Adding Medication Side Effect Info to an ESA50

Hiya

I've recently received my ESA form to fill in, to transfer from IB.

One thing I wanted to know was whether I should put on my form how bad the side effects of my tablets for my illnesses make me feel. I'm currently on 9 different lots of medication, including Fentynl pain patches, other pain medications and mental health medications.

Do you think adding how bad they make me feel, is better than leaving them out?

Also to show that the damage to the discs in my back are getting worse, will including an older MRI showing 2 slipped disc plus the newer MRI which shows 4 slipped discs be okay?

Another thing I'm concerned about is the mobilising section, I currently walk with a stick as I'm unsteady on my feet. I'm in constant pain whilst I'm walking so cannot walk 50 metres. What is the thing they are talking about using a manual wheelchair?

Thanks a lot for your great advice, it all helps when filling the form in.

Best wishes

Catherine x

Hi Catherine, you should certainly include information about the side effects you experience from your medication. When I had my assessment, the nurse went through these again with me and included them in her report.

I don't know how much weight the decision maker gives to things like MRI results, but my attitude was that it couldn't hurt to include them!

As far as walking is concerned - the descriptor is now 'mobilising' and DWP are allowed to decide that you have no problems with mobilising if they think you could self-propell a wheelchair for 50 metres on the flat! For this reason, it is worth saying if your condition precludes the use of a wheelchair or means that you would be unable to self-propell.