is fibro classed as a disability?

[Wakeyachey]

😖Hi newly diagnosed with fm, and also have osteoarthritis. I was released from my job back in February after being on the sick for 3 months with pain. I have just been turned down for pip and am now just wondering where do I go from here? I really would love to be able to work but no days are the same for me and I find it really hard trying to explain how my fibro affects me. I have to have a sleep during the day and some days I just can't function at all!! I wake up every morning feeling like I've done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson and and it takes me a good couple hours just to get moving let alone go out anywhere! How do you explain all these things in an assessment??? I feel like I'm trying to prove myself all the time and make people understand I'm not just being lazy 😩

P. S just took me about 2 hours to write this cos my stupid hands don't even work properly 😂😂

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, welcome to the group.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises Fibromyalgia as a real and potentially significantly disabling condition.

But the PIP benifit for fibro is not based on the condition you have, but on the amount of help you as an individual need as a result of how your condition affects you.

Momo

[Wakeyachey in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi thanks for taking time to reply. Sorry your not feeling good, hope you have a better day tomorrow! 🤞

[Dizzytwo in reply to Wakeyachey]

Thank you x

[Blackwitch]

I’m not sure this is allowed, but there is a great private group on Facebook, called Disability and Benefits Support, that can give lots of advice on PIP, other disability benefits etc and where to go for help. Of course, there’s the good old Citizens Advice Bureau and many other charities around that can help free of charge but they are all so overworked. Benefits And Work give great online information but, unfortunately, there’s a charge. I would advise keeping a really itemised pain diary just so you know how your pain affects you. PIP is getting harder to claim but if you need it, you need it. Just never fill the forms in yourself without help because they need every little detail and ‘descriptors’. Eg. Pain can be nagging, throbbing, searing, stabbing etc but how does that affect what you can do and can you do it safely? Don’t be put off claiming but get help. Good Luck. 😊

[Wakeyachey in reply to Blackwitch]

Thank you for replys 😁wishing you all a "good" day x

[Kala83]

Hi. I’m exactly the same as yourself. Some days when I’m trying to feel positive I think I could try to work or at least have a go but then reality hits where I either can’t get out of bed or as you say can’t function. I can’t see how an employer would be able to work with this, but I miss working so much and also for the financial side of things. Over the last 3 years since being diagnosed, I have applied for Pip twice and it’s been the most stressful thing I’ve had to do. I got zero points the first time and then 6 points the second time, which I even took to the tribunal, which still agreed I was not entitled to it. So I’m glad it’s over with and will not apply again, the energy and stress it caused me, is just not worth it ( for me anyway) but plz don’t be put off with what I’ve said as if you think you should be entitled then give it your best try. I’m unable to claim any income based benefits because my husband works, but I do get contributions based ESA, and I’m the support group. So that give me a little financial help, but it’s so hard. I still have to pay for prescriptions, school dinners for my daughter when I’m having a rough time. I do try to stay positive though and my GP is great so hopefully I’ll get to a point where I can manage my pain and be able to get back to work. I do hope you find some help, but I totally understand what you’re going through. Xxx

[Maud-ie]

Osteoarthritis/fibromyalgia/Ankylosing Spondylitis and eventually I did get basic level PIP. You have to state your worst day and how it affects you. Me - pain, semi incontinent, frequent falls and bone breaks, inability to use stairs etc. I had to minutely state absolutely everything. Good luck

[Wakeyachey]

Thank you x take care