PIP/Disability Living Payment & IBS

[03jessig]

Hello! First time posting on here. I am really suffering with severe IBS. It's affecting EVERYTHING. Not a day goes by when I don't sit at my desk at work and cry due to the pain. I can't remember the last time I didn't need pain relief. There is such a dull ache (unbearable though) above my left hip but on lower abdomen. I've had scans and they suspected endometriosis, but the endo consultant (after a 2 year wait to see him) gave me a 5 minute appointment, said it was just IBS and to go back to my GP. I've been shouted at for going to A&E with the pain even though I've been huddled in a ball crying. My sex life has gone down the drain. My mental health is suffering. I am finding it hard to drive and get to work. Once I'm at work I'm not working properly due to the pain.

My question is; has anyone successfully managed to claim PIP/disability living payment from having IBS?

[Liz1234ty]

Hi there,

I can't answer your Q about the PIP as I have never tried to claim but I do suffer from both Endo and IBS. The only way of diagnosing Endo is through a laparoscopy. Scans, blood tests and internal examinations are not a conclusive way to diagnose endometriosis and a normal scan, blood test and internal examination does not mean that you do not have endometriosis. This is clear on the NHS guidance so I don't understand how you can be dismissed in 5 minutes! Possibly grounds for a complaint.

I have found that taking the mini-contraceptive pill every day provides excellent relief so that is worth trying as your GP will surely prescribe it and it is free. There is overlap between the two conditions - often because parts of the bowel can literally stick to parts of the womb and endo growths and adhesions can cause much pain and changes to bowel habits.

[Hetchins1946]

I can't reply directly to your last question but I have helped two family members successfully apply for PIP..

The process is not difficult but it is designed to make you give up.

In the application process you need to forget about your diagnosis because it's all about what you are able to do, and what you are unable to do - regardless of any labels

I would strongly advise you to look at the website benefitsandwork.co.uk where there is a forum that deals with PIP claims, but more usefully, if you take out the subscription there are many useful documents and there are sample application forms.

There are a lot of horror stories about the assessments on the Web but our family have never experienced any unpleasantness. It's a horrible process, but the people have always treated us with dignity.

[jbrking]

I have bile acid malabsorption, as well as joint hypermobility, kidney disease, and advanced liver fibrosis, high bp etc. I applied in august and scored 2 for my bowel condition and 0 for my mobility. I’ve had a blue badge for 12 years because of joints. At renewal of badge in Nov 21 I had a face to face assessment and it was renewed and marked that I wouldn’t need another review in 3 years. I included all that in my application. I had a telephone assessment for pip and it went ok. But I was shocked when I had the report it wasn’t lies as such but it totally underestimated my conditions and said I could do things that I couldn’t. Eg it said I walk confidently and continually up to 200 metres ok. But my assessment report said up to 50 slowly, with a limp, and in pain (they timed me etc). It was the assessor for bb who told me to apply for pip when we discussed all my health conditions and how exhausted I was. But the pip report said I didn’t sound in pain! No, because I had taken my pain meds and was sat with a hot water bottle on my shoulder that’s currently painful. And they said I could recall complete medical history - I had a list in front of me with dates, meds etc, my partner sat next to me pointing at my notes so I didn’t forget to say anything, and the assessor asked about each one and went through the list only application so I didn’t have to recall anything. I have asked for a mandatory reconsideration which was sent off in early Jan and they have 8 weeks to respond. I’m not holding my breath though and will probably have to take them to tribunal, that’s what most people seem to have to do. They make it so difficult!

[eyeofthetiger123]

I am sorry to hear about your IBS problems. Have you tried Berberine? It is an effective antibacterial and also helps people with PCOS and therefore could possibly help you with your stomach pains. Also a magnesium tablet does help for female related issues. I would recommend trying these in the meantime and seeing if the situation improves.

[Daveskin]

I've had the same I must have been to A+E30 times for them to send me home in pain told me gp for them to tell me to go to A+E ive been in circles for a year for nothing to be done let down by the NHS again and again

[Daveskin]

Yes I have