Hello and welcome to r/DWPHelp!
- If you're trying to find benefit advisers local to you, [advicelocal.uk is a useful website that can help you with this](https://advicelocal.uk?ref=dwphelpreddit).
- If you're trying to find out how much benefit you can receive, [check out entitledto](https://www.entitledto.co.uk/) and [turn2us](https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk?ref=dwphelpreddit) to calculate what you might be eligible for (please remember that these calculators don't fully take into account your situation and in some situations they can be wrong).
- [For information on the 2024/25 benefit rates (effective 8th April 2024), please see here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/benefit-rate-increases/). Most claimants will start seeing the new rates in their May or June benefit payments.
- If you claim benefits and would like to know what things you could get as a result, [you may find this post useful](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/134r9k6/discountedfree_things_you_can_get_on_benefits/).
- If you'd like help with mandatory reconsiderations, [our main post on MRs may be useful to you](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13p0322/duplicate_target_mandatory_reconsiderations/).
- Our subreddit's Wiki [can be found here](https://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/index).
- If you're interested in what's going on in the benefits space, [we have weekly benefit news posts posted every Sunday](https://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/?f=flair_name%3A%22Benefits%20News%22).
If you're asking about tribunals (the below is relevant to England & Wales only):
- [Link to HMCTS Benefit Appeals live chat](https://www.appeal-benefit-decision.service.gov.uk/benefit-type?ref=dwphelpreddit)- click on the "Contact us for help" link, which opens a menu with a link to the live chat.
- [Average tribunal waiting times](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/118e3ap/tribunal_average_waiting_times/).
- [This post goes over the PIP First-tier Tribunal process from start to finish.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/11muxvi/duplicate_target_what_do_i_do_if_i_am_refused_pip/)
- [If you're waiting for a tribunal and the DWP were supposed to respond but haven't, this post may be useful.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/17b0lla/duplicate_target_the_deadline_for_dwp_to_respond/?context=3)
If you're asking about PIP:
- The PIP phone line is 08001214433, and if you'd like to get to the automated part where it tells you when your next payment is and how much it is, the options are 1 (for English) or 2 (for Welsh), and then 6 (you'll need to wait each time while it gives you messages before getting to security).
- To calculate how much backpay you're due, [you can try the Benefits and Work PIP Payment Calculator](https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/pip-payment-calculator-form?ref=dwphelpreddit). Please note that the information given is an estimate and may not reflect exactly what your backpay is. This calculator can also be used to determine what elements you were awarded after checking the PIP phone lines' automated system as above.
- [If you would like help with MRs, this post might answer your question (this is different to the MR info link above).](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/1bc3kni/duplicate_target_i_was_denied_what_now/)
- [If you'd like to know what PIP is and/or how it is awarded, please see this post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13ozwpj/duplicate_target_what_is_pip/)
- [If you're hard of hearing or deaf, this information may be useful to you.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/pip/hard-of-hearing-and-deaf/)
If you're asking about Universal Credit:
- [Information about the Restart scheme](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/restartscheme/), including if you can be mandated to participate.
- Thinking of cancelling your claim because a review has started? Don't, because closing your claim won't stop the DWP from reviewing your claim and if you don't comply you may be asked to repay everything you've received.
- [How does PIP affect UC?](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13p1mc3/duplicate_target_how_does_pip_affect_uc/)
- Were you claiming UC during COVID, closed your claim afterwards, and are now being asked to pay back everything you received? [This post provides information on why this is and what you can do.](http://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13utik9/the_dwp_have_given_me_a_huge_bill_for_a_claim/)
- [Can you record your Job Centre appointments?](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/1cr4l9x/what_is_the_legality_of_recording_staffmy/) The longer answer is in the linked post but the short answer is: no.
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The "no specialist input" line isn't a judgement against you, just a statement of fact or observation.
Same way if you saw a physio or therapist, they would state who you saw.
It's just another piece of information they had available to them when they made their decision
Ah I see. What could I write in the MR to counter that, then? Could I say something like I have tried xyz medication for anxiety, as per my medication list, but it didn't help. Or that doctors are reluctant to help me? I'm not sure how to word it
If you don't have specific specialist intervention, you can't counter it as its not false.
All you can say is much along the lines of "despite not having specialist intervention for (health condition) I am still limited by (xyz symptoms/health condition)
And describe what information you think they have missed, interpreted incorrectly etc.
Ah okay, thank you! Would it be worth mentioning that doctors haven't been very useful, detailing the times I've seen a doctor just to be basically sent away with nothing etc? Because that's true. Like with my joint pain, I had seen a podiatrist a few years back. Who then gave me a letter for a referral to physio, I took it into my GP surgery for them to put the referral through. I waited a year before I realised they never actually put the referral through and I'd been waiting for nothing. At that point I didn't have the energy to fight it. Is stuff like that worth mentioning?
Honestly not sure.
I was a WCA decision maker and I don't think all that would have made much of a difference to the outcome as it doesn't really give much more information about how your health conditions affect you.
Although it's relevant and personal to you and your story it doesn't really lend much weight to a decision.
Just from personal experience, in my last assessment I spoke about every recent and past medication I had tried that gave me untoward side effects and stopped me taking them. I feel that it helped me show how volatile my conditions could be.
Oh that's a good point. I think I mentioned in my assessment that I was on sertraline (it was on a prescription list I submitted too) but I told the assessor I stopped taking it because it gave me horrible heartburn. But she didn't mention that in the report 😪 so I might say that in the MR
If you had to stop taking your medication go back and ask for a new one. If you are not medicated it's hard to believe the anxiety is so bad. If you've tried all medications with no help, start asking for CBT therapies and other forms of help that might be available
Edited to add: it's not hard for me to believe as I have an anxiety disorder and ADHD so understand how these can affect you. But from a stranger's point of view and potentially someone who knows nothing about the condition, they might question how bad your struggles are if you aren't taking medication/doing therapy and don't have a reason for why you aren't. Eg if you tried every medication and nothing helped and only caused side effects like my current situation
I was assessed for PIP for anxiety without medication and I didn't get it. I tried a 2nd time with medication and I was accepted
Tbh you probably didnt mean to but that sounds invalidating when you mentioned its hard to believe the anxiety is so bad. Anxiety is hard to explain, I have severe anxiety but im not medicated. Years of masking, alextheymia and unhealthy coping mechanisms (along with comorbid MH conditions) means its hard to medicate the anxiety because theres multiple things *to* treat. That and i cant take beta blockers (which helps with the physical symptoms rather than the actual condition) as i already take medication for my bp lol. That and CBT didnt work either.
I was able to get pip for anxiety as another condition, explained all the meds I have tried (multiple its insane) and i think that helped along with boat loads of evidence. Anyway sorry for the ramble, just wanted to add a POV cuz even therapies as an option are hard to find for free, and dont work for everyone.
I also have an anxiety disorder and have tried lots of medication. Originally I applied for PIP and wasn't taking anything and I was rejected. Once I was on medication and attempting to get therapy, I managed to succeed. It turned out I actually have ADHD so I know all about the masking and how hard things can really be. But the assessment is done by a stranger and not someone who knows everything about your conditon. You might even be assessed by someone who knows nothing about anxiety at all. Without a full explanation, if you say you suffer from it but don't require any medication, their automatic thought is well how bad can it be? Its not what I think as I understand but from a stranger and someone who doesn't have a background in mental health it might be harder to understand. Being medicated or having a reason why you aren't will help them to understand that the struggles are still there
Thats the bizarre thing tho cuz i read that apparently there are people in the process that know about the conditions, albiet mines at first didnt lol.
I think it does depend on how much evidence youve tried different meds, i wasnt medicated (ironically I have adhd as well, and undergoing an asd assessment) and i said all the meds i did try and proof of it. Failed initially but got it at MR who did actually mention the evidence bit.
I think explaining makes sense, i think in a lot of claims, if its not worded in a way then it can be overturned and used against. Like for example someone might not be on meds if someone has anxiety, they may also have a lot of anxiety to even go to a gp to talk about it.
Not tryna lecture you tho and sorry if i seemed undermining.
You can be seen by any one for the actual assesment, I think the first time I went the doctor was something to do with feet.. can't remember the name but certainly nothing to do with mental health
It's ok I'm sorry if my wording came across wrong or negative. It wasn't my intention. I have tried all anxiety meds and they make 0 difference. CBT did nothing and now my ADHD medicine is causing too many side effects, so once again I will probably go back to being on no medication but at least I can explain why. I thought the OP had only tried sertraline and wanted to encourage them to try other medications or other forms of help like therapy that could make a difference for them
Podiatry? I saw them cuz im having joint issues incl my ankles xD and damn thatd explain why my first one went bad. She kept saying cuz i went to uni and having a job. I have no left that job as i found out through stress, i have IBS lol.
No no its okay, i think i can easily percieve things wrong online cause theres no tone of text like tone of voice aha.
That makes sense, I thought the opposite because they mentioned their docs didnt seem to help :c
I understand w the adhd, for me no meds were working and elvanse so far (on 70mg) is showing a slither of hope as im still having issues. Sucks cuz i hear all these great things about it being lifechanging.
I think the biggest thing is papertrail for pip, like you mentioned you can explain and show that the applicant has tried. My friend had pip before but because nothing has changed health wise and she had no other evidence, in her review she got declined which shocked me. Currently shes on MR.
I finally have the mental energy to reply to this 😅
So, I know you didn't mean to sound mean so I didn't take it that way. The thing with me is, I overthink EVERYTHING. And because I'm dealing with a lot of health issues which Im regularly seeing my GP for, or trying to anyway, I worry that they'll think I'm attention-seeking or just hooked on drugs or something so looking for a fix. Which obviously the logical part of my brain knows thats ridiculous. But my anxiety is so strong that's all I can think about. Like what if they think I'm making it up? Or oh she quit therapy so she can't be that bad. Stuff like that. Right now, my dizziness issues are priority to me because I've learned to co-exist with the anxiety. It causes a lot of issues but I've had it so long I just deal. So I'm trying to get to the root of my dizziness/fatigue/joint pain/heart palpitations first. Which finally after countless doctors appointments, I think I've finally found a GP who is taking me seriously which is nice. But I completely get what you're saying. I also get really anxious about talking about my anxiety in general, or any of my health issues really. My family don't even know the extent of it, so it's hard to bring myself to be able to talk to a stranger about it 😪
Honestly that's probably why my assessor said I seemed fine (not her exact words but that's the jist) during the phone call because I tend to shut down and mask my anxiety when I'm talking to anyone about my issues 😅 it is probably something I need therapy for honestly.
You need to connect your symptoms to your health conditions when answering the questions, this was key for me. I have X symptom because I have Y condition.
There are lots of anti-depressants out there, go back and start a new one if possible. Keep taking them until you have tried every medication and have a valid reason for not being on one. I've had CBT 3 or 4 times so they know it hasn't improved my health but I've been and done it multiple times so it's not for lack of trying. I think it's quite tricky to answer the questions they ask for anxiety and I struggled too. For example, your dizziness, is this 24/7? If not how does being dizzy affect you cooking a meal or taking a shower? I'd write down all the symptoms of your conditions and see what symptoms fit each category and come up with a reason why.
Also if you said to them, you have learned to live with the anxiety or anything similar, this comment would indicate that while you do have the condition and suffer from the side effects, you may have already managed to work around the issues and created a way to manage your anxiety and don't require assistance. I obviously don't know if you did say that at the appointment but maybe think back if you said anything similar as this might have went against what you already said
Hi there just some advice I was given from CAB whilst trying to do my appeal they told me the following. Whether a claimant meets the activity criteria or not cannot be based on medication or treatment alone". Apparently the tribunal will know this and take this in to account when they make their decision as they are more aware of the reasons people sometimes can't have medication. It was one reason y I was declined any points for areas where I needed support or prompting as they stated I wasn't under any medication or having therapy so assumed I was fine. Even tho I gave them 5 different anti depressents I'd tried and the reasons I had to came off them. I hope your Mr goes well for u.
Yeah that's what I was thinking 🤔 is it worth stating that in the MR or should I just state the reasons why I haven't had treatment/medication? Or do we think that wouldn't make much difference?
Always good to mention it altho the dwp most likely won't pay any attention to it. I never wrote it in mine as wasn't sure that was the case but CAB said they shouldn't have dismissed my claim due to Me not being on medication.
Yh the no specialist input was used against me in my decision letter aswell. I argued it by stating that my conditions are permenant and unchanging and there is no treatment i could have. Remains to be seen whether the MR has succeeded
It's so frustrating because like, you don't need a diagnosis to get pip anyway. They used it against my joint pain and anxiety saying basically it can't be that bad if I haven't seen the doctors for it 🙄 I have tried to see my doctor about it but the doctors are useless so it never helps. With anxiety I've tried therapy and sertraline, therapy didn't help and sertraline gave me horrible heartburn so I stopped taking them.
Hi, I do so hate when that envelope drops on the mat.
It really is so annoying when they make light of your pain, with the no doctor input.
I allways used to make comment about the "General Practitioner" is not an expert, they do however sometimes ignore one symptom in favour of another.
The other statement I use is that we all feel pain differently, and whilst the GP appears to think mine is not significant. That does not make it so, after all the only person who feels my pain is Me, and the only persin who knows for sure how it affects me is "ME".
Good luck.
I know 😠like they can see how much I'm affected by my anxiety in a 40 min phone call. Apparently I handled the call well and didn't seem distressed. The thing with most people with anxiety, they can seem well put together but that doesn't mean I'm not shaking or sweating or getting heart palpitations jfc
I hear what you are saying, not to mention the fallout as soon as though phone goes down.
The call is very very important so you try your very best to hold back on any meltdown, untill the call is over.
Then you try not to meltdown, I am guessing that doesnt work. Maybe you should say so " I managed to keep my anxiety from flowing over into my call, as I knew it was extremly important. Then when the call ended, I started to shake..... etc".
You are doing well to get this far, dont be too hard on yourself.
Hey, I know you posted this only a week ago, but just wanted to know how you are getting on? Have you contacted PIP about MR/written a letter or anything? I am in the same boat :( ... Thanks x
I've written my MR letter - 4 pages lol - but I might add a few bits if I feel like more needs said. I can't send it yet though as I've requested access to my medical records so I can use it as additional evidence. Hopefully my request comes through soon or else I may have to submit the MR without the evidence 😅
Hello and welcome to r/DWPHelp! - If you're trying to find benefit advisers local to you, [advicelocal.uk is a useful website that can help you with this](https://advicelocal.uk?ref=dwphelpreddit). - If you're trying to find out how much benefit you can receive, [check out entitledto](https://www.entitledto.co.uk/) and [turn2us](https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk?ref=dwphelpreddit) to calculate what you might be eligible for (please remember that these calculators don't fully take into account your situation and in some situations they can be wrong). - [For information on the 2024/25 benefit rates (effective 8th April 2024), please see here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/benefit-rate-increases/). Most claimants will start seeing the new rates in their May or June benefit payments. - If you claim benefits and would like to know what things you could get as a result, [you may find this post useful](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/134r9k6/discountedfree_things_you_can_get_on_benefits/). - If you'd like help with mandatory reconsiderations, [our main post on MRs may be useful to you](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13p0322/duplicate_target_mandatory_reconsiderations/). - Our subreddit's Wiki [can be found here](https://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/index). - If you're interested in what's going on in the benefits space, [we have weekly benefit news posts posted every Sunday](https://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/?f=flair_name%3A%22Benefits%20News%22). If you're asking about tribunals (the below is relevant to England & Wales only): - [Link to HMCTS Benefit Appeals live chat](https://www.appeal-benefit-decision.service.gov.uk/benefit-type?ref=dwphelpreddit)- click on the "Contact us for help" link, which opens a menu with a link to the live chat. - [Average tribunal waiting times](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/118e3ap/tribunal_average_waiting_times/). - [This post goes over the PIP First-tier Tribunal process from start to finish.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/11muxvi/duplicate_target_what_do_i_do_if_i_am_refused_pip/) - [If you're waiting for a tribunal and the DWP were supposed to respond but haven't, this post may be useful.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/17b0lla/duplicate_target_the_deadline_for_dwp_to_respond/?context=3) If you're asking about PIP: - The PIP phone line is 08001214433, and if you'd like to get to the automated part where it tells you when your next payment is and how much it is, the options are 1 (for English) or 2 (for Welsh), and then 6 (you'll need to wait each time while it gives you messages before getting to security). - To calculate how much backpay you're due, [you can try the Benefits and Work PIP Payment Calculator](https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/pip-payment-calculator-form?ref=dwphelpreddit). Please note that the information given is an estimate and may not reflect exactly what your backpay is. This calculator can also be used to determine what elements you were awarded after checking the PIP phone lines' automated system as above. - [If you would like help with MRs, this post might answer your question (this is different to the MR info link above).](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/1bc3kni/duplicate_target_i_was_denied_what_now/) - [If you'd like to know what PIP is and/or how it is awarded, please see this post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13ozwpj/duplicate_target_what_is_pip/) - [If you're hard of hearing or deaf, this information may be useful to you.](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/pip/hard-of-hearing-and-deaf/) If you're asking about Universal Credit: - [Information about the Restart scheme](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/wiki/restartscheme/), including if you can be mandated to participate. - Thinking of cancelling your claim because a review has started? Don't, because closing your claim won't stop the DWP from reviewing your claim and if you don't comply you may be asked to repay everything you've received. - [How does PIP affect UC?](https://www.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13p1mc3/duplicate_target_how_does_pip_affect_uc/) - Were you claiming UC during COVID, closed your claim afterwards, and are now being asked to pay back everything you received? [This post provides information on why this is and what you can do.](http://reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/13utik9/the_dwp_have_given_me_a_huge_bill_for_a_claim/) - [Can you record your Job Centre appointments?](https://new.reddit.com/r/DWPhelp/comments/1cr4l9x/what_is_the_legality_of_recording_staffmy/) The longer answer is in the linked post but the short answer is: no. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/DWPhelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The "no specialist input" line isn't a judgement against you, just a statement of fact or observation. Same way if you saw a physio or therapist, they would state who you saw. It's just another piece of information they had available to them when they made their decision
Ah I see. What could I write in the MR to counter that, then? Could I say something like I have tried xyz medication for anxiety, as per my medication list, but it didn't help. Or that doctors are reluctant to help me? I'm not sure how to word it
If you don't have specific specialist intervention, you can't counter it as its not false. All you can say is much along the lines of "despite not having specialist intervention for (health condition) I am still limited by (xyz symptoms/health condition) And describe what information you think they have missed, interpreted incorrectly etc.
Ah okay, thank you! Would it be worth mentioning that doctors haven't been very useful, detailing the times I've seen a doctor just to be basically sent away with nothing etc? Because that's true. Like with my joint pain, I had seen a podiatrist a few years back. Who then gave me a letter for a referral to physio, I took it into my GP surgery for them to put the referral through. I waited a year before I realised they never actually put the referral through and I'd been waiting for nothing. At that point I didn't have the energy to fight it. Is stuff like that worth mentioning?
Honestly not sure. I was a WCA decision maker and I don't think all that would have made much of a difference to the outcome as it doesn't really give much more information about how your health conditions affect you. Although it's relevant and personal to you and your story it doesn't really lend much weight to a decision.
Also a former WCA Decision Maker, and I agree with this.
Just from personal experience, in my last assessment I spoke about every recent and past medication I had tried that gave me untoward side effects and stopped me taking them. I feel that it helped me show how volatile my conditions could be.
Oh that's a good point. I think I mentioned in my assessment that I was on sertraline (it was on a prescription list I submitted too) but I told the assessor I stopped taking it because it gave me horrible heartburn. But she didn't mention that in the report 😪 so I might say that in the MR
If you had to stop taking your medication go back and ask for a new one. If you are not medicated it's hard to believe the anxiety is so bad. If you've tried all medications with no help, start asking for CBT therapies and other forms of help that might be available Edited to add: it's not hard for me to believe as I have an anxiety disorder and ADHD so understand how these can affect you. But from a stranger's point of view and potentially someone who knows nothing about the condition, they might question how bad your struggles are if you aren't taking medication/doing therapy and don't have a reason for why you aren't. Eg if you tried every medication and nothing helped and only caused side effects like my current situation I was assessed for PIP for anxiety without medication and I didn't get it. I tried a 2nd time with medication and I was accepted
Tbh you probably didnt mean to but that sounds invalidating when you mentioned its hard to believe the anxiety is so bad. Anxiety is hard to explain, I have severe anxiety but im not medicated. Years of masking, alextheymia and unhealthy coping mechanisms (along with comorbid MH conditions) means its hard to medicate the anxiety because theres multiple things *to* treat. That and i cant take beta blockers (which helps with the physical symptoms rather than the actual condition) as i already take medication for my bp lol. That and CBT didnt work either. I was able to get pip for anxiety as another condition, explained all the meds I have tried (multiple its insane) and i think that helped along with boat loads of evidence. Anyway sorry for the ramble, just wanted to add a POV cuz even therapies as an option are hard to find for free, and dont work for everyone.
I also have an anxiety disorder and have tried lots of medication. Originally I applied for PIP and wasn't taking anything and I was rejected. Once I was on medication and attempting to get therapy, I managed to succeed. It turned out I actually have ADHD so I know all about the masking and how hard things can really be. But the assessment is done by a stranger and not someone who knows everything about your conditon. You might even be assessed by someone who knows nothing about anxiety at all. Without a full explanation, if you say you suffer from it but don't require any medication, their automatic thought is well how bad can it be? Its not what I think as I understand but from a stranger and someone who doesn't have a background in mental health it might be harder to understand. Being medicated or having a reason why you aren't will help them to understand that the struggles are still there
Thats the bizarre thing tho cuz i read that apparently there are people in the process that know about the conditions, albiet mines at first didnt lol. I think it does depend on how much evidence youve tried different meds, i wasnt medicated (ironically I have adhd as well, and undergoing an asd assessment) and i said all the meds i did try and proof of it. Failed initially but got it at MR who did actually mention the evidence bit. I think explaining makes sense, i think in a lot of claims, if its not worded in a way then it can be overturned and used against. Like for example someone might not be on meds if someone has anxiety, they may also have a lot of anxiety to even go to a gp to talk about it. Not tryna lecture you tho and sorry if i seemed undermining.
You can be seen by any one for the actual assesment, I think the first time I went the doctor was something to do with feet.. can't remember the name but certainly nothing to do with mental health It's ok I'm sorry if my wording came across wrong or negative. It wasn't my intention. I have tried all anxiety meds and they make 0 difference. CBT did nothing and now my ADHD medicine is causing too many side effects, so once again I will probably go back to being on no medication but at least I can explain why. I thought the OP had only tried sertraline and wanted to encourage them to try other medications or other forms of help like therapy that could make a difference for them
Podiatry? I saw them cuz im having joint issues incl my ankles xD and damn thatd explain why my first one went bad. She kept saying cuz i went to uni and having a job. I have no left that job as i found out through stress, i have IBS lol. No no its okay, i think i can easily percieve things wrong online cause theres no tone of text like tone of voice aha. That makes sense, I thought the opposite because they mentioned their docs didnt seem to help :c I understand w the adhd, for me no meds were working and elvanse so far (on 70mg) is showing a slither of hope as im still having issues. Sucks cuz i hear all these great things about it being lifechanging. I think the biggest thing is papertrail for pip, like you mentioned you can explain and show that the applicant has tried. My friend had pip before but because nothing has changed health wise and she had no other evidence, in her review she got declined which shocked me. Currently shes on MR.
I finally have the mental energy to reply to this 😅 So, I know you didn't mean to sound mean so I didn't take it that way. The thing with me is, I overthink EVERYTHING. And because I'm dealing with a lot of health issues which Im regularly seeing my GP for, or trying to anyway, I worry that they'll think I'm attention-seeking or just hooked on drugs or something so looking for a fix. Which obviously the logical part of my brain knows thats ridiculous. But my anxiety is so strong that's all I can think about. Like what if they think I'm making it up? Or oh she quit therapy so she can't be that bad. Stuff like that. Right now, my dizziness issues are priority to me because I've learned to co-exist with the anxiety. It causes a lot of issues but I've had it so long I just deal. So I'm trying to get to the root of my dizziness/fatigue/joint pain/heart palpitations first. Which finally after countless doctors appointments, I think I've finally found a GP who is taking me seriously which is nice. But I completely get what you're saying. I also get really anxious about talking about my anxiety in general, or any of my health issues really. My family don't even know the extent of it, so it's hard to bring myself to be able to talk to a stranger about it 😪 Honestly that's probably why my assessor said I seemed fine (not her exact words but that's the jist) during the phone call because I tend to shut down and mask my anxiety when I'm talking to anyone about my issues 😅 it is probably something I need therapy for honestly.
You need to connect your symptoms to your health conditions when answering the questions, this was key for me. I have X symptom because I have Y condition. There are lots of anti-depressants out there, go back and start a new one if possible. Keep taking them until you have tried every medication and have a valid reason for not being on one. I've had CBT 3 or 4 times so they know it hasn't improved my health but I've been and done it multiple times so it's not for lack of trying. I think it's quite tricky to answer the questions they ask for anxiety and I struggled too. For example, your dizziness, is this 24/7? If not how does being dizzy affect you cooking a meal or taking a shower? I'd write down all the symptoms of your conditions and see what symptoms fit each category and come up with a reason why. Also if you said to them, you have learned to live with the anxiety or anything similar, this comment would indicate that while you do have the condition and suffer from the side effects, you may have already managed to work around the issues and created a way to manage your anxiety and don't require assistance. I obviously don't know if you did say that at the appointment but maybe think back if you said anything similar as this might have went against what you already said
Hi there just some advice I was given from CAB whilst trying to do my appeal they told me the following. Whether a claimant meets the activity criteria or not cannot be based on medication or treatment alone". Apparently the tribunal will know this and take this in to account when they make their decision as they are more aware of the reasons people sometimes can't have medication. It was one reason y I was declined any points for areas where I needed support or prompting as they stated I wasn't under any medication or having therapy so assumed I was fine. Even tho I gave them 5 different anti depressents I'd tried and the reasons I had to came off them. I hope your Mr goes well for u.
Yeah that's what I was thinking 🤔 is it worth stating that in the MR or should I just state the reasons why I haven't had treatment/medication? Or do we think that wouldn't make much difference?
Always good to mention it altho the dwp most likely won't pay any attention to it. I never wrote it in mine as wasn't sure that was the case but CAB said they shouldn't have dismissed my claim due to Me not being on medication.
Yh the no specialist input was used against me in my decision letter aswell. I argued it by stating that my conditions are permenant and unchanging and there is no treatment i could have. Remains to be seen whether the MR has succeeded
It's so frustrating because like, you don't need a diagnosis to get pip anyway. They used it against my joint pain and anxiety saying basically it can't be that bad if I haven't seen the doctors for it 🙄 I have tried to see my doctor about it but the doctors are useless so it never helps. With anxiety I've tried therapy and sertraline, therapy didn't help and sertraline gave me horrible heartburn so I stopped taking them.
Hi, I do so hate when that envelope drops on the mat. It really is so annoying when they make light of your pain, with the no doctor input. I allways used to make comment about the "General Practitioner" is not an expert, they do however sometimes ignore one symptom in favour of another. The other statement I use is that we all feel pain differently, and whilst the GP appears to think mine is not significant. That does not make it so, after all the only person who feels my pain is Me, and the only persin who knows for sure how it affects me is "ME". Good luck.
I know 😠like they can see how much I'm affected by my anxiety in a 40 min phone call. Apparently I handled the call well and didn't seem distressed. The thing with most people with anxiety, they can seem well put together but that doesn't mean I'm not shaking or sweating or getting heart palpitations jfc
I hear what you are saying, not to mention the fallout as soon as though phone goes down. The call is very very important so you try your very best to hold back on any meltdown, untill the call is over. Then you try not to meltdown, I am guessing that doesnt work. Maybe you should say so " I managed to keep my anxiety from flowing over into my call, as I knew it was extremly important. Then when the call ended, I started to shake..... etc". You are doing well to get this far, dont be too hard on yourself.
Hey, I know you posted this only a week ago, but just wanted to know how you are getting on? Have you contacted PIP about MR/written a letter or anything? I am in the same boat :( ... Thanks x
I've written my MR letter - 4 pages lol - but I might add a few bits if I feel like more needs said. I can't send it yet though as I've requested access to my medical records so I can use it as additional evidence. Hopefully my request comes through soon or else I may have to submit the MR without the evidence 😅