pip

[fibromylgia]

how to fill in pip form

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[Trikki]

That is the Million $ question? Have you looked at our own Benefit Advice line or asked CAB for help. I think you will find it better to get some help from what I read on here...Best of Luck xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi fibromylgia

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. [FMA UK have our own dedicated benefit adviser, Janet, and I have pasted you a link to her contact page. The phone number is a free phone number:

fmauk.org/contactsmenu/help...

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck with your application, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[releasethemagic]

From a USA website but very relevant to the UK benefits system

“I get brain fog”

However, when dealing with disability specialists (who often laugh at the use of the term) it is far more beneficial if the claimant avoids using the term “brain fog”, and describes the actual phenomenon in more detail instead.

For example, it is much better to say, “On occasion I have severe difficulty finding my words and frequently forget important things.” Unfortunately, using lingo like “brain fog” and “fibro fog” with an HCP won’t get your claim paid.

“It hurts all over.”

Although it may seem so at times having fibromyalgia does NOT in fact hurt all over. There are 18 specific tender points, when touched with pressure that can hurt. A few years ago a physician confided in an HCP as soon as a claimant told him “It hurt all over”, he knew he/she didn’t have fibromyalgia.

When describing symptoms to an HCP, be very specific. Say, “It hurts behind my shoulder blades, on my upper arms, and lower back when touched.” Look up the fibromyalgia chart on the Internet and become familiar with where these tender points are located and be prepared to describe EXACTLY where it hurts to the HCP. Although admittedly, your body may seem to hurt all over when several tender points are positive, in fact, it DOES NOT hurt all over. Telling an HCP “It hurts all over” won’t get your claim paid.

“I have good days and bad days.”

Telling an HCP “you have good days and bad days” presumes healthy people have only good days. In reality, even extremely healthy people have both good and bad days. ALL people feel better more days than others, so the phenomenon doesn’t place fibromyalgia patients into a special “disabled” category – it just makes FMS patients a member of the human race.

The good-day/bad-day description is often used by claimants but if surveillance shows you walking around the shops:

The claimant’s response is usually, “Yes, I walked around the shops on Tuesday with my sister, but you should have seen me in bed for three days afterward. I paid for it all.” Unfortunately, you can tell this to a decision-maker until you are blue in the face, but you will NOT be believed and the statement is not viewed as being credible by the decision-maker.

Instead of using the catch-all phrase “good days/ bad days”, instead say, “My doctor’s treatment plan recommends I stay active as best I can, and I try, but I sure do have a hard time functioning afterwards.” You might also document physical activities and how you feel afterwards on a daily basis.

“I sleep all the time, or I’m in bed all the time.”

Sometimes claimants do not “think” about what they actually say. This phrase is often used in conjunction with “I have good days and bad days.” Logically, one CANNOT have good active days and then ALSO “sleep all the time.” This kind of description lends itself to surveillance. The first time the they find you NOT sleeping, the disability claim is in trouble.

Claimants with fibromyalgia are fatigued. However, nearly all physicians include activity, exercise, pool therapy etc. as part of a credible treatment plan. Fibromyalgia patients should be actively engaged in, participating in, or at least attempting to do what the doc tells them to do. When asked it’s best to say something like the following, “Attempting the exercise plan recommended by my doctor is exhausting and physical activity often causes me to be fatigued.” Saying you “sleep all the time” won’t get your claim paid but it will get you observed by the surveillance team.

“I’m taking herbs and being treated with alternative medicine.”

Granted, quite a few doctors are heading in this direction, but for disability purposes “alternative” does not mean “instead of.” Regular and appropriate treatment for fibromyalgia includes taking drugs recommended by your doctor. Herbs and other alternative medicines can also be recommended, but for disability purposes herbs and mushrooms are not viewed as conventional medicine. When asked you might say “My doctor and I have discussed conventional treatments but we decided the conservative approach for me will be included in my treatment plan along with some alternative recommendations.” Treating only with alternative herbs, mushrooms and other alternatives to conventional medicine will not get your claim paid