Another pip post, sorry 🤗

[Beesthatbuzz]

Hi 👋 , this is the first time I've written on here, (but have been an avid reader... And commented once too) I've been given my home appointment for my pip assessment.... It's next week, and I can't stop worrying about it 😣. I read somewhere that they ask you to do stretches and movement and I was just wondering what to expect? On a good day I'm quite flexible, my doc thought my pain may have been down to hypermobility syndrome before I saw a physio and rheumatologist who finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I'm just worried they'll see me and think I'm lying.... And I definitely am not! But I can't stop werriting about it. I'm actually HOPING for a bad day (I know!) when they come so they can see for themselves how bad it gets 😣. Just want some advice- knowledge /reassurance please folks xxx

[Rose54]

Please don't worry

thay may ask you to raise your hands above your head

And test strength in arms and legs

Just do what you can if anything hurts say so and if you are unable to do what thay ask again say so

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Try not to worry Beesthatbuzz. The assessment isn't as bad as you imagine. A relative of mine had a home assessment a couple of weeks ago, and they said the lady was lovely.

They asked my friend to raise their hands as high as they could, but my friend can't raise their hands very high, so they only did what they were able to. They asked my friend to stand up and raise one leg of the ground as high as possible and then the other, but they told my friend they could hold on to the wall if need be, and to only do what they felt comfortable with.

DO NOT do more than you are capable of, especially if you know that it's going to cause you pain later. I have been told that rather than totally refuse to do any movements, you are better making an attempt, no matter how small the movement is, if at all possible, as they will then put down on your assessment that you tried. Having said that, don't do anything that you know is going to cause you a lot of pain - but make sure and tell the assessor that that's the reason that you're not doing what they've asked.

Good luck xx

[Beesthatbuzz in reply to M0AL61]

Thank you so much for your reply, I was told they would be lovely... But like a wolf in sheep's clothing 😲 I hope everything goes well for your friend though xxx

[ipex4761]

Sorry to hear your assessment is causing you problems which I hear a lot on these Forums but remember your whole case isn't determined just on this 30 minute interview the DWP have already studied your case file from GP to Hospital specialists etc. They more or less know all there is to know about you So don't worry , just back up everything u have already told them you cant do more than that and I promise as others have said its no where as bad as might imagine .Personally id rather do this than a visit to the Dentist

[Beesthatbuzz]

😂, weirdly enough I actually like seeing the dentist 😶 I love the idea of my teeth being TOTALLY clean when they've finished. Thank you for your reply though, I never thought of it like that. I've just heard so many horror stories about how lovely the assessors are, then they give a not very favorable report. So I don't feel I can trust them now 😣

[LadyJoro]

take any new medical evidence with youOnly do what you can and explain why you can’t.

You can take someone with you and they can take notes.

You can also apply to record the session although you need to supply two identical dictaphones

[mand65]

Hi I tried to do what i could but my legs cramped up then went i to spasm, so i sat crying they couldnt get me out quick enough .I got PIP

Good luck x

[Beesthatbuzz in reply to mand65]

Ooohhh painful 😔 but o. The up side... It happened at exactly the right time ❤. I know it sounds bad, but I'm actually hoping that I have a bad day when they come so that they can see it for themselves xxx

[Al10]

If your fibro is like mine, you don't have issues with flexibility you have issues with flexing. In other words, it is after that you will start to feel the extra pain. Likely when the nice assessor is interviewing her next patient!! I would explain that to the assessor. If they understand fibro they should understand what you mean. Dont let them hurt you doing a test that will tell them nothing useful. Once my pain starts to resolve a bit, I have to remember not to do the things that set me off again. I think being flexible may be an issue esp if we don't have core strength to protect our joints and muscles.

[Beesthatbuzz]

That's exactly it! Thank you for putting it into words for me. Xx Im having trouble thinking straight whenever I run scenarios through my head. I'm trying to remember every move, every pain, every random tear... So that I can tell them, but I'm not very good at talking about it and have a habit of trying to brush things off when talking to others. So it's going to be hard to shake the habit. Thank you so much for replying xxx