Cannabis-Based Medication for pain and epilepsy

Hi Karen,
Firstly, it appears that your fullname is showing, if so you may wish to change your user name.
Of course there maybe some sort of stigma about using cannabis. However you have seen a consultant who has clearly recommended this.It is not illegal to use cannabis prescribed by a doctor. Since it is not readily available on the NHS a private consultation is required. Your GP is aware and I'm he would have queried the cannabis if he felt it was detrimental.
On this basis I think you maybe overthinking about the use of cannabis.
PIP is awarded if your health condition means that you struggle to perform a set list if activities called descriptors. Points are awarded according to your level of disability- 8 will provide the standard level and 12 or more will access the enhanced rate.
PIP is not awarded simply because you are diagnosed, you have to show that the illness limits how you perform the activities.
People with epilepsy often need supervision to stay safe, just in case they had a fit. Activities such as cooking, bathing as well as travelling in a journey would be the obvious ones that you could argue require supervision to stay safe. (Even if your fits are seldom, you can argue for supervision because having a fit whilst crossing the road or bathing etc could be very dangerous and lead to great harm.)
However yoy also have CFS which may mean yoy need physical help due to fatigue, possibly also because can not do or can not repeat the activity as many times as required throughout the day.
Pain, fatigue and eg breathlessness will all indicate a need for help and hence points (This is because it wouldn't reach the 'acceptable standard'.)
So....have a look at the Members guides if you haven't already, and think about the activities on each set and ar what level you are at. Remember thst when 2 or more activities in the same descriptor set apply equally the highest value points should be awarded.
When completing the form, you list the medicine you are on.
Include medicinal cannabis- give the exact name and dose. Note the consultant in the box provided. If there are side effects to the meds just say so.
Then using the guides you fill out each descriptor question eg
'I need supervision in order to cook and prepare food. This is because I have epilepsy. I have 3 fits on average each week but these are unpredictable.I need supervision to stay safe....'
Remember to include the effects of all health problems.
If you wish to, you can use the additional info space to explain thst you use medical cannabis to offset the effects of anti epileptic medicines in, but you do not need to.You might be asked at assessment about this, but just explain as you have done in the post. You are doing nothing wrong.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi Karen

LL26 mentioned in her post that your username could possibly be your real name. These posts can be seen anywhere on the internet - so if you have been using your own name - please change it. You can follow the instructions: "My full name is showing - how do I stop it." benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum

I think you're in danger of overthinking things. It's up to you how much you want to say about the specific medication you take on your PIP form. How much an assessor asks about your medication really varies. The most common question or comment about medication is the dosage people take. Often, assessors remark that a claimant is not taking a high enough dose, so their condition is not that serious. It's an ignorant remark, and they shouldn't make it.

It's impossible to anticipate how much knowledge your assessor will have of your condition and the specific medication suggested or prescribed. The more you tell them on the PIP form, the more you open yourself up to questions and possible misunderstandings. Going into a deep discussion about your medication isn't required on the form. Personally, I would just list my medication and leave it at that. I've helped many people with their PIP claims and only on a couple of occasions has the medication been queried.

The assessor is judging whether you meet the specific PIP criteria for the different activities, and the symptoms you experience from your epilepsy and CFS will have an impact on your answers, and that's where your focus should be. They don't know you or your medical history and would not be able to make a proper judgement that you would be much better off if you took a certain type of medication.

What you say to your GP or the CBM people is entirely up to you, but you have no control over what anyone records on your records or the language they use to record it - so you cannot guarantee that your records will remain "simple or unequivocal". The DWP rarely contact GPs about claimant records - but when they do - you have no control over what the GP tells them. The DWP send a form, and the GPs fill it in and send it off - and don't usually keep a record.

BIS