can I claim dla

[psychic769]

Im 22 and Ive just been told after years of suffering that I got pcos and under active thyroid and suffer from depression which is brought on from these. I got terrible faciel hair , obesity, and fertility problems along with sleep problems and this is just a short list of side affects im getting from these illnesses. Its not that im to lazy to work or just dont want to its I cant some days I spend all day in bed because im that tired or I just cant face the world so if any one can help it would be so helpful ,

[pink-kittens]

The PCOS is not reason enough to be able to claim dla - I know many people who have this and they work. Neither is your fertility issue, facial hair, sleep problems
However, the depression could be enough reason as can your weight
Are you having any treatment at all? There are many things that can be done for you
If you apply for dla, what's the worst that can happen?

[puternut]

I think the key question is in the D of DLA - Disability.

Whilst I sympathise with all the symptoms and illnesses you quote, they could hardly be considered as a true disability.

Many people suffer from one or more of the problems you have and still continue with their lives.

[psychic769]

Ok

[wolf63]

I suffered PCOS and excess hair my whole life and it eats away at your confidence. I am now 20 stone.

Ask your doctor about laser hair removal on the NHS - it is available in some areas of the country. It really works though it hurts.

Have a look at this website - it may help you http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/home

[factor-fiction]

Maybe you start by looking for part time work for a few hours a day or a few days a week, and then as you build up confidence and see you can cope you can look to increase your hours.
Having said that, I know it can be difficult to find a job as there is so much competition from people who are very active and desperate to work.
Unless you do something you could spend your life on benefits without work.

[wolf63]

I can't work now due to mental health problems but I managed to work 24 years (and 33 days) as a civil servant.

I wish that I was your age again, so much more is known about this illness these days - I hope that you are able to get the correct treatment.

PCOS can cause Insulin Intolerance (sort of like diabetes) and this made me feel really awful - I used to have low blood sugar attacks that floored me. I was eating all the wrong things - it should have been a low GI diet (there are many good books on this).

I really hope things improve for you.

[sara3]

DLA is made up of 2 components.. Care and Mobility. if you can prove that you have issues with either, you may be able to claim.

[sara3]

what are you living on now?

[MissCommando]

I guess you could apply but it's very, very difficult I think to get it for depression. We had to go to appeal/s for my husband who has a genuine mobility problem, even though he had consultant's letters supporting what he told the assessors. Good luck though

[MissCommando]

Oh and I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17. It got a lot better after I had my daughter and I have recently managed to lose a stone from counting calories. I think the low GI or a low protein diet would be fab for you and would make you feel so much better if you could lose some weight.
The pill Dianette is good for excessive hair (it gave me high blood pressure though so couldn't stay on it), and I think there is a new pill out that they can give.
Maybe if your facial hair is that bad, your GP could let you have laser treatment on the NHS (I think it has to be really severe though).
Don't really know what to say except I hope you get someone really supportive/going through something similar to speak to!

[psychic769]

Thank you all. Im currently on employment and support allowance. I did have a job back six months ago but had to leave as I really could'nt face going in because of my faciel hair as it makes me feel ashamed and when im suffering on a bad day I cant leave thdm house and I dont even let my boyfriend see me

[cazzz1975]

no, in my opinion you cannot claim DLA, a lot of people have the same conditions as you and still work.

[sara3]

can't get you get the hair problem treated?

[China Doll]

I have PCOS. You can buy epilators with facial attachements which are good. There are also some NHS options as mentioned previously towards laser hair removal. I know it's not nice and I understand what you mean about feeling ashamed but there are things that can be done about this and I think you may be focusing on that too much.

In terms of diet, you can lose weight with PCOS although it's a bit harder. I found/find that going to the gym/swimming/just being more active as well as watching your carbs (definitely not the best for people with PCOS) and eating sensibly worked wonders. Fertility problems with PCOS can be helped by losing weight too. Plus having fertility problems isn't exclusive to us and unless you're actually trying for a child is unlikely to cause massive problems for you at this moment.

Sleep problems can also be managed by diet and regular exercise as well as a good bedtime routine.

I'm sorry but while I can see you're depressed, I don't think you have a disibility as such and I do think that if you try to make some of the improvments that have been suggested to you, it might really help to lift your mood rather than focusing on what you think you can't do.

[cazzz1975]

lifestyle changes are what is needed here rather than medicating (apart from the thyroid problem which can be treated successfully with hormones)

regular exercise, sensible diet that should be more protein based (lay off the heavy carbs and any junk food)

DLA is for people who have chronic problems that interfere with day to day life making simple things like bathing, washing, eating, sleeping or looking after themselves very difficult.

[bednobs]

to get DLA you either have to prove you need help from another person with care (ie somone to wash you/bathe you/put you on and off the loo/do your cooking) or have problems with mobility (ie in a wheelchair/no legs etc)
from what you say you wuldn't qualify.

[puternut]

As a final point [from me at least] and maybe I'm being a bit pedantic but

a) seems a really weird first question in AB
b) why in 'Food & Drink'?

[psychic769]

I go swimming 3 times a week eat healthy so no one can say I need to change my lifestyle. But I still pile on weight. I do have sleep problems and I have got fertility problems I havent had a period in five years and been told I will need medical help if I was to ever get pregnant as pcos and under active thyroid cause fertility problems

[psychic769]

I dont no y they put it in food and drink and I didnt know I wasnt aloud to ask something like this for my first question

[ummmm]

a) Why? It's a perfectly legitimate question.
b) She's obviously new and just posted in the wrong section.