Have to go for medical - terrified

Hi there

I've recently applied for ESA for the first time. I am on the waiting list for a hip replacement and walk with a stick. I am a very young candidate for such a procedure and wouldn't even be going ahead with it if I were not in so much pain and so limited with my mobility.

I was therefore shocked to find I have to go for a medical assessment - which makes me think they somehow think I'm not telling the truth. I spent weeks over the ESA questionnaire and gave them masses of relevant information. I had hoped I would be regarded as having limited capacity for work on my questionnaire answers alone - and, of course, the very fact I'm even awaiting a hip replacement.

However, yesterday I received a letter saying I must call them to make an appointment for a medical. I've heard horror stories about medicals and I'm now absolutely terrified. Can anyone tell me what happens at the medicals, please? Will I be made to move my body in ways that cause me pain?

Thanks for any advice. Best wishes. Ali

I went for my medical over a week ago. I suffer from CFS and Fibromylagia, Epilepsy and am waiting for an operation on my knee. I have had my assessment back and I have been assigned to a Work Related Activity Group. I am appealing.

Having had my assessment back a few pointers for you to remember (I wish I had known them first)

1) Definately take someone with you.

2) If you have to stop when you are walking down the corridor to their office make sure you tell them. My nurse hurried ahead of me and then said I walked the distance fine, in fact I was using my stick and my husband was supporting me on the other side and I had to stop.

3) Try not to carry anything i.e a bag, papers, your medication. Luckily I didn't and my husband passed my medication to her but she still put down that as I handed papers to her I was fine to do filing work, I didn't have any papers so it was incorrect, so to be safe, don't carry anything.

4) When they ask you to get out of the chair, if you need assistance it isn't enough just for you to lean on your partner/friend etc. They need to put their arms under your armpits or round your waist and actually help to pull you up out of the chair.

5) The couch was very high and there was no step - make sure you ask for one - my husband did and again, whoever has gone with you needs to physically help you on and off it.

6) Take your time in everything you do and tell her when it hurts. They assume it doesn't if you don't tell them.

7) If whoever is with you can, ask them to take notes. It is O.K to take notes as long as you mention it to them first. Tell them because of your pain you are unable to concentrate so you need the notes to refer to when you get back home. My report was full of errors, medication that I don't take, dosages wrong, dates wrong etc.

8) Don't be afraid to show you are nervous, upset, anxious whatever you are feeling. My nurse wrote that I was calm and looked her in the eye all the time so obviously doesn't suffer from anxiety. I have treatment for anxiety and panic attacks and took extra medication to help me through it..don't take anything more then you normally take.

Sorry to have gone on a bit but I think it's important because most of the remarks she made on my assessment forms were errors where she clearly didn't listen and things she observed about my appearance, how many times I moved around in the chair (it shows your uncomfortable and in pain), even if I was sweating or not rather then the medical reports etc.

Good Luck with it. Let us know how you get on.

record the medical. don't tell them thats what your doing.

if you want to give them advanced notice your going to record it, use the letter on the main page of this site

Interesting how none of the gang, notes how exhausted, ill, and incapaciated we are!!

Selective and convenient. I am also diagnosed with CFS as well as other health issues.

Doctors are also dismissive now, even angina pectoris is being translated as "indigestion" yep, and the list goes on...

The system is designed so that there are no ill, incapacitated people.

I have been lucky with my GP.He is very supported. He pushed Kings College to consider me for their research programme after virtually having to force Croydon to fund it. After a two year trial with them, numerous examinations and tests I was discharged back to my G.P and told that (after over 10 years struggling) I was as well as they thought I could get. The amount of tears I have shed for the life that has changed so dramatically for this misunderstood illness. I would rather be well and work and be able to play with my 3 year old granddaughter and travel to see my family. Why would I choose a life of struggling with fatigue and pain? It's not like I'm not working but having fun etc Even going on holiday is out of the question. Answering the same questions, travelling, filling in endless forms and trying not to cry because, yet again, someone things you are a bit tired and a good sleep will sort you out gets too much. Like you I have other illness as well and yet they look at me as though I'm a complete nutcase. God help them should they ever suffer from it.

I am still on IB, but the last medical I had I was terrified that I would be refused, as the doctor didn't seem to understand what i was saying & i didn't understand some of his questions, I particularly remember him asking about my social life (which is practically non-existant)..I felt he was trying to catch me out..
All I can say is, if they haven't asked you you don't need to tell them. And really stick to your guns, that you can't do certain things. Make sure you look over all the form you filled in, so your answers tally with what is in the form..

And I was told once to talk about my worst day, this has helped me too. Even though they talk about average days, I have always refused to tell them how many 'good' days I have, as really there aren't any!

Also be aware if you have to travel, be careful as they will ask how you got there.

If it's difficult for you to travel, you could request a home appointment..