Hello I was diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis in August after being unwell having gone to A&E I was taken straight away by ambulance

[blakeybabs]

I have an atos medical on Wednesday anyone been through this?

[AyrshireK]

Is it for PIP or ESA?- hubby and I attended one for PIP which wasn't at all very pleasant (very confrontational) I have to say and they scored him 0 in all daily living capabilities (the decision letter which came through absolutely contradicted everything we wrote on the form and said at the face to face interview - we are currently asking them to reconsider their decision.

Take someone with you for support - although if you get someone like we did, I was basically forced to sit way behind hubby and not contribute even when hubby was really struggling to answer questions.

I wish you all the best with it.

Katie xx

[blakeybabs in reply to AyrshireK]

Hello its Esa, just worried as well as cirrhosis problems im not very good at going out I was on citapram for depression but don't want these, my mum committed suicide with those tablets, amongst others, although I'venot had a drink my conconfidence is Zero x

[sjmulligan in reply to blakeybabs]

Hi im the same been goin through a really dark period in my life iv just started goin to a womens centre it was scarry at first but everyone has got thereown pproblems you can just sit and listen talk cry and no one says anything

[blakeybabs in reply to AyrshireK]

It's esa, just worried as well as cirrhosis problems I'm not very good at going out I was on citrapram for depression but don't want these as my mum committed suicide with those tablets amongst others , although I've not had a drink my confidence is Zero x

[angse in reply to AyrshireK]

Oh dear I will be going through the pip route soon, I have applied 5 months ago, apprantly its the medical lot that is the hold up, not looking forward to it now after what most of you been through, honestly how unwell do you have to be, Angse

[blakeybabs in reply to angse]

Hello angse x

Well see what happens today? I'm very anxious but have to do it , although it seems I've failed already! X

[AyrshireK]

I feel for you Blakeybabs, have you got someone who can go with you even for a bit of morale support? Are you under the CPN or anything as I know my friend who is a CPN goes along with her clients for support.

Remember to answer questions as though you are being asked about your worst day, what you can and can't do on those days.

Is your difficulty going out mentioned on medical notes or anything as you can request these face to face medicals in your own home, don't do anything you are not comfortable with. It feels like a lot of trickery goes on with these assessments and it is not fair when people are so genuinely in need of those small benefits.

Like I say if your depression issues and difficulty going out are medically recorded it might be worth getting a change of date and requesting the interview take place in your own home, it is stressful enough.

Hope that helps a bit.

Katie

[blakeybabs in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi x thanks x no I'm not under a cpn but it is on my notes, ive attended atos about 3 years ago with esa for depression, they failed me by just ONE point, saying I failed because I could make eye contact! I know I'm on the right track, but I'm not there yet x

[jojokarak]

I had to atos last year for alcoholic cirrhosis and they stopped my benefits even though I was having an procedure every month. I appealed and got lots of help off citizens advice and won the appeal, I think once they know your going to fight for what you deserve and do it for months they realise you are genuinely ill and in need of the benefits they will reinstate. But I do have to tell you they most probably will take your esa off you they are doing to everyone at moment but fight it you will be fine.

[blakeybabs in reply to jojokarak]

Thanks jojo x its really worrying me, how do you find yourself now? I am seeing my my consultant on Monday for blood tests, a scan and ultrasound.

[jojokarak]

Mine got a whole lot worse before I got better I kept having internal bleeds and ended up in a coma at Xmas, but am definitely 100times better now and been alcohol free for almost 2 years and docs say that's the main thing. And don't worry so much you are genuinely ill at moment so you will get the help you need. Have you found there isn't many places on net or groups local to you that you can speak to anyone

[Hidden]

Yes

I originally failed the test because I could walk!

Taken into Hospital with serious effects of the cirrhosis the same night

Lay it on thick, describe your worst days, you are entitled to get this support!

[blakeybabs in reply to Hidden]

Thanks David

Tiredness, weak an feeling faint, itchy very dry skin an just the feeling that you are not right and then no confidence at all , I wonder how people's effects of alcoholic cirrhosis differ after diagnosis, it's hard to explain x

[angse]

Hi JoJo sorry to hear about all you going through, I have had bleeds from esophagus one nearly took me off the planet last year due to portal hypertension with cirrohiss, how do you know when bleeding occurring internally like you have had,,and yes I think I will get citizens advice on my pip claim,as really when this doctor looks at me he is going to see nothing that tells him I have cirrohiss end stage, except for doctor and hospital letters, let's hope they account for something Angse

[H1ghtower]

Hiya, blakey. I went through the same procedure RE ATOS not so long ago....don,t worry, i didn't turn up for the first interview with them and got a threatening phonecall from somewhere linked to the DWP, and, after the phonecall all i had to do was get my GP to contact them directly on my behalf as proof of my condition and that was the end of it...it was over a year ago and things could of changed in the meantime, but, its usually just the name of the benefit you're receiving they seem to change in my experience. Did the specialist give you a child PUGH rating? Its a like a rating of how bad your cirrhosis is. If you've just got fatty liver etc, whether it landed you in hospital or not, i doubt ATOS would accept that. I had some other problems as well which i would consider secondary, but, ATOS may of accumulated them onto top of my cirrhosis. Good luck finding out, the rating system atos uses is something i couldnt find myself and it makes sense for it to be not available to the public for the obvious reasons.

[H1ghtower]

Sorry i didn,t read the other replies before my first post. Have you tried getting your GP or Liver specialist to contact them with there own recomendations? Obviously you might want to find out what they would recommend first but it seemed to be the deciding factor in my own case. Good luck, fella.

[sjmulligan]

Hi im new on here got diagnosed 5 yrs ago with cirrhosis I was an alcoholic for 20 yrs been dry 6 yrs next march

[Bolly in reply to sjmulligan]

Hi SJ - I suggest you start a new thread with your post - doubt anybody will see it down the bottom of one about claiming benefits.