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Fizzy11 wrote: »

I’m sorry I disagree. If you read the advice from charities about completing the PIP forms they say use the worse day & it definitely doesn’t tell you to talk about good days. To say I’m committing fraud is disagraceful. With something like Epilepsy there are no good days because a seizure can happen at any time so you live with that day in & day out.

I disagree that you should base your application on worst days. It is potentially fraudulent, as PIP is based on average days. However, I always advise people to write about their average days and then add details of their worse days, including how often they occur and how they are affected.

I don't claim PIP myself, although I have some health issues. i'll give an example of why worst days should not be used, although they should be referred to. One of the conditions that I have is migraines. Generally speaking, when I get the 'niggle', I lie down in a dark room for several hours - I tend to get a severe pain over the corner of my right eye, see flashing lights, become nauseous, and lose the ability to speak in sentences or with clarity. However, when my migraines are worse, I cannot function for up to five days, during which time my other two children have to look after their brother and their nan (I also care for my mum). They also have to look after me. Even if it is only 24 hours, a migraine of this proportion means that I cannot move without help. I cannot wear my glasses, and the lightnening flashes are frequent and very painful to my eyes - I'm photophobic, so that doesn't help. I vomit occasionally, and am nauseous to the extent that I cannot bear to sip water, much less anything else. I cannot remember what I want to say, and my words slur and make no sense. I have to be lead by the elbow to the car, whilst my daughter drives me to the GP, and I have to place a damp flannel over my eyes because I cannot bear any light whatsoever. I cannot wash myself, and obviously I cannot cook.

Now, based on my description, it is likely that I would receive PIP - except that medical evidence would show that I am not affected at least 50% of the time. Yet based on my worst day, I should receive PIP.

Epilepsy is slightly different when someone needs to be with you in case of a seizure, so that you can be kept safe, but I still would not base it on my worst day. My late mother-in-law had epilepsy and needed someone with her at all times. She had regular absences, but major seizures only occurred about 2-3 times a year. When they did occur though, an ambulance had to be called each time.