PIP Tribunal

[Jenypeny01]

Hi everyone

I am due my tribunal for personal independence payment on 25th July and I am wondering if anyone has had to go through this?

I am applying for my fibromyalgia and my right ankle which was broken, a metal plate fitted and severe nerve damage due to the botched op which set off the fibro.

The DWP/ATOS have been horrendous with me and have more or less stated that the fibro is not as bad as it is. Their reason? Looking at me, it is obvious I do not have an issue with getting nutrients (I am very overweight due to PCOS and the inability to exercise because of my ankle and fibro) and as I work, it's obvious I am able to make decisions - I work from home doing a job which I've done since 2009 and as my fibro is getting worse, I am now finding it very hard to do this job.

They also came up with me stating I have only had bladder issues twice and have only fallen asleep due to fibro fog twice. The bladder issue is every night where any liquid in my bladder results in me waking up desperate for the bathroom and being unable to make it to the bathroom without leakage and now have to wear pads (I am 33 years old and have no children).

As for the sleeping issue, this happens every day now where the fog takes over and I collapse into sleep every day on multiple occasions!

Oh, and she said in her initial statement that I walked into my assessment with a crutch on my right showing a slight limp - I struggled and ended up breathless and perspiring with pain......with my crutch on my left 🤔🤔

Any help would be massively appreciated as I am disheartened about it all and not sure what to do x

Thanks guys xx

[dannyxox]

Hi Jenypeny just wanted to wish u luck hope it goes in your favour let us know how you get on describe every day as if it's ur worst and take someone with u goodluck. Take care xx

[Jenypeny01 in reply to dannyxox]

Thank you! It means a lot to me xx

[NanaTisme]

Hi Jennypany,

I can’t give you advice for the tribunal as not been but there are many people on here to help you, so sorry you have been through such a hard time hun, hope you win, sending hugs & best wishes 🤗🤗🤗🌻🌺💐NanaT

[Jenypeny01 in reply to NanaTisme]

Thank you for your kind words they mean the world xxx

[Jenypeny01]

Thank you so so much! When i read the assessment I broke down which of course made me ill. I will definitely ask for the CCTV footage and then join and speak to everyone you have mentioned xx

[jimmyshoes]

I hope you won your Tribunal.I applied back in feb 17 and have date set for sept , I am now worse than when I first applied . Hope you had a positive result

[Jenypeny01 in reply to jimmyshoes]

Hi, thanks for thinking of me, I went last Wednesday and it got adjourned! Walked in, well hobbled lol and the man from the DWP had not read my response so the chairman has allowed him to go away and read it. He can either change the DWP decision, respond or turn up doing nothing so it's now a waiting game 😤.

Good luck with your tribunal, go in there with some support and tell them how it is affecting you on a daily basis from getting up to going to bed.

I too am much worse now, I fall asleep sitting up so much that I have fluid retention in both legs and feet. I can't stand for long or sit for long with my feet on the floor.....it's crap

[jimmyshoes in reply to Jenypeny01]

What a nightmare for u .My friend is coming just to be there for me but don't think she can do anything.I should be interesting as cant remember what I was going to say let alone answer a 1000 questions. It makes me sick that I have to virtually go on trial

[jimmyshoes]

I have had mine and had no idea how it would go as grilled by 3 people .I answered what \I could remember and I won I really wish you do too. x You have gone this far and think of it as a way of telling your story of how it really is.

[JenyPeny in reply to jimmyshoes]

Thank you for the luck I really think I'm gonna need as much as possible lol it's on 3rd Oct so not long to go now! When I went, I took my friend as my mum had to work but this time my mum is coming so I think it's meant to be 🤞♥️

I am so so pleased you won yours! That's amazing and makes me feel really happy that at least 1 person managed to get some recognition 😍

I am putting my trust in the universe that I'm gonna walk out of there with some validation and a good outcome. My main points are the weight shaming, constantly using my ability to work as a reason I can do a task and that nearly burning my home down twice is not sufficient enough to not try and cook haha!

I will keep you updated and thank you for being with me on this journey ♥️♥️

[jimmyshoes in reply to JenyPeny]

Jenny Penny No long now and I am thinking of you x

[JenyPeny in reply to jimmyshoes]

Thank you, it's on Wednesday at 2pm and as soon as I get home and process the outcome, I will jump on here and let you know xx

[jimmyshoes in reply to JenyPeny]

Just breathe and pause then answer ,you will be okay .You have nothing to revise or remember as you know how awfully affected you are Remember how it was and how it is now. xxx I am waiting xx

[jimmyshoes in reply to JenyPeny]

Hi I hope you got on ok x did you get a positive result ?

[JenyPeny in reply to jimmyshoes]

Hiya I went thru it all and 2 hours later they said they would send the decision out in the post. The letter came yesterday and I won!!!! They have awarded me standard rate for daily living and mobility back to aug last year 😊😊😊 I was gonna come and post but the fibro got the best of me and I crashed 5pm last night X

[jimmyshoes]

I work also and hanging in there by a string x they asked me how I manage .I did write down all the headings that are relevant to me and how I am affected eg managing therapy ,managing nutrition and this helped me as they don't care what your disease is is how it affect you and the help you get .If you are telling the truth then you don't need luck my friend .this is your turn to let them know just how awful the days and nights can be.they don't care about now but when you applied so its hard to remember as why would you .sadly I am worse not better but heh ho

[jimmyshoes in reply to jimmyshoes]

And they just need a clear picture of you as the paperwork cant tell them that. It is relentless but they are very professional kind and courteous .I hope to hear that you have a positive outcome .I found out within 10 mins

[JenyPeny]

Yeah I have to keep reminding myself it's about October when I had the original assessment not now. I salute you for trying to hang in there with work as I know how hard it is. I returned to work this week after going sick in July and I feel like I am back to square 1. I crashed at 5 today from the pain and brain numbness if that makes sense lol but I will keep trying.

Plus side I work from home and had an assessment this week from DWP Access to Work. They have approved me funding for a new desk, chair with a footrest, another footrest, doc scoper, mouse and keyboard! I am over the moon!

They do it for the office too so may be something that could help you? X

And thank you for the tip of the headlines for the tribunal I am gonna do it now XX

[jimmyshoes]

sorry I missed this msg. Yep it does throw you about going back a year ago .Re crashing ,oh yea that's me at east 2x day . I sleep in my lunch time to manage. I have a lot of equipment which includes an adjustable desk so can stand up plus software that types for me by voice control and a pencil roll mouse that barely needs touching and many other things .They all help at times ,but a lot of times its all too much. Im am rooting for you girlie and do not worry as there will be loads of questions some u can answer some you cant .

Yes the headings just sort of focussed me to make sure that their questions covered everything but to be honest I could not tell you if they did or not, It is a bit overwhelming but its like you are giving a full history of everything .I couldn't remember my meds a year ago as they have changed so much and asked them to look at the proof I had provided originally

[JenyPeny]

That's fab about the equipment you have, it gives me hope and peace that there is some help out there for others ♥️

Thank you for your support too, it makes me feel a bit better for fighting for the recognition we all deserve and hopefully we are a little step in the right direction for the the UK to recognise that Fibromyalgia is a disability in itself as well as a dilapidating chronic illness 🤞 xx

[jimmyshoes]

Jeny Peny you are not alone but everyone's situation is different x My cousin is super talented n sadly had to give up work and often has to use a wheelchair .It makes me very sad .No one knows what others are suffering and that's why to be awarded was to also be believed that I am not going mad and It is very real .My way of coping s to pretend I'm ok and not talk about it so feel quite delicate at the moment because I have had to talk about me and so long and its not nice.

3 weeks for you and not a moment too soon .Take a deep breath and answer just what they ask don't waffle Like I do haha as most of us do when we are nervous. have a conversation with yourself about how on earth you explain what you are going through and how it affects your daily living. look at your form as the words all slip away from your mind when asked .I know xx

[xBilliex]

My last tribunal got adjourned too!! I’m back 23rd October!! My anxiety is already going crazy about going back!! Good luck & please update us xx

[jimmyshoes]

I am so pleased that they have listened to you and you have won your tribunal xxx Good to hear and sorry symptoms are giving you a bad time x I and very up and down at present and eating tablets but nothing is working .

[JenyPeny in reply to jimmyshoes]

That's not good 🤕 could you not see the Dr or a pain specialist who could help? Sending massive hugs tho as there is nothing worse xx

[jimmyshoes]

Many thanks and I'm sure you know how it is xx Im under the pain specialist clinic and have been for over a year,I'm waiting for a large operation that could be anytime so nothing is working .

Keep calm and carry on eh?/ I haven't time for all this xx

[JenyPeny in reply to jimmyshoes]

I definitely know that feeling! I saw the GP last Fri and now currently reducing and withdrawing from morphine MST 😵 I have to ring the pain specialist next week so that should be fun! Mind anything has to be better than morphine 24/7 lol what is your op if you don't mind me asking? XX

[jimmyshoes]

Of course not ,its major Jaw surgery with a name too long and too hard to spell,My jaw has crumbled and bone spurs are growing so causes unbelievable pain. Ive had 4 ops already one huge almost 2 years ago and now worse than ever .They have to operate both sides and make a disc out of my ear, my face may not work properly and could drop etc.If I don't think about it I can cope as bit worried as will be helpless on top of everything and this is why they think I have Fibro . Well done me I hit the jackpot ...

[JenyPeny]

Aww I am so so sorry about this! You must be in horrendous pain 😥

I'm hoping they keep you well medicated and you're at least a little comfortable and my heart truly goes out to you for having to deal with all of that ♥️ xxx