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Degenerative disc disease and PIP

Wookie66

I am the confused as to weather I should try and claim PIP or not, I was diagnosed with Degenerative disc disease in 2015. They wanted to do a spinal fusion at that time,but I was only 48 at the time and did'nt want to take any risk with complications at that time,so i continued to work and suffer the pain in doing so. Since then it has got to the point where I can't stand to long,Sit for too long or walk for too long before pain starts getting worse in my lower back and my legs and buttocks, bending is also painful . I have numbness in My left foot and Pins and needles in the left leg. The problem is that the questions on the mobility/daily living form I can do (but not for extended lengths of time) So I score no points but still cant work because of my limitations.I have been on ESA since february. But I cannot get in to the doctors or get scans at the present time because of covid. All I have is my original scan results and diagnosys from my docto and the surgeon back in 2015. So what should I do? any help would be appreciated.

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poppy123456

HI,

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

Medical evidence is only useful if it states how your conditions affect you and most medical evidence doesn't state this.

The best evidence you can send is your anecdotal evidence because you are the only person that knows exactly how your conditions affect you. When filling out the forms you should put as uch relevant information as possible about how your conditions affect you. Then add a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Also add who was with you, where you were and exactly what happened.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

Wookie66

poppy123456 said:

HI,

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

Medical evidence is only useful if it states how your conditions affect you and most medical evidence doesn't state this.

The best evidence you can send is your anecdotal evidence because you are the only person that knows exactly how your conditions affect you. When filling out the forms you should put as uch relevant information as possible about how your conditions affect you. Then add a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Also add who was with you, where you were and exactly what happened.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

But How do i fill out the questions? I would be disqualified on points for sure.

Wookie66

My problem is, I can do all the things on the descriptors list but not for long periods of time or without pain or weakness in left leg. If I can not score points because of this, but this does not mean I don't struggle on a daily basis .Is it worth even trying. I am always in pain, even when lying in bed at night.

poppy123456

Disqualified? i'm assuming you mean refused? Well this will depend on exactly how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. For PIP you need to be affected for at least 50% of the time over a 12 month period. You also need to be able to do the activities regularly, reliably and without pain and discomfort, if you can't then you're classed as not being able to do that activity. No one on an internet forum can tell you whether you'll score enough points for an award because we don't know how you're affected by your conditions.

For the daily living there's 10 activities and you need to score at least 8 points in total for a standard award or at least 12 points for a Enhanced award. For the mobility there's 2 activities, if you're claiming for physical conditions then you need to look at the moving around part and not the following and planning a journey. You need to score at least 8 points for a standard, 12 points for Enhanced award.

Night times are not considered for PIP and are not part of any of the descriptors.

This may help. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

chiarieds

Hi @Wookie66 - & welcome to the community. Just to add to the great advice you've been given above. You might try keeping a brief diary for a week, noting any difficulties you face attempting/doing an activity. Sometimes you tend not to think of these, as you're so used to 'coping.'

I can do most of the activities (altho opening a jar often defeats me!), but I'm in pain the moment I'm upright, & cannot sit because of this. Everything takes me longer, but I usually get there, & my mobility is also affected. I receive the standard award for the daily living component, & enhanced for the mobility part.

Please do read through the links Poppy has given, especially the section on 'Reliability' in the 2nd link.

Do take your time in completing the form, perhaps doing a few questions a day. If you need more time in which to complete it, ring the DWP & ask for this. You will normally get a further 14 days.

If you have any further questions, do please ask. Hope this helps.

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @Wookie66! I hope the above advice has helped?

kelly45

I don't understand how pip is awarded, I have multi level disc degenerate disease, multi level facet joint arthritis, menieres disease, anosmia, a numb tongue and general anxiety disorder which all affect my life, i even had to leave a job i loved and they won't award me pip even after I appealed they still didn't award it.
I think my problem is when I speak with them I can't help my positive attitude and I try to avoid to much and strong medication as it affect my anxiety more, I do take medication for my anxiety.
I don't understand how they decide, when the consultants evidence is in front of them and these are unpredictable and progressive conditions

mike62

Hi @Wookie66
I dont know about pips etc so cant help you there. The following may not help but you can tick it off your list as tried it did work/didn't work.
last year I had treatment in NHS hydrotherapy pool to help trapped nerve pain in lower back that I've had for 23 years. On the 6th session I had a dreadful stabbing pain but in a different area, struggled to walk. That night the front of my lower right leg and top of foot felt like it was burnt by the sun, this was cold November. Went on for days and nights. What was this I thought so googled it.
I came across blocked veins in leg also details of a periformis muscle which are in the buttocks. The sciatic nerve can route through or around it. Normally I get pain at L4/5 never sciatic pain.

It turns out athletes can get this and this muscle can get tight and squash the nerve. To cure it the periformis stretch is to lay on back on floor or yoga mat, bend knees close to chest, hold one knee and pull it towards the opposite shoulder until it starts to hurt in that buttock. Hold for 15 seconds if possible. Repeat with other leg.
If you can't do it on your back try in and arm chair or bed, little by little maybe once a day pulling a bit tighter each time. Look for periformis stretch on google.

This tingling feeling came back 4 days ago so I did the same and pain went. I think this problem might repeat itself but if I can remove it fine if not I'll speak to doctor.
Wookie, this may not be easy for you to do considering the pain you're in but thought I'd chip this in.

poppy123456

kelly45 said:

I don't understand how pip is awarded, I have multi level disc degenerate disease, multi level facet joint arthritis, menieres disease, anosmia, a numb tongue and general anxiety disorder which all affect my life, i even had to leave a job i loved and they won't award me pip even after I appealed they still didn't award it.
I think my problem is when I speak with them I can't help my positive attitude and I try to avoid to much and strong medication as it affect my anxiety more, I do take medication for my anxiety.
I don't understand how they decide, when the consultants evidence is in front of them and these are unpredictable and progressive conditions

Hi,

PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis. It's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors. If you don't fit the descriptors, you won't score the points for an award. There are people that have a disability but it doesn't mean theyre entitled to PIP.

Medical evidence is only useful if it states exactly how your conditions affect you and most medical evidence doesn't state this, it will only tell them the basics.

When you say you appealed the decision, do you mean Tribunal or mandatory reconsideraion?

cristobal

@kelly45 - as others have pointed out, PIP is about daily tasks and your ability to do them. Or not.

You mention that 'the consultant's evidence is there in front of them' - maybe you could read this quite closely and pick out which parts refer to your loss of functionality - ie ability to do things.Does he/she say things like 'I have examined Kelly's walking. She cannot walk more than x and even this will only be possible once per day" or "She is completey unable to use a vegetable peeler and lift a saucepan"?

Most likely these things aren't mentioned - because your consultant isn't a specialist in this area. They want to make you well, not give advice on what you can & can't do.

It's hard - but don't believe that the assessor will assume "Kelly has X and therefore can't do Y"

Tell them. And give examples.

Good luck!

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