Hi, my name is Dimac!

Dimac · October 2023

Hi who my name is Diane and I’ve been receiving pip for 2 yrs. my condition has recently got worse so I’ve informed pip and they’re sending me another form to fill out but I really struggle with how to word things and get really anxious. I have fibromyalgia and RA… I’ve had a sore knee which has gotten worse over the last yr and needing surgery for it now as it’s my meniscus keeps tearing and I’ve got ostio in my knee. I can’t walk my dogs anymore and I’m waiting on a wheelchair for covering longer distances as I can only walk a short way with sticks now like around the house. I was given standard pip for both on my last claim but I’m hoping I can get a higher award on mobility because it’s a lot worse and has impacted on my life. I can’t go for walks anymore which is having a real impact on my mental health. I’m so fed up of being stuck inside my body right now. I’ve recently been put through to see the specialist about my knee and hopefully surgery. I’m on matrifen pain patches but I’m still in a lot of pain which is now effecting my sleep!

Albus_Scope · October 2023

Hi there @Dimac and welcome to the community!

I'm sorry to hear things are getting worse with your health. Do you have someone who could help you fill in the forms at all?

Dimac · October 2023

Not really albums, I’m just worried ile lose my pip as I’ve heard horror stories of people reporting changes and having their pip reduced or stopped… I really need extra help getting people in to clean for me and such

Albus_Scope · October 2023

There's lots of horror stories out there, but people often forget about all of the victories people have had when being reassessed! I know it's easier said than done, but please try not to worry too much. We are all here to help and support each other.

I'd recommend contacting your local CAB and they should be able to help you with filling in the forms. Though I'm sure one of our amazing regulars will be able to offer even better advice than I have.

chiarieds · October 2023

Hi @Dimac - & welcome to the community from me also. Whilst I agree that Citizens Advice can help you with the form, I'd suggest that it's your very own words that matter, so it might be useful to work out which of the activities you might struggle with.

This form will be the same as your initial claim form, so it might be useful to look at the 12 activities/descriptors again: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

Then try keeping a simple diary for about a week, thinking about these activities. This helps you realise exactly what you're struggling with, as it's so easy to forget when you simply cope with some things.

Then when you write, or get help to write your form, you'll be able to give a couple of recent, detailed examples as to the difficulty you face for each applicable descriptor, i.e. when did it happen, where, what happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity? Think about the pain you experience, where the pain is, & how it makes an activity difficult. With fibro, I imagine that some activities you will feel too fatigued to attempt, or will suffer from increased fatigue after attempting.

Think about how far you can walk without being in pain, tho with a torn meniscus you may get intermittent pain. Say you can walk x metres, could you repeat this again after a short break? What is your walking like, slow, limping, hesitant, better/worse as the day goes on? These are the sort of things to think about, which are part of the 'reliability' concept below.

Say if you can do each applicable activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes you much longer than someone without a disability. See this mentioned at the end of the link above.
Remember PIP is about how you are most days, & if this varies, you should try & describe it.

You can ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to ask for extra time to complete your form, & you will be given another 2 weeks without question.

Please come back with any questions.

Dimac · October 2023

Thanks… I’ve got worse with my knee since I 1st got pip… I’ve had a mri which showed a meniscus tear due to ostio in my knee a yr ago. Since then my walking distance has really suffered. I used to love going for walks but now I can’t and I use a stick but limp…. My doctor is trying to get me a wheelchair so if me and my husband go out we can actually go somewhere otherwise I’d have to stay home, I’ve had physio but now they have passed me on to see a specialist so I’m hoping cthey can do something for my knee. I’m in matrifen pain patches but I just want my life back and be able to get out and about again

Rosie_Scope · October 2023

Just popping in to add my welcome! Sorry to read about your troubles with your knee @Dimac, that doesn't sound nice at all. Do you get any support for your mental health?

It's never easy to be stuck in the house, I understand your frustration on that one. I was eventually lucky enough to be given a wheelchair to borrow when I was at my worst, and it was so nice to be able to go outside again without having to worry about the pain or fatigue from walking. I hope they can sort that out for you and fingers crossed your specialist can help get you feeling more comfortable in the long term

Hi, my name is Dimac!

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