ESA assessment advice URGENT

Hi
A bit of background first..
From the age of 18 I suffered with severe chest pains. Numerous hospital visits during which heart was checked, but nothing found.

I lost numerous jobs due to having time off during each occurrence, and having to wait until the pain eased. Later I found out the lung was collapsing and until it corrected itself, which could be a number of weeks, I could not return to work, either current employment, if still employed or new employment.

This carried on for numerous years until during one hospital admission I was found to have a spontaneous pneumothorax, (collapsed lung). This was dealt with by insertion of a chest drain.

The years went by and I still suffered with chest pains, breathlessness and numerous spontaneous pneumothorax's occurring on both lungs.

Approx 10 years ago I underwent a pleurectomy on the right lung first (VATS) open surgery and then later followed left lung pleurectomy by keyhole.

I still suffer with the same chest pain, breathelessness and also added chest and back pain due to the surgery for which I am now on numerous pain killers.

According to the specialist I now suffer from emphysema, which is the cause of the breathelessness. I have numerous inhalers to help with this. The pain I have been told is mainly nerve pain due to the surgery but also some musco-skeletol pain due to surgery.
I have been prescribed gabapentin 600mg 3 times a day for nerve pain and tramadol 50mg for chest pain.

I have previously been for a medical in 2007, and filled in ESA forms in 2012. I was placed in the support group last time and no medical.
I have just filled in a recent ESA form, last month, and now I face an assessment.

I still suffer from emphysema as the condition is not curable, it just gets progressively worse, and I have just been recently diagnosed with depression, for which I am currently seeking treatment. I also suffered from pain (arthritis) in right wrist and right tibia and fibula, due to a bike accident when I was younger.

I cannot understand why I am being asked to attend a medical when the condition I have will never get better. I am also afraid that just by turning up I will be classed as fit for work, I have read many stories on the internet that people with terminal illnesses have been found fit for work. I would appreciate any advice that is going to help me with this.

I have downloaded the guides which I am going to read through, I have already filled in the form, I wish I had have discovered this site before then.

I am hoping to get some advice before my assessment in 4 days time.
I know that this is short notice but I already stated, I have only just discovered this site.

Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read.
I will look forward to reading any advice that you can give.

Hi Leejak

So sorry you're having to go through this rigamarole. It's not fair, it's not right, but there is no way you can avoid it, so prepare yourself as best you can by doing just what you have started to do.

Read through all the guides. Read the descriptors which apply to you most and the suggested responses given in the guides.

The assessor will have access to all your medical history; if there is anything new you can present at you assessment, take it with you (new test results, new consultant letters etc).

There is, as you will have read and heard a 'tightening up' of all assessments, which is probably why you have been chosen to attend.

Be very aware that when you do go to the assessment, you will be observed from start to finish, including getting out of your car and walking to the assessment centre, so don't try to be heroic and pretend you are not in pain when you are. If you are asked to do anything that you know will hurt you or cause you distress,during the assessment, then refuse to do it, Refuse politely, explaining that you know what harm and hurt it does to you No one has any right to ask you to do anything which endangers you in any way.

Other than that, there is little else we can advise you on, until after you have received the result of your assessment. If there are any issues you are concerned about, then get back to us and we will help if we can. I'm sure other members will offer advice as well - just keep coming back to the site for their input. It might be a good idea to bookmark the page or add it to your favourites so you don't lost among the other contributors!

Good luck.

Thank you for replying.
You have stated that they are tightening up on these assessments.
Am I right in thinking what I have read on the internet is true....in the fact that if you turn up for these assessments, say arrive by taxi, that you are showing yourself fit for work and have failed before you walk through the door?

If these people find you fit for work, and whilst you are being made to look for work you are taken ill in hospital for the condition you are claiming for. Is there any legal action that you can take against them for saying that you are fit?

leejak wrote: Thank you for replying.
You have stated that they are tightening up on these assessments.
Am I right in thinking what I have read on the internet is true....in the fact that if you turn up for these assessments, say arrive by taxi, that you are showing yourself fit for work and have failed before you walk through the door?

If these people find you fit for work, and whilst you are being made to look for work you are taken ill in hospital for the condition you are claiming for. Is there any legal action that you can take against them for saying that you are fit?

How you get to the venue is certainly taken into account by the assessor but mnay people have attended and been awarded ESA.

I'm afraid there is no action that can be taken if your condition deteriorates after being found fit for work.

Have you had a look at our ESA guide? There is a section towards the back that tells you what to expect at the assessment.

ESA claims and appeals

Hi. Thank you for responding.
We are going through a real stressful time since the appointment for the assessment came. I am not sleeping or eating.
During the assessment is it just a case of being asked questions or do you get a full examination?
I am bothered if I get seen by someone who doesn't understand my condition.
My condition also varies...what if I am feeling better on the day of the appointment rather than a bad day?
At the moment I am thinking of not going at all as ot it bothering me that much. I am getting really stressed and worried and that is affecting me badly now .
Are there any figures of how many people are passing these assessments with COPD conditions?. Could members comment on their experiences?