Any Brits.i had the health worker come do assessment and what a bitch.Two hours of questions she disregarded my e so elplepsy as I understand it is not taken into consideration as a problem or side effects of drugs.The cow came about month ago and I heard nothing want to know if that good or bad sign.Has any Brits gone through this awful integration
pip
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Highlander
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Hi Seagull yes I have encountered the barstewards of PIP.
I wouldn't deign to give them the title of health workers and calling them cows is an insult to the beautiful creatures wandering the fields up above our house.
(note to self... really must walk the dog....)
They seem to be targeting transient medical conditions just now to try and score cheap points. Nasty feckers (sorry, I'm normally polite).
The side effects of the drugs - sorry Seagull, they are blinkered by seizures and seem to recognise mostly TC's at that. If you aren't losing consciousness then, of course, you can still work.
If your drugs have nasty side effects then change your drugs, that is how they see it - twats, huh? Given how long it can take to recover from ANY seizure and how disruptive they can be they are trivialising all forms of E and vastly minimising the impact of a drug change over on someone's life. Drug changeovers come with the risk of increased seizures shiny new side effects etc. Idiots!
If I were you I would contact them and ask for an update on the proceedings if you have not heard for a while as they really are the most useless bunch of twonks (I'm keeping this as clean as I possibly can).
My assessment was an absolute joke. I had a focal seizure during the thing because of the idiot bitch (sorry lost the plot...) conducting the farce and her refusal to get off her fat rump and cover up a flickering router in the assessment room or to even proffer something to allow us to do it. After the seizure, she escorted me to the toilet, in the assessment we discovered this was not out of concern but to see if I could walk the measured distance unaided. So the farce was stopped post ictal yes? Nope, it trundled on. I can't remember what the hell she asked after that or what I said. I might have told the silly wench I invited blue fairies round for dinner every Tuesday.
I was awarded 2 points in the crone's assessment of me. She also diagnosed the seizure I took wrongly and gave the wrong estimate of the duration (my husband was there too, seizures don't phase him he was called out to Lockerbie).
A lady at Forum4e the British Epilepsy Associations Forum - I don't know if you are a member? - helped me put together my request for a mandatory reconsideration notice. I got 2 points again. Why? Dozy barstewards filed the MRN letter under 'evidence' initially. I've done 2 yrs medical science I guess I can write doctor speak fairly well but I didn't realise I was that good - or are they just SO incompetent! Anyway, I found that out when I called to say my neurologist's appointment had been changed please could that be noted and could I check I still had time to get evidence in. The nice man (hahahahahahahahaha!) told me I had a month and that he had sorted the filing balls-up. I called a week after my neuros appointment to say I was still waiting on a letter only to be told that the call I had last made had simply been logged as 'incoming call' with no information about my appointment change or the information etc. and by the way a decision has been made.
The decision was made and the first line blamed my lateness/not sending in medical information. I invented new swear words that morning.
I'm appealing on the grounds that their records were inaccurate and I was not allowed to submit medical evidence even though I contacted them in time and their decision is based on an interview that should have been stopped after my seizure and because they probably base their whole system of administrative attrition on something akin to one that I assume Satan will have in place for 'Why I should not be in Hell: Assessment Stage 1.'
Absolute soulless ********
Sadly that seems to be pretty standard from posts I've read with regard to their ineptitude, incompetence and complete lack of empathy towards the human condition in any disease state.
I wish you the very best in your PIP outcome if you need any help please get in touch but if you are a member of Forum4e I would post. Monique helped me lots. I also found some templates for the MRN on line and the PIP points to go through each one and how they related to me. The appeal form is online and the booklet, England & Wales and Scotland have separate places to send it.
I wouldn't deign to give them the title of health workers and calling them cows is an insult to the beautiful creatures wandering the fields up above our house.
(note to self... really must walk the dog....)
They seem to be targeting transient medical conditions just now to try and score cheap points. Nasty feckers (sorry, I'm normally polite).
The side effects of the drugs - sorry Seagull, they are blinkered by seizures and seem to recognise mostly TC's at that. If you aren't losing consciousness then, of course, you can still work.
If your drugs have nasty side effects then change your drugs, that is how they see it - twats, huh? Given how long it can take to recover from ANY seizure and how disruptive they can be they are trivialising all forms of E and vastly minimising the impact of a drug change over on someone's life. Drug changeovers come with the risk of increased seizures shiny new side effects etc. Idiots!
If I were you I would contact them and ask for an update on the proceedings if you have not heard for a while as they really are the most useless bunch of twonks (I'm keeping this as clean as I possibly can).
My assessment was an absolute joke. I had a focal seizure during the thing because of the idiot bitch (sorry lost the plot...) conducting the farce and her refusal to get off her fat rump and cover up a flickering router in the assessment room or to even proffer something to allow us to do it. After the seizure, she escorted me to the toilet, in the assessment we discovered this was not out of concern but to see if I could walk the measured distance unaided. So the farce was stopped post ictal yes? Nope, it trundled on. I can't remember what the hell she asked after that or what I said. I might have told the silly wench I invited blue fairies round for dinner every Tuesday.
I was awarded 2 points in the crone's assessment of me. She also diagnosed the seizure I took wrongly and gave the wrong estimate of the duration (my husband was there too, seizures don't phase him he was called out to Lockerbie).
A lady at Forum4e the British Epilepsy Associations Forum - I don't know if you are a member? - helped me put together my request for a mandatory reconsideration notice. I got 2 points again. Why? Dozy barstewards filed the MRN letter under 'evidence' initially. I've done 2 yrs medical science I guess I can write doctor speak fairly well but I didn't realise I was that good - or are they just SO incompetent! Anyway, I found that out when I called to say my neurologist's appointment had been changed please could that be noted and could I check I still had time to get evidence in. The nice man (hahahahahahahahaha!) told me I had a month and that he had sorted the filing balls-up. I called a week after my neuros appointment to say I was still waiting on a letter only to be told that the call I had last made had simply been logged as 'incoming call' with no information about my appointment change or the information etc. and by the way a decision has been made.
The decision was made and the first line blamed my lateness/not sending in medical information. I invented new swear words that morning.
I'm appealing on the grounds that their records were inaccurate and I was not allowed to submit medical evidence even though I contacted them in time and their decision is based on an interview that should have been stopped after my seizure and because they probably base their whole system of administrative attrition on something akin to one that I assume Satan will have in place for 'Why I should not be in Hell: Assessment Stage 1.'
Absolute soulless ********
Sadly that seems to be pretty standard from posts I've read with regard to their ineptitude, incompetence and complete lack of empathy towards the human condition in any disease state.
I wish you the very best in your PIP outcome if you need any help please get in touch but if you are a member of Forum4e I would post. Monique helped me lots. I also found some templates for the MRN on line and the PIP points to go through each one and how they related to me. The appeal form is online and the booklet, England & Wales and Scotland have separate places to send it.
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Highlander
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Oh Seagull, Just a tip. When you do hear from them. The dates they use are always the dates of THEIR letters - never when you receive the letter.
So ostensibly you have a month from the date of the letter, but the ****ing thing took a week to reach you because they have no idea what first class post is or that this might be a matter of urgency to anyone. So you only have 3 weeks.
Even if you haven't heard from them assume the worst and start asking specialists for evidence.
They don't go sourcing evidence for your case whatever they might imply by asking for your doctors/ specialists/neurologists details in the beginning. It is too costly.
So ostensibly you have a month from the date of the letter, but the ****ing thing took a week to reach you because they have no idea what first class post is or that this might be a matter of urgency to anyone. So you only have 3 weeks.
Even if you haven't heard from them assume the worst and start asking specialists for evidence.
They don't go sourcing evidence for your case whatever they might imply by asking for your doctors/ specialists/neurologists details in the beginning. It is too costly.
Loopy Lou
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I have my PIP assessment on the 31st of august, after they postponed it on the morning i was due to have it. They wanted me to go way out of town for my appointment, when they have an assessment centre right here in my town. I told them that i couldn't travel there as i can't drive and there's no public transport links, even if i was able to take an unfamiliar journey by myself.
Just remember - PIP/DLA is about how much care you need, and help with mobility, which includes things like supervision when cooking, bathing, travelling, support when having seizures and when post ictal. They don't make this clear on the forms on purpose. It is not about whether or not you can work, that is what ESA is for. So you have to really hammer it home about how much support you need, and how your seizures affect you, because they will minimalise everything to the point of absurdity.
I have claimed DLA for years while working (the previous form of PIP). I'm dreading my assessment, my mum is coming with me to it because i get easily confused and flustered and forget to mention things that i should.
They don't give enough time between sending the letter and demanding the evidence. I had a grand total of two weeks, whereas it would have taken at least a month or two to get evidence from my neuro, neuropsych, as well as other specialists i see for other things, and they do this on purpose too.
Remember that you can appeal it, Wishing yous good luck and hope you get the level of help you need, i'm dreading it. Got a feeling i'm going to lose my PIP this time, and if i lose that, i lose a lot more besides, eep!
Just remember - PIP/DLA is about how much care you need, and help with mobility, which includes things like supervision when cooking, bathing, travelling, support when having seizures and when post ictal. They don't make this clear on the forms on purpose. It is not about whether or not you can work, that is what ESA is for. So you have to really hammer it home about how much support you need, and how your seizures affect you, because they will minimalise everything to the point of absurdity.
I have claimed DLA for years while working (the previous form of PIP). I'm dreading my assessment, my mum is coming with me to it because i get easily confused and flustered and forget to mention things that i should.
They don't give enough time between sending the letter and demanding the evidence. I had a grand total of two weeks, whereas it would have taken at least a month or two to get evidence from my neuro, neuropsych, as well as other specialists i see for other things, and they do this on purpose too.
Remember that you can appeal it, Wishing yous good luck and hope you get the level of help you need, i'm dreading it. Got a feeling i'm going to lose my PIP this time, and if i lose that, i lose a lot more besides, eep!
Highlander
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Hope your assessment goes well for you too Loopy Lou.
A crone is definatly a word I would use to my horror a health can be anything from ward cleaner upwards.
I had what pass for lady come who close relative of Hitler's I gather she paramedic I dispute that.She ask irrelevant questions much as mobility how do I get about I said use white stick and having guide dog training soon.i got about 2 points for that.i got one functional arm she ask me to grip I said look at my hand it impossible 2points for that can I cook I said heat up freezer food unable open tin my husband do cooking and my brain is dangerously forgetful I nearly burned house twice.I got no points.i got very few points and would have failed it but two doctors came to my rescue saying I should have top rate and all so went on to say pip system is not the way to go about things.These two hospital consultants one who said I was deemed as blind blindness covers an issue of things I had stroke cause of mine..
I ask this crone if she like swift run a round bloke baring in mind eyesite and e then we can see how bad it is,she declined.As I said she gave me hardly any points I showed her house hold adaptions and getting more,but as I said other people told social The point system is ridiculous he seems it was put up to my shock.About five pages they sent me as reading through it I never thought I was going to get it until last page where they put mobility up.It came as big shock.i never known them put it up.
I had to see one of the doctors he said nothing until I brought subject up he told me what he said.Ordinary gp gets up to 2000 of these a month they getting well pissed off and hospital consultant just as many they even more pissed off...
I do have answer that would save billions in countries money but if you read what labour mp said which the truth and she been booted out of main politics.
I had what pass for lady come who close relative of Hitler's I gather she paramedic I dispute that.She ask irrelevant questions much as mobility how do I get about I said use white stick and having guide dog training soon.i got about 2 points for that.i got one functional arm she ask me to grip I said look at my hand it impossible 2points for that can I cook I said heat up freezer food unable open tin my husband do cooking and my brain is dangerously forgetful I nearly burned house twice.I got no points.i got very few points and would have failed it but two doctors came to my rescue saying I should have top rate and all so went on to say pip system is not the way to go about things.These two hospital consultants one who said I was deemed as blind blindness covers an issue of things I had stroke cause of mine..
I ask this crone if she like swift run a round bloke baring in mind eyesite and e then we can see how bad it is,she declined.As I said she gave me hardly any points I showed her house hold adaptions and getting more,but as I said other people told social The point system is ridiculous he seems it was put up to my shock.About five pages they sent me as reading through it I never thought I was going to get it until last page where they put mobility up.It came as big shock.i never known them put it up.
I had to see one of the doctors he said nothing until I brought subject up he told me what he said.Ordinary gp gets up to 2000 of these a month they getting well pissed off and hospital consultant just as many they even more pissed off...
I do have answer that would save billions in countries money but if you read what labour mp said which the truth and she been booted out of main politics.
Loopy Lou
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That's truly shocking seagull, especially since the person actually came to your house to do the assessment and could see you in your own environment.
They do ask the questions in such a way that are leading and designed for you to give favourable answers to them, so you have to think carefully to answer them to get your point across.
When i had my ESA assessment, it was someone who said she actually used to be an epilepsy nurse and i thought "Oh, maybe it will be someone who understands!" how wrong i was!
Because i'm at uni now they decided that i was capable of basic jobs such as kitchen work. Because logic. Despite the fact that's on the long list of jobs i shouldn't be doing lol.
Anyway don't lose hope yet til you get the results.
I don't know if you knew about this, but it will come in handy if you need to do an appeal. I got some help with filling in my forms from the epilepsy society. Here's the main page about it, if you look on the left hand side they have more links, including the points criteria, so you know what kinds of things to include on the form, and which apply to you.
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/pip-making-claim#.WZViBumQzIU
I'll be so glad when/if i can get into work again and don't need to deal with this stuff again! I've always worked before and hate having to navigate the benefits system.
They do ask the questions in such a way that are leading and designed for you to give favourable answers to them, so you have to think carefully to answer them to get your point across.
When i had my ESA assessment, it was someone who said she actually used to be an epilepsy nurse and i thought "Oh, maybe it will be someone who understands!" how wrong i was!
Because i'm at uni now they decided that i was capable of basic jobs such as kitchen work. Because logic. Despite the fact that's on the long list of jobs i shouldn't be doing lol.
Anyway don't lose hope yet til you get the results.
I don't know if you knew about this, but it will come in handy if you need to do an appeal. I got some help with filling in my forms from the epilepsy society. Here's the main page about it, if you look on the left hand side they have more links, including the points criteria, so you know what kinds of things to include on the form, and which apply to you.
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/pip-making-claim#.WZViBumQzIU
I'll be so glad when/if i can get into work again and don't need to deal with this stuff again! I've always worked before and hate having to navigate the benefits system.
Highlander
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Kitchen work!!! a basic job! Freaking hell, my youngest stepsons fiancee is a cook, the pressure in a professional kitchen is immense. Even if you are just doing something menial if you can't keep up it lets down the team. They haven't a scoobie. Also they have possibly insulted anyone working in a kitchen and insulted you by implying that even after all your hard work and studying they deem you only capable of menial work.
I would be very fecking angry.
I think from the number of people on Epilepsy Action's forum4e who have been told their DLA has been stopped and they are having to apply for PIP that they are targeting transient and controllable medical conditions. So god help you basically if you have a disease that goes into remissive periods or can be controlled/ameliorated by medication.
Actually, Loopy Lou if it fits in with your studies, I called the bast***s regarding my PIP claim and I commented on their incompetence when speaking to a senior analyst. I took his name and told him that I had had my mandatory reconsideration request wrongly filed and that one of their analysts had cost me my decision by not including the notes about the change in my neurology appointment. I said that some 15 years ago I had worked in a call centre for quite a while and we would have been hauled over the coals for not meeting KPIs or SLAs, what sort of targets did they have if accuracy wasn't one of them?
He said I should apply for a job, they were hiring. I reminded him that I was in the Highlands and they were based in Blackpool.
If you fancy selling your soul?
It is very possible that you may be damned to eternity for it though.
Personally, I think that as I was told about the fact they were in Blackpool before I was transferred somewhere in my notes it now says:
'Nothing wrong with this bitch's memory'
To add to Loopy Lou's comment about the leading questions, if you do try and clarify anything they do come down a very hard line with 'Just answer the question'. If you persist in trying to clarify things, not being rude, angry, cheeky or argumentative - just explaining why the answer isn't yes or no, they expand on this and it becomes 'Just answer the question or I will have to terminate the interview' as if your behaviour has been in some way improper towards them of threatening; instead of simply justifying the actualities of your medical condition.
I'm glad I'm going through it. When they try and take my husband's DLA for his hearing loss I'll rip them to shreds.
I would be very fecking angry.
I think from the number of people on Epilepsy Action's forum4e who have been told their DLA has been stopped and they are having to apply for PIP that they are targeting transient and controllable medical conditions. So god help you basically if you have a disease that goes into remissive periods or can be controlled/ameliorated by medication.
Actually, Loopy Lou if it fits in with your studies, I called the bast***s regarding my PIP claim and I commented on their incompetence when speaking to a senior analyst. I took his name and told him that I had had my mandatory reconsideration request wrongly filed and that one of their analysts had cost me my decision by not including the notes about the change in my neurology appointment. I said that some 15 years ago I had worked in a call centre for quite a while and we would have been hauled over the coals for not meeting KPIs or SLAs, what sort of targets did they have if accuracy wasn't one of them?
He said I should apply for a job, they were hiring. I reminded him that I was in the Highlands and they were based in Blackpool.
If you fancy selling your soul?
It is very possible that you may be damned to eternity for it though.
Personally, I think that as I was told about the fact they were in Blackpool before I was transferred somewhere in my notes it now says:
'Nothing wrong with this bitch's memory'
To add to Loopy Lou's comment about the leading questions, if you do try and clarify anything they do come down a very hard line with 'Just answer the question'. If you persist in trying to clarify things, not being rude, angry, cheeky or argumentative - just explaining why the answer isn't yes or no, they expand on this and it becomes 'Just answer the question or I will have to terminate the interview' as if your behaviour has been in some way improper towards them of threatening; instead of simply justifying the actualities of your medical condition.
I'm glad I'm going through it. When they try and take my husband's DLA for his hearing loss I'll rip them to shreds.
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Loopy Lou
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I didn't mean like a cook in a kitchen, i meant like a dish washer. Which is a shame cos i'm actually a fairly decent cook lol.
I was very insulted by the way they said it, like the best i could hope for in life was to wash dishes or clean. I've done both of these things before, like i'm sure many people have, but i couldn't imagine it being my lifelong career because someone told me so.
I tend to rail against that sort of thing
I also have no clue if they've even bothered to contact my neuro, endo, rheumatologist or the other people i see, but i guess i'll find out when i see them.
You're right about them targeting transient or "controllable" conditions though, I've read a lot about that lately.
I was very insulted by the way they said it, like the best i could hope for in life was to wash dishes or clean. I've done both of these things before, like i'm sure many people have, but i couldn't imagine it being my lifelong career because someone told me so.
I tend to rail against that sort of thing
I also have no clue if they've even bothered to contact my neuro, endo, rheumatologist or the other people i see, but i guess i'll find out when i see them.
You're right about them targeting transient or "controllable" conditions though, I've read a lot about that lately.
Yes loopy the doctors came to my rescue told them what's what and result it was put up top allowance.i never heard of them putting it up
if left to crone who came here and been stuffed.i just wonder how many genuine people get bums rush proberly lots
if left to crone who came here and been stuffed.i just wonder how many genuine people get bums rush proberly lots
Loopy Lou
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Had my assessment today, took a long time to go through everything! The woman seemed nice enough, but didn't give me any clues as to how many points i got, so now i have to wait another 4-8 weeks. Ah well at least that bit is over with!
6weeks loopy and you get run down of all the points what they for.The crone who I saw said totally mobile I got no points the fact I got white stick and hopefully doing guide dog training no came into it.
if problems get radar do it for you.there good site called disabilityandwork all one word.they amazing help..you will get letter next two weeks saying you hear soon that letter depressed me but it nothing you get results two weeks after that waste of time letter
if problems get radar do it for you.there good site called disabilityandwork all one word.they amazing help..you will get letter next two weeks saying you hear soon that letter depressed me but it nothing you get results two weeks after that waste of time letter
Loopy Lou
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Thanks for the info!
I did notice the woman kept paraphrasing me and simplifying everything i said, to trivialise everything, so i had to keep putting her straight, i just hope she actually typed what i told her to.
So glad my mum was there to answer the things i kept forgetting, even though i did take notes in with me.
I did notice the woman kept paraphrasing me and simplifying everything i said, to trivialise everything, so i had to keep putting her straight, i just hope she actually typed what i told her to.
So glad my mum was there to answer the things i kept forgetting, even though i did take notes in with me.