ME and The Dreaded ESA Medical

Just bit of background first... I am 33 years old and was diagnosed with ME in 2008 by specialists in the field. My doctor has been supportive to a certain extent with issues around work (which I eventually gave up because of their attitude towards my condition). After my diagnosis I tried to claim for DLA but was turned down. I didn't appeal because I didn't think it was worth doing. Last year I found this forum and resubmitted my claim and was promptly turned down again. I made my appeal and was sent to a tribunal who allowed my claim for low rate care but no mobility. I have asked them to look at the mobility part again but they still turned me down and shortened the time I will be allowed to get the LRC by 2 years

Anyhoo, I have had to claim now for ESA due to financial difficulties I am facing with not being able to work too long because of my condition. I have my medical on 10th June but I already know, it will be a nightmare for me, especially because of the stigma surrounding my condition. I have already been told by an ATOS nurse carrying out an interview on my mother (who has a different condition and was sucessful at getting her ESA) that she has never seen anyone get that far having the same condition as me.

Soooo, I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me and hopefully some stories of success at obtaining it and having ME... maybe??

Hi Paula

I have ME/CFS too and have been one of the VERY lucky ones to go through the ESA system with success .
I was put into the work related group when I feel I should be in the care group but reading the statistics on this site, only 10% of claimants get into the support category so have decided not to appeal as I feel I would have a high chance of losing the appeal and I'd rather save my energy.
This result was very recent, my medical was on May 2nd and I was told of the result a week later. I managed the no mean feat of becoming a member of the one in three ESA club. From start to finish it took 11 weeks, 2 weeks ahead of schedule.


My medical was quite straight forward and was factual for the most part. My doctor was pleasant, listened and understood. There were a couple of contradictions and untruths in her report but overall it was pretty spot on.

There are indeed horror stories about ESA medicals and I know exactly what you mean about the stigma of ME/CFS but try not to lose hope!
You are more likely to hear horror stories because that's what the majority of people post here as they need advice, people don't need advice for being successful so the success stories aren't posted as much.

The only advice is to be truthful. If something hurts, say so, don't suffer in silence because if they don't know it's causing you pain or extreme fatigue they'll just presume you have no problems with it.

I always try and explain my condition in laymans terms so I'm understood easier. To explain the feelings in my legs I say "It's like walking through treacle" rather than "My legs get really heavy". Give them something to visualise and something they can relate to. They can imagine what walking through treacle is like but just saying "heavy legs" gives way too much scope, their definition of heavy won't be yours because they don't have ME/CFS

On the flip side, like you I was turned down flat for DLA without even a medical so I've just started my appeal process.

I wish you the best of luck with your medical!
I frequent here most days to read so if you have any other questions please do ask and I'll answer them as best as I can.

Hi Paula

I too have CFS/ME diagnosed in 2008 which the consultant dated back to 2006. I am incredibly fortunate to have an extremely competant & supportive GP - shame my employers have not been the same! I was dismissed from my job late last year due to the CFS/ME & have a claim lodged with my employer & the employment tribunal for unfair dismissal- yet to be heard. I also have asthma (for 25+ years) which is very well controlled, it only becomes a problem if I have a heavy cold or flu and was also diagnosed with depression earlier this year more attributed to serious health problems experienced by husband earlier this year than the CFS/ME.

Like Sassy I was awarded ESA in March this year having begun my claim mid January & placed in the work related group. Even though I think I should have been placed in the support group the hassle of appealing & running the risk of losing my ESA meant I decided against it.

I agree with the comments Sassy has made about describing symptoms & effects. Don't do anything which you know will cause you pain or discomfort & if you can't do something the doctor/nurse asks you to do don't do it & say why. I refused to crouch down when asked because I couldn't do it & it wasn't a problem. I had to get up from my chair after about 20/30 mins as more than that causes me pain & again it wasn't a problem. Don't force yourself to do anything more than you can do on the day.
The more detailed your descriptions can the better. I had sent a detailed report- 16 pages - to Atos with the ESA50 & I took copies with me to the medical. I was very careful to state that it was a fluctuating condition & was variable from day to day & hour to hour & exactly what I could & couldn't do on my best days, my less good days & my worst days & gave these as a percentage over a 2 week period which worked out at 20% my best days, 70% my less good days & 10% my worst days.

I was accompanied to the medical by my son who took notes & also covertly recorded it on his mobile phone. Even if you can get to the medical alone I strongly advise you to have someone with you both for for emotional & physical support & who will take notes for later comparison with the report. The B&W guides are brilliant & definately helped me to win my claim.

My medical was very straightforward, the doctor seemed to have an understanding of CFS/ME, & his report was a fair representation of what was said. As with Sassy, a couple of points not entirely accurate but relatively minor & nothing I was worried about.

I know my experience isn't the same as everyone elses' but whenever I have had occasion to speak to anyone at Atos, the DWP, Job Centre + & the Shaw Trust who are delivering the Work Focused Interviews they have all been polite & helpful. My employment adviser (young enough to be my daughter which makes me feel old! & particularly her manager (whom I saw on the day my adviser was off sick) have both been extremely polite and considerate.

Good luck with the medical- just tell it how it is & I hope your experience is as good & succesful as mine has been so far.

I usually log in most days so ask any questions.

I too have ME/CFS and am currently on IB, and am very concerned about the transfer to ESA (especially considering the experience of the lady with ME on the BBC Scotland programme yesterday, who was assessed by ATOS as unfit for work and dismissed but 3 weeks later was assessed as fit for work by ATOS).

I have been battling with my insurer for more than 5 years over my total permanent disability claim. In the end my insurer paid up. What I learnt from this is that it all hinges on the medical evidence. I have not been asked to attend a medical for my DLA or IB claims (first made in 2004). I think this may partly because I sent in copies of my consultants reports which commented on diagnosis, symptoms, functioning and prognosis.

So it may be worth asking your local ME Service (if you have one) to write a letter/report confirming your diagnosis, symptoms, prognosis and functioning, and send it in with your ESA claim. Preferably the report should be signed by a consultant. ME is misunderstood by some sections of the medical community and you never know who you will see when you have your medical. Medicine remains a hierarchical profession and consultant's reports do have kudos.