Hi, my name is pennygates!

Hi everyone, I am shy but I have read a lot of your stories, and feel I have things in common with you. I'm a pensioner and have suffered for many years with ME, and Bi-Polar Disorder. More recently I have developed severe osteoarthritis, and severe restless legs syndrome. I have recently applied for PIP from DLA where I had enhanced daily living. I was given the standard rate. I received no points at all for mental health problems, despite suffering for many years. I just scraped enough points through my arthritis to get the standard rate of PIP. They said because I have strong pain medication (morphine) I could cope. The same with Bipolar, the medication would control it. So you can't win, either you aren't ill enough, or if you are ill  your medication takes the pain away completely (oh if only that were true). I have applied for a mandatory reconsideration, but don't hold out much hope after seeing the news about PIP recently. I know there are many people worse off than me, but I do struggle on a daily basis, and try to look after my husband who has multiple myeloma.