HI Les no i havnt applied for PIP yet, im still waiting for that horrible letter to arrive, At the moment im getting DLA still, i count very months as a blessing i really do.
Regards
Sue
This interests me. How did you manage to get your doctor to assess you in that they say you cannot walk more than 20 metres?
I had a test about 4 years ago one on of those treadmills at the hospital. It was set for a slow (half normal walking) speed on a very slight incline. I managed about a dozen steps then collapsed thankful for the bars at either side. It assessed me as the max distance in pain was 43 metres with no pain 4 metres!!
Do GP's have this sort of eqipment now - it would certainly help those trying to prove distances of walking for PIP?
???? No one knows you better than your own GP Les otherwise we would all be in trouble. My hips have had more photo's taken (x-rays) than the royal family. The erosion has got progressivly worse over the last 8 years and now I am in pain just sitting !! I cannot sleep at night because I dont know which way to turn and I know I will end up in a wheelchair within the next 2/3 years. My doctor has treated me, injected me, x-rayed me for the last 8 years so he knows that I could not walk 1 yard without being in pain .....reason because I am in pain 24/7. This is what these numbskulls have to realise when assessing you. Why do I have to prove it and perform like a circus act when the ''real'' professionals eg. doctors have diagnosed my illnesses. Do we really need doctors in this day and age? according to the DWP no we dont because they know it all.
P.S Also after my heart attack in May I had to have an isotopic heart scan which meant I could not use the treadmill as normal patients do. The reason was because there was no way I could have waked 3 steps without falling off. When you have real illness you should not have to go through all of this palaver, it is stressful and upsetting and could in my case cause further damage to my health.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.
In 2006 I had a fall from hight which resulted in my left patella being quartered and a broken left femur at the ball joint. I had a hip replacement and wire banding surgery to my knee which got infected and I ended up in ICU in an induced coma with septacemia. I left hospital after 4 months using a pioneering vacuum pack system to encourage skin growth to the surrounding skin around my knee (the hospital thought this would be better than a skin graft). I am now left in a position where I cannot have a much needed knee replacement because the scar tissue on my knee is too thin to cut open and stitch back together following surgery. I have complete muscle wastage in my left leg due to limping which means the leg is half the size of my right leg and no ligament or cartlage around the knee. All of this now causes severe pain with every step that I take. I lost my job as a result of the accident and over the years, I used the DLA money to get a motability car which enabled me to re-train and volunteer for a support service for the homeless. I am now in a paid role but without the car I would not have been in a position to do any of the above.
I will probably turn violent if I don't qualify for PIP then I should get it upon appeal... 
Kind regards
John
I do feel for you as I know what it is like living with pain 24/7 I cannot see how they could justify not giving you PIP ?? You have so much evidence to say you are genuine. Best of luck, we all need it.
Hi Christine,
ATOS looks your problems, illnesses or disorders in an eZine called The A-Z Adult Medical Conditions. According to IDS it was leaked on to the web, which is what was in the National News and papers, which was a load of rubbish, the actual document say "Staff Only" yet anyone with a computer can view it. It's nearly 800 pages, and has very little on conditions. I found it by, mistake on Google, that's our Gov't's security for you...useless. lol
The real ATOS professionals are nurses, paramedics (whom only need a single diploma to work as a paramedic), Occupational Therapists and cheap doctors. The DWP cannot even hold their own staff, even some have been sacked because they took more than 7 days off sick in a year!
Nothing surprises me with them at all.
Regards,
Les. (not the one you replied to - people get confused by us)
Thanks Christine
Ooops sorry x
Hi Christine,
I wish I could just grit my teeth and bear my pain, but over years it has become so much progressive, and pain is unbearable. Tramadol is really getting me down, I should not even be on it, but was told to take for two weeks at 50mg, that two weeks ended a few years ago now, and the Tramadol was upped to 200mg SR (slow release) so basically it stays in my system 24/7 without no drop-off points. On top of that I take 2,000mg of Paracetamol and 20mg of Amitriptyline at night. Two of these medications are causing me to have seizures more often.
I have Botox Injections which are getting to a point where they are wearing off far too quick. I am on Madopar, which is supposed to do the same as the BoTox but in tablet form, but I am not on the full dosage.
The trouble with Dystonia is the muscle cramps, tender joints, swollen legs, ankles and feet, calf cramps are bad enough, but cramps in your face, neck, feet and toes, along with spasms that do not stop unless I'm asleep, and the only way of sleeping is on my back and take enough tablets to knock me out. I have to sleep in a sitting position every night, it is horrible, because even using a V-Neck pillow some nights I wake up in such awkward positions and in more pain, legs feel like lead weights caused by numbness, but I was told to adjust the bed so my legs are up higher than my body.
In November last year I had a Chronic Breakdown - no one had ever seen me like it in my life. Basically, all my life I have put up a front when dealing with things like when I lost both parents, and losing my nephew at just 13 months. I'm on anti-depressents now, not quite so bad, but not brilliant either.
Regards,
Les.
Hi Les, it sounds awful the amount of pain you are in and I can sympathise to a degree of knowing what pain is like. Mine is bad but it does not sound half as bad as what you are going through. It does get you down though and that was one of the questions that the lady asked me when here, she said are you depresses and I said I wasn't being treated for depression but I did get depressed about being in pain all the time, well we wouldn't be normal if we didn't!! My husband said after she had gone, but you are depressed !! you are not the same person you were even 2 years ago which I suppose is true but it was to late as she had gone out of the door. It's sad but when you have multiple illnesses and they bombard you with questions you do forget things and only later will think ''Ah yes I should have told her that '' I do get forgetful.......thats why my husband has to fill my dosette box every day and remind me to take my tablets, otherwise I would maybe remember 3 days out of 7. The way they treat us I am afraid is very Dickensian and this country is going backwards and not forwards. If I walked in from another country I would be better treated but because I have been honest, worked hard, paid my taxes, never scrounged and been an upright citizen I am now treated like the lowest of the low. Once this government and any others who get into power, because this has been going on for years, not a Conservative, Labour, Liberal thing but them all anyway they all should get their ears into gear and listen to the people who vote them in, they are there because of us, they are paid because of us, now we want the respect we deserve. Phew that felt good!!
Well put Christine!
Sue
Hi John
Thanks for the extra information. Reading your discription of your condition was painful never mind actually suffering with it.
At the time of reassessment you will have to fully explain your condition, why you can't walk more than 20 metres and what arrangements you have for mobility eg wheelchair etc.
Unfortunately the reason why you need a car does not have a sigificant role as it used to under DLA rules. However, mention it but be aware it is of low priority to the DWP decision maker.
Hi Christine,
Well spoken, and straight to the point - the trouble is no one ever listens to the public, or if they do, the government will get us in another - it's a no win situation, and so obvious by the turnouts at polling stations. Only then do you sometimes see your MP or Parish Councillor, and these days they live miles away from you anyway and drive around in high-end cars, regardless of emmissions they go on about so much, which is such is such a global con. Take a look at the large meeting in France on Climate Control, something like 48 members from countries around the world, they all arrive by private jets then from the airport to the meeting its in large diesel cars - I wonder how much pollution that all generated in a few days? Talkabout contradicting everything they are all meeting to try and calm down, when they cause more pollution than anyone. You only need to be stuck in traffic and behind a bus, the fumes are horrendous that we all inhale... And, the government has only noticed in what, the past 30 years or so!
I remember when I used to cycle to work, never got the chance to drive a car, took a few lessons - then had an accident at home, which led to other ailments. One of which was Epilepsy and Functional Seizures. But back then you had to surrender your license for 2 years, not 1 year like these days. At the moment, I'm lucky to go a month without a seizure - but its all related to the nervous system, and nowhere near under control - I have to keep a diary, well my wife does, which type of seizure, date, time and length. Not even paramedics know the types of seizures I suffer from, because they are only taught about Epileptic types not Functional Seizures which have 28 variations! It is my wife that has to inform them, which type because she can tell, but there is only very slight differences between the two. Sometimes my body spasms has got very close to the 60 minute danger point, this is when they have to consider inducing a coma, and be hospital.
My records in hospital is now entering its forth volume, that is the amount of information, that as been pulled together from 2 local hospitals and a London hospital, where I was first diagnosed which took 2 years.
Most of my veins in my arms have collapsed over the years, and having dystonic spasms makes it difficult for nurses and even doctors trying to get blood out of me. It is now come to the point, that on my records - blood tests from this patient must be done via a syringe in a finger or a foot. All my veins collapsed when I nearly died twice within a month in hospital. It is strange, my middle son is 21 and my daughter is 15 cannot stand the sight of blood, they both turn white and go light-headed as if they are going to faint. Whether it is because they have seen me with so many drips and tubes in my body, even my stomach - I don't know. My daughter can't stand having blood tests being done on hear.
Early next month, I'm having all my medications checked - And, I am going to ask again about getting off Tramadol. Trouble with Neurologists is they introduce another medication gradually and then take you off Tramadol, neither of which is easy - I been there before!
Oh well, that was completely off-topic. I just got permission to contribute an article on many Tips that will save many disabled people, pensioners and even younger generations with money problems - most of them, you are not informed that you are entitled to and do not claim, so it goes back to the government. These are many of the benefits that go unclaimed because people do not know they exist. So, it will be a very helpful document and will be added to Alan's post on Resources in the Benefits section.
Anyway, it will take me probably a few days to get it altogether - some of the information is area specific, but it will include links to maps that cover all th UK.
Regards,
Les.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks again for you reply, I really do appreciate your advice.
So, from what I can gather, I need to explain on my application for PIP how my disability affects my day to day living, for example; I should stress how I cannot stand for any period of time to cook and prepare a simple meal for one due to the fact that I use 2 crutches and how this prevents me from being able to weight bare and safely carry hot food.
I cannot walk to the bus stop then to my place of work repetedly on a daily basis because of the distance causing severe pain.
I think I'm on a hiding to nowhere as they will judge that because I work, I should be able to pay for a taxi to work or buy a car.
Very worried.
Kind regards
John
John, you must tell them how you feel day to day. I told them that I cannot walk more than 20 yards which is true and backed by a letter from my doctor. I told them I cannot make a meal for myself, lift pans or anything out of the oven, I cannot stand by the sink to wash up as within a few minutes I get excruciating pain in my back and shoulders. I told them I cannot bathe or dress on my own and I told them that without my car I would be housebound because I cannot use public transport. All these things must be told to them, because these are the things that when you are in such terrible pain you cannot do. Even though I have all the medical records in the world and letters from my doctors I still had to have a face to face meeting. Really I did not mind because Iknow how bad I am and just told them the truth. God knows how I will feel if I learn I have been refused when they get back in touch with me?? Deeply let down I should imagine.
Hi Christine
I have a lot of knowledge of PIP & ESA claims due to supporting people at work. On the whole, most people are successful and even more so upon appeal where they have to sit in front of a panel at a tribunal. This is still no comfort when making my own claim however.
From your description of how your disability affects you, I feel you have a very good chance of being successful. More so on the daily living component.
I wish you well and again from experience I know that you should have an outcome to your claim within a few weeks.
Regards
John
Thanks John for some encouraging words and giving us some hope, i wonder though why our poor grand daughter didnt get it with M.S.
Sue
Hi John
From your reply to Christine and above you seem to have the idea of how to complete the PIP form.
The assessor may well want to know how you cope in work and you should explain as they don’t like inconsistencies. If you use your crutches to get around in work but it is impossible to move further than 20 metres using those aids say why by giving an explanation. You won't be automatically debarred because you work as PIP is an in work benefit.
To be honest they are not usually interested how far away bus stops are and there is no provision for that in the descriptors. They (the descriptors) simply deal with how far you can physically move or propel yourself and how your mental health affects you when visiting familiar or unfamiliar places.
The golden rule is to link your condition to the descriptors and score points. Points as they say make prizes.
That is the system
Hi Susan
If you read the A - Z Which Les pointed to you will discover that most conditions are sub divided into Mild Moderate or Severe. Usually Mild and Moderate don't attach any likely care or mobility components but Severe nearly always does.
This possibly explains why claimants with the same condition such as MS receive benefit whilst others don't.
As explained to John it all comes down to scoring points on the descriptors and how convincing and consistent your evidence is.