Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[Celt]

the benefits advice shop weren't a lot of help, they basically talked through the form with me, but not the form as it affects me, the following are things I need to include but am not sure where , I'd appreciate some help if you have the time.

thanks

1. I sleep walk, and night eat, I am not concious of this and often only find out the following day when I find the remnants and disaray of food preparation, sometimes fairly safe (cereal, milk may get spilt, but not dangerous, however I have made toast, heated things in microwave, boiled a kettle. This leaves me tired, not rested and can affect my blood sugar negatively. This happens a couple of times in most weeks, sometimes every night for a week, it is not within my control, I was seen by a sleep clinic in Fazakaly hospital over 20 years ago, who advised on the best way to get sleep, practices I do try.

2. also, when someone is giving me instructions, I often get flustered, I feel my brain function is used up on coping with pain, low self esteem stops me from asking people to repeat enough entil I understand, and will say I understand when I don't.

3. Many years of chronic pain have meant I have become an expert at constantly assessing my needs to alieviate pain, to keep moving in a chair, or to change position, and if I can't get comfotable i need to lie down, depending on the severtity of the pain, which can vary from mild, to severe on how long I need to lie down for, I can need to be there all day. I use head and cold and when able a variety of pain killers (variety of strenght and type), although I have a sensitivity to opiate pain killers which makes me itch, madly and it is simply exchanging one unpleasant sensation for another. This happens in the main after taking two doses, it is unpredictable and is a condition I will have for life, it is very depressing dealing with lifelong illness.

 

[Celt]

I wrote the above and shared it this morning with a poster here who has been helpful but has suggested I make the discussion public, so ^^^

putting this in reality, I have chronic pain in L5/S1 following disc surgery a lot of years ago, the pain in low back pain, which makes life difficult and when secondly and not always together sciatic pain, which is extreme.

the rest of this post detailed panic, and I kind of know where that goes on the form now, but help would be appreciated if you have the time.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I wrote the above and shared it this morning with a poster here who has been helpful but has suggested I make the discussion public, so ^^^

putting this in reality, I have chronic pain in L5/S1 following disc surgery a lot of years ago, the pain in low back pain, which makes life difficult and when chronic sciatic pain, which is extreme.

Today I got up at 9, went to Benefits advice, home about 12, had a phone call from my lovely mum, she is 91 and lives independently, she is a darling but is suffering from heart failure and her heart is out of sync and she needs a hand to get round, I've brought her home, cooked a very basic meal and I am knackered and in severe pain, I realise it isn't my "job" or responsibility to care for her, she only lets me care a little, such a proud woman, I probably wouldn't have cooked "real food" if she hadn't come. Whilst cooking I used the hob and remembered as I used it that I have no idea which way you turn the knob to increase/decrease heat, I've had the same cooker for 10 years.

My nephew is autistic and I feel I have some autistic ways of thinking, although I may appear to be quite smart, there are some simple things I cannot do, and my normal way of coping is avoidoing stresses, but life is real and you can't do that all the time, or I can't but how the hell do I get that over.

Thanks for reading this, I'm going to take my mum home, come back and rest.

Well I didn't mean make your condition public, I meant publicly ask if anyone's willing to help you with form

 

[Celt]

its ok, minnie, badly worded, i'm not ashamed at my condition and if I get trolled well , its tough, I understood that, I wanted to open the conversation out,

Well I didn't mean make your condition public, I meant publicly ask if anyone's willing to help you with form

 

[ViolentPanda]

I wrote the above and shared it this morning with a poster here who has been helpful but has suggested I make the discussion public, so ^^^

putting this in reality, I have chronic pain in L5/S1 following disc surgery a lot of years ago, the pain in low back pain, which makes life difficult and when secondly and not always together sciatic pain, which is extreme.

the rest of this post detailed panic, and I kind of know where that goes on the form now, but help would be appreciated if you have the time.

I'll reply to this tomorrow, if that's okay?

 

[Celt]

thanks vp, that would be great

I gotta be asleep soon.

I broke my back in the early 80's, its been , different

Night thread

 

[treelover]

'INTRODUCTION
1 This memo clarifies guidance on the use of aids and appliances when assessing LCW following a UT decision, CE/1217/111.

1 [2011]UKUT 449 (AAC); ESA Regs, reg 19(4)
BACKGROUND

2 The facts of the UT decision were as follows. The claimant suffered from problems with his knee. He had not been advised to use a walking stick, and did not do so. Following application of the WCA, the DM determined that the claimant did not score any points, and ESA was terminated. On appeal, the FtT awarded 9 points for descriptor 3(b) (bending or kneeling). They considered that the claimant’s difficulties with walking, standing and sitting could be helped by the use of a walking stick. As the score was still less than 15 points, the DM’s decision was upheld.'
htttp://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-24-12.pdf

Important news!

It seems there has been a new judgement by a tribunal and now clarification by the DWP that the use of a walking stick, etc, could be described as ameliorating a persons condition/enabling the claimant to carry out an action, and that they should consider that use of a walking stick(whether one is used or not) could enable the claimant to mobilise effectively, I think it is effectively saying that if you can walk/stand with the use of a walking stick you could and may fail the walking/standing/mobilising part of the ESA.

it just gets worse....

this was from benefits and work, its two months old, i'm not sure how significant they think it is, I think it is...

 

[Libertad]

Do you think that I should include the fact that the stress that they are putting me under will decrease the chances of my treatment being successful? I wondered if that might help if things go to appeal.

Any ideas? Stress has been proven to reduce the chances of a positive outcome with this treatment.

 

[ericjarvis]

Any ideas? Stress has been proven to reduce the chances of a positive outcome with this treatment.

Unfortunately the government position is that all stress related illnesses are faked and therefore those suffering from them must be put under as much stress as possible. As far as they are concerned the fact that the number of people on incapacity and disability benefits is going down is proof that they are right, and that it's totally irrelevant how many of those have stopped claiming because they are dead.

This is because to accept that there really has been a genuine increase in serious stress related illness over the last three decades would mean that there is a downside to the policy (of all three main parties) of constantly worsening job security, taking away secure tenancies, reducing access to social housing, keeping wages low, and so on.

 

[Greebo]

Unfortunately the government position is that all stress related illnesses are faked and therefore those suffering from them must be put under as much stress as possible. As far as they are concerned the fact that the number of people on incapacity and disability benefits is going down is proof that they are right, and that it's totally irrelevant how many of those have stopped claiming because they are dead.

This is because to accept that there really has been a genuine increase in serious stress related illness over the last three decades would mean that there is a downside to the policy (of all three main parties) of constantly worsening job security, taking away secure tenancies, reducing access to social housing, keeping wages low, and so on.

Liked because you're right, not because I agree that this should happen.

 

[Libertad]

Unfortunately the government position is that all stress related illnesses are faked and therefore those suffering from them must be put under as much stress as possible. As far as they are concerned the fact that the number of people on incapacity and disability benefits is going down is proof that they are right, and that it's totally irrelevant how many of those have stopped claiming because they are dead.

This is because to accept that there really has been a genuine increase in serious stress related illness over the last three decades would mean that there is a downside to the policy (of all three main parties) of constantly worsening job security, taking away secure tenancies, reducing access to social housing, keeping wages low, and so on.

I'm not suffering from a stress related illness though.

My question is whether I should make the point, when filling out my new ESA50, that the stress that is being brought on by the fear of losing my benefit and the whole process that they're forcing me to engage in has been proven to decrease the efficacy of the chemo that I'm about to undertake?

I have one shot at this treatment, if it doesn't work then I'm fucked, there is no alternative available to me.

 

[Frances Lengel]

I'm not suffering from a stress related illness though.

My question is whether I should make the point, when filling out my new ESA50, that the stress that is being brought on by the fear of losing my benefit and the whole process that they're forcing me to engage in has been proven to decrease the efficacy of the chemo that I'm about to undertake?

I have one shot at this treatment, if it doesn't work then I'm fucked, there is no alternative available to me.

I'd make that point if I was in your shoes - If you fail your medical (fingers crossed you won't, obviously), it won't be because the examiner's taken umbrage at you accusing them of causing you undue stress.

E2a, hope your treatment works.

 

[toggle]

freind of mine burried her father about 10 days ago after he died of cancer. a short while before hsi death, they ended his esa and informed him that he should be seeking work. my friend has not got to the point where she's stopped crying about this and is now getting very, very pissed off. provided her mother is ok with this, she's planning on trying to use his case to highlight that this is going on.

 

[Libertad]

Thanks FL.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Unfortunately the government position is that all stress related illnesses are faked and therefore those suffering from them must be put under as much stress as possible. As far as they are concerned the fact that the number of people on incapacity and disability benefits is going down is proof that they are right, and that it's totally irrelevant how many of those have stopped claiming because they are dead.

This is because to accept that there really has been a genuine increase in serious stress related illness over the last three decades would mean that there is a downside to the policy (of all three main parties) of constantly worsening job security, taking away secure tenancies, reducing access to social housing, keeping wages low, and so on.

Would be interesting to see how many civil servants are off work with stress whilst being paid sick leave, but completely different for long-term sick

 

[treelover]

freind of mine burried her father about 10 days ago after he died of cancer. a short while before hsi death, they ended his esa and informed him that he should be seeking work. my friend has not got to the point where she's stopped crying about this and is now getting very, very pissed off. provided her mother is ok with this, she's planning on trying to use his case to highlight that this is going on.

Appalling and obscene, should get in touch with Sue Marsh of Diary Of a Benefit Scrounger' or the more 'militant' Black Triangle campaign.

there is an issue though that these will be seen as extreme cases and that the Govt/DWP will spin it that they are being humane and flexible if they change the ruling on cancer victims working, though of course any misery spared them is a very good thing..

 

[Celt]

I'd make that point if I was in your shoes - If you fail your medical (fingers crossed you won't, obviously), it won't be because the examiner's taken umbrage at you accusing them of causing you undue stress.

E2a, hope your treatment works.

I think I would mention it too, good luck

 

[ViolentPanda]

Any ideas? Stress has been proven to reduce the chances of a positive outcome with this treatment.

It depends on the individual, unfortunately. Most of the studies that show stress affecting chemo look at "populations" of cancer sufferers rather than at the individuals or at the physiological and psychological effects of stress on them as individuals.
Will it affect you? Almost certainly, but how much of an effect will manifest is impossible to predict.
Definitely include the fact, and if possible, reference some of the research.

 

[Frankie Jack]

freind of mine burried her father about 10 days ago after he died of cancer. a short while before hsi death, they ended his esa and informed him that he should be seeking work. my friend has not got to the point where she's stopped crying about this and is now getting very, very pissed off. provided her mother is ok with this, she's planning on trying to use his case to highlight that this is going on.

Add your post or what ever you think appropriate to this thread Toggle.
List of those for whom Welfare Reform and cuts were too much to bear

 

[toggle]

Appalling and obscene, should get in touch with Sue Marsh of Diary Of a Benefit Scrounger' or the more 'militant' Black Triangle campaign.

there is an issue though that these will be seen as extreme cases and that the Govt/DWP will spin it that they are being humane and flexible if they change the ruling on cancer victims working, though of course any misery spared them is a very good thing..

i've passed that on. thanks

 

[yardbird]

I found that the unpleasant things about my first assessment started at front of house.
They were horrid.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I found that the unpleasant things about my first assessment started at front of house.
They were horrid.

Probably started before then with their cameras outside

 

[yardbird]

Probably started before then with their cameras outside

No cameras at the punters entrance of Lees House in Brighton, if there had have been then maybe they would have noticed the empty Thunderbird bottles, the ciggie buts and the disposable sharp that that I carefully picked up, wrapped in paper and took to my GPs for correct disposal.
The fire doors were jammed open ('cos it was hot!)
I said you have to close them NOW!
Totally illegal and dangerous.
You will do it before I leave.
I took pics.
Also fire exit crash bars damaged and falling of.
Customer relations - oh yeah, they were crap of course.
This was a maybe 3 > 4 years ago and I still have the pics - well usable I would think.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

No cameras at the punters entrance of Lees House in Brighton, if there had have been then maybe they would have noticed the empty Thunderbird bottles, the ciggie buts and the disposable sharp that that I carefully picked up, wrapped in paper and took to my GPs for correct disposal.
The fire doors were jammed open ('cos it was hot!)
I said you have to close them NOW!
Totally illegal and dangerous.
You will do it before I leave.
I took pics.
Also fire exit crash bars damaged and falling of.
Customer relations - oh yeah, they were crap of course.
This was a maybe 3 > 4 years ago and I still have the pics - well usable I would think.

You should post them somewhere!

I bet they have got hidden cameras though but you just didn't see them. Maybe too well hidden

 

[yardbird]

You should post them somewhere!

I bet they have got hidden cameras though but you just didn't see them. Maybe too well hidden

Just possibly illegal.

 

[Meltingpot]

Liked because you're right, not because I agree that this should happen.

Same here.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Just possibly illegal.

True, but then would you trust Atos to take any notice of that

 

[equationgirl]

I'm not suffering from a stress related illness though.

My question is whether I should make the point, when filling out my new ESA50, that the stress that is being brought on by the fear of losing my benefit and the whole process that they're forcing me to engage in has been proven to decrease the efficacy of the chemo that I'm about to undertake?

I have one shot at this treatment, if it doesn't work then I'm fucked, there is no alternative available to me.

Here's some references which show that stress can have a detrimental effect on chemotherapy treatment - I hope they are useful to you:
http://erc.endocrinology-journals.org/content/13/Supplement_1/S115.full

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/doxheart.htm

http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA302434

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Here's some references which show that stress can have a detrimental effect on chemotherapy treatment - I hope they are useful to you:
http://erc.endocrinology-journals.org/content/13/Supplement_1/S115.full

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/doxheart.htm

http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA302434

and I asked a consultant the other day about the type of treatment you're having and it can stay in system for 3-6 months. Was a bit disappointed to hear that

 

[equationgirl]

and I asked a consultant the other day about the type of treatment you're having and it can stay in system for 3-6 months. Was a bit disappointed to hear that

That's a bit of a bugger.