PIP and pelvic nerve pain, mobility problems

[Eggcustard]

Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with genitofemoral nerve pain (although the pain consultant now thinks it may be ilioinguinal nerve pain) - whichever!!

I have applied for personal independence payments because of pain affecting my mobility. I have a consultants letter with the diagnosis but don't know how I can PROVE that I can't walk very far. I understand that if you can't walk either 20, 50 or 200 meters REPEATEDLY you have to be classed as not being able to walk that distance.

Does anyone know how often in a day I can be "reasonably expected" to need to walk these distances? Is it once, twice or ten times? I can't find an answer to this anywhere.

Has anyone else claimed PIP for similar reasons please?

I am in constant pain that is made worse by any walking at all.

The example is given of cooking a meal, so if you can only cook a meal once a day you cannot repeatedly cook a meal as many time as can be reasonably expected (3 times).

Bit for distance who knows??

Any ideas anyone???

Thanks.

[daffodil]

Hi, I have claimed DLA since 2008 and will soon be having to claim PIP.A wonderful website to look at is benefitsandwork.This is a charity and nothing to do with the government and gives detailed, step by step advice on how to answer each question.I owe my awards to the info I have from it.You do have to join to get more detailed advice eg sample Pip forms,but there is a lot of great free advice.I am not sure what the fee is -about £19,but it is very well worth paying. You can also go to citizens advice but I think benefits and work is far superior in its advice.

For all the descriptors(tasks eg mobilising, cooking,personal care) you must be able to do them repeatedly,reliably and without further damage to your health. As far as I know there isn't a set number of repetitions .I claim for mobility due to damage to my balance/vertigo from Meningitis and use crutches and power wheelchair.In my case I can walk 20m but not without feeling dizzier and toppling over and I certainly couldnt repeat it.For every descriptor you must mention any pain and other symptoms caused by the activity.eg if you can walk 50m,but eg the pain,breathlessness,dizziness means your condition is worsened and you have to sit down or rest,then you will be classed as not being able to achieve this.

I would think that if you would definitely qualify for PIP if in constant pain,aslong as you repeat this information for every single task and stress how your pain is worsened by any movement.

I always do a timed test with walking -my garden path is 5m,so I have my daughter time me walking to prove how slowly I walk and also stress how I am dizzy all the pain,but movement brings on actual spinning and nausea and as a result I have had many falls.

I have not filled a PIP form yet,but am expecting to pop through my door soon,but have seen a sample form and it looks fairly similar in format and in how you have to answer.Approach the form like you are having a law case to prove you are ill,to a complete stranger,who know snothing about your condition or how it affects your daily life.Also write as if on the worst day,unless your pain fluctauates or goes away some times.

Letter from a consultant is great but any extra proof is well worth trying to get -do you have a physio,OT,alternative therapist.Last DLA clam I sent 20 extra pieces of information.The more evidence the better.You need not only proof of a condition but also how it affects you.It is well worth liasing with a professional before they write a letter as often they do not provide enough detail eg my physio managed to make it sound like I could walk without any difficulty with crutches and didn,t mention the vertigo and pain that results from moving.

Hope this helps and would recommend you to look at benefitsandwork.co.uk.

wishing you all the best

[john06]

Hi

I am an adviser with Citizens Advice (CAB). We help many people complete the PIP forms. The best advice I could give is to contact your local CAB. Here is a link to find it:

citizensadvice.org.uk/index...

There are specific rules about variability of symptoms and that to say you can perform an activity means you can perform it safely, in a reasonable time, that you can repeat the activity and do it to a reasonable standard. A CAB adviser can help with these. A face to face visit to CAB is best.

Once you have submitted the completed form it is currently taking DWP 26 weeks to decide whether to give you the benefit. So if there is a delay in getting a CAB appointment it will pale into insignificance compared to the delay to follow. If you cannot get a CAB appointment until after the return date for your form, telephone the number on the cover letter with the PIP form and explain you are waiting an appointment at CAB. They will extend the deadline.

[Eggcustard]

Hi, thanks for the replies, just thought I'd let people know that I had my assessment today and the lady seemed very nice, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, as for what the result will be, who knows!! At the end of the day all yo can do is tell the truth and hope for the best.

[Charles555nc]

I have pain along the entire length of the genitofemoral nerve, from the L1 and L2 to the psoas, to the scrotum even. I just had a L1-L2 laminectomy, hoping that a bone spur was causing the pain, but 0 improvement. Where can the genitofemoral nerve be pinched along the spine? the facet? the ramus? My pain management doctor is so worthless.

L1-L2 transforaminal nerve root block helped my pain by 90% for a week, and then the pain came back... Help lol.