Pip assessment

[Youngmaggie_17A]

I have my assessment on Wednesday they are coming to my home t do it. I am scared any tips or advise for me. I have had fibro for over 20 years

[TheHud]

Hi YoungMaggie,

It's OK to be scared, although try really hard to keep as chilled as you possibly can. Make sure you behave exactly as you would on a normal very bad day and reply to that effect. PIP is hard because fibro limitations are difficult to prove unless they see what they are. I can't move my shoulders or head, the pain over many years now has reduced my left arm to a blobby wasted useless thing. The cramps and spasms on various parts, along with the constant shooting pains make life nigh on impossible. Let them see this, if you have to keep moving do so, but show the pain and discomfort all the time, don't be brave. Perhaps you have dizzyness on standing and especially bending making getting lower clothes and socks shoes etc hard, can't answer the door most times even.

Avoid traps, because PIP is all about limitations and effect on life, let them know how you eg need help with washing hair, showering even if its someone outside providing reasurance and helping you dry and dress. If the condition has made you weak combined with the pain, tell them what you can't do, let them know it's not life it's existing. Remember this is your worst days which is most of the time now. Your mobility can only be under 20meters so the mobility element will be very hard to get unless you have restricted mobility physically. I have worn out knees, ops, medical info so that carried me for mobility not fibro. If your hands are weak you can't prepare a meal for yourself or use walking aids. If you are a short person, you can't lean over worksurfaces to cook or use the sink for example because of the pains in your back up to your spine causing spasms and cramps, dizzynesss risk of falling fatigue, perching stool does not help, hieght issues, falling off etc. If you have IBS don't be ashamed to tell them you don't make it to a toilet sometimes, the cramping crushing spasms and pain and it stops you going out, as does urinary urgency, pads are no good they can't contain an attack which may involve up to 8 trips to a loo, which has to be close. After an IBS attack the exhaustion is crushing.

Side effects of meds makes it important that you have someone checking in on you. If you struggle to drink with one hand, show drinking with 2, I use a straw. Less chance of spilling, dribbling and choking. Have a glass of water nearby, maybe a jug but let someone else pour for you or the assessor, ask the assessor to do it.

If you use any aids have them with you in the room and just describe anything else that helps such as bidets, wetrooms, low fixed bed. If you have to get up at night, stiff, in pain and disorientated, say you need help, they will ask who helps, say who it is.

If someone else filled the form in for you because your fingers don't work, concentration etc ask whoever is with you to sign anything they present you with on your behalf.

I got no points for fibro fog or even medication drowsiness etc on the mobility element planning and following a journey bit This seems to be a common situation even if you say you cannot plan and follow a journey, side effects of meds are proven, they seem to ignore this.

Whatever state you are in during the process they will always say you answered and appeared not to be in distress. So try really hard to stay in control, tears are OK but talk through them, ignore your own tears so you can get across how bad you really are.

If you do go shopping or out then explain its very little, try not to contradict anything that was on your form. If your shopping is online, say who does it for you. If you sent your medical notes, try to slip in I have such and such as it says on my medical reports and that makes it impossible etc. Depression, say how awful, restrictions even any plans to end it all. My councillor really helped me when she said. ' Planning to leave life is like having an emergency exit, just having it there means you can start looking around that room for other ways out to a better place'. So its OK to say these things as long as you have let others know. I self referred for talking therapy through the NHS Mindsmatter links. Might be worth giving them a call, see what is available locally. First you can have phone assessments etc, if you have started this route then let the assessor know you are waiting for an appointment etc.

I hope you are not alone for the assessment. But at least on here you are not alone we are all in the same boat one way or another.

Prepare

Prepare

Prepare

Good luck X

[rosewine]

TheHud has given you a brilliant comprehensive reply so I won't add anything but good luck.xxx

[TheAuthor]

I also think that thehud has given you a wonderful reply. I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck for Wednesday.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[sophie22]

Try to have a witness with you, and what ever you do, don't make a cuppa tea! they assess every movement.

[jusmeroz]

Good luck I am waiting for my assessment, feeling so sick and worried. Hope yours goes well I really do