ESA medical on Wednesday

jenzie06

Hey all,
As the title suggests I've got my ESA medical on Wednesday and i'm a bit nervous.
Anyone had one of these? I've been to CAB and they say that the doc is trying to catch you out. I've had RA for the past 11yrs but I've been lucky as they caught it early so the boney damage has been minimal. Just looking at me, I look 'normal' but I limp when I walk and use a wheelchair if I have to go far.
I've got my dad coming with me for moral support as my hubbie can't make it.

shelleymogui

jenzie06 wrote:

Hey all,
As the title suggests I've got my ESA medical on Wednesday and i'm a bit nervous.
Anyone had one of these? I've been to CAB and they say that the doc is trying to catch you out. I've had RA for the past 11yrs but I've been lucky as they caught it early so the boney damage has been minimal. Just looking at me, I look 'normal' but I limp when I walk and use a wheelchair if I have to go far.
I've got my dad coming with me for moral support as my hubbie can't make it.

Hi Jenzie,

I hope all goes well for you. We have just completed the ESA50 form and sent it off and so am hoping that it won't be long for the medical. How long did yours take from sending the form back or have you gone a different route? Also did you get money while you are being assessed? because it says that you should be but when we phoned up they said they were backlogged anyway but they had a delay in the centre.

I posted a book for help with the ESA50 form but it also said little bits on what to watch in your medical and what they'll be looking at during your medical, so ill go find it and repost link here for you. It says things like sometimes they watch you leave or approach the surgery from the window and sometimes ask about what you watch on TV, and little innocent questions like that show you can sit down for half an hour for example, anyway its worth a read if you're worried.

Keep us posted how you go on, will cross eveything for you.

Shelley x

shelleymogui

My original post:

Hey all,

I have a really good book that helps with filling out the ESA E50 forms. It suggests that you use this publication but it costs £7 or £2 if you're on benefit. My sister found the full book online though!

http://www.nwdial.org.uk/training files/esa_physical_lcw.pdf

On the same website you can do your own ESA self assessment to see how you'd score.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/start-the-esa-test

Sorry if you all know all this but I have found this guide really helpful so far.

Shelley

x

sharmaine

I had one of these last year. I had to take all my meds with me which they examined and noted thoroughly. I was then given a examination and then asked to bend, reach etc. I have OA pretty badly in my knees (I'm ten times worse now than I was last year). Last year I wasn't dependant on a walking stick. I was asked lots of questions and he observed me walking/sitting/standing.

I wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be until I received a letter stating that I was successful. I cried my eyes out because it really had stressed me out - I knew I was suffering but would a complete stranger know or see it? Frankly, I didn't get the feeling that they were trying "to catch me out". I had nothing to hide and like yourself I walk with a limp. The examiner had to help me off the examining couch and up from the chair. He was quite concerned that both my knees were swollen and one leg is slightly deformed from the OA.

Don't worry too much. If you're suffering and have difficulties their tests will reveal all. I also believe they consult with your GP.

He asked me how I had travelled to the appointment and I explained that my husband had driven me. I told my husband to stay outside in the waiting area - I just get too emotional and I can read my husband like a book!

I hope this reassures you.

Regards
Sharmaine

jackie1955

"It says things like sometimes they watch you leave or approach the surgery from the window and sometimes ask about what you watch on TV, and little innocent questions like that show you can sit down for half an hour for example.......Shelley x[/quote]

mmm.... there are so many 'fake' applicants these days that I think if the examiners are actually watching you arrive/leave the building, or keep you sitting, they are just being thorough. And to be honest, if they have a coat hook high on the wall and you can hang your coat up yourself - well why would you want to pretend you can't?

Surely honesty is the best policy and genuine cases shouldn't be worrying about 'acting' or being 'spied' on?

shelleymogui

jackie1955 wrote:

"It says things like sometimes they watch you leave or approach the surgery from the window and sometimes ask about what you watch on TV, and little innocent questions like that show you can sit down for half an hour for example.......Shelley x

mmm.... there are so many 'fake' applicants these days that I think if the examiners are actually watching you arrive/leave the building, or keep you sitting, they are just being thorough. And to be honest, if they have a coat hook high on the wall and you can hang your coat up yourself - well why would you want to pretend you can't?

Surely honesty is the best policy and genuine cases shouldn't be worrying about 'acting' or being 'spied' on?[/quote]

Ooooh no im not saying to pretend, but I meant with like the programmes question, if they ask you if you watch films tell them if you have to get up to stretch your legs as my dad does now about every 15/20 mins on a bad day. Or if at the end of sitting through a half hour corrie you struggle to raise from a chair, things like that, i f you just say you watch a film they might presume you can sit for an hour and a half/2 hours with no problems and get up after without a problem too.

I didnt mean to pretend or lie, just make sure if they ask a question that is innocent remember to think about why they are asking it.

Shell

shelleymogui

I didn't mean that either. I didn't mean pretend or lie on here I meant in the appointment, and i didnt even mean it in there lol.

Anyways Ill shut up now cos I don't want to get anything wrong. haha

jenzie06

Thanks for the advice.
I think the important thing for this medical is to stress the variability in the condition. One day I can feel pretty good with only a bit of pain and minimal tiredness. On other days I can only make it to the sofa and sometimes not even out of bed. A month ago I was calling the rheumy nurse in absolute tears feeling wretched.
I'm starting to feel a little better but thats only as I am able to rest when needed instead of having to go out to work. Its totally frustrating!
I'll let you all know how it goes.

shelleymogui

Yeah it does help when you can rest when you need to. I think you're right. It's showing and trying to describe what pains you have to someone who doesnt know or can't really fully know(unless they have it themselves), not only the pains but the affect on your life on bad days.

Keep us posted and we will be thinking of you. x

sharmaine

Hi
I agree with you. If you have nothing to hide why change the way you act/behave? I must say I had no idea they would actually observe you with hidden cameras etc!! I suppose they have to be careful as some people are out for what they can get!

The form they send you to complete isn't hard you just have to be honest about what you can and can't do.

Before they see you they check with your GP anyway so they'll know what meds you take etc.

Sharmaine

sharmaine

Hi again
I hope it goes well for you. It really isn't that bad and you have nothing to fear.

Take care and let us know how it went. You won't know the results for a couple of weeks ,,,I think - I can't remember!!- they'll tell you when you'll hear and if you have any concerns ask the examiner before you leave.

Sharmaine

jenzie06

Poxy bloody medical people!! They cancelled my appt with an hours notice. Brilliant. They said it was because they were running behind - p**s up and brewery comes to mind!
If I'd have cancelled then I would have been in trouble. I'm really cross. Especially as I ended up having bad dreams about it last night!
GRRR!!

daimler

Hi, sent you pm

debatat

Thats awful!!! I can imagine how upsetting that must be for you. Now you have to go through all that worry again.

Very inconsiderate, and as you say they wouldn't like it if you did it.

Deb

sharmaine

Poor you!!! You must be livid. You got yourself all worked up too.
Life ...hey! I hope your next appointment isn't too far away. At least you know what to expect now.

:shock:
Regards
Sharmaine

woodbon

Hi, I'm really, really sorry if they did that to me it would be to late as living so far away I'd be in the car! My husband would have had time off work to take me and the whole thing would be a cock up (If i'm allowed to say that on here. )

You'r dead right, if you'd done that, unless you'd been run down by a bus, or had a bad case of Swine flu (ha thats a good one, next time you have go, on the morning, ring up with a croaking voice, coughing, and tell them you will come but could they tell you if they have a loo suitable for someone with diorea (sp) and sickness, as you think you may have swine ful, and listen to what they say!!! :oops: ) of course, I know you would'nt do that and neither would I. Try and relax, I know its hard but don't get yourself wound up and then have a flare or something, they arn't worth it. :roll: I suppose its better than sitting for several hours not knowing whats going on and then seeing a rushed, cross, unsympathetic doc. Take care, love Sue

jenzie06

Yup thats it, I really didn't want to go first! Let me know how it goes.

jenzie06

New appointment has just come through!
I asked for a tuesday or wednesday afternoon so they sent me....
Monday 28th Sept!
Will let you know how it goes.

sharmaine

Hi
sorry you didn't get the days you wanted! No doubt you have to accept what you're given - I don't think they pay a blind bit of notice to what you ask for!!!

I hope everything goes well on Monday for you. My appointment is on 29 September - I would go mad if they cancelled it as I'm looking forward to seeing someone who knows what they're talking about. I hope that I'm not fobbed off to some Registrar either.

Let us know how you get on.

Sharmaine