PIP awarded but MH ignored. Feeling conflicted about going for MR.

Legwax

Hi. I was amazed to be awarded PIP - although I do believe I am eligible due to physical health issues. A smattering of 2's in Daily Living, no 4, got me low rate for 2 years, review due in 18 months.

While I was pleased, having lived below the poverty line for the last few years, I was/am disappointed. I have depression and anxiety for last ten years. No hospitalisations. No current CMHT as they told me I had had my allocated therapy talk (3 x 3 for over a year, I understand that), so discharged me. I am not unwell enough to be hospitalised.

Coincidentally, the day after being awarded, I had a fall, went to A&E and registrar told me I wouldn't be getting better only worse(osteoarthrtitis). I was gutted. I think PIP think I am going to get better.

I live by myself, near no friends nor family. Therefore, I do everything myself. Clean, cook, shop. Delivery when I can afford it. I have to do it as nobody else will do it for me. I can do it. Very slowly on bad days which is 6/7. I live in a building with no lift. I have no choice but to walk up and down the stairs. I said I did everything slowly and I told the truth about everything. I think I was penalised for doing things by myself!

I found a part time job as I couldn't live on UC only, could eat or heat for over 2 years and increasingly ill physically and mentally so I had to get a job. I think this went against me too.

I researched a lot so I applied my circumstances to the descriptors. Had a phone assessment 6 weeks ago, awarded one week later.

BUT it was by a physiotherapist. She said I didn't sound tense or under stress on the phone. I was. Very. I ranted for two hours. If anybody spoke to me how I was speaking to her I would assess them as lucid, ruminating, flat and depressed! Because I was.

I have one week left to lodge for a MR. My MH means I have retreated from the world, don't go out unless I have to (got to eat/shop/go to doc/work - it is twice a week for an hour!). I think I was also penalised as I speak with a ""posh"" accent. I don't but compared to others I do and I am articulate. Don't hate me, I'm just saying! It is amazing what people say to me - you must be rich as you speak so posh, you must be well educated as you speak so posh. Jeez, if only.

I literally look at walls for a few hours a day. Time just goes and I have no motivation to do anything. 75mg Sertraline, not changed anything. Not sure if I should go higher as PIP said it was a low dose - but I am increasing slowly, she didn't ask anything about that. I had problem with citalopram for 8 years hence slow on this one. All on GP records.

Thanks if you read all this.

TLDR: I don't know whether to do MR for consideration for my depression/anxiety and my physical issue not being a short one.

Legwax

I got 4 points for Mobility which I was surprised as that is a massive issue and I told her I couldn't walk/move sometimes every day. Nobody asked me if I want a Pain clinic. I got the report back, I guess all the things this Physio assessor for PIP wrote, I know what they are looking for but I can't help doing things by myself and I haven't asked for modifications to my flat even though I need them because I don't want to think of myself as disabled. This is me, not you readinf , I mean no offence.

Robin0480

Sorry to your in pain.

I'm thinking about applying myself and I used to do everything myself also been really difficult these past 3 weeks,as even with the pain I've lived with for over a decade I was managing. Don't be afraid to ask for help and modifications if you need them.

I know I'm one to talk as I haven't yet.

I know what you mean about not wanting to think your are disabled.

I potentially have arthritis and I have carpal tunnel that has flared really bad last 3 weeks haven't been able to do basics like cook a meal or put washing out without being in extreme pain and it effects everything my emotions, my job my kids looking after my mother as I'm also her carer, it gets you down, plus side at least my health issues are being addressed now it sucks that I'm in as much pain as I am but once your on the right medication things start to look up.

I think you might be able to refer yourself to physio I would ask at the doctor s or look online see if you can and if any are in your area.

There are things you can buy online like for my problem there are loads of support gloves and braces, temu are really cheap just have to wait 2 weeks before it gets delivered. But if your isuues your back or joints there's normally something out there that might help. I've recently bought my sister inlaw a shopping trolley climber from amazon had a voucher so didn't cost me anything, as she was getting problems with her wrists and has to look after 4 kids youngest in nursery so this helps her with shopping and as it's a climber one she can pull it up the stairs without issues.

I hope my message helped hun sometimes it's nice just knowing someones listening.

A problem shared is a problem haved 🙂

Legwax

Hello @Robin0480 , ahh, yes, thank you for replying. I posted a couple of days ago and nobody responded which was a bit disheartening.

You sound like you have a lot on being a carer for your Mum too. I'm sorry about your pain, sounds horrible! Glad you getting it sorted but yes, it's a drag in the meantime isn't it. Oh, those shopping trolleys…believe me I have debated about it sooo much but I cannot get the image of very old age out of my mind and I am in denial about that too as I'm not! Yeah, you're right and made me laugh as I'm good at telling others how to get help but I don't do it for myself either.

May I really encouragt you do apply for PIP. It may seem from reading on here that it is a disaster but it is one form, if you use the guides on here and maybe on Turn2us which is helpful, I think, you can get through it. It is worth trying, it is.

Thanks for thinking of physio, I already have that actually.

I am grateful (I am eligbile but good grief in this climate I have succumbed to being grateful to the welfare state that is supposed to support me anyway), for getting PIP even if it was the low amount for a limited time. It has changed my life already in less than a month. Money. It's makes the world go round whether one likes it or not.

It is very hard to be a carer. I hope you get some time for yourself if you can.

I had to ask my GP for a scan on my joints and they referred me to the hospital so please don't let pain and no help become your norm. It is too easy if you are used to just getting on with things. We all need a bit of help sometimes. At least you will then get set on your pathway for access to what you need if you're not fully already (as you said about potential arthritis).

You cheered me up. Thank you! X

Robin0480

Your welcome, my life feels like a disaster the past 3 weeks didn't help that work didn't pay ssp that really stressed me out and then gave uc my last 3 pays instead of 2 so got paid less than last month, I was **** stressed, angry and in pain and was like ahhhhh, then had 3 flare ups in 4 days, started tramadol yesterday and can honestly say 1st time the pain relief has lasted more than 2hrs during the day 🙂 waiting to hear off out of hrs GP now though they probably say wait till tomorrow. The trolley I used to use my mums when I was 14 years old so don't be disheartened or think only the elderly use it, it makes life so much easier and you can get really cheap ones delivered to you. My sister in law is only 40 years old.

I'm glad I made you smile 😁

Robin0480

Got a rhemology appointment on June 2nd awaiting cortisone injections at moment. So just need the right pain meds until I get the injections though if it is arthritis probably be on long term medication and they'll need to find the right conbination really don't want the operation but might have to if it doesn't get any better.

Money does make the world go around and will look into it pip. I did have someone who filled a work capability assessment on me as in my current condition can't fill it out myself. I haven't got a clue how to get medical evidence though they should be the ones to do thar if you ask me 🤣

Robin0480

Yes it is hard work being a carer for my mum raising my teenage son and working part time doesn't give me much time for me.

Have you got any friends around you? Or support groups in your area? Sometimes just going out and talking about your feelings helps.

I used to to the treasurer of a group called support positive parents 18 years ago and it really helped, until they got funding and I got pregnant and had to take a step back, then the money went to their heads was disbanded within a year but for the whole year that it was just drop in chat and share your feelings with a couple of outing and a couple of professionals coming into help with education, money problem, disabilities ect.

Legwax

Yes, we have to do everything ourselves even get the evidence. It is a wierd way of getting assessed. Glad you are going to go ahead with the PIP. I am going to go ahead with MR if only to dispute the fact that she dismissed/wasn't aware or qualified to assess MH impact.

I find this online here is enough for me. I don't want to make my health the focus of conversations. I am bored by a friend's health which is minor but big to her and it has become her whole self almost. I know that makes me sound harsh. I'm not.

Making life easier. It all helps! The trolley…I'll think about it. Hehe, thanks.

You have had a tough 3 weeks. Glad the tramadol seems to be working. It is hard to be in pain and deal with other people and stuff so give yourself props. You are doing you, your son, your Mum and no doubt others. Hey, you're doing me right now so give yourself the break and let's get what we deserve. Time, income, peace. It's exhausting as well fighting for everything. I hope your work/ssp gets sorted though it is kind of too late isn't it even if you are lucky enough to get some reimbursed. I'm happy I live here and got a roof and food in cupboard. You really have cheered me. Thank you for that @Robin0480 I appreciate you have a lot of stuff happening and I hope it works out in your favour.

Robin0480

Me too hun and you've cheered me up also actually got a a to face appointment with an actual GP, out of one but it's in 20 minutes. Ssp did get sorted but a week later and I won't see the benefit of that till next week, but they have put the day I was supposed to work and the day after I gave them my fit note so fight even get something for that first week 🤞, anyway chin up and if you can manage it read a free ebook takes you away from your own problems for a little while, while being emerced in a make believe world that sometimes actually happens 🙂

Robin0480

Definitely go ahead with it you deserve it and unless they've lived a day in your shoes they haven't got a clue what their talking about 😁

Legwax

Damn, you are sooo chirpy, helpful and have good ideas! Thanks @Robin0480 !

Hope GP went the way you needed.

Days are longer when waiting for the $$£!

I am sending you fresh, solid good wishes and realities.

Robin0480

Thank you @legwax well good news I'm not gonna die 🤣 said I'm on all I can be on at the moment and to keep doing what I have been, she said the injection s might help but she's not convinced I need surgery. 😁 now that the tramadol is working. That's all they can really do and to look into what is causing this chronic pain but as I've already got an appointment nothing else they can do, but notes will be passed to my GP on Monday though. Hope you've had a good evening loads of free ebooks on amazon for the kindle if you have one if not download the kindle app then get some freebies 🙂enjoy your evening chat soon