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@misssophie9 

Last reply

misssophie9

extremely anxious for pip assessment :(

Hi ?? I've got my home assessment coming up for pip soon and I am absolutely terrified. I've heard so many horror stories about it and I can't cope. I have RRMS recently diagnosed but it has taken over 1 year since first bout of mylitis back in August of last year (when I was 12 weeks pregnant) This year has been horrendous and I have had 3 relapses in that time. I also suffer with a chronic back condition as I have bulging discs and I suffer with terrible pain in my knees, ankle and hip mostly on the left side. I have 3 kids and I work and I am finding life so very hard. In constant pain and walking and bending is just excruciating for me. My oldest child helps me out a lot, which makes me feel terrible. I have also suffered with bad OCD from being 15 and over the years it's got worse and I kinda just put up with it now. The anxiety from it is unreal and recently I've been having panic attacks with horrible palpitations and very nauseous. I want to keep hold of my independence for as long as I can and I just really am terrified that they won't let me have It. Life is really hard. I'm going to the doctor this week to talk about my panic attacks and I'm sick and tired of constantly feeling on edge. My friend suggested a radar key because I can't cope with public toilets and although it's better, I still am armed with dettol wipes and hand gel! Someone please tell me what it's like and what sort of questions I'll have to answer. I think it's so so so wrong that we are made to feel like this. I'm furious about how I feel about it. I seem to eat, sleep and sh** pip at the moment and it's driving me mad. I just want to give my children the best possible life because non of us asked for this horrible life sentence. if I had some help to get around I wouldn't be so damn fatigued and in pain all of the time. Xxx
10
@mammamoose
@mammamoose
 

It's not that bad they really only reiterate the questions on the form. Apparently you will lose points if you already have aids in place to help you like handles on the bath or extra handrails on the stairs so best to say you need help with things rather than I have an aid to help me. Also do not feel obligated to do all the physical things like touch your toes if you can't do them comfortably or safely, say if anything they do to you during the physical examination is painful and say that it's painful or too painful to do such things if it is. It's good to have someone with you too who acts as your carer as they can have a say too for instance I was asked to stand on tiptoe and my partner/carer jumped in and said no way is she doing that, she'll end up flat on her face as her balance is not good enough. Don't dress up and wear make up either because that will work against you; wrong I know but if you look well groomed that could be construed as you don't need as much care! I think the anticipation is worse than the actual assessment though, good luck and try not to worry too much. xxxxx

@misssophie9
@misssophie9
 

Thank you for the reply. Yeah I was told about not wearing makeup. I have a stool that I use in the shower and I wrote that on the form, should I not have it? I'm just terrified that they will say no. Obviously with 3 kids a job and uni (i must be mad I know) I need all the help I can get! I haven't been able to touch my toes since I was a child lol! I do hope it's ok ?? just so so nervous Xxx