My nightmare

[Davesgal0509]

Hi I'm new here I have a few illnesses including fibromyalgia hypermobility nerve damage in my leg severe anxiety and depression. To list a few. I have recently been told by my gp I need to go on sick leave as I'm in a really bad way at the moment so my partner and friend convinced me to claim for pip. Never did I realise how much stress this is causing me I'm having my assessment tomorrow morning in Birmingham and after reading that we cant park close enough for me to walk so my partner is going to have to drop me off and him go and park then come to me and I've not slept not ate because I'm so worried about being left in a strange place on my own even for this short period as my anxiety is so severe at the moment but there is no chance i can walk that far either. I'm very close to not going at all I've never claimed any sort of benefits before so i dont know how the whole process works properly. If anyone could give me any tips and advice on how to keep myself calm and help me prepare it would be much appreciated.

[Dinkie]

Hi Davesgal and welcome to the club nobody wants to be in. Regarding your assessment, can you not take a taxi so that you are not left alone or alternatively phone ahead and ask if there is a member of staff who can be with you until your partner has parked the car and returned. Cant comment on the interview itself as I have never been however I am sure some of the other members will be along soon to give advice. All I would say is good luck and let us know how it goes.

Dins

[Davesgal0509 in reply to Dinkie]

Hi dinkie thanks for the warm welcome unfortunately a taxi is out of the question I live 30 miles away from the assessment centre and it's at 8.10 in the morning tried to arrange it for a nearer centre but got told I would have to wait another 2 weeks! I need to get this over and done with as soon as possible. Called yesterday to ask if there could be someone could help me and got told no it's your responsibility it's so frustrating. As if I'm not poorly enogh without this adding on to it. I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

[Dinkie in reply to Davesgal0509]

How frustrating - sending gentle hugs and positive vibes. Fingers crossed for you.

[Hidden in reply to Davesgal0509]

Hi

I'm sorry that I didn't reply to your post . How did you go on today? Thinking of you. Take care Lynne

[BoohPear]

Yes claiming any benefit these days is never easy and from what I've heard this is all part of the assessment you will go through. Please try not to worry so much as this won't help you. The last thing you want is to go into a flare up over this like I did. 13 days i suffered and 8 weeks i waited for my decision. Just remember you are not alone, there are so many on here that have been through the same . I wish you the best of luck and will be thinking of you xx

[Davesgal0509 in reply to BoohPear]

Thank you hun I went this morning we arrived early so we could drive past and have a look and I'm so glad we did as there was people everywhere so so busy so we decided to park up and do the dreaded walk but there is a McDonald restaurant about half way so I could stop for 15 mins and grab a quick drink. That was a godsend! We arrived about 10 mins early for the appointment so I was extremely anxious waiting to be called in so much so that my body was just shaking uncontrollably wich in turn made my fibro pain worse! The lady was lovely! It took well over an hour for the assessment wich was only supposed to be 45 mins but I do have quite a few issues going on. But it took about 20 mins for me to calm down. but she was warm and friendly and good at listening to me not just ticking boxes as I expected she was repeating back to me everything that she was typing so she knew she had all the information. All in all was not as bad as I thought it would be. Going to be in bed for a few days now though I think as I can hardly walk my muscles have gone into full panic mode I'm in agony sorry for the rant everyone here seems so lovely I dont know anyone else that understands my pain and frustration so it's nice to be able to be understood xx

[BoohPear in reply to Davesgal0509]

Oh I'm so pleased for you. You did exactly the right thing sussing it out earlier. Wow,,I bet you feel better in your mind even tho it sounds like you're going into a flare. You're stronger than you think and I'm so so so happy for you 😸👍xx Maz.