A Couple of Questions re New ESA50

Asbo wrote: Hi

My first question is probably relevant to all ESA50s but I wanted to ask re the question on treatment and hospital visits - is it worth mentioning ones from a few years ago? When I was diagnosed with Fibro I had a lot of input then but it came to an end and I was either discharged or eg one specialist lost her funding.

My other question is about Question 7 ('Other People Communicating With You'). I'm assuming that's just about hearing but what if you can't take in information due to fatigue or anxiety? I think most of it was covered in the question before (Q6 - Communicating With People) but just wanted to make sure.

Many thanks.

It is up to you with regard the hospital treatment, however, given the timescale and that you appear to have no reports resulting from this activity, I think it unlikely to provide any significant support for your claim.

Question 7 requires the problem to be the result of a sensory impairment, you can certainly argue that the sensory impairment is the result of fatigue, but I do not know how likely you are to score points.

As a result of January's changes, I do not believe you would score points by arguing that the sensory imparment was the result of anxiety, as you can only expect to score points for this descriptor, if you can show that the underlying problem is a physical one.

Gordon

Asbo wrote: Thanks Gordon.

I do have a hospital report from when the OT visited me but last time I tried to contact her she was off sick (she had said she would support me in future if I needed her). Also I have had to see the physio for tendonitis and also seen the Bladder Specialist but she was the one who had her funding stopped eg I had to do 3 days of bladder activity twice and this will be on record somewhere and she also said my frequency/urgency was consistent with interstitial cystitis. I thought if I mentioned them it would show that these problems have been ongoing in the event of them requesting further evidence .

Thanks

There is no reason why you cannot mention it, but it is not something I would recommend your rely on on to justify your claim.

If you are hoping to score points for Question 9; Incontinence, then please make sure that you read the guides in regard the qualifying criteria.

Gordon

Asbo wrote: Thanks Gordon.

I have tried to read them but they're making it so difficult. Question 9 I would score points on needing to be near a toilet all of the time because at risk of incontinence but I saw they've now added 'wearing pads'. My way of coping is to always make sure I get to a toilet and not 'have an accident' if I can't get to one. So I don't want to go down that road and don't see how they can make a person.

I expect to score more points on my mental health condition to be honest because of their appalling attitude towards Fibromyalgia. the fact they have 'malingering' written into their fact sheet says it all

I am afraid the use of pads will be assumed, and if it is believed that your doing so would lessen any problems you have in the area, then it may affect the points you migh score.

Gordon