So given our condition is lifelong and incurable it is pointless going to see the GP but DWP apparently now ask in a pointed fashion how many times have you seen you GP in the last X months?
What are we supposed to do waste our GP’s time every month just to save ourselves from Rachel Reeves’ cuts in benefits? I am in pain and awful fatigue everyday and cannot work (I only get PIP).
Well I still try to phone the GP and get an appointment but you have to be lucky to get an appointment. I have so many questions I still need answers for as they say I have other things as well as fibromyalgia.
I’m the same never visit GP - what’s the point. Trouble is we then are guilty of putting everything down to fibro. Must admit I use my lovely pharmacist to triage for me just to get another view on whatever the latest problem is. I don’t know what the answer is to be honest.
Worth keeping a journal though to present as support for review. I see alternative therapists so if you see a physio or such like presumably they could do a report for you. Likewise pain clinic.
Think they have put the cart before the horse really. NHS lists need sorting before tackling benefits in my opinion
I don't know, it was always a problem. I have 4 chronic, incurable, pain conditions with at least 4 more co-morbid conditions and I don't qualify for PIP. If you can feed and dress yourself they're not interested and neither are the GP's. Not that I'm not grateful for being able to feed and dress myself, I am, but everything I do for myself that is good for me, disquifies me for PIP. 🤷♀️
Changed my surgery recently as impossible to see a gp at all. I wrote a letter to one asking for an appt, got one to be told I can always ask on reception but I told her no way. Even if none urgent and prepared to wait they were always refused. Too many physicians associates, and advanced care practitioners but sometimes only a gp will do if you require continuity for continuing health problems. Smaller surgery and I can see a gp now. Wish I had done it years ago but I had been with the old surgery for 74 yrs.
Hi it'd ridiculous I'm just the same I had to pay £30 for a letter from my gp as the first time I applied to pip they said I never had enough evidence of my condition it's crazy like you would make something like this up ,I'd rather be pain free and still working I also suffer with severe dizziness which happens daily can't see my gp keep getting put to a physio and awaiting a specialist as physio said more going on but have to be accepted been waiting ages it's ridiculous.
The plan is eugenics, it is why the government is introducing the right-to-die bill just before the welfare cuts, cruel but true. Today is not a good day to die, so I intend to play the system for as long as I can, I am not ready to go just yet. Either, play the system or become an activist, and die fighting.
There does seem to be a coordinated plan against oldies. Removal of WFA, benefits cuts, perhaps oldest out first with job cuts due to NI increase?
The Starling government are little bu**ers, but what right do they really have? They are not God. Anyway, with a bit of luck, people will kick back, there are more of us.
I know what you mean. It's just so frustrating and unsettling with the way the government has gone with PIP. I'm dreading what's going to happen. I won't get ESA anymore as I've worked all my life and my husband works, therefore I won't be able to claim UC.
Like you I can’t get ESA having paid £100,000s in tax and NI over the years.
IMO the four points per descriptor is an attack on all with conditions like Fibro/CFS
If you paid National Insurance, you should be able to claim New Style ESA based just on NI contributions. It is not means tested against income. The other version of ESA is called Income Related ESA and it is steadily becoming part of UC. But New Style ESA is nothing to do with UC and it still exists at the moment. gov.uk/guidance/new-style-e...
I have a modest pension which invalidates my claim. It is savings that aren’t means tested.
Pension and ill-health Insurance Policy income is the only income that is offset against New Style ESA. You should still claim, even if they reduce the amount paid to zero due to your pension, as you will still get National Insurance credits towards your State Pension. Buying them would cost £900 a year. gov.uk/national-insurance-c...
Yes, I would have done that but I already have enough years NI for state pension. Trouble is the gap before I gey my state pension.
We are survivors not victims - thanks Sarah jane. How true that is we are indeed survivors
what boredom lead me to do
What should I do now?
ARE WE ALL "JUNKIES"
