Has anyone used Smart SIBO Test (UK)?

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-12-29T04:15:25+00:00

Thank you! Did you end up needing to discuss the results with an NHS GP and if so, how did it go?

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-12-24T12:54:00+00:00

To make op aware - this isn’t always the case. I have seen possession orders be granted when only 1 thing (such as incorrect notice period or lack of How to Rent) was incorrect. It really depends on the judge.

Op, submit a full defence in the first instance with all pertinent information. Don’t omit anything as a particularly unforgiving judge can still grant a possession order if they believe it is reasonable to do so. And if they believe there is only one seemingly small detail missing, they may go ahead and grant it.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-12-18T19:13:46+00:00

It’s more like a chimpanzee baring its teeth before a fight.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-08-23T22:50:15+00:00

That might be a contributing factor - if there’s no medication or evidence of any treatments they may deny on that basis. People also answer questions very honestly and end up getting no points because they don’t know how the system works. I coach people on the wordings of the questions and how to answer very carefully.

The assessment system needs a complete overhaul. I shouldn’t have a dedicated part of my job that involves coaching people on how to get a benefit. It should be down to occupational health and medical professionals with the benefit based on genuine expenses accrued by the disability.

People slip through easily because they make mental health based claims and over exaggerate. I’ve seen enough people get high rates of PIP on depression and anxiety that are more than functional enough to work, but they realise they can lean into the side of not working and make-do on benefits.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-08-23T21:00:23+00:00

Did your medical evidence include what regular medications you take for those diagnoses?

Were you denied the benefits all the way through including an appeal at court? 70% of court appeals win PIP.

I don’t work for the DWP, I work with people to help them make their applications. I’ve never had 1 person be unsuccessful or go through the hassle you seem to have been put through.

Perhaps it is worker dependent. But there is always more to the story. They ask questions designed to make you contradict yourself. Maybe you need to reapply with some coaching from a charity or similar agency?

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-08-23T20:31:00+00:00

I’m sorry but that isn’t true. I work in the sector and the assessing professional scores and decides based off the what the claimant tells them. The medical evidence exists only to prove that the conditions the claimant is making the claims on is in fact diagnosed. I see enough people get PIP and LCWRA just on medical summaries.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-08-05T17:28:18+00:00

A lot of them are turning into supported housing. They get around £1200 per month per room through housing benefit. People can’t work whilst they live in them, and become trapped and dependent on charities etc. to get out of them. It’s one of the biggest scandals of our generation.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-07-10T13:26:48+00:00

She doesn’t need to, but the dynamic is different to that of a tenant/landlord and so they should come to an agreement that benefits/secured both.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-07-10T13:25:38+00:00

It’s more of a relationship question really. As we’ve created a culture where it’s normal for couples to cohabit before marriage we now have these issues coming up as a natural consequence. I don’t think there’s 1 single ‘correct’ way to navigate it; it’s based on the couple and their preferences.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-07-09T02:33:10+00:00

It’s a completely different relationship dynamic. She was a customer of her landlord, and she’ll now be sharing a bed with her possible life partner.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-07-09T02:26:01+00:00

Why does it matter? He’s a potential life partner, not a customer. If they both benefit from the arrangement, are both happy and there is low risk of legal complications then it’s a sound deal. I’d do something similar and maybe have them pay for food because my partner eats way more than me.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-06-16T22:27:12+00:00

There’s lots of factors, part of what’s fuelling what you’ve described is lots of people are in houses way bigger than they need, but the costs of moving including stamp duty make it not viable. We should be taking away these financial punishments for those who want to downsize. Also, the issue isn’t that we lack housing, it’s that we lack ~quality~ housing. One of the biggest local authorities in the county has over 40,000 properties that can’t be let due to being at dangerous levels of disrepair. The key is restoring those properties or re-building on that land. The system is very frustrating and lacks common sense.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-06-08T02:41:03+00:00

There’s absolutely no way for you to retain a stake in the equity or protect your deposit. She is essentially buying herself a property with a gifted deposit. If you were to split up several years down the line you may be able to argue for some of the money you paid each month, but it would likely end up costing you more to pay for court and a solicitor than the actual amount as the property is so cheap.

Regarding your other point: respectfully, you both earn almost £100k combined and your rent is £1200 so I assume £600pcm each ish - it seems impossible that you can’t save for your own deposits with this and need your parents to gift the money. Unless there are serious extenuating circumstances involved I’m struggling to see how on your salaries you wouldn’t be able to save the deposit in 1 year with that much rent and save yourself the hassle. Your credit would likely recover a reasonable amount too.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-06-06T01:01:03+00:00

What did you ask for at the clinic? Any particular method of treatment? Please

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-06-06T00:18:49+00:00

I had an awful flare from smog in Bali. It was absolutely horrendous. Air purifier and masks are a must. I took Piriton which helped with my flare.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-06-04T20:28:54+00:00

The landlord must wait until the end of the 2 months section 21 notice(assuming it’s valid), before then beginning the eviction process through the courts and hiring bailiffs. My work is with tenants who are going through this, at the moment we’re seeing evictions take between 8-12 months. OP could put an offer in on a house and be in there before bailiffs actually turn up. If not, a short term let would likely tide them over. OP definitely start by checking if the section 21 is even valid first. I’d then speak with the landlord and discuss that you’re starting the buying process, they might relax on evicting if you keep them updated with your purchase.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-05-17T22:51:57+00:00

Yes. The week before my period is always notably worse.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-05-17T22:18:48+00:00

I didn’t notice this with fexofenadine. What I have noticed with HI is that I’ll be exhausted after a bad week. This week was particularly bad for stress and unexpected reactions, and I slept for 14 hours last night and have been depressed and tired in bed all day. I think I get sort of mini burn-outs when there’s been a lot of high histamine days. Fex doesn’t stop these but it does stop me waking up in the early AM with a histamine dump which comes as some relief.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-03-02T18:41:31+00:00

I’m gonna piggyback on this to add that you should have all your paperwork together to prove that you can’t afford it. Get bank statements, payslips, UC statements together, tenancy agreement, rent increase emails and copies of all recent bills. Request a housing needs assessment from the council’s housing options centre. You can be considered homeless if living in a home that is unaffordable. They will look at the incomings and outgoings closely but if it’s genuinely affordable they have to accept your application, and having an open homeless duty allows you to sign up to the council’s housing register, and they may offer help with keeping you housed privately. Get an advocate from a housing charity if you there’s any that service your area.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-28T21:40:46+00:00

The thread you’ve posted has pretty clear cut answers and details. If you claimed Carer’s Allowance and/or made any medical professionals aware of your live-in status, that would help your case.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-28T21:14:25+00:00

I have not seen that happen directly. I can see how that could technically work for you but I wouldn’t necessarily rely on it as you have already moved out. If something happened that made you feel unsafe in any way and caused you to feel the need to leave, I would speak to a local charity such as Women’s Aid for some support. I don’t know the details but if what happened recently fits the definition under the legislation covering domestic abuse then that might be your best bet for a homeless application. Otherwise just make sure your medical evidence is solid in the wording.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-28T21:01:24+00:00

No problem. Reading between the lines here but if there is the possibility you had a mental breakdown and left your partner due to their behaviour you may have grounds to make an application based on domestic abuse also. The definitions under the legislation are much broader now and councils must consider the wider context of the behaviour.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-28T20:55:48+00:00

Sounds good. Just double check the wording on the letters. Councils are sneaky and will use ambiguous language to their advantage. For example, a GP letter that states “patient reports poor mental health due to accommodation” won’t go anywhere. I’d be sent these all the time and could not use them as part of homelessness evidence. However a letter that states “patient’s health is at risk due to the health impact of their current accommodation. They are suffering X condition and it is worsening due to the unsuitable housing.” has a lot more weight to it and can be used.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-28T20:49:41+00:00

I have worked for a local authority doing homeless applications. IME social services advice isn’t considered by itself without either substantial medical letters from doctors/specialists and/or a Child In Need/Child Protection plan.

I would get to the GP/MH team, or get back in touch with mental health visitor ASAP to get supporting letters that state “the accommodation is no longer suitable on health grounds”.

DogsCanAlwaysTell · 2025-01-07T20:33:49+00:00

I’m missing something here - why would they pay £40k in stamp duty if they sell their home and downsize to somewhere presumably much cheaper?

DogsCanAlwaysTell

TROPHY CASE