. But hey, maybe that's just me...


shuckie

I find that terrible i just hope it doesnt come back and bite them on there ass !!!!

[shuckie]

Hi Berneta

Like others--I don't think people know what its like not to be able to sleep, or at least get quality sleep.

I agree. I recently felt too tired to drive over to the West Midlands for my niece's birthday so my partner had to travel by train and explain why I couldn't make it. I was quite surprised when my other half told me that my sister-in-law and her husband were taking the mickey out of me as a result. I don't know what they find so funny about the idea of someone not sleeping properly each night, at risk of developing serious health problems as a result, and needing to have a mask strapped to their face each night to have the same kind of sleep most people take for granted. But hey, maybe that's just me...


shuckie

[Berneta]

Tired

Hi Paul, I sure know what you mean by being tired and not being believed. For 6 years I could barely get out of a chair without help. Like others--I don't think people know what its like not to be able to sleep, or at least get quality sleep. This is a place where people understand. I hope you get your claims worked out ok--and things look better for you. I always take my head gear apart when washing it-- then work for an hour to get it back to the right fit. I believe they can shrink up some when washed and dried--so they might not fit perfectly unless re-adjusted again. After awhile you get used to the "feeling" of the right fit--so its not all that hard to adjust it. Of course Masks and Headgear are all different. So do what seems right for you. Just takes some time. Welcome and good luck, Berneta