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diagnosed in september 14, refused PIP. feeling low.

Posted , 39 users are following.

steph9852
steph9852

I was diagnosed fibro in September this year after baffling doctors with the condition I have since I was 13. I am now 21. After years of being pushed to one side and being told there was nothing wrong with me, or it was growing pains I finally had an answer. In august I first applied for PIP and in September I was finally diagnosed. I've been through lots of different examinations and tests to prove or disapprove conditions, I have also been on a lot of different medications until finally I'm finding gabapentin is doing at least something to help. After waiting from august until now (December) I was hoping people would realize how much pain I'm in on a daily basis and how much help I need. But this morning came the letter to say the DWP does not think I'm entitled to PIP. They seem to think I can dress and undress muself , although I physically need someone to do this. They also think I am capable of washing although, if wasn't to have someone to help me into the bath, I wouldn't be able to wash.

Sorry for the rambling I'm just astonished people can apply and be successful in recieving PIP when they're in no pain, but because a test proves they have a condition, they are automatically given it. With us with fibro, its like no one believes we have it or the severity of the effects on our body's.

I'd like to hear a few peoples opinions on the subject and whether anyone's actually been successful in claiming PIP. I will be appealing this decision and hopefully something will come about this.

4 likes, 115 replies

115 Replies

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  • jackie20702
    jackie20702 steph9852

    Posted

    Hi sweetheart im so sorry you got knocked back don't give up sweetheart go to your local mp they will help you and your doctor, should help also, I applied 7 months ago and have just had the brown envelope through the door, im one of the lucky ones ive got high mobility and high care, but I looked into everything studied it took lots of advice, and kept everything in a file, lez if your reading this thank you so much for help and advice, you are a gentleman and I have missed our chats, im still in lots of pain ect but finally I found the light at the end of the tunnel if anyone needs any help or advice please don't be afraid to ask, I'll help if I can xxxx good luck sweetie don't give up xxx💖💖💖💖💋💋💋
    • SteV3
      SteV3 jackie20702

      Posted

      You are more than welcome Jackie, smile

      I'm glad you were Awarded the High Rates on both Components. May I ask was it granted indefinite? I know some go through for 3 years only to allow you to obtain a car on the Motability Scheme in the UK.

      You're not the first, and probably not the last, I have helped many over come the obstacles and deal with their forms and appeals before, but you are the first one on here to take my advice and use it to it's full potential..

      Many thanks for the kind comments - they are well appreciated! smile

      Regards,

      Les.

       

  • ten4
    ten4 steph9852

    Posted

    Morning Steph, Howard here. I have similar to your fibro, but as i understand it, i have a build up of lactic acid in my joints and muscles as they are more or less tense all the time, even if im not moving about. my gp knows about it, but have never claimed PIP. It seems a very unlevel playing field where one person can say yes-PIP or no-PIP, hope you are successful with your claim. The releif i get from mine is by daily tramadol, and had a nsaid tablet, but that was withdrawn for fears of stomach bleeding and making my heart disease worse ( i sound like an old wreck, dont I !!!). I too had trouble getting in bath, so had to have a shower room installed, which was a lot better. Let me know how you get on, i'm sure your appeal will be ok, but you should not be put through the hoop like this. speak soon, howard, staffs, uk.
  • wespipesj
    wespipesj steph9852

    Posted

    hi everyone, I had my pip assesment 2 weeks ago and was actually told off the assessor that the extra money i got from this will mean I wont have to work as many hours or until I'm in so much pain I have to go home and lie down. she also told me that she was putting down that I had mobility issues as she could see i struggle to walk. she finished off saying maybe I could do with some counciling sessions for my depression.

    I got my decision notice and basically it states I didnt get enough points. I got 7 for daily living and 4 for mobility. it also said that I declined to answer questions which was a lie.

    how can my assessor tell me I have it and the office dweller tell me I havnt.

    • SteV3
      SteV3 wespipesj

      Posted

      That's unfortunately the way ATOS and the DWP work. An accessor does not have the authority to tell you what you will be getting from an assessment, that is down to the DWP, whom look at your completed Award Application, your Assessment and your medical evidence which either is supplied via your GP or a Consultant,

      BTW, welcome to lies of the DWP - do you know if it was an ATOS or Capita that done the assessment. ATOS are well known for lies, Capita are a bit better. The problem is it's your word against theirs, and of course you have no backup to hit back at them. Capita did say at one point to the DWP could they allow claimants to record their assessments, this would have meant they could not lie - the DWP though, turned this idea down. But the public got word of it and started recording their assessments, so when they got letters stating this and that which did not add up, the claimants started phoning the DWP asking questions, because they had proof of what was said at their assessments. Hence, the DWP had to overturn cases.

      These days you need to be always alert of them, never send any documentation to them unless it is photocopied first, assessments recorded, these are the only ways you will win when they use "dirty tricks" like they used on you.

      By the way, appeal against the decision they say you have 28 days, but you can ask for an extension to gather more evidence.

      I have wrote many articles on PIP / DLA and ESA claims.

      Regards,

      Les.

  • tupin123
    tupin123 steph9852

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I had c5 C6 disc replacement,to relieve a compressed nerve,the nerve is still compressed,I now have weakness in my right arm,I have been struggling with numbness in both my feet,the toes on my right foot a squished together,I have chronic pain in both feet,I also have vertigo,my medication consists of gaberpentin,sertralin, and lidocaine plasters to put on both my feet these were prescribed by my surgeon,as I now have small nerve fibre myopathy,last year I was awarded standard living and mobility,I was re accessed,had letter this week,I have been declined,the reason being apparently I was observed walking to my car with my walking stick,they reckon I was able to walk ok,I had the lidocaine plasters on each foot and my walking stick,I am so annoyed,who the hell do they think they are,if I'm being told by my GP and my neurologist that I am unable to walk or stand for long periods of time,how can they over ride a oualified surgeon and GP,it's like they are calling them liars.

    It has amazed me that those that actually need help are being turned away,I have worked all my life,I've paid all my taxes and national insurances,so now when I'm struggling do they turn their back on me.

    I worked right up until last week,but because they have turn me down it would mean I have to now instead of working 16hours,I will now have to find a full time position,which yes if I wasn't struggling I would be fine,may GP has now put me as being unfit for work,the ironic thing is that I actually enjoy working,at least I was contributing in some way,at least I was trying,but for what,so the outcome is ,I'm now out of work and wrote of as unfit to work,it doesn't make sense,wouldn't you think it's better to encourage and help people stay in work,getting the pip last year enabled me to do just that,the country is so messed up,I've appealed,doubt it'll be any different,and they wonder why people are so depressed.

  • kazlou72
    kazlou72 steph9852

    Posted

    I have just been through the whole appeal process and been refused, being 2 points short of the minimum amount needed. Is just an awful time consuming exercise, and doesn't do anything to benefit your health while ongoing.

    Anyone got any advice on what to do next? Should I try for higher/upper level tribunal or just not bother. How long after appeal refusal can you reapply with full new claim.

    Any advice would be welcome.

    Thank you

  • pollmadoll64
    pollmadoll64 steph9852

    Posted

    I have been awarded PIPS for two years for Fibromyalgia which I have had for over 8 years and also I have had a frozen shoulder for the last 4 years. The questions at the home assessment they will ask is how far you can walk before getting breathless .can you walk up stairs slopes etc. Plus can you get dressed by yourself and wash yourself. I am.having an utter nightmare due to a failed ATOS assessment they did in August 2015 a month before I had shoulder surgery 29/09/15 .As my frozen shoulder worsened to a full tendon tear. For some bizarre reason.my ESA stopped the day I had shoulder surgery based on the assessment a month ago. Although all along I have provided full documentary evidence and fit notes for the surgeon,GP Rheumatologist etc.I then put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration and was yesterday that they still feel I fit for work . They have superseded all the medical team involved. I have now put in for a new claim. I am seriously upset and stressed about this and have toldy local MP.I have a job waiting as a private housekeeper and have been told I need 6 weeks off work.I have not had a chance to recover at all due to this nightmare and am a single.mother with noone coming in. All advice welcome
    • SteV3
      SteV3 pollmadoll64

      Posted

      Hi Pollmadoll,

      Just noticed this post, did you will PIP for Fibromyalgia in the end?

      If you are still having problems let me know - there is other ways of dealing with the DWP, whom are short-staffed at the moment and they cannot get the staff either. But their other routes you can take which make sure, you get your PIP is treated properly.

      Regards,

      Les.

    • Candyfloss14
      Candyfloss14 SteV3

      Posted

      Hi Les are you still on here?

      PIP is being very  rude and humiliating towards me.  DWP are very bad

      Any help appreciated.  Thanks

    • Clare1234
      Clare1234 SteV3

      Posted

      Hi les

      Are you still on here please. I could do with some advise. Where can i send you a private message please

      Kind regards

  • tracy72518
    tracy72518 steph9852

    Posted

    i was diagnosed with fibro in march, after feeling so unwell and in chronic pain through my body, and muscle weakness, and feeling so lethargic all the time. i put in a claim for PIP in june, i had my medical and was successful for the daily living componant. but because i questioned the mobility side of it, they reassessed my claim again, and the decision was that i wasnt allowed neither daily living, or mobility. since then, eventhou i take medication, i feel like the fibro is getting worse. Anyway i decided to appeal against the decision, to which i had a date to attend a tribunal hearing, i had all the evidence i needed, two letters from 2 different doctors explaining what was going on with me. At the tribunal there was a judge, member of DWP, and a doctor, which made me anxious and stressed out. i didnt like the situation at all. I have recieved a decision and they have refused my claim. im so upset by this, because these people do not know what people with fibro have to go through on a daily basis. i feel like iv come to a dead end, all i can do now is to get advice from citizens advice bureaux.
    • pollmadoll64
      pollmadoll64 tracy72518

      Posted

      I am devastated by having been awarded Pips on the enhanced rate for two years back in May when I could drive and do permitted work before shoulder surgery. Now That I have had surgery and cannot drive or work and am.in.the support group with Esa. I had a new assessment in January and have been told I failed by one point. So I am going through a reconsideration. I have been sent a copy of my reassessment report and noticed alot of mistakes were made even contradicting themselves. I am so upset and worried because I have already gone through having my Esa wrongly stopped. I can only pray will be reinstated. The assessor did not submit the right medical evidence that means my claim has been severely affected.
  • pollmadoll64
    pollmadoll64 steph9852

    Posted

    Fibromyalgia is a disabiliy. I also failed an ESA ATOS Assessment back in August . I have had Fibro for 8 years. I am actually putting in a formal complaint and have spoken to my MP about this. The system is seriously failing us people who truly need the financial support
  • pollmadoll64
    pollmadoll64 steph9852

    Posted

    I have been awarded PIP after a home visit. As I also had a frozen shoulder needing surgery and have had Fibro for 8 years. This means I cannot cut my meat,dress myself, wear a bra.,I get breathless going up the stairs have bad sleep, pins and needles all the time. The assessor could see how stiff I was after getting up from the sofa  but I still have to look after two sons alone as a single mother.  
    • SteV3
      SteV3 pollmadoll64

      Posted

      Hi,

      There is some confusion with Fibromyalgia being a disability or disorder, the fact is under the British Medical Journal (BMJ) it is classed as a chronic painful disorder that becomes progressively worse over time.

      Under the Government ruling it is another matter though, a search only reveals just two mentions of Fibromyalgia, while the BMJ has 17 pages of detailed content.

      The DWP takes their information from their own Government Manual not the BMJ, hence claiming PIP from  the DWP is difficult, and you must have at least the backing of a Neurologist or Rheumatologist.

      A claim under Fibromyalgia for PIP is difficult, if you think it's easy it is not.  You have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you need that extra care, which you do. Filling in the PIP Application Award Form you need to complete with the content being as thorough as possible, including all hospital visits, dates if possible (with headed paper), full medication you are on and how much and include how often. Regular visits to see consultants is needed if you see them quite often.

      An adapted property if required should be noted down and if you are on the TeleCare scheme (Red Button Emergency Service). Any additional equipment on loan from the District Nurses or through the Occupational Therapists should also be noted.

      You have to remember everything you put on the application is on there for a reason, no one with Fibromyalgia will have the exact same requirements or needs, this includes medication. The better the Application is filled in, the better it will be for you in being granted descriptor points easier.

      Now, that may soiund straight forward, but watch out for the "Zero'ing" questions - these basically take all your points off if you answer just one incorrectly. You have to look at your application not just from your own perspective, but also an outsiders view, which could be totally different to you.

      Anyway, consider everything I have pointed out, and photocopy all documentation you send to the DWP.

      Some people change over from DLA to PIP without no face-to-face interview, and get the Enhanced Rate  on both Components - but for this to happen you must be severly disabled, or have a disability that progressively becomes worse.

      Regards,

      Les.

    • UKSteve
      UKSteve SteV3

      Posted

      Good information there but its shocking that people with these conditions have to go through all that preparation when they can barely get out of bed most days and don't have a family member to assist in doing all that?

      Unfortunately we have a system that is swamped in negativety due to poor research & education of officials, abuse of the welfare system by people who dont need it, poor prioritising and bad Government policy.

      Its unlikely to change anytime soon

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