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PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
- Paperman
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4 years 2 months ago #255722 by Paperman
PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice was created by Paperman
Hello. I am new to the forum.
I need your help regarding a new PIP telephone assessment I am having soon.
Mainly I have Scheurmanns Disease which was diagnosed properly In 2017. but I have had this since 1989 when i was 14 years old. It was diagnosed as kypho-scoliosis and scoliosis of the front and side of the spine. Its caused nothing but pain and misery.
I was given PIP for 3 years back In September 2017 for the first time and much of my medical info and support letters were up to date back then,
However when I filled In my PIP review form recently and posted it with all my old medical info including the same info from 2015-2017 I realised I had less medical reports and support letters from the past year. I have medical info for 2017-2019 but not a lot for 2020.
However I tried to ask for new support letters from the Rheumatology and Neurosurgery Doctors relating to my Scheurmanns Disease but both doctors secretaries replied by phone to say that they cannot send support letters for a medical review/diagnosis from 2017.
The 2017 neurosurgery report that says my Scheurmanns Disease can only be managed with pain meds and that surgery is too high risk.
I think the condition is pretty much inoperable and a lifelong problem but I cannot get anything in writing from them.
I sent the old medical reports with support letters from 2016-17 for the new PIP review but will this be a problem?
Please help!
Thanks
I need your help regarding a new PIP telephone assessment I am having soon.
Mainly I have Scheurmanns Disease which was diagnosed properly In 2017. but I have had this since 1989 when i was 14 years old. It was diagnosed as kypho-scoliosis and scoliosis of the front and side of the spine. Its caused nothing but pain and misery.
I was given PIP for 3 years back In September 2017 for the first time and much of my medical info and support letters were up to date back then,
However when I filled In my PIP review form recently and posted it with all my old medical info including the same info from 2015-2017 I realised I had less medical reports and support letters from the past year. I have medical info for 2017-2019 but not a lot for 2020.
However I tried to ask for new support letters from the Rheumatology and Neurosurgery Doctors relating to my Scheurmanns Disease but both doctors secretaries replied by phone to say that they cannot send support letters for a medical review/diagnosis from 2017.
The 2017 neurosurgery report that says my Scheurmanns Disease can only be managed with pain meds and that surgery is too high risk.
I think the condition is pretty much inoperable and a lifelong problem but I cannot get anything in writing from them.
I sent the old medical reports with support letters from 2016-17 for the new PIP review but will this be a problem?
Please help!
Thanks
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- LL26
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4 years 2 months ago #255727 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
Hi Paperman,
Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of helpful information in the Members Guides -
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a lot of pain and misery.
It is often very difficult to get an up to date medical report, more so at present during the current Covid situation. However, unfortunately you have a condition that is inoperable, and appears to be lifelong. Hence, it seems unlikely that a new medical report would say anything substantially different. You have sent in the old reports which therefore still apply. Tell the assessor that your condition is the same (or explain how this has got worse, if this is the case.) Do stress if your medication has increased, as this will also indicate your health has deteriorated.
Before your assessment, have a read through your review form, if you have a copy. Also, read through the Members Guides, as this will provide further information about reviews, assessments etc. Presumably this is a phone assessment. Make sure you are comfortable, as the assessments can last a little while. If you need a break, or need to get up and walk around say so. You may wish to have a relative or friend with you during the assessment - there is no reason why they can't make notes. Whilst the assessor won't generally allow the relative/friend to answer all of the questions, if there are important things you have forgotten to mention, or things that need clarifying, then they should make sure the assessor is aware of the information.
I hope this helps, good luck with the PIP review.
LL26
Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of helpful information in the Members Guides -
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a lot of pain and misery.
It is often very difficult to get an up to date medical report, more so at present during the current Covid situation. However, unfortunately you have a condition that is inoperable, and appears to be lifelong. Hence, it seems unlikely that a new medical report would say anything substantially different. You have sent in the old reports which therefore still apply. Tell the assessor that your condition is the same (or explain how this has got worse, if this is the case.) Do stress if your medication has increased, as this will also indicate your health has deteriorated.
Before your assessment, have a read through your review form, if you have a copy. Also, read through the Members Guides, as this will provide further information about reviews, assessments etc. Presumably this is a phone assessment. Make sure you are comfortable, as the assessments can last a little while. If you need a break, or need to get up and walk around say so. You may wish to have a relative or friend with you during the assessment - there is no reason why they can't make notes. Whilst the assessor won't generally allow the relative/friend to answer all of the questions, if there are important things you have forgotten to mention, or things that need clarifying, then they should make sure the assessor is aware of the information.
I hope this helps, good luck with the PIP review.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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4 years 2 months ago #255743 by denby
Replied by denby on topic PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
And another small but important thing to do in the light of my experience [I'm not a mod but quite experienced unfotunately...]. On the second working day after your assessment, phone to ask for a copy of the assessment report [unless you live in NI]. If they try to fob you off, just pretend to accept it and call again. As soon as it comes, go through with a highlighter pen noting any errors. If unhappy with the report I suggest you come back on here for what to do next. Best wishes, Denby
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- Catherine
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4 years 2 months ago - 4 years 2 months ago #255818 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
Hello Paperman,
I completly agree with what LL26 has told you, but I have recent experience of lady of making herself comfortable etc etc. Indeed she got up early and took extra pain killers to ensure that she was not distracted by her pain, her husband created a pillow chair on her bed so that she was fully supported and she took care not to move.
The assessment came back not as she had hoped because she was displaying no signs of pain. Whilst it is clearly essential to be comfortable for the assessment, do make sure that you let the assessor know if you have taken special measures.
Catherine
I completly agree with what LL26 has told you, but I have recent experience of lady of making herself comfortable etc etc. Indeed she got up early and took extra pain killers to ensure that she was not distracted by her pain, her husband created a pillow chair on her bed so that she was fully supported and she took care not to move.
The assessment came back not as she had hoped because she was displaying no signs of pain. Whilst it is clearly essential to be comfortable for the assessment, do make sure that you let the assessor know if you have taken special measures.
Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 4 years 2 months ago by Catherine.
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- Paperman
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4 years 2 months ago #256026 by Paperman
Replied by Paperman on topic PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
Thank very much for your reply and advice, much appreciated.
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- Joday3112
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4 years 2 months ago #256030 by Joday3112
Replied by Joday3112 on topic PIP Review but old medical reports, need advice
Hi there
I totally agree with all the advice you've been given this far. I'd just add that you are Crystal clear about how your disease affects you, especially if you get breathing related problems because of your kyphosis and problems with getting about if you have shortness of breath etc. Because it's a disease that generally is reported not to worsen you need to emphasise how the effects of it cause you problems and your ongoing needs. The reasons surgery is too dangerous and the medications you take, the dose and the side effects of taking then.
The best advice I can give from personal experience is to sit down and go through everything you'll be asked, writing everything down in preparation.
Really hope all goes well for you
Jo
I totally agree with all the advice you've been given this far. I'd just add that you are Crystal clear about how your disease affects you, especially if you get breathing related problems because of your kyphosis and problems with getting about if you have shortness of breath etc. Because it's a disease that generally is reported not to worsen you need to emphasise how the effects of it cause you problems and your ongoing needs. The reasons surgery is too dangerous and the medications you take, the dose and the side effects of taking then.
The best advice I can give from personal experience is to sit down and go through everything you'll be asked, writing everything down in preparation.
Really hope all goes well for you
Jo
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