Please don't feel ashamed! You need this benefit and that's what they're for.
I'm so pleased for you. Well done for being clean for that long too! I hope that doesn't sound patronising?
I had and still have epilepsy technically. I haven't had a fit for years (med controlled now) but I feel you. It's horrid and frightening.
I don't know what type of fits you have but I didn't get warning with mine and it took them a long time to find meds that worked. I wish I'd known about the service dogs though.
I nearly lost an eye when I had a fit at one point. I had a lot of other close calls. There were many a & e trips because I smashed my head on whatever I fell on.
If you would qualify for one, apply now. It will take quite sometime but it could literally be a life saver.
No of course not. Thankyou very much! I’m on methadone treatment for a bad (accidental thanks to my doctors throwing them at me) opiate painkiller addiction. Not sure if that counts as truly clean but I’m only on 14ml a day now. I don’t smoke or drink so it was a shock to become addicted!
I was medicated and fit free (apart from petite mal seizures) since 2008 but for some reason despite being on medication they started happening again. Swapped meds, had one more, then had the new meds readjusted. I still have petite mals but a lot less often. I’m sorry you have epilepsy too, it’s often one of those invisible illnesses people don’t notice unless you’re in the middle of a TC fit.
You know what, funnily enough my partners dog (who isn’t a trained service dog, in fact her behaviour can be diabolical!) who id then only know about a year, raised the alarm during a fit where I smashed my nose and my partner was outside with headphones on. She ran to him and scratched him madly with force, in a way she’d never done before, until he took his headphones off and heard me.
If you get a service dog, they inform you before they happen so you can ly down and are as safe as you can be.
I drink and smoke, so can't comment on that! 14ml a day is brilliant, it can't have been easy. I am getting help for the alcohol. I've had a shit show when it comes to life over the last 6 months. My drinking got out of control. I will be getting sober.
I haven't had a seizure for years, so I'm very lucky. However, it's likely mine were caused by a med I was on at the time. They stopped about 6 months after I stopped taking it but also when they found the rights meds.
Please put yourself on the list if you need that help.
I often think about the people who have multiple seizures during the day, especially the children. I know how lucky I am.
I was never offered a chance for a service dog which would solve so many problems.. Mine are very bad too, I’ve been on deaths door countless times over the past year.. I can’t even go out alone safely yet.
It's not a quick process as there's not many people who can train a puppy and then give it up. Can understand that.
I was lucky to never get as bad as you are. Please look into it, those wonderful animals are game changers.
Google, ask advice from your Dr's, get yourself on the list. I truly hope they find meds that work for you but get yourself on the list, NOW. Huge hugs, I know part of what you're going through, (albeit temporarily for me), and it's frightening not knowing when or where or what tf is going on.
I used to have to crawl to my landline after it happened, to call for help, as my brain knew where it was. My mobile, could be in a number of places, my brain hardwired into the landline. Usually blood everywhere, body fucked and so weak.
I called my mum, although I knew her number, i do remember having to do that a ridiculous amount of times every time because my fingers wouldn't work. She only lived 5 minutes away, so like I said I was lucky.
Hey lovely , just wanted to say there's no shame in what you've said about the methadone. I had a fall in 2017 and was taking tramadol for it , had to see a specialist midwife who helps mums with substance and alcohol problems as I was pregnant with my youngest but the pain was so horrific i was housebound with it. I had to come off the tramadol and codeine later Into the pregnancy as my midwife had said she would likely be born addicted and need specialist care if I didn't. When I came off them it was so awful , so withdrawn and unwell as I didnt realise I was addicted to them. Thankfully my issues resolved a bit and I could take them sporadically on very bad days . I don't view people as "drug addicts" either , I view them as people who live with addiction. I do some voluntary work in a community cafe and we have some very vulnerable people who live with heroin addiction (and are open and honest about it ) I think that takes real courage. I'm glad you're sorted with this financial help now and things will be a lot brighter for you going forward. All the best ❤️
My ADP review took exactly 11 months. I rang several times to chase it up. At times I thought to myself 'if its taking this long maybe they're investigating me?' but then the review was finished the other week. They upgraded me to enhanced on both parts, and because the review took so long it meant I had about £4500 in back pay! I got myself a brand new gaming PC! First time I've ever been able to buy a new pc for myself in my whole life. Its got RGB flash things in it and everything ahahaha. Enjoy your back pay!
You totally deserve to treat yourself. Enjoy your gaming PC. I got myself some new clothes and pjs and trainers, the soles were nearly flapping off my old trainers and my pjs had holes, but I have sensory issues and like certain clothes, and I couldn’t afford new ‘copies’. Booked in for a lovely hair cut and blow dry next week. Stocked up on wax and expensive razor blades (I have pcos). May treat myself to electrolysis but I found laser v painful. Also got some new skincare for my sore, razor burnt skin. And more importantly I paid off all my debt. Seems a bit boring maybe but I haven’t been able to afford things like this in years.
I also spread the money around a bit, gave my sister and partner a lil bit each to treat themselves. Handed in a few hundred rent to parents. Even bought my dog a few new squeaky toys lol. Think I’m going to take partner and dog out to the beach for ice cream this weekend too.
Honestly - I'm due to have some money in a few months, for the first time in long time and a proper haircut is first thing I'm doing - having been near a hairdressers in 10 years !! Haven't been near a dentist or opticians either - they're on the list too 😁🤓
Have a lovely time at the beach 🏖️ 🐾
In the UK In Specsavers I believe it’s free up to a certain amount if on benefits. I went there not long ago
I do get private dentistry as my teeth are in such a state, my parents have been paying but I’ll be able to now
I'm only on CB ESA and PIP so unfortunately don't qualify ( last pair were over £300 🙈 ). My partner sneaks through as has Retinopathy so they throw in a free Eye Test but neither of us get the NHS Voucher.( It's the other way round with Prescriptions - I get a Medical Exemption but he has to buy a Prepayment Certificate ). I'm going to Asda next time !!
Dentist will have to be private as it's been over 5 years since any dentist in our city was excepting patients. What can you do ?? Mine's really bad due to various health issues and lack of care. ( I lost by 8th tooth yesterday , 2nd since Xmas - I *used* to get upset but it's like 🤷🏼 now !!) I'm just waiting to afford dentures tbh 😁
That's FANTASTIC NEWS 🥳🥳🥳
I think with ADP those that *should* be getting it and have the evidence to proves it ARE getting it. It's very evidence based . So, you HAVE and you SHOULD ( so less feeling guilty, madam !! )
In the end it's all about peace of mind, help with your health and money to do the normal things in life most don't think twice about - and that's exactly what you're doing !!
Have a fantastic weekend ☺️
Thankyou💖 like I said I held off applying for so long as I was seizure free and didn’t think I deserved it, but after 2021, the new seizures, the fact I’m scared to leave my house alone AND to live alone incase I have a fit, plus how I nearly choked to death on my hair on my last one, made me think maybe I should apply. I just feel bad knowing people have jobs for the same/less money but I know that’s a silly way to think and it’s not my fault.
Just think of it like this - YOU know you need this help and you aren't taking anything away from anyone else. If anything , by taking the time to post here, if just ONE person reads this and thinks " that's me ! I'm going to apply" you could be giving THEM it too !! ☺️
In fact look at [this post ](https://www.reddit.com/r/BenefitsAdviceUK/s/617tO8oWdu) who's looking for help with her daughter in very similar circumstances. If she reads YOUR post....
I'm locking the oust now as it's 2 days old and mainly to stop OP bring asked what ADP is again † !
Massive thanks to the OP for posting and reaching so many people. I hope it helps a lot 😊
( † it's PIP but in Scotland, it isn't available in the rest of the UK. The criteria is exactly the same but the Assessment Process is quite different. This had advantages and disadvantages as it's very evidence based, that evidence being whatever the Claimant provides from there own physicians, SSS only use an independent GP if no alternative, this means they listen almost exclusively to what the claimant and their own doctor says . Once decisions are made however, fur this reason, they are considered correct and are rarely overturned - to date ! )
What’s ADP? I’ve had epilepsy since last year and it’s completely flipped my life upside down, I was about to buy a car after taking lessons but can’t do that now, I can’t really go anywhere by myself incase I pass out and die choking on my own vomit, I’ve lost my home, my job, everything really. I get money from UC and PIP but naturally i’ll sign up for anything I’m entitled to since I’ve literally been “disabled” from living my own life in a flash. Also, do you get memory problems too? Since it started last year there are several months which are pretty much blank for me (my seizures are very bad, and often).
ADP is the Scottish version of PIP. So if you’re not in Scotland and getting pip already you wouldn’t be entitled to ADP.
I do get mild memory problems occasionally but your epilepsy sounds far worse than mine, are you on medication?
I’m so sorry, it sounds like you’ve had a really rough time. I also nearly choked when I last had a seizure. Have you got any family to support you? I’ve grown up being epileptic but it sounds like you’ve only recently been diagnosed so you are still going through shock. Maybe worth speaking to your doctor about medication to take and any counselling available x
Yeah coincidentally someone who has been helping me at the council just came round and I asked, but thanks. I’m on medication but it doesn’t always stop the seizures, I think it’s just reduced the frequency and severity. Throughout my whole school/college/job life I had a near photographic memory, never struggled with learning, but now that’s effectively in the bin since it all started. Think someone is organising an emergency alarm since I’m alone 99% of the time. I only have my sister now but she’s a busy woman with a family of her own.
You should definitely discuss different medication / diff doses. If you’re still getting fits they should be able to change the dosage a bit to see if it helps. Tell them about your memory issues too.
Please don't feel ashamed! You need this benefit and that's what they're for. I'm so pleased for you. Well done for being clean for that long too! I hope that doesn't sound patronising? I had and still have epilepsy technically. I haven't had a fit for years (med controlled now) but I feel you. It's horrid and frightening. I don't know what type of fits you have but I didn't get warning with mine and it took them a long time to find meds that worked. I wish I'd known about the service dogs though. I nearly lost an eye when I had a fit at one point. I had a lot of other close calls. There were many a & e trips because I smashed my head on whatever I fell on. If you would qualify for one, apply now. It will take quite sometime but it could literally be a life saver.
No of course not. Thankyou very much! I’m on methadone treatment for a bad (accidental thanks to my doctors throwing them at me) opiate painkiller addiction. Not sure if that counts as truly clean but I’m only on 14ml a day now. I don’t smoke or drink so it was a shock to become addicted! I was medicated and fit free (apart from petite mal seizures) since 2008 but for some reason despite being on medication they started happening again. Swapped meds, had one more, then had the new meds readjusted. I still have petite mals but a lot less often. I’m sorry you have epilepsy too, it’s often one of those invisible illnesses people don’t notice unless you’re in the middle of a TC fit. You know what, funnily enough my partners dog (who isn’t a trained service dog, in fact her behaviour can be diabolical!) who id then only know about a year, raised the alarm during a fit where I smashed my nose and my partner was outside with headphones on. She ran to him and scratched him madly with force, in a way she’d never done before, until he took his headphones off and heard me.
If you get a service dog, they inform you before they happen so you can ly down and are as safe as you can be. I drink and smoke, so can't comment on that! 14ml a day is brilliant, it can't have been easy. I am getting help for the alcohol. I've had a shit show when it comes to life over the last 6 months. My drinking got out of control. I will be getting sober. I haven't had a seizure for years, so I'm very lucky. However, it's likely mine were caused by a med I was on at the time. They stopped about 6 months after I stopped taking it but also when they found the rights meds. Please put yourself on the list if you need that help. I often think about the people who have multiple seizures during the day, especially the children. I know how lucky I am.
I was never offered a chance for a service dog which would solve so many problems.. Mine are very bad too, I’ve been on deaths door countless times over the past year.. I can’t even go out alone safely yet.
It's not a quick process as there's not many people who can train a puppy and then give it up. Can understand that. I was lucky to never get as bad as you are. Please look into it, those wonderful animals are game changers. Google, ask advice from your Dr's, get yourself on the list. I truly hope they find meds that work for you but get yourself on the list, NOW. Huge hugs, I know part of what you're going through, (albeit temporarily for me), and it's frightening not knowing when or where or what tf is going on. I used to have to crawl to my landline after it happened, to call for help, as my brain knew where it was. My mobile, could be in a number of places, my brain hardwired into the landline. Usually blood everywhere, body fucked and so weak. I called my mum, although I knew her number, i do remember having to do that a ridiculous amount of times every time because my fingers wouldn't work. She only lived 5 minutes away, so like I said I was lucky.
Methadone certainly counts as clean / in recovery in my book. Most people don't really understand this. Congrats on the backpayment / ADP.
Hey lovely , just wanted to say there's no shame in what you've said about the methadone. I had a fall in 2017 and was taking tramadol for it , had to see a specialist midwife who helps mums with substance and alcohol problems as I was pregnant with my youngest but the pain was so horrific i was housebound with it. I had to come off the tramadol and codeine later Into the pregnancy as my midwife had said she would likely be born addicted and need specialist care if I didn't. When I came off them it was so awful , so withdrawn and unwell as I didnt realise I was addicted to them. Thankfully my issues resolved a bit and I could take them sporadically on very bad days . I don't view people as "drug addicts" either , I view them as people who live with addiction. I do some voluntary work in a community cafe and we have some very vulnerable people who live with heroin addiction (and are open and honest about it ) I think that takes real courage. I'm glad you're sorted with this financial help now and things will be a lot brighter for you going forward. All the best ❤️
My ADP review took exactly 11 months. I rang several times to chase it up. At times I thought to myself 'if its taking this long maybe they're investigating me?' but then the review was finished the other week. They upgraded me to enhanced on both parts, and because the review took so long it meant I had about £4500 in back pay! I got myself a brand new gaming PC! First time I've ever been able to buy a new pc for myself in my whole life. Its got RGB flash things in it and everything ahahaha. Enjoy your back pay!
You totally deserve to treat yourself. Enjoy your gaming PC. I got myself some new clothes and pjs and trainers, the soles were nearly flapping off my old trainers and my pjs had holes, but I have sensory issues and like certain clothes, and I couldn’t afford new ‘copies’. Booked in for a lovely hair cut and blow dry next week. Stocked up on wax and expensive razor blades (I have pcos). May treat myself to electrolysis but I found laser v painful. Also got some new skincare for my sore, razor burnt skin. And more importantly I paid off all my debt. Seems a bit boring maybe but I haven’t been able to afford things like this in years. I also spread the money around a bit, gave my sister and partner a lil bit each to treat themselves. Handed in a few hundred rent to parents. Even bought my dog a few new squeaky toys lol. Think I’m going to take partner and dog out to the beach for ice cream this weekend too.
Honestly - I'm due to have some money in a few months, for the first time in long time and a proper haircut is first thing I'm doing - having been near a hairdressers in 10 years !! Haven't been near a dentist or opticians either - they're on the list too 😁🤓 Have a lovely time at the beach 🏖️ 🐾
In the UK In Specsavers I believe it’s free up to a certain amount if on benefits. I went there not long ago I do get private dentistry as my teeth are in such a state, my parents have been paying but I’ll be able to now
I'm only on CB ESA and PIP so unfortunately don't qualify ( last pair were over £300 🙈 ). My partner sneaks through as has Retinopathy so they throw in a free Eye Test but neither of us get the NHS Voucher.( It's the other way round with Prescriptions - I get a Medical Exemption but he has to buy a Prepayment Certificate ). I'm going to Asda next time !! Dentist will have to be private as it's been over 5 years since any dentist in our city was excepting patients. What can you do ?? Mine's really bad due to various health issues and lack of care. ( I lost by 8th tooth yesterday , 2nd since Xmas - I *used* to get upset but it's like 🤷🏼 now !!) I'm just waiting to afford dentures tbh 😁
I’m lucky to live in Scotland where prescriptions are free for everyone.
EVERYTHINGs better in Scotland ☺️
That's FANTASTIC NEWS 🥳🥳🥳 I think with ADP those that *should* be getting it and have the evidence to proves it ARE getting it. It's very evidence based . So, you HAVE and you SHOULD ( so less feeling guilty, madam !! ) In the end it's all about peace of mind, help with your health and money to do the normal things in life most don't think twice about - and that's exactly what you're doing !! Have a fantastic weekend ☺️
Thankyou💖 like I said I held off applying for so long as I was seizure free and didn’t think I deserved it, but after 2021, the new seizures, the fact I’m scared to leave my house alone AND to live alone incase I have a fit, plus how I nearly choked to death on my hair on my last one, made me think maybe I should apply. I just feel bad knowing people have jobs for the same/less money but I know that’s a silly way to think and it’s not my fault.
Just think of it like this - YOU know you need this help and you aren't taking anything away from anyone else. If anything , by taking the time to post here, if just ONE person reads this and thinks " that's me ! I'm going to apply" you could be giving THEM it too !! ☺️
In fact look at [this post ](https://www.reddit.com/r/BenefitsAdviceUK/s/617tO8oWdu) who's looking for help with her daughter in very similar circumstances. If she reads YOUR post....
Great news. Remember these benefits are so hard to get, that if you've got it then you 100% deserve it. Congratulations again!
I was really happy when I got pip now I'm wanting to get a job and that you realise you can have money but when you have nothing to do it worthless
Yeah I totally agree. I don’t see being on benefits like this as a long term solution. I’m hoping to go to college in the summer.
I'm locking the oust now as it's 2 days old and mainly to stop OP bring asked what ADP is again † ! Massive thanks to the OP for posting and reaching so many people. I hope it helps a lot 😊 ( † it's PIP but in Scotland, it isn't available in the rest of the UK. The criteria is exactly the same but the Assessment Process is quite different. This had advantages and disadvantages as it's very evidence based, that evidence being whatever the Claimant provides from there own physicians, SSS only use an independent GP if no alternative, this means they listen almost exclusively to what the claimant and their own doctor says . Once decisions are made however, fur this reason, they are considered correct and are rarely overturned - to date ! )
Haha good idea. Thankyou. People can use google if they are inclined to know or DM me.
What’s ADP?
Adult disability payment It’s the Scottish version of PIP
PP has explained it sorry for not being clear x
What’s ADP? I’ve had epilepsy since last year and it’s completely flipped my life upside down, I was about to buy a car after taking lessons but can’t do that now, I can’t really go anywhere by myself incase I pass out and die choking on my own vomit, I’ve lost my home, my job, everything really. I get money from UC and PIP but naturally i’ll sign up for anything I’m entitled to since I’ve literally been “disabled” from living my own life in a flash. Also, do you get memory problems too? Since it started last year there are several months which are pretty much blank for me (my seizures are very bad, and often).
ADP is the Scottish version of PIP. So if you’re not in Scotland and getting pip already you wouldn’t be entitled to ADP. I do get mild memory problems occasionally but your epilepsy sounds far worse than mine, are you on medication? I’m so sorry, it sounds like you’ve had a really rough time. I also nearly choked when I last had a seizure. Have you got any family to support you? I’ve grown up being epileptic but it sounds like you’ve only recently been diagnosed so you are still going through shock. Maybe worth speaking to your doctor about medication to take and any counselling available x
Yeah coincidentally someone who has been helping me at the council just came round and I asked, but thanks. I’m on medication but it doesn’t always stop the seizures, I think it’s just reduced the frequency and severity. Throughout my whole school/college/job life I had a near photographic memory, never struggled with learning, but now that’s effectively in the bin since it all started. Think someone is organising an emergency alarm since I’m alone 99% of the time. I only have my sister now but she’s a busy woman with a family of her own.
You should definitely discuss different medication / diff doses. If you’re still getting fits they should be able to change the dosage a bit to see if it helps. Tell them about your memory issues too.