Stress and tearfulness

[Jodee]

Can you advise if this is related to diabetes please.

I have several other health issues and am in the process of doing PIP form but every time I try to focus on the difficulties I have I get tearful and can't think straight, I feel very stressed by it all and really don't want to put myself through the PIP process because it is upsetting me so much but I have been advised from several sources that I should go ahead with the application /claim.

I don't know how I am going to get through it as every time I look at the questions and think of how difficult things can be I get emotionally very upset.

No treatment as yet waiting to see doc about recent blood results which indicate diabetes. I feel so silly not being able to control it as I know it must be difficult and upsetting for people to talk with me being tearful very easily. I am bound to be in tears when I see my doctor, I find I am ok if I don't have to focus on the health issues. I am tearful now because I am talking about it here.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Amigo]

How you're feeling is totally understandable Jodee. Writing it all down brings the issues into sharp focus and releases natural emotions. I've just done one for a very close family member and I had a few tears too. It's a nightmare document but absolutely necessary that you complete it if you think you qualify.

You can ask for help with it from somewhere like Citizens Advice but you'll still have the emotional aspects of it to deal with. Take a section at a time then walk away or have a coffee. Make sure you give examples of your difficulties so the reader can see you as a real person. Imagine a real person reading it and always make reference to the specific questions being asked. You're at a delicate stage awaiting a diagnosis which isn't the best time to complete these things but sadly unavoidable.

Make absolutely sure you photocopy your PIP form. Because it's returned to a Freepost address, recorded delivery is more difficult and I received a letter to say they hadn't received my completed form. However, they had but because it's second class, they overlapped. But please keep copies. It will help if you're called for an interview. Incidentally, you can ask for the interview at home if you can't get there.

Complete it at a time of the day when you feel at your best but keep taking breaks and keep hankies handy. That's what I did and my hands and shoulder were in agony afterwards! Good luck 🙂

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hello Jodee,
the best way about filling in the form is to jot down on a bit of paper what your problems are and make an apt with CAB who are very skilled in filling out the forms. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Jodee]

Thank you Amigo and Sue

So the tearfulness may not be connected with the diabetes you think? Just the stress of facing up to the health issues?

I do have an appointment with CAB on 30th, which is only to 2 days away. I am not ready to do it yet so I may have to cancel that one and they will want to do it all in one go. The lung foundation said I should try to get Age UK to come visit me in my home as I am still recovering from pneumonia and tire and breathless very easy.

I will try and arrange an appointment with Age UK today, if they can do it fairly soon. I feel CAB may be better help but they don't do home visits and it may be too difficult to do all in one go, I may ask about if they can do the form with me in 2 sessions.

thank you both so much for your support.

 

[Amigo]

Thank you Amigo and Sue

So the tearfulness may not be connected with the diabetes you think? Just the stress of facing up to the health issues?

I do have an appointment with CAB on 30th, which is only to 2 days away. I am not ready to do it yet so I may have to cancel that one and they will want to do it all in one go. The lung foundation said I should try to get Age UK to come visit me in my home as I am still recovering from pneumonia and tire and breathless very easy.

I will try and arrange an appointment with Age UK today, if they can do it fairly soon. I feel CAB may be better help but they don't do home visits and it may be too difficult to do all in one go, I may ask about if they can do the form with me in 2 sessions.

thank you both so much for your support.

Jodee, like you, I had severe pneumonia last year and it's tough physically and mentally. It brings us survival fears and takes a while to get over. Like you, I also have other serious health challenges and throw a possible diabetes diagnosis into the mix and tearfulness is pretty much inevitable for you. There's only so much we can take and it's an outlet. Just seek help if the down feelings start to envelop you. Don't worry CAB will understand but remember you're on a time scale for completing the form. CAB are under enormous pressure at the moment helping with these benefits so may have difficulty getting to your home unless you're absolutely unable to get there. The rotten PIP process makes most people want to cry!

 

[Jodee]

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi, Jodee. There is lots of info online about filling in the PIP form. Also, I would advise that you take someone with you if you have to attend the assessment.

 

[Jodee]

Many thanks Mark. I have been reading some stuff on line about the form, so much involved.

Congratulations on your achievements since April 2016 Mark. On my recent bloods I couldn't id the cholesterol and I did ask the doc for that test. Are you ok managing the diabetes with just diet and exercise Mark?

 

[Mark Parrott]

I'm finding it very easy on just diet. Admittedly, I could exercise more, but I'm lazy. Although my LDL cholesterol is high, my Trigs are low, which means the ratio is good, so no statins needed.🙂

 

[Jodee]

That's great Mark. I was previously on statins but haven't been for several years I was doing ok till I got pneumonia and more or less bed ridden for 3 months, its all gone out the window now as I am still recovering but at least now am able to get out occasionally just can't do much.
Thanks for chatting Mark and all.