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My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)

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6 years 6 months ago #196340 by Hayley
Hello! I'd like to say a big thanks for the help Benefits and Work provided in completing my partner's claim for PIP. In my research I discovered I also meet enough descriptors and thankfully, know how to go about explaining everything this time.

I'll keep everything pertaining to my claim in this thread.

One of my conditions is difficult to explain. I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis at 3 months old in 1986 and was prescribed hydrocortisone, a topical steroid. Fast forward 27 years and I am still using the topical steroids but they're no longer working. Instead of treating flare ups, they are preventing them by requiring constant use. I required stronger and stronger steroids until I couldn't get any stronger. My skin was red despite daily applications. I came across "Topical Steroid Addiction" and "Topical Steroid Withdrawal" via Google in August 2013. It explained that via medical reports and journals issued since the 1970s, certain people can become addicted to topical steroids and develop a tolerance to them. It can stop your adrenals producing natural cortisol due to the synthetic cortisone in the body. Stopping is a hellish process that can take years but afterwards, many people no longer even have eczema, or it's just a tiny bit. I decided to stop using them, but my dermatologist wasn't in agreement with this, but did agree to support me regardless. Currently, the NHS refuse to accept TSW is a thing, but attitudes and awareness are slowly changing as more people recover from topical steroid abuse.

It's been 4 years since then and I'm still suffering. I struggle to do many things I just accepted as having to deal with, but they actually are linked to PIP descriptors and I have no problem explaining how it affects me and what it prevents me doing. I look horrendous which affects my ability to go out, I can't walk without pain and itching and I can't get water on my hands without them burning.

Sorry to go on a bit, but I wanted to explain this. I'm also not sure whether I should mention TSW at all or just say "I don't use topical steroids as I developed a tolerance due to overuse" and just call it "severe eczema/dermatitis".

My problem is question 5 "Managing Treatments". I can see from the B&W guide in April that applying creams no longer counts as therapy, which is criminal in my opinion. It takes me 10 seconds to take my antihistamine, but half an hour to apply my topical treatments. I also have to take 1-2 baths daily which require a 20 minute soak in dermatologist-prescribed medicinal bath treatments. I have to be prompted to do this task otherwise I wouldn't do it. It helps but initially hurts and itches due to the water so I put off doing it. Bathing as a medical treatment is technically topical, but I feel it might be considered therapy?

Thanks so much, I'll post any other questions I have as I come across them. I applied today, the day I got my partner's award as I couldn't manage two applications at once. :)

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6 years 6 months ago #196353 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)
Hayley

All you can do is argue your case and see what happens.

Make sure you include any documentation that you have in regard it being prescribed as this is key to your meeting the Descriptor.

You also need to explain how you are effected if you do not have the treatment and any knock on problems from this, although you seem to have this covered.

I think you will have to go into detail in regard the prompting, I assume that there is a point where not having the treatment is more painful than having it and I think it likely that those assessing you will be considering this, so you need to make a strong argument that the prompting is needed.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Hayley

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6 years 6 months ago #196407 by Hayley
Replied by Hayley on topic My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)
Thank you Gordon, yes I can explain exactly how the condition affects me, as well as how each treatment helps me, any side effects as well as what will happen to me if I skip the treatments.

The problem I feel, is how I label the condition. I am 99% certain my dermatologist won't change her opinion on this being "severe eczema" and I worry that calling it something different to her description will go against me somehow, as an "inconsistency". I also wonder if I should go against the advice of DWP and actually provide printouts of journals and other documentation proving that this condition exists.

I realise this is probably the first most people who read my post have heard of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and many may doubt it as it doesn't affect everyone (genes seem to be involved) so it's hard to have any knowledge on the subject. I remember though, how you advised me to label my parter's social anxiety disorder as social phobia as DWP might not take it seriously. I think DWP might take a similar approach to eczema being milder than dermatitis, even though they denote the same thing. I worry that calling it something that the medical establishment currently deny the existence of will go against me. I think after thinking about it, I should call it atopic dermatitis and that I stopped using steroids as the side effects were outweighing the benefits.

I can definitely provide evidence of my medication being prescribed. I also use other things but the majority of my medications, oils, creams, ointments, bandages and special clothing are prescribed.

I will attempt to explain the prompting, however despite this I often skip the baths as they hurt and can often put off having one for an embarrassing amount of time because of it, I know I need to include this, no matter how embarrassing it may seem. I don't know if they'll care if I often don't end up taking the baths despite prompting. :(
Would the fact I often put off the baths due to pain (and also my ADHD's procrastination) be taken into consideration when assigning me points due to the pain and such related to it?

Thanks very much. :)

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6 years 6 months ago - 6 years 6 months ago #196422 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)
Hi Hayley,

This is your claim, and you need to be comfortable with what is on your PIP2 form.

However, my thoughts on the matter are that, in your position, I would be inclined to use the same terminology as your medics, so as to avoid confusion in the minds of the assessor and DM.

There is nothing wrong in including some print-outs from respected sources, but try to keep it as concise as possible and make sure that you are constantly referring to how your information shows how/why you meet the descriptors.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 6 months ago by slugsta.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Hayley

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6 years 6 months ago #196425 by Hayley
Replied by Hayley on topic My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)
Ok, thank you very much Mrs Hurtyback!

I'll say it is severe eczema, that stopped responding to maximum strength steroids. I also had a few side effects anyway, like skin thinning. I'm overly paranoid that they'll say I wouldn't have these problems if I just used steroids.

One other thing so far is that I applied for carer's allowance as I do look after him for the sufficient amount per week. The things I do wouldn't normally add up to 35 hours but because of my various issues involving struggling to focus, getting distracted and procrastination (all well known issues with ADHD), tasks can take much longer, so I feel that I still qualify for carer's allowance.

Would you mention this on the form, or only if they ask about it during my own PIP application?

Thanks again!

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6 years 6 months ago - 6 years 6 months ago #196436 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic My PIP claim (ADHD, eczema, social anxiety)
I wouldn't mention the CA unless it is essential. If you do, you will have to make it very clear that the caring responsibilities do not conflict with your own problems as described by yourself.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 6 months ago by slugsta.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Hayley

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