Pip assesment today... puzzled
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi everyone.... I've suffered with rhuematoid arthritis for 9 years now - I'm 29, diagnosed at 20. It's never been under control, I have been through loads of biologic drugs, humiera, cimzia, enbrel, tocilizumab to name a few (sorry about spelling) all no improvement or reactions to them. Been on high dose mtx could not tolerate it even tried injecting it. Tried hydro whatever it's called and sulfasalazine no good. Currently on infliximab an trying just 2 tablets of mtx to see how I go. I've had no improvement yet but just infections after infusion like all other treatments I did. Also have patchy colitis, underactive thyroid and bad depression.
My wrists are fused I can not move them at all. A couple of toes also. My fingers are really deformed already, and my left knee has been swollen for 2 years. Fluid turned to gel so draining no good and steriod injections don't work. Struggle in every day to day thing, and my mobility is awful.
My joints effected are, toes, feet, ankles, knees, ribs/breastfeeding bone, shoulders sometimes, wrists, all fingers, neck and jaw when I'm bad.
As well as my infusion, I'm on :
Mst 60mg morning and night
Oramorph 10mg 4 x a day
30mg amitriptyline
Lansorapzle
prednisolone 6 a day
Diclofenac 50mg 3x a day
Sertraline 50mg a day
Mtx 10mg a week
Folic acid
Senna 2 a day
Ducosate 4 a day not sure of mg on last 2
Think that's all
Anyhow the reason I'm posting... Sorry for all the info wanted to give yous a quick background.
Today I had a pip assessment... the lady was lovely and it was not scary at all. I had been petrified, I had read on here they make you feel comfortable so you drop your guard if you have one. I was completely honest an just told her how I was didn't exaggerate as some people told me to.
She didn't really ask many questions or the questions I was expecting... like how many bad an good days do you have.
She was also putting words in my mouth kinda.. finishing my sentences.
When she had finished the questions an talk she said I would normally now ask you to do some things an would assess you on that - but I can clearly see how much pain your in an I can see from your joints how you are... and also the amount of pain relief your on tells how bad you are. So I am refusing to do that an I will state that in my report.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Or have any thoughts on what the outcome could be. I've read a lot about them saying one thing to you an then receiving different things in your report.
I have suffered for years with this... an never applied for this after people telling me too.
I'm at a point now where I'm house bound an literally can not do much at all. I feel ashamed being out in pupil the way I walk because I'm a young woman. I just can't cope any more an hope I do get this now so I can get extra help.
Any advise or previous experiences shared would kindly appreciated
Regards
0 likes, 130 replies
RAwarrior
Posted
Hi all me again.... unfortunately I was diagnosed with addison's disease today. On top of everything
... I'm not sure what it is yet I haven't looked up. I know it's kinda rare thou. I'll join group on here.
Should inform the dwp about that now?
I only got the letter a couple of days ago for the test, been in hospital today had it. An they rang me told me I need to start treatment that some gland has not responded to the hormone. So it's all new to me. I shall be reading up tonight. Xx
Hopefully everyone is good.... an wish speedy results for those still waiting x
sukes RAwarrior
Posted
Oh my goodness, if it's not one thing it's six others. I'm sorry you have to go through this as well as everything else.
I don't know a lot about it, I only really know it's to do with the adrenal glands. My cousin had an operation which was successful, so fingers crossed that they can sort things for you. x
TCup RAwarrior
Posted
Oh dear - I do hope you get sorted. Keep you chin up. I would wait until you have been to see someone about your addison's disease before contacting the dwp. You need to deal with one thing at a time. The dwp can wait!
les59996 RAwarrior
Posted
Should inform the dwp about that now?
Any notification that displays a change of circumstances will always result in a complete rethink of your whole PIP award.
Normally they issue a new PIP2 form that is followed by another face to face assessment.
Do some serious research before you even think of contacting them. You are already on the highest award for both elements so there are only two options - they could reduce your award or allow it to continue as it is now - you can't improve it!
les59996
Posted
I like you must sometimes wonder how much we are costing the NHS!
christina0644 RAwarrior
Posted
Hey there I wouldn't worry too much I had one few months back and the wee lady was basically as u said finishing you're sentences..she got me to do a few movements as I have chronic sciatica wel she got me to try and reach my toes and I almost knocked her out lol and she stopped me half way because the pain she caused me.
Wasn't long after that I got a text to say that I will be paid like 17 days after that message so yeh I say u have passed ??
Please let me know how u get on x
pam02338 RAwarrior
Posted
I know first hand of someone who suffers from intractable pain due to his disability. Much the same thing happened at his PIP assessment - the assessor told him she wasn't doing the physical exam because he was in too much pain after walking from the waiting room to the assessment room. When he got a copy of his report she had stated he refused the physical exam - no explanation or clarification that she and not he had made the decision. His support worker (who,luckily, was present and taking notes throughout the assessment) complained to the DWP and submitted her notes as evidence. His award was changed soon after. The moral of the story is don't go to the assessment alone, get your companion to take notes, and insist you are physically examined. The physical examination is your chance to present bodily evidence of your condition - don't waste it and don't allow the assessor to rob you of it.
les59996 pam02338
Posted
pam02338 les59996
Posted
Not sure about DLA but PIP rules clearly state that prescribed pain medication is an indication of the level of pain felt, and should be taken into consideration. I would have challenged this because pain management is a specialised field and I would have though only a consultant in this field would be qualified to suggest something as vague as relaxation techniques to replace strong medication. I'll tell you one thing though Les, it does clearly demonstrate how some assessors are overstepping the mark and straying into areas in which they are not qualified to comment.
les59996 pam02338
Posted
Thanks Pam. That assessment took place in 2012 for DLA.
She mentioned something about a pain relief programme that had to do with a guy's name Alexander or something like that.
Anyhow at the end of the day they removed all of my DLA but I got it back 9 months later just before the Tribunal hearing.
She was a 'nurse' of some description so I just assumed she knew what she was talking about.
Biggyinn les59996
Posted
Never "Ass-u-me as it makes an Ass out of U & Me" lol
Diamond14 RAwarrior
Posted
Hi can anybody help me. I currently get pip & had a letter to complete renewal, completed form late & now recieved letter stating I am having a home assessment, I'm worried about this, why would I get home visit? I was only awarded my pip for 2years, I'm worried it will stop as I work aswell, I have to go to work as if I don't it makes my depression worse although my physical condition is bad & im in constant pain (bad hips & bad back) broken discs & arthritis, I have to position myself all the time I am stood one min & sat next, I spend my days in bed on my days off & don't go out & socialise & I only go out to attend work ,appointments etc. I am really anxious & really worried about this, I am also due to have another procedure on my back this month it's a long standing on going process. I need help with washing get dressed cooking cleaning majority of time. When my mood is really bad I will not move from bed & have had to be watched with my medication. Any help would be great, my visit is next week I only received letter day ago. I'm confused as to why they would come visit me when I have not requested visit & I attended a atos centre when first applied. Thanks
Cobyyy RAwarrior
Posted
Hi new to this received a letter today from pip saying they now have all the information they need to decide if we can award you pip but I haven't had an essesment yet what does it mean thanks
denise15811 Cobyyy
Posted
It would have been better to have started your own post with this question as this thread is so long, it was hard to find your post. It just means what it says, that they have all the info they need. You have a 50/50 chance of an award. You can be award without an assessment or you can be refused without one as well. Good luck.
Cobyyy denise15811
Posted
Ok thanks I don't no how to use this yet thank you
denise15811 Cobyyy
Posted
No problem. Above all the posts on the page in dark blue it says "new discussion" if you click this it'll take you to your own page where you can start a new discusion (thread) and give a heading of your choice. This way others will see your questions easier. Hope this helps for any other questions you have