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lydiarose89

Hi everyone my names Lydia, 30 years old next month. My fibromyalgia was diagnosed March 7th 2016. I’ve had two children since then. 6 weeks ago I had a horrendously traumatic labor and I’ve been in, I can’t even say flare up because this is way worse, ever since. I’m in tears with this pain. It’s the worst it has ever been. I’m in strong cocodamol and it’s not touching the pain even the slightest. I can’t use my hands properly I can’t walk straight if at all. I can’t sleep because of the pain but I am so so tired. I’m lucky my baby sleeps well but I still can’t get on top of this pain. I claimed PIP in 2016 and was rejected. I didn’t appeal and forced myself back into work. Which I’m a cleaner and a house keeper. I had my first son and we barely got by on my partners income and some tax credits. When he was 8 months old i forced myself back to work again. But took on 3 jobs this time. I ended up totally crippled and had appointments with nerve specialists because it looked like carpal tunnel. I was told to wear wrist splints to stop the numbness and tingling because the nerve tests showed my nerves were okay it was just the FMS making me feel the symptoms of it. I tried to carry on working but physically couldn’t do the job and I left. I then fell pregnant (unplanned) with my second son. The pregnancy was stressful thanks to the NHS I was lied to and let down. I had a big baby who was stuck. I ended up with a second degree tear and lost a lot of blood. I can no longer walk properly thanks to the macroberts manoeuvre where my pelvis was prised aprt to help baby out. I have many MANY stitches. Now I feel the need to claim PIP again because l cannot do my job properly anymore. I just don’t have the strength or power or stamina to clean my own let alone someone else’s or offices. 
I have my last 4 years medical history thanks to a SARS form I did. But only if my diagnoses. I am happy to ask gp for an updated letter for evidence but what would it need to say? They agree I can’t do this physical work but how should they write it? 
Any advice is much appreciated and welcomes. Thankyou!!

poppy123456

HI,

I'm sorry to hear that but congratulations on your new baby.

PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activities based on the PIP descriptors. It's also not about not being able to work. People claim PIP and work.

Evidence should state how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors and a GP will very rarely know this. A GP only usually knows the basics like medication, diagnosis and what appointments you've had.

Have you been to the pain clinic and seen a consultant? Sometimes letter from pain clinics can be useful, if they go into enough of detail.  Do you have adaptions at home that were installed through an Occupational Therapist? If you do then when you had the assessment you should have been given a report, this will help as evidence.

When you receive those forms you should fill them out with as much information as possible about how your conditions affect you. Adding 2-3 real life examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Use extra paper if you have to because there's never enough of room on those forms. Make sure you add your name and NI number to everything you send.

If you don't have enough time to return the form, ring DWP to request an extra 14 days. Expect a face to face assessment because most people have them.