PIP Re-Assesment Tomorrow

Hi, i have a PIP Re-assessment tomorrow ( was awarded it for two years) and my ailment is that i have Spinal Myleopathy. Ie Stenosis of the spine. This leaves my mid back in spasm for hours at times, and sometimes the spasms are so strong the crack the cartilage in between my ribs.My legs can go numb, arms numb, hands too. I lose feeling around my mid rif and also suffer from incontintinence as I'm unable to tell when i need to go to the loo. As I'm in constant pain from my back. Im also waiting for an op on my right knee as i have bits of meniscus floating round in it which means my leg constantly gives way and is unstable. I have an appointment with the specialist/MRI too for my stenosis coming up as my symptoms have been worsening considerably in the last year. I am unsure how to answer questions like can i bath myself or walk 50 metres when if my back is at its worst, and its been very bad lately i can't do any of that as i will be stuck to laying flat on my back until i can move again when the pain or spasm subsides. Some times that can be for a day, meaning i won't be able to eat, cook for myself or be able to reach the toilet sometimes. It seems to me ATOS are trying to catch people out and i want to be able to honestly explain how my disability affects me without entering into a conflict with the assessor. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Hi Malabar,

PIP will be awarded according to your condition for the majority of days so this is what you should report to the assessor. The PIP guide does explain about reporting variable conditions - although you will probably have less time to do this at the assessment rather than when filling in the PIP forms.

Be aware of answering 'Yes but . . .' when asked if you can do something as the assessor will stop listening at the 'Yes'! You will be better to say 'No, not reliably' or 'No, not without . . .' as appropriate.

Hi Mrs Hurty Back thanks for the advice.