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Panic attacks, anxiety, medication and PIP
sheZZa
Member Posts: 244 Pioneering
I have several complex illnesses which affect my daily living and mobility. One of these is Bipolar forwhich I take Lamotrigine and Nortryptaline although the Nortryptaline also doubles as a pain killer. Last year I started to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. This has been discussed with my gp and my psychiatrist and as I am very reluctant to take any more medication than I already do (and I take quite a bit) it was decided that I would try and manage this myself (my choice) with breathing exercises and distraction etc. I like to try and help myself rather than rely on meds all the time. However, a few months ago I was struggling to control it but I am seeing my mental health support nurse at the end of June so I thought I would wait and woukd discuss it then. A few weeks ago I had my disastrous pip assessment. Two days later my assessor phoned to ask me what medication I take for my panic attacks and anxiety, as my cm wanted to know. I said Lamotrigine and Nortryptaline (which was prescribed as above). Because I do not take or at least I don’t think I take actual medication for panic attacks and anxiety. Will this go against me the fact that I’m not taking medication for my panic attacks and. Anxiety? Lamotrigine is a mood stabiliser and as I have been so mentally unwell recently my psychiatrist has suggested Lithium which I have refused due to its side effects as I want to try other avenues first, Since my pip assessment my panic attacks and anxiety have gone through the roof and I’m now being sick at just the thought of leaving the house. I have an appointment next week with my gp to discuss this. So much for trying to help yourself, the DWP undoes any progress a claimant maybe making. By trying to help themselves or otherwise.
Replies
thank you. I just thought it was funny why she asked what medication I was on for my panic attacks and anxiety even though I had given a list of my medications.
thank you. My panic attacks and anxiety are part of my Bipolar which has been the case since I first applied for pip in 2014. I was awarded enhanced both daily living and mobility then although that’s not to say I will now.
we didn’t discuss it really other than her asking what meds I was taking for it. The conversation was over the phone and finished quite quickly. She said that the case manager wanted to know and that she might be call me for another assessment and would that be okay. Th next day I had a text from the DWP saying that they had received the report. It all seemed rather strange. I do have insight into my condition and do all that I can to manage it but sometimes I need help. Fortunately my gp is very supportive and my psychiatrist is always on hand if I need her urgently too.
thats good to hear. She had a list of all my meds. She only concentrated on the depressive side of bipolar. We did not discuss the manic side. It was obvious she had very little knowledge or understanding. Still I shall just have to wait and see.
So at the time of assessment and appeal he was not on them.
hope this helps.
as long as you have good evidence to back up your application or appeal DWP or the tribunal will award you .
Mel.
I’m pleased to hear that your friend was successful. It gives me hope. Thank
I think they aggravate people’s mental illnesses and cause others to suffer who previously did not before their assessment. How can those lacking in experience, knowledge and understanding of any disability and make an informed, accurate and honest assessment. It filled me with great confidence when my assessor told me that she had never heard of one of my disabilities. Not!
I’m really sorry to hear how you’re feeling and this process causes so much added stress which you don’t need. Mental health illness is difficult to manage at the best of times and a 3-4 week wait to see your gp or psychiatrist seems forever when you’re desperate. Is it at all possible for you to change to another GP? Although that doesn’t mean that they will be any more understanding. I am extremely lucky with the support I get. If I can’t get an appointment my gp has told the receptionist to email her to say that I need to see her. She will then phone me and if needed I will see her no later than the next day. I hope you feel better soon x
Luckily your records are online so it doesn't really matter who you see.
The GP practice this time which has been our new practice printed off onto paper all of my partners records from the date she has been there with a list break down of all conditions and problems as far back as 1993.
A week later gave me a disc with a password on paper which is my partners entire GP records I've not looked at it yet so not sure how this way works
I just saw your discussion and thought it similar my recent application.
Amongst other illnesses I have I also suffer with severe anxiety and depression and find it difficult to be around people and rarely go out.
I had evidence of a specialist stating this and that I take 150mg Sertraline. The DWP stated I am not taking specific anxiety tablets. Even though Sertraline is an SSRI which can help for both anxiety and depression (social phobia panic attacks, ptsd etc) So I am in the process of considering sending in a request for an MR along with the evidence and further information again.
Hope your decision is good news.
I don't take medication anymore after trying a lot of different ones, a psychiatrist advised me to stop taking them and then referred me for CBT, sadly that didn't help either! So I struggle daily with different mh problems plus fibro, I can't take tablets now anyway.
I read your other post. It is so wrong when the DWP penalise anyone who tries to help themselves and who try to cope without taking medication. You just can’t win.
I’ve been mentally preparing myself for an mr. One minute I’m positive and the next I’m not. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Gone are the days when you could choose your gp and your surgery. After some of the stories I hear I know I am very lucky and fingers crossed it will continue that way.
When I was first diagnosed with Bipolar my psychiatrist gave me a list of medications and their side effects and told me to read up on them and then choose which medication I would prefer. I did and chose Lamotrigine which I am still taking. However, after Christmas my mood really plunged and my psychiatrist suggested that I try Lithium which I refused. We then agreed that I would join a Bipolar Support Group and see how I was after that. The chap running the support group was rubbish and I didn’t get much out of it. I’m still taking Lamotrigine and am being supported by a Community Mental Health Nurse. If I need to change medication or see my psychiatrist the MHN will arrange it. I am always given a say in my treatment.
Also, I have all my medical records from my local hospital. I completed a medical request form and received my records a week later. I did not pay anything for them. It used to cost up to but no more than £50, but now there is no charge.
I totally agree with you. I also think you should not be penalised for trying to help yourself and manage your conditions.,Whenever I have seen a constant/psychiatrist they strive to help me understand understand my conditions and support me to manage them. It’s a shame the DWP do not take the view that even you are trying to help yourself it doesn’t mean that your have recovered from your illness.
The DWP are not expert in anything. I have been seeing various neurologists for a spinal headache. It has taken me seven years to find a neurologist who specialises in spinal headaches and is treating me accordingly. If neurologists could not find the spinal leak and understand the symptoms how on earth could an assessor write a knowledgeable and informed report?!
I have headaches 24/7 they ended up putting them down to Vertigo but I think there's a bit more to them than that. They say it's part of FM but I don't know, I have problems with my neck and ears as well.. I've tried to get help with them (along with a lot of other health problems) but no luck just like the mental health problems.
would you pm me please to discuss your headaches?
I was on that stuff along with other anti psychotic medication for about 5 years. The side effects, symptoms and compulsory blood tests were so bad that I ended up back under section. Eventually I managed to drop off their radar system, cut back on the quantity of the drugs and supplemented everything with up to 6 litres of cider a day + whiskey. That lasted another 12 months or so until I ended up in hospital with Acute Pancreatitis caused by the excessive alcohol and prescription drugs.
You did the right thing. Lithium and other meds they mix it with is a godamned nightmare.
I refused the lithium as I have enough going on without the side effects of that as well.