Hi everyone. I hope you’re all enjoying this lush blue sky weather! It really cheers me up, when i pull back my curtains & see a blue sky!
Anyway. I’ve been on PIP for about 5 yrs. I’ve got yet another review form that we all know is the size of an old yellow pages book! coming up. I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis in the new yr. (Not my fave new yr i’ve ever had. I was on antis. I’ve never had a sober new yr’s eve!!!) I’ve been on the standard rate all this time. But i just wondered if this newly diagnosed thing could get me a higher rate? (Not being greedy. But every penny helps). Thanks for any advice. I might have to have another face to face interview. I’ve read they’re on the increase now. I’ve actually had a couple. But they’re still a bit nerve racking. Especially if you get off on the wrong foot with the interviewer!!! They hold the power!!
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Vixen2
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Thanks alot. It’s true. I’ve got to have a colonoscopy. Dreading it. Having a bowel ‘thing’. Is crap! (Sorry for the obvious joke!) It’s like russian rouelette with your bowels. When i’m going out. I’m worried i might need the loo when i’m on a bus or tube. There just aren’t enough toilets in London. But i should be grateful i’m not up a moutain or in a desert. (1 s or 2??) It just makes you a bit nervous going somewhere you’ve never been before. Then you have the other side, severe constipation. I was so bloated the other night & felt so ill. I had to leave my friend. We were out having a few drinks. I had to go home. I left half a glass of wine. My friend didn’t let it go to waste! 🤣
I have mild diverticulitis and am plagued about when and where I may need to use the loo or if they’ll be one to use. The result is I use every loo I see just in case. However on holiday in Bangkok last year I managed without any problems so I think I worry unnecessarily
Yes. I feel stress can affect alot of the body, if you get anxious. It is a machine after all. When we’re worried, anxious. It can tense up the body. Doesn’t help with RA either.
Hi vix The diagnoses etc you don't get points for them makes no difference although certain diagnosis the assesors would expect some issues and criterias certainty put it down
There is lots on standard who should or qualify for enhanced as well ,good luck there ,
Try the pip self test, Do that daily for a week as the more you know looking into the criterias
If you want do Google Pip self test
Benefits and work
Their good to join
Or do home work and do yourself take your time
Fightback4justice vip service are really good (fee)
Non profit and they have meetings with assesors and dwp etc and rarely fail they could maybe get you the enhanced rates just another option for you as tge enhanced rates does go into 100s of thousands in a lifetime award ,
There's cab and welfare, their geting harder to see
Some tips hear
Wordings important
If any Fatuige dont use the word tired If applys use word Exhaustion or deliberating post exertional fatuge
When filling in forms explain variability
This may help you get enhanced rate
The majority of time (criteria)
The daily living activities
The majority of time can't do an activity 50% rule
Say 4/3 etc
If you cannot do an activity once a day( xsample washing etc cooking first thing in morning fatuige pain meds to kick in etc and can't do it or take twice as long as a normal person that counts as unable to do that criteria ,any time of day if you can't do it once that counts as unable to do it for the whole day even if you can do it later in thr day still counts towards the majority of time 50 % rule ,
The 50% rule can be less than 50% Also,
An exsample ,
An activity say
4a 4b 4c 4d 4e
4b applys 30 %
4d 35%
Then as over 50 % 4d applys for points with only 35 %
Another
2a 20 %
2b 30%
2c 35 %
Then points for 2c
If more than 1 activities aplly to a question
Tick and explain them all ot just 1 box in the question
The mobility is straightforward
For enhanced the magic number is upto 20 metres ,from the 50 metres ,
Unless there is mental health issues
Then if that applys upto 200 metres applys 4 points and that adds on to moveing around points for enhanced mobility add the 2 together, Good luck with your reiview and hope you qualify for it
In 1 or both
P.s some evidence they look for for a 10 year or ongoing award
Is
Longterm unlikely to change in long term , All meds And treatments now and in the past
If applys use those words in forms and put down all treatments that have not worked in past and treatments etc
Thanks alot for your detailed reply. As i’ve said. I’ve been on PIP for quite a few yrs & have had a couple of interviews face to face. But it still makes me nervous. I hate filling in the forms. My handwriting isn’t great either! Thanks again.
I have had many colonoscopies about 8. At the last one the doctor carrying out the test said he no longer reports diverticulitis on his summary as most people have it. He is looking for polyps or tumours . He said diverticulitis comes and goes for most of us. He said a healthy diet usually sorts it. No spicy food or alcohol usually gets rid of inflammed pockets but sometimes a course of antibiotics are needed.
Bloody hell. You’ve had 8????? I love the bit where they say RELAX!!! Mind you. I’ve had loads of steroid injections in my eyes! So i’m used to them saying RELAX. Just after they’ve put anaesthetic drops in the eyes. You brace yourself….
I was told that when I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago just routine after one of those postal bowel test. Nothing wrong after weeks of worrying but the doctor said I had Diverticulosis as does nearly everyone over 35. Including him! No treatment but fibre and no symptoms then or now. But I do eat more porridge etc as not allowed bran flakes or brown bread because of CKD and occasionally use Fibogel thats it. x I've never had antibiotics for it so must be lucky. Fingers crossed. lol x
Like you medway-lady, I have had RA for a long time. In my case about 45 years. My bowel problems started about 10 years ago. Chronic trapped gas, bloating, cramps, chronic d. I was frequently doubled up in pain. I had endoscopes going down, colonoscopies, and other tests which were inconclusive. My gastroenterologist suggested a course of antibiotics which helped. My GP gave me repeat courses of antibiotics . They thought it might be SIBO, or diverticulitis. After a few years the d changed into c and colonoscopies showed my bowel had become elongated and floppy . It is now difficult to scope but they were required to remove polyps.My GP says I now have diverticulitis. I also had gallstones which caused cholecystitis a year ago. I was hospitalised with sepsis and given lots of intravenous antibiotics. Once the infection went completely I had my gall bladder out. Since then (about 6 months) I have had the minimum of problems with my bowel. Not sure if all the antibiotics helped, or having my gall bladder out, or both. Long may it last. The RA is helped with Benepali.
That’s a lot of rotten things. I was lucky as no polyps so only done once, it wasn’t too bad and I’m glad it was done. I think I’m blessed that so far can still lead a near enough normal life. I’m still active although for past week I’ve had 5his awful cough that won’t go away. No sore throat just a tickle that is so annoying. My husband likes the husky ( I sound like a 40 a day smoker) voice as I can’t shout without coughing so he’s safe in his shed avoiding odd jobs that could be done now the sun is out. lol x
Don’t laugh but my my mum and dad had a couple of gnomes and we’ve still got them. I saw some in an antique shop window and they wanted a good few quid for each. They used to hide in the border but I might get them out of banishment and get him in the shed to paint and replace the rod. lol I’ve got a huge helix water feature bought in a sale in Dobbies reduced from £1600 to £400 made of stone not concrete but no pond. Now that’s a project idea…….. Lolxxx
I count my blessings too. Fortunately my polyps were benign, but the type that are best caught early. So a colonoscopy, although unpleasant is a blessing. Enjoy the sunshine and all the good things in life, like loving family and good friends. Life is precious. Every day is a bonus. Hope your cough is better soon.
I was told similar, when I had 2 large rectal bleeds last year, and lost approx 750ml, and had a colonoscopy to find the cause. In my case it was diverticulosis, where an artery passing through one of the pockets, had ruptured. Like you I didn’t really have any symptoms, and was also told that many people live with it, often without symptoms. Like you I was given dietary advice, and advised to take fybogel, despite having a diet quite high in fibre. I was told that the bleeding is life threatening, as I was on clopidogrel at the time, which he changed to aspirin, as it has a shorter half life. He did say it’s very likely to happen again, and to call an ambulance rather than 111 next time. Meantime however, it gives me no issues, I do get slightly anxious if I have to strain, but thankfully that’s not often. I’m guilty for not drinking enough some days, despite my nursing knowledge knowing that’s not good. I think that’s partly due to my memory issues following the stroke. Diverticulitis is when as you say an infection starts up in the pockets, but is usually successfully treated with antibiotics. I assume Vixen2 you had a CT scan to diagnose the diverticulitis. As for the colonoscopy I wouldn’t stress, bathe worst part is the bowel prep. I unfortunately had to be admitted to hospital for my vowel prep, due to another condition, which can cause a crisis when I get dehydrated. So had the added stress of hoping no one was using the loo, when j needed to go. I also had to stay in the night after the colonoscopy for further IV fluids, but that’s due to my adrenal insufficiency. I found it fascinating watching on the screen. Hopefully you don’t have too long to wait 🤗
I've been on PIP for 9 years never had a review ,I receive higher just for mobility as I have RA and standard for the other component. Think they are really tightening up on welfare as they need money for defence
Hi. Wow. Never had a review? You’ve been lucky! I’ve been on it about 5/6 yrs. The face to face interviews are scary, I have RA, Iritis & Glaucoma. I would be so grateful to stay with what i get. (Standard rate. No mobility rate).
The scoring is based on the impact on your daily life carrying out tasks. You’ll need to look at the scoring system to see if you qualify for extra points. I very much suspect the DWP monitor the online platforms which offer advice and coach others to exaggerate conditions and probably use AI programs to detect phraseology that’s repeatedly used by multiple claimants.
Thanks alot. I’ve actually had a couple of interviews. But i still get nervous. I wonder if they’re trying to ‘catch us out’. We’ve all been through and are still going through alot. There’s no cure for RA. So i suspect we’re all on longterm treatment.
I remember interviews where the report commented on conditions I didn’t even have. The system is designed to trip you up so I’d urge you to get as much medical evidence and reports that back up your marking. If you haven’t already I’d approach your local council adult services department to get them to carry out a needs assessment. For people like us with inflammatory arthritis it can have major limiting impact on mobility and care needs. With Diverticulitis they may suggest a commode particularly if you have mobility limitations which will earn you extra points.
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