Well, well, no surprise Oh well onwards and upwards.

charlene

thankfully the dreaded wait is over or nearly.  Just received a copy of the assessors form. I think I am correct in saying I have enhanced care.  However I have not been awarded anything for mobility.  It says I can stand and then move 50 metres but no more than 200 metres.  My trips, falls etc have not been takien into account. Or the fact I cannot repeat. My walk, and have to rest up after.  Also she mentioned I was not on any strong medication. Am I wrong in thinking Tramadol is strong? Oh well onwards and upwards, I feel a lot better knowing what I have to face!  I will do a MR and Tribunal if I have to. 

CockneyRebel

Hi charlene

DM usually go with the report
There might be a small window of opportunity the express your concerns to the DM before the decision is made, certainly worth a try

CR

charlene

Hi Cockney Rebel.  Should I write of now rather than wait.?

Matilda

@charlene

Tramadol is a very strong med, a controlled drug, a form of morphine.

Did the assessor actually watch you walk at least 50m?  I doubt it!

maid08

obviously knows nothing about meds then tramadol is addictive and a bril pain killer unless you are on morphine   

charlene

No she never saw me. This was the lady who kept on saying 1 to 2 mins and rest, repeated it 3 times in quick succession.  Put it to 3 mins and I firmly said no.  

whistles

Enhanced care is better than just enhanced mobility.
If you get esa you keep your sdp but maybe lose the edp which is a lot less. 

I am becoming a cynic now that dropping a level or dropping an element is the bigger plan. 
Yes pip might be working for some and yes some might not satisfy the descriptors. But there is no other help when you have it in black and white that they can't offer help beyond the scope of pip. 
Fit in the boxes or fall out.

CockneyRebel

You should wait for the decision letter to ask for an MR, but you can ring now before the decision is made, to discuss your concerns with the report

CR 

charlene

Not sure what to do. In one way I am relieved to know what I am dealing with. On the other hand I feel physically sick, at the thought of being housebound!  also I am now wondering if it was my fault and I should have written more about my mobility problem.  I did notice though during my assessment more time was taken on the care side, motobility was skipped over. 

sleepy1

Hi @charlene, sorry its not altogether good news, hopefully the DM will look at further evidence but wouldn't bank on it.  Tramadol is a very strong pain killer and I found them very good for my pain, I came off them though because I couldn't cope with the side effects.

Personally I don't think much weight should be given to what painkillers your on anyway as more often it is a choice between putting up with the pain or being too spaced out to do anything.  They might help you be a bit more mobile but increase the danger of tripping and falling.

It's a dammed if you do or dammed if you don't in many situations!
 

charlene

I really have been taken by surprise,  because of what I have been reading I was ready for a lowering of motobility payment but to be awarded none ! I am amazed!

charlene

Hi whistle, I agree that enhanced  care is better than enhanced mobility.   But if you asked me was it care or mobility which affected me more I would answer straight away mobility.

charlene

Thanks sleepy, one of the points I will try and get over to DWP will be, yes I am on strong painkillers.  

Government_needs_reform

@charlene Tramadol is classed as a controlled drug and is (strong) but it's all down to the dosages your on, I'm on Tramadol 50mg 4 times = 200mg a day and that don't touch the sides for me.  plus on oral morph which is morphine and transdermal patches (bupronerphine) 52.micrograms for chronic mobility issues.

The Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain

Extended-Release (ER):
18 years or older (tramadol-naive): 100 mg orally once a day
-Individually titrate in 100 mg increments every 5 days to an effective dose that minimizes adverse reactions
-Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day

So it all down to what they is a low dose and not that strong of you are taking other medications with them for the same  issues then voice you concerns with the DWP.

whistles

Its written I am on a high dose of meds, but they don't seem to care about the side effects of it. It then said I had no memory problems. 

Unless being sleepy stops you doing those descriptors they won't score you, if it's not most days. In their opinion. 

charlene

Just checked my Tramodol, the dose is 50mg 2 tabs 4 x daily, for intense pain. I also take 5 amitrptiline for chronic pain. A small percentage of this dose is to up my antidepressant as I am on the top dose  of Mirtazapine. 

Government_needs_reform

charlene said:

Just checked my Tramodol, the dose is 50mg 2 tabs 4 x daily, for intense pain. I also take 5 amitrptiline for chronic pain. A small percentage of this dose is to up my antidepressant as I am on the top dose  of Mirtazapine. 

So in that case @charlene I defo would say that's a strong dose. Where they get off saying your meds are Low beats me.

I would fight this if need be remember to add your side affects I get some pretty horrible ones and well documented them.

As for Mirtazaphine you must on 45mg a day, of so that's the same as me. My Amytriptiline I have 50mg a day and gabapentin 900mg a day.

charlene

Thanks, for your reassurance, I think I am being treated like everyone else who has lost their motobility.  I have looked again at the assessment and have noticed there is no mention that I have DISH in my back. Also she is no longer saying 1 to 2 minutes  but has written 2 minutes although I disputes that.

charlene

Sorry yes I am on 45 mgof Mirtazapine and 250 mg 

charlene

What's wrong with me lol 250mg amitrptiline.

maid08

tramadol 50 mg thats per tab so 4times a day is 400 mg and thats not high dose christ i would be zonked on that i take  50mg four times a day or more if i need it