Severe Sleep Apnea

SomebodyToldMe

Hello

I have been recently diagnosed with this condition.

Has anyone claimed PIP or anything else for it?

How was the process?

Thanks a lot

HillStreetBlues

Not an issue I have and have no experience , but have you read this PIP-for-sleep-apnoea

unforeseen

You will struggle to claim PIP for this as you will struggle to get sufficient points. That website seems to fixate on falling asleep during the day but the way it's put across appears to describe narcolepsy rather than tiredness due to OSA.

You might be entitled to a disabled bus pass if DVLA have withdrawn your licence

marcia_

i would have thought if no other conditions are present you will struggle to get points in any category

Spoonie_Turtle

If you needed someone to set up your CPAP machine at night you might score 2 points, but that would have to be due to another medical condition which would be more relevant for PIP in the first place.

I can't imagine sleep apnoea by itself scoring you any points for washing/bathing, dressing, preparing food, eating, reading, communicating, toileting, budgeting, your ability to walk, or planning/following journeys. (Even if you always fall asleep on the train or bus and miss your stop, if it's just OSA you can orient yourself and get back on track so no points there.) Maybe 1 point if you always fall asleep in the evening and have to have an alarm to wake you to take medication before going to bed. But for a PIP award you'd need to score at least 8 in either daily living or mobility.

Edit: from the link above, the self-proclaimed "PIP expert" site apparently thinks you score points if managing therapy takes a long time. This is incorrect, it's only if the person needs help (supervision, prompting, and/or assistance).

The explanation on that site for following journeys doesn't fit with any descriptor either, as the activity is about cognitive impairment and psychological distress. Not being drowsy which, for the vast majority of people with OSA, they can wake enough to function at the bare minimum of what's needed even without CPAP therapy ay night. Of course there may be rare exceptions where cognition is so severely impaired it might count, but if that's the case then even poorly-tolerated CPAP at night should make a significant difference.

Placitasgirl

I also think you’ll struggle to score points or even be eligible to apply for PIP as even severe OSA can be relatively well controlled and treated with CPAP and the like. To qualify for PIP you must have suffered from a condition for 3 months prior, and be expected to have it for at least 9 months after applying. Whilst you may always have the condition there is lots that can be done to manage it and minimise its impact on your life and ability to function normally day to day.

You’ll likely be referred to a Sleep Clinic for in and outpatient assessments and a recommendation made for a solution that will help manage your condition and sleep. These may include weight loss programmes, relaxation therapies and CPAP (continue positive airway pressure through a device you use whilst sleeping).

My husband has suffered from chronic OSA for all of the 25 years I’ve known him and sleep clinics and their teams have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the condition and there are a wide range of devices to manage it available.

SomebodyToldMe

Thanks for all the advice- confirmed my thinking that DWP love their unfair points system.

My condition makes me tired all the time, especially mornings and evenings. I have trouble remembering things, feel drowsy and lack concentration.

I cannot just get up from a sitting or sleep position- too quickly means I get light-headed and can fall. Stairs are a particular problem.

I also have diabetes and asthma.

I'll see what happens. Thanks again

peteuk

PIP is based on the affects of your conditions have on your life. For clarity I too have Chronic sleep Apnea, asthma and type 2 diabetes.

Have you been advised that you should inform DVLA? If not then this will go against you in a PIP assessment. Did sleep studies advise you of the amount of times you stopped breathing.

A lot of people believe that the assessment is unfair, but I am sure if you qualified for PIP that claim of unfair point system would change. It is what it is ad so by applying you agree to be assessed under the policy and points system.

I would suggest you look at each activity and its descriptors, take note of how your conditions affect your ability to do that activity.

How well controlled are your conditions? Do you have consultant or out patient letters supporting these.

Spoonie_Turtle

PIP is a very high threshold, it doesn't determine whether someone is disabled or not but is just one measure of whether someone is 'severely disabled' (per legislation that relates to caring for someone who receives PIP). Trust me, you don't want to be disabled to the point where you qualify for it. I wish I weren't.

If you've only recently been diagnosed, hopefully given time any appropriate measures prescribed such as CPAP at night will help.

unforeseen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82122842#Comment_82122842

When you get a CPAP machine you should notice an improvement within a few days of using it overnight. The symptoms you mention are typical of oxygen deprivation that sleep apnoea causes.

SomebodyToldMe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82122961#Comment_82122961

Hi,

Yes I was told to inform DVLA and car insurance. Did the DVLA form but it said I don't need to make them aware?!

Apparently I stop breathing about 34 times per hour.

Just started treatment, so not many letters.