The Hypermobility Syndrome Association

by **Guest** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:20 pm

Hi All

Just thought this might help someone.

To cut along story short I attended a medical which I had to go to appeal over, the panel informed me that if I was ever to attend a medical again to remember these points

When attending a DSS Medical take someone with you as a witness and DO NOT do anything that will cause you pain or discomfort during or after the medical examination.
If something does go wrong like an injury, dislocation ask the staff to get medical assistance but not from the Doctor examining you...ie make them call an ambulance and get statements of injuries that have occured.
Also helpful to take GP letter or any other info regarding handling of EDS/HMS patients so they do not think your difficult or refusing to do things that they ask.
I know many Medicals go ok, but it is better to be safe then sorry I certainly wished I knew these points before I went.

Take Care
Kazy

by **justme** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:26 pm

I would certainly agree with a witness, did that on my second one. Get that witness to take notes....doctors soon back off when that one appears I can tell you. But make it know your witness will be taking notes to be polite

by **Sez** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:36 pm

Wish I'd known that! My medical was the whole reason I was turned down for DLA. I got the letter on the Friday to say I was due the medical on Monday morning, so no one could arrange time off to sit in with me.

by **Guest** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:46 pm

That is very interesting Kazy.
I had an assessment recently for incapacity benefit and though the doctor admited not knowing what HMS was he still put it was arthritis and proceeded to assess me for that condition. Needless to say I failed the medical. I had to phone up for a review of my case and thankfully the benefit agency assistant was very helpful and went through some of my notes and could not believe it when I told her firstly he did not know what my condition was so he put the wrong one and the rest it appeared he made up. The best bit was he gave me 1 point and that was for mental health for taking two teddy bears with me one in in each hand, I howled laughing at that. When the benefits woman asked what was so funny I explained it was my Pooh bear rucksack for one and two was he so poorly sighted or drunk he was seeing double :shock:

Thankfully I was given the benefit back. I just wish I had known about the injury bit though as I cuoldn't walk the rest of the week after that goon had finished

by **Retro** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:49 pm

Wish I'd known to take someone with me when I went for mine!

by **Sez** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:44 am

Azazel wrote:The best bit was he gave me 1 point and that was for mental health for taking two teddy bears with me one in in each hand, I howled laughing at that. When the benefits woman asked what was so funny I explained it was my Pooh bear rucksack for one and two was he so poorly sighted or drunk he was seeing double

That's so shocking that I laughed! Why on earth would taking a teddy bear mean anything about your mental health?? As for apparently seeing two.... should this guy be a medical professional? Can't believe he assessed you for the wrong condition just because he didn't know what HMS is.... Very very odd fellow.

by **Retro** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:05 pm

I'm still waiting to get a copy of the doctors report from my failed medical. I suspect he's put down the number 1 ailment being Depression which I told him clearly it's not! My biggest problem and the one that stops me working is CFS. I also mentioned the "arthritis" in my hand which has turned out to be HMS related and not arthritis.

by **Guest** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:32 am

Hi yer

Sorry to hear that you lot have been thro the mill with these Benefit agency Doctors and sorry this posting was too late for yer too. Hope this will help others out there.
Least we know for next time :roll:

Well Azazel I can well believe that medical and the way it turned out, sorry I did giggle but not at you but the daft old doc!

Nothing will ever surprize me with them again....sadly I never got to see what the Doc put on my report, as they missed that out on my casepapers. Must have been bad!!!

Take Care
Kazy x

by **justme** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:07 am

apparently I too was carrying a ruck sack...no just a back pack hand bag!

These doctors must live in the 1950's and get resustitaed for these medicals

by **Guest** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:20 pm

Don't worry Kazy once I was sorted with my claim I laughed too.

apparently I too was carrying a ruck sack...no just a back pack hand bag!

These doctors must live in the 1950's and get resustitaed for these medicals

Your not joking there. I was wearing a coat that I put on myself apparently, though why I put on a coat after hubby helped me on with my usual leather jacket I don't know and where the coat came from I haven't a clue :shock:

I got up from chair with no problem funny that because the look of panick on his face when I almost fell on him when I stumbled backwards, but if that is classed as getting up from the chair ok then so be it. Same with the opened the door myself without a problem. Why I did that after hubby did it for me I don't know, but as I said to the benefits woman must be because I'm awkward, she just laughed when she realised I was been sarcastic about it all.

by **justme** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 9:40 am

I managed to do 25 min car journey in 10 mins according the times of the medical!

I also managed to sit and get out of the chair easily, yea right!

Oh and the best my walking stick (a hospital one) was not used it was just for show!

by **Guest** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:36 pm

I didn't use my stick correctly either. How disgusted I was at my physio for teaching me to use it wrongly. After 15 years of training he should of known better I hope Prof Bird is ashamed of him :lol:

We should all bow down to these medics

by **justme** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:26 pm

I was able to reach behind my back to put my ruck sack...uhmm I'm hypermobile!

Any the next medical the doctor looked very puzzled at the last report and signed me off for 5 years!

by **flyingfairy** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:01 pm

I have just applied for my DLA payments to be looked at again. I was put on middle care and low mobility. But since getting this decision. I have become a great deal worse. My knees are really bad and most days i can't walk for long periods without being in pain. When i got my decision last time i did this without having to hav a doctors assessment. What are these assessments like? I worry that they could come on a good day and that i will be able to climb the stairs. Where as the day after i will be lucky to get out of bed. I didn't have to go through this last time so don't know what to expect.

Any advice?

by **nonyanomemory** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:42 am

Hi, I have found this link which explains what should happen medicals

nonya

The Hypermobility Syndrome Association

DLA Medical Examinations

DLA Medical Examinations

Doctors Assessments

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