1. Community
  2. Skin and nails
  3. Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

PIP Assessments For Psoriatic Arthritis

Posted , 28 users are following.

robert271163
robert271163

Has anyone been for PIP assessment? I went yesterday not sure how it went i will have to wait to find out. But the Questions i was asked was pointless they only asked what i had written on the application to confirm what i had written, They have been in contact with my specialist who has confirmed my condition and spoken to other medical people i have seen to me it was pointless. They have all the information they need so why do they need to see you? The exercises they asked me to do where mainly pointless as they were ones that my condition is not effected by and the ones that were i could not do. Has anyone managed to get PIP for Psoriatic Arthritis or am i wasting my time?

4 likes, 61 replies

61 Replies

Prev Next
  • fran64873
    fran64873 robert271163

    Posted

    Thanks Robert, I just hope my nerves don't get the better of me. I'm alright on the phone, but I  always seem to say stupid things when face to  face. I have my 3 monthly appointment with my rheumatologist next week, so will ask him if he can help me in anyway. Thanks again
    • robert271163
      robert271163 fran64873

      Posted

      Hi Fran your very welcome it seems that our kind government are trying to stop or remove as much benefits from people that deserve it, I have a mate that was born with Cerebal Paulsy they have taken his PIP away and his mobility car too, So you need to make it clear how difficult life is for you not on a average day but on your worse days, I can struggle to cut my food on bad days and you can forget me cooking as it takes too long for me to prepare a meal so my wife does it all they will ask you questions like can you  bathe yourself dress yourself cook etc if you struggle then tell them, include how much pain you suffer not only doing these tasks but how it affects you after they will ask about your mobility how far you can walk / if you can do stairs etc.  The system is not fair but you have to play the game as they do. Less you can do the more you get as sad as it is.
    • fran64873
      fran64873 robert271163

      Posted

      I don't understand this system, I've always worked on and off since I was 16, but finished work last November as pain was getting so bad, the times I've phoned the rheumatology helpline in tears asking if I can come in for a steriod injection. All my medication that included methotrexate, simponi injection, was put on hold last December to give my stomach chance to recover, as I have IBS, and the medication was really making my stomach so painful, even though I've been on methotrexate for 5 years. My rheumatologist is now going to try me on new medication next week. It's so hard to explain to people how much pain you can be in, because on the outside you don't look too bad.
    • Carol1983
      Carol1983 robert271163

      Posted

      Hi Robert, yes when I got diagnosed with PA at the hospital the nurse spoke to me and said you employer is obliged by law to make provisions easier for you to carry on working. But she also told me if I find it difficult to maintain my current job they could refer me for re- training as the government want to keep people like me in work. This really worries me because I'm finding it very hard to keep work up and how can you re- train when you have so much pain in your hands.
    • Carol1983
      Carol1983 robert271163

      Posted

      Hi Robert , hope you are ok? Just wondering if you could help me. I was diagnosed with psa last August and been on mtx since. But now I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep my work, I have reduced my hours but still struggle. Over the months my pain has gone to my neck my hips my knees , my hands and now my back. I'm finding everyday jobs really hard to do. I was just wondering at what point do you actually become " disabled" I cannot walk far as I am in a lot of pain. The new scheme on disability scares me, but it worries me that I cannot continue to work much longer. 
    • robert271163
      robert271163 Carol1983

      Posted

      Hi Carol I would say you are well past the point where you could put a claim in, If I was you I would get the forms completed and send them off as soon as possible. Especially if they are going to make changes to the system. I would say your condition is more severe then mine at present. I hope that helps Robert 
    • Carol1983
      Carol1983 robert271163

      Posted

      Thank you Robert for the reply. Did you have some time off sick before putting a claim in.?
    • robert271163
      robert271163 Carol1983

      Posted

      Hi Carol yes I did but because it was a new job they also let me go so I was also unemployed but recieving ESA 
  • sheila65847
    sheila65847 robert271163

    Posted

    Hi Robert,

    how ya doing? I've just pm'd Fran with exactly same Q&A's! I've just started a new injection, Stelara. Early days, this one takes about 6 months before you get the benefit. Struggling with severe pain, been on Prednisolone since Nov, to try to minimise inflammation. No fun at all. Currently receiving hydrotherapy X2 per week which helps. Sx

    • robert271163
      robert271163 sheila65847

      Posted

      Hi Sheila not so bad last few weeks i have had more than the normal pain i think that is down to the weather, I am taking more than normal painkillers to get through the day, there was a post about LDN that i found interesting which i am going to look into. I have not heard of the medication your on now, I am still on MTX and Sulfasalazinewhich doe not really seem to making it any better but i dont feel much worse apart from pain it maybe the weather or it could be me getting used to the meds, Hope the new stuff works for you 
  • geraldine87987
    geraldine87987 robert271163

    Posted

    Hi Rober i was interested to read your answeres to people with Psa i have hadit for twenty years at my worst unable to do anything and was pensioned out the nhs,  i was then given a anti tnf drug which has settled it on and off for some years the last 18 months i have been suffering with the usual psa symtoms so painfil had extra steroid injections on top of the anti tfn but its still seems to not be working, i was working part time for the nhs i came back with the help of the disability team about nine years ago with restrictions put in place to help me, but like another member here said i have it my knees hands feet shoulders neck so in fact any job i wouldnt be able to do the way i am at present.  I have been off sick for over two months and just handed my notice in on long term health grounds and applying for my pension  on those grounds my health is more important than my job and the thought of being like i was twenty years ago is so frightening.  I am waiting to hear from pip but like other people worried about what they are going to ask as some days are beter than others, and like has already has been said its a illness people cant see so discriminate against you, i am lucky though as i dont get the skin psorisis, any help in with the pip would be greatly appreciated.   incidently why are you not on a anti tnf drug has it not been offered!!

    Regards G

  • frances66
    frances66 robert271163

    Posted

    Hi Robert, how are you? An update on my PIP claim, I was awarded lower rate for the care and mobility, the assessment letter that I received seemed to focus more on my mental ability and driving!! I thought the assessment was to focus on  how you manage your disability. How they can work these things out on a points system is beyond me!! It seems to me that they don't realise that PsA is very painful and disabling. But I shouldn't moan, at least they gave me something, which is a first for my back, as I have had scoliosis from a child. Best wishes 
    • robert271163
      robert271163 frances66

      Posted

      Hi Frances Thank you I am coping some good some bad days as usual, Hope you are too.

       Well as you say something is better than nothing I guess,  I was under the understanding that the Assesment was so work out how the condition affecting your every day life how it restricted you in what you can and cannot do for yourself, I guess to a certain extent you are lucky to get it with all the changes they are making to the system and they way they are awarding points to each element of the assesment. I agree they do not understand about the pain but i guess that when they ask you to do certain movements they are thinking if there is pain they cant do the movement, but what they dont understand is if it was not for medication and pain killers most at our stage would be a lot worse than we are and it is only for the fact we can cope with having the meds. I certainly could not get through a day without my painkillers ( i know i have tried it). How the system will evolve with the new system they are planning is frightening, I am sure come my next assesment I will lose mine due to the new points system but i will have to wait and see, It might all fall through if the government have a lot of pressure put on them we live in hope . 

    • rose67074
      rose67074 robert271163

      Posted

      Hi there Robert I have claw toes and osteoarthritis in my feet just wondering if I would qualify for pip I also have wear and tear in my knee and hands
    • robert271163
      robert271163 rose67074

      Posted

      Hi Rose I wish i could say yes but I cant as you never know what the assesor will deem as qualifying, all i can say is apply and see what they say sorry I cant be of more help 
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.