esa appeal

woodbon

Hello, I've been to the docs today and discussed things with her. She is sending me back to the rheummy, I have an appointment for the end of the month. She wants to know if I have something that needs treatment, such as ra or it its is just fibromyligia. Thats the first time thats been mentioned, but she thinks its either that ra seronegative or fibromyligia, which she will provide the treatment for. She was very understanding.

As for the ESA, she was annoyed that they had'nt awarded it. I said that I was thinking of appealing, but the stress of it is getting me down. She said that I should go through with it but to discuss it with my husband and if I do go ahead, to go in and she will draft a letter with me. She said that she is already going to draft a rough letter today, as shes sure I will want it and should go through with it.

I think, when I was first refused I wanted to kick back, then I read through all the paperwork several times and drafted a rough copy of the info they need and felt it looked hopeless. Now though, I feel that I really should do it. Its just that all the paperwork involved is offputting, and when you feel a bit down it looks much worse! Thank you all for the terrific support. Much love Sue. xxx

salamander

Hi Sue, glad to hear you have the support of your GP. Also, that you will be referred for further treatment if you need it. I'm sure you can go through with the appeal with the support of everyone. Also, I put on a post earlier down about 2 good leaflets the National Rheumatoid
Arthritis Soc produce about benefits and DLA. You have to ring up and get them sent to you. A friend of mine has them and said they were excellent and helped her a lot. I had a look and they seem very comprehensive. Although they don't give tips for ESA, they do give very good guidance about how to fill in forms for DLA, what to think about etc. Maybe they will help you put your case better for your appeal? They also tell you all the benefits you may be eligible for. Worth a look. I was very cross when I saw them as there were all sorts of things my mother could have had help with had she known about them. But maybe they can help others now.
Sally xx

chile168

Hi Sue,

I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK with your appeals. You are absolutely right, paperwork is off putting and mentally draining but I went through appeals with my DLA and it was worth it - eventually. I know it's horrible having to sit down and go through it all specially when you are unwell but hopefully you will get the result you want.

I have fibromyalgia, SLE, RA, IBS etc. I never know which one is flaring up but they either all go at once take it in turn to attack. Also wanted to say Good Luck with your results.

Take care hun and keep as posted. xxxxx

Eve

frogmorton

Hi Sue

you know
Ignoring the ESA business it does sound as though your GP is determined to get to the bottom of your health issues. I hope you do get the answers you need.
As far as the ESA is concerned I was reading about it and I think it is a nightmare but you should just give it one more go and appeal if you have the strength. Your GP is already doing a draught copy letter and she knows you better than me so I reckon you will
Take care
Sue
Love
Toni x

woodbon

Hello,
I've been feeling a bit tired today! Sally, thank you for the information, I will send for it. I really do want to go ahead with the appeal, but when I read through the details it does make you feel like anythings better! I suppose that they write it like that deliberatly to stop people appealing!
Love Sue xxx

bertyboy

good luck with it all sounds as if you have a good GP on your side , that wants to get your health under controlxxx

salamander

woodbon wrote:

Hello,
I've been feeling a bit tired today! Sally, thank you for the information, I will send for it. I really do want to go ahead with the appeal, but when I read through the details it does make you feel like anythings better! I suppose that they write it like that deliberatly to stop people appealing!
Love Sue xxx

Stick with it, we are all behind you! xx

jenzie06

Just a note - when I first got turned down for ESA I rang them up to request the medical report (I use the term report loosely as he barely wrote anything at all - about 3 sentences) and was told that if I kept appealing and got through to the tribunal stage (which is run independently to the DWP) the decision was likely to be overturned. I said that it was a daft way of doing things but she said that's the way its happening!

What a waste of time and money!!

P.S I'm used to getting rubbish suggestions - I rang the benefit helpline 3yrs ago and was told to get pregnant as I'd be financially better off!! Useful.

woodbon

Hi, I am lucky in that my GP is totally supportive, she wants me to appeal. I suppose if I were her, I'd be a bit mad if my long term work and decissions were overturned by someone who has seen the work for an hour or so and filled in a form.

I am also lucky that she is sending me to the rheumatologist, and thanks to technology, we sat together and made the appointment for 23 Feb. She said that her feeling is either seronegative RA or Fibromyligia along with the astablished oa that I have.

I feel a unwell today, a slight flare brought on by all the stress, I think, I ache all over and my joints are swollen etc, you all know what I mean! My mood is more positive today, though and I realise, from reading other peoples experiences how lucky I am, medically speaking. I have a Seminar next week on Pain Management, followed by a followup session later. Thats the Pain Clinic, it will be interesting to see what they suggest and if they have any useful tips! Everyone is so supportive, I am very lucky, my husband wants me to fight, as he is cross with the decission but has been lovely about me not working and having less money to play with. He says thats the least of his worries. Gosh, I've gone on, sorry! Lots of love to everyone and all my thanks. Love Sue xxx
PS If I do have FMS, I can still use the site as I have oa for sure!!!

skezier

Hi Sue,

They are idiots and well I know it hollow cus I don't try myself (mine is extremely complicated) but i thin you should keep slogging away..... Its wrong and they should have given it to you.

Glad they are doing some more test on you though and hope you will soon get some answers. I also hope you get the same help from the pain clinic as I get from mine cus they really do help.

Hey you'd be welcome regardless of what was wrong! I hope you soon feel a lot better and though I can't help I wish I could say what you need to do but the system is so off balance it does just seem you have to fight and fight again. You rest up and take care Luv and a ((( ))) Cris x

woodbon

Thank you very much. I am going to go on. I feel better this evening and think that its just all the stress that gave me a bit of a flare or something, so I slept most of the morning and took it easy this afternoon, the result is that the awful tiredness is a bit better tonight and that makes the pain etc easier to cope with! I still have these horrible swollen ankles. YUK... Lots of love Sue