Unable to access Outlook.com

I simply cannot believe this situation. I go to log into my Hotmail account which is around 12 years old. I can't get in, it wants me to verify the account??? My backup email address is a lycos.co.uk address that shut down years and years ago. I then have to fill out a validation form to get me back into the account. I fill it in, and it refuses me any entry. I then get online to a live Microsoft help person. They tell me to fill the form out, I explain I have and it failed. Then they say post on the Microsoft communities page for help??? I look at this and it is full of similar posts, unanswered. I can't get into the account and can't see any of my important documents and files, car insurance, breakdown cover, Ebay account info etc etc. I am totally screwed. How the **** can this even happen? My account is *** Email address is removed for privacy *** and I now have no access whatsoever. I am posting from me and my wifes joint account. Without access to my stuff I am unable to work properly.