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HP has written what I said but disregarded it.

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6 years 1 month ago #206924 by Mary
Hi
I have score 7 points on the daily living section for PIP. I agree with the points I have scored. However, I have scored zero in a couple of sections I believe I should have scored in.

I have a diseased pancreas that produces too much insulin. I become hypoglycaemic 4-8 times a day with effects lasting from a few minutes to a few hours. This happens every day. On my good days, the hypos are easily managed and do not impact me too badly. I have between 0 and 3 good days a week.

On a bad day, the effects of at least one of the episodes and usually more, will last for between one and six hours.

For my assessment, I doubled my dose of steroids (steroids raise blood sugars) and also sipped milk constantly through the assessment. This is because I did not want to go hypo and wanted to be coherent. I cannot do this on a regular basis as I am already on top dose steroids and insulin production is triggered by volume as well as type of food. I knew doing this would give me a tough couple of days afterwards as it would over stimulate insulin production and send me on a rollercoaster, which it did. The following two days were spent in bed. The only other time I have done this was for my brothers wedding.

So, the HP did note that I had taken the steroids but did not really describe why

So, I am wondering if it is worth appealing the following scores for the following reasons:

1. I scored 0 on taking nutrition with the HP saying - the q reports difficulties during a hypo, on informal observations was able to drink milk from a carton, therefore it is reasonable to say she can take nutrition unaided.

In fact, when I am hypo, my family or friends need to open, and hold the straw milk carton to my mouth for me to drink as I am too clumsy or shaky to do so myself.

2. Communication. Informal observations she gave a good account of her condition and medication and therefore it is reasonable to say she can express and understand verbal information.

Again, during any hypo and especially during a bad one (once a day, on bad days, 4-7 days a week), I cannot speak clearly, I slur and stutter, I use the wrong words and I can be very agitated. My family and friends assume now I am hypo and help me. I don’t understand what is going on.

I think I score needs communication support.

My husband tells me it is like living with someone with intermittent dementia.

So, is it because I am not like this all the time that I score zero in these section? I thought I read somewhere that something that happens once a day should count as if it happens all day?

Also, when writing the MR, does it help or hinder to quote from the HP assessment guide?

There are other sections I think I score higher than I have been scored but I am not sure whether to address everything or not?

Thanks. Sorry so long!

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6 years 1 month ago #206975 by Gordon
Mary

In general if you are unable to complete an activity at a point in the day then you may be classed as being unable to complete it for the whole day, but it does depend on the activity so as an example, if you could not dress due to pain first thing in the morning then it would be reasonable to argue that you would be unable to complete the activity fro the whole day as dressing is something that you would be expected to do in the morning. However, if you could not prepare a meal in the morning due to pain but could do so later in the day after you medication kicks in then it is unlikely you be classed as being unable to meet the activity for the whole day.

Based on your post, I don't see how you meet the requirement for Communications Support, I would check the definition for this in the guide.

One thing that strikes me is that you describe the effects of your hypo's in very black and white terms, this may be as the actually are, but as layman I would expect their effects to be much more grey, with shades from when you are unaffected to when you are your worst. It may be that those assessing you are also considering this, so give some thought to explaining how you are when recovering from one.in more detail and in particular what point you become capable of undertaking the PIP activities.

Gordon

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

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6 years 1 month ago #206990 by Mary
Thanks
In my original application I explained how I am capable to doing most things for myself when not hypo. I also explained that the hypo effects can last for up to 90 minutes and the effects occur rapidly.

As I recover, I then have to sleep the effects off (a bit like someone post an epileptic fit I believe).

The communications support I need is during my hypoglycaemic episodes when I am unable to speak or understand others. This happens to me between 4-8 times a day.

During a hypo I have to eat and/or inject and on good days I can do all of this myself and on bad days (4-7 days a week) I need help. I did explain all of this.

I understand fluctuating conditions are incredibly difficult to assess.

My issue is HP has assumed that because I can do things in my non hypo state that I can also do them in my hypo state. I can’t.

I don’t wish to be awarded benefits I should not have but I feel I have been assessed in my healthy condition and not my ill condition and I don’t know how else to describe what happens to me so frequently every day.

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6 years 1 month ago #207004 by Gordon
Mary

The obvious issue is that you say that you can complete the activities without problem when you are not effected by a hypo, you need to explain in minute detail (both size and time) how your days look.

I understand what you are saying about when you need the Communications Support, but you have not explained why! So you say that you are incoherent, what is different about your husband listening to you and communicating it on versus anybody else doing this, his being more used to you in this state may not be enough to show you need the Support.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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6 years 1 month ago #207052 by Mary
Ah, I see. Thanks Gordon. I think that we have become so used to me living like this that we are not very good at describing what happens, how long it lasts and what the impacts are when it is happening. I will go back to my old diaries I was keepingnwhen I was trying to demonstrate I was fit to work (unfortunately they demonstrated the opposite and I have now been medically retired), and see if I can do better.

Two last questions please - do I need to submit all the supporting evidence again I submitted with my original claim and is it helpful to point out the guidance about an impact happening one or more times a day to count even though it is not continuous?

Thanks for the clarity.

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6 years 1 month ago #207065 by Gordon
Mary

First to add to my comments about Communications Support, can you show that you meet the requirement for the majority of days?

You don't need to re-send any information that has already been submitted.

I think the problem with referring to issues happening during a day and not all of the day is that it highlights the fact that it isn't all day, so whether to comment on it really depends (a) on the context and (b) on what has already been said, so it's a case by case basis.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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