A esa rant, sorry I keep on!!!

woodbon

Hi I've got my ESA medical tomorrow and I'm feeling really ill just at the thought of it! I can do some of the things they ask but not without pain at the time and pain lasting for a few days along with the electric shock sensations in my left arm, which feel horrible and makes me drop things and be unable to use my left side hand and arm. The Plastic Surgeon, a senior consutant, has referred me to Neurophysiology to check on the nerve damage, before he does any more surgery. The physio warned me to be careful moving neck as I have possible nerve damage there, which causes numbness in my left cheek. She said if it comes and doesn't go quickly I have to go to A&E.

I don't think they will believe me and although my GP has given me a report telling them a little of all these things, as its still under investigation, knowone will commit themselve to a defiant diagnosis except to say I must not work! I can't see anyone employing me - my former employers, the Council), have given me my pension after 2 years of working only 6 months. The Occy Health Doc was very nice about it but very clear that retraining for a lighter job was not an option.

I will be glad when tomorrow is over and all I have to do is wait, hopefully not too long. It does seem insulting to the medical profession that the Government classes them as not able to make decisions on their patients long term working ablities! :? Still, thats how we do things these days. I'll just tell the truth and see what happens. Funnily, half of my is intersed to see just how they do things!

tillytot41

Hiya,ive had two ESA medicals and the first one i just cried my eyes out,they didnt even ask me to do anything as it was obvious i was in so much pain just asked lots of questions that the computer tells them to ask as you are assessed on points apparently.Both the doctors who did the assessments were really nice and understanding and i really would try not to worry too much,just tell them how bad things are take all your meds with you,they like to see that.
I know its hard when its something you've not done before,i find the work related interviews harder that come later as there is no way i could work and am hardly likely to in the near future and even dicussing work sends me into a panic but again the lady who sees me is really understanding and she can see the genuine fear in my face.
Hope it goes well for you tomorrow.
Ali xxx

happy_feet

What I would like to know is why you have to get sick notes from the docs, reports from specialists etc when at the end of the day theyre worthless. A doctor that has no knowledge of your condition can say youre fit to work after a half hour interview and over-ride whatever your specialist and own doctor has said. Do you know, they even write to the doctors when they fail people and instruct them not to give any sick notes as the claimant has been deemed fit to work. :shock:
Next time I go for a medical Im going to tell them I want to see whats being put into the computer, I want to sign it and I want a copy. OR I want the whole thing recorded. Last time I went not only was the doctor plain nasty and rude he told blatant lies about me, and I didnt have a clue until I got the report when I failed the medical. Im so angry about that now. If I hadnt been so down I would have taken it further and told them that doctor lied through his teeth! As if anyone would listen anyway. I wonder-how many people are they doing this to just to get the numbers down?? :x

skezier

Hi Sue,

It just seems very wrong to me anyone in possession of a doctor saying they shouldn't work is then looked at by someone who isn't in a position to know one bit to another. Good luck though and try and not get too worried about it all. I hope they will actually be fair to you. Luv Cris x

happy_feet

Just discovered youre not allowed to even view the report when you have the medical...
Claimaints are not allowed to tape record medicals, unless they comply with excessive rules (that are far in excess of even the police rules for recording interviews), which price claimaints out of natural justice.

ATOS doctors are not allowed to sign notes taken by a claimaint or their witness during the medical assessment as an accurate representation of what was said.

Claimaints are not allowed to view the medical report at the END of the assessment, whilst still with the assessor in order to query and mistakes.

These are Government rules :?

stepdeb

wendyx wrote:

Just discovered youre not allowed to even view the report when you have the medical...
Claimaints are not allowed to tape record medicals, unless they comply with excessive rules (that are far in excess of even the police rules for recording interviews), which price claimaints out of natural justice.

ATOS doctors are not allowed to sign notes taken by a claimaint or their witness during the medical assessment as an accurate representation of what was said.

Claimaints are not allowed to view the medical report at the END of the assessment, whilst still with the assessor in order to query and mistakes.

These are Government rules :?

Hi,

Aren't you allowed to appeal the decision and go to a tribunal if turned down?

Debbie

penfactor

Oh my God! I've got mine soon even though I'm only 6 weeks post op & am not meant to bend or twist. Sue, DO NOT even try to do anything they ask that you know will cause you pain.
I think we're all clear now these things are a definite way to save money & twist figures, so it is not worth hurting yourself when they'll fail us all anyway.
Wendy, surely our docs & consultants are not going to be happy at there opinions being dissed? Unless they are now being hauled over the coals too. Wouldn't surprise me!
Hope yours is with one of the nice ones tomorrow, Sue & will be thinking of you.
Pennie x

tkachev

Good luck tomorrow Sue.
Try not to let them gain your confidence, keep focused on the bad days and how difficult they are. They want to get all those lazy,moaners back to work and you are one of them in their eyes!
Let us know how you get on
Elizabeth

lottiefox

Sue, good luck tomorrow. A couple of tips - DON'T compromise your recovery or health to do any particular movement they might ask. make it clear WHY you can't do that and expain that they are contradicting your doctor's orders if they ask you to proceed with anything you are uncomfortable with. When you get home, make a written record of everything they asked you and what you replied and how any movement assessments went. If you do have any problems in the future then you have a record from "the day" as it were.

I've been in some of these assessments in my working life, usually accompanying clients who are appealing/going through the process (outside of my fitness work I'm a rehab psychologist specialising in traumatic head injury) and generally the doctors are pretty human and helpful. The problem now is that they are faced with a massive number of moaning, sponging fakers trying to play the system and that makes them cynical which unfortunately impacts on genuine folks such as yourself.

Stay strong, tell them about the bad days, but don't let them grind you down. Good luck.

Lottie xxxx

Starburst

I've never had one as I'm still managing to work part-time. I wanted to wish you good luck. Please don't do anything that will cause you excessive pain or injury, it's not worth causing harm to yourself. Be honest, be clear, be confident and good luck! Let us know how it goes.

woodbon

Hello, Thank you for the support I've just looked at the letter and its Thursday, not tomorrow. :oops: :oops: I'm too eager to get it over and done with. Oh well, at least I didn't do the most embarressing thing and turn up on the wrong Day! :oops: Love Sue

Starburst

woodbon wrote:

Hello, Thank you for the support I've just looked at the letter and its Thursday, not tomorrow. :oops: :oops: I'm too eager to get it over and done with. Oh well, at least I didn't do the most embarressing thing and turn up on the wrong Day! :oops: Love Sue

Glad you checked first and didn't have a wasted journey. x

sharmaine

Hi

Just posting to wish you the best for Thursday. Try not to worry too much about it.

Sharmaine

annebr

Sue,

Good luck for Thursday. I had my DLA medical a few week ago and I had a thread which a lot of people gave me lots of good advice, it may be worth reading.

As said previously don't do anything that you feel uncomfortable with. The majority of the medical I found was answering questions about how I filled my day.

I still haven't found out how I got on.

Anne

bertyboy

good luck for thursday just be your self if in pain say so if you need help in the kitchen or bathroom say so if you cant sit for long with out moving or being discomfort say so what ever affects you that is easy for others with out your problems say so write your self a list of what you find hard to do in every day things getting things out of low cuboards or high but what ever you are the one that knows your limitations good luck try not to worry x

ritwren

You've gotten good advice and as usual good support from others I just wanted to add my good luck to theirs.
I would answer all questions as if it was your worst day ever even if you're feeling not too bad on the day, (if you know what I mean). If you're like me you will pretend you are better than you are but that's not going to win your case. You must get it across to them that all aspects of your life are affected by this and not pretend everything is "not too bad". I will be thinking of you on thursday and wishing you all the best.
rita