UC/ESA Tribunal for work capability

Sorry for the delay in my response. I have had quite a busy week and 3 hospital days on the trot! I try to accomplish one task a day and not push myself to do more as when I do, I become anxious and hide from all of them!
I also postponed the hearing and they will send me a letter. I also finally got a CAB representative to represent me and I just need to complete some paperwork apparently to get them on file. The lady is very nice and says I have a strong case. But she pointed out that they're more likely to listen to the fact my IBS problems give me major issues in the work place rather than just migraine pain. It is baffling how the system works but this is exactly what I needed, someone to point out parts of my history that should be brought to light. I didn't even really think about these things, as I considered my IBS to be a personal annoyance rather than a serious medical complaint. Only problem is I am not sure how much I have spoken to the dr about it as compared to all my other issues I just considered the IBS to be minor and the list is long so it was at the bottom. So maybe there is no way to prove I even have it.
Yes you are right, I will start a whole new paper of info that I can give them which explains some things others have pointed out now that I have actually got people to speak to about it!
Thinking back, I was embarrassed to even talk about it to the assessor. I skipped over things thinking no no, not important.. get to the questions where I can tell you I am in CONSTANT AGONY and hardly ever sleep. I will try to tell them this the best way I can and hope they believe it.

Cheers

I agree there.. I am starting to think about the years of waking up not feeling like I have slept. I think I may have had it most of my life and never even had an inkling. I was always tired in my teens getting to school, always late and couldn't concentrate. Grades dropped as soon as I hit puberty pretty much and I always thought it was due to a totally different problem with my hormones. But it could have been a mixture of both because I have apparently always heavily snored and a few years ago my partner told me I literally stop breathing when I sleep. She made me go the dr about it because she was terrified but then covid happened before I got to the clinic app. It just goes to show though people need to get the drs no matter how silly things might seem. I have suffered my whole life with things and didn't know I had a hormone deficiency until I was 26, and now it looks like I have overlooked sleep apnoea as well. But all these things combined have stopped me enjoying so many year of my life now and physical problems lead to mental ones due to isolation.

Yeah I see your point. I also avoid anywhere who want money to help you because I feel like the best help is free and given with care rather than as a service. But I see now that this community is caring and the cost of the membership is buttons compared to the help I received just in a few days. And thank god I have just found the contrast setting. the white is terrible for my migraines. even daylight coming through the window hurts. But not all of the migraines are like that, and sometimes its just certain smells/foods/jerky movements that make them worse.

Cheers!

I think I have replied to everyone now but also need to ask something urgently..
I have been told to attend jury service soon.
The letter said there is a fine for not having good reason not to do it so I wrote that I am ill in multiple ways but I will try my best to attend. But they have now confirmed it as a set date.
But as its the same organisation who handle my tribunal will they use it as some sort of evidence that I can cope in certain situations at my hearing if I attend?
If so, what should I do?

Cheers

Even going to the GP does not always result in a referral and diagnosis. I mentioned to several GPs and consultants about the way my partner jumps in his sleep. A Sleep Technician actually listened and this eventually led to a diagnosis of Restless legs and Periodic Limb Movement which also are sleep disorders. It is another poorly funded and researched area of health with enormous effects and repercussions.