Just received atos appointment for medical?

[philmeister]

I suffer from epilepsy,clinical depression(suicidal most days)and recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia.Can someone send me leaflets or advice on what this involves?.....I have heard so many bad horror stories on what can happen ....Thanks

[tessintrouble]

Do not travel via public transport

Do not look "dressed up"

Only describe bad days

Try and take someone with you, if your depression makes you afraid to go out in public - you have the right to request a home visit, which may or may not be done. Remember they are looking at you from the moment you arrive - including the waiting room. Do not force yourself to do any physical actions they may ask, struggling to crouch down to them means you CAN crouch down etc. Please seek online advice from the fibro action group - they should be able to help you more than me. I wish you all the best x

[philmeister in reply to tessintrouble]

thanks for your answer tess....I am worried sick

[esagestapo]

First off, it is not a proper medical. Why they call it a medical, I have no idea, but by calling it a medical, that gives you the right to play merry hell with them as follows.

They will try to trap you with yes or no questions like "How did you get to the medical centre" "Do you go to the shops or go shopping by yourself" "Do you prepare your own food, can you prepare a meal for yourself etc"

When they ask questions like the above, the best thing to do is to sit there in silence and if pressed to answer, say you do not understand the question as it has nothing to do with your medical condition. You were told by Atos that you were attending the office for a medical examination. Whether you go to the shops and prepare meals for yourself has nothing to do with them or your state of health.

Basically if they do not ask questions that specifically relate to your health, then do not answer.

[philmeister in reply to esagestapo]

Will that not get their back up and influence what they right about me?....Someone mentioned on hear a while back about a leaflet/handwook on what to watch out for at medical but I cant remember where they said they got it....any thoughts...thanks

[esagestapo]

Answering their questions in a civil manner will fail you for sure. Do the complete opposite, you want to wind them up to the max. If they put it it writing that they could not communicate with you, they are confirming you have mental health issues and you are clearly unable to cope in social situations.

[philmeister in reply to esagestapo]

Bloody hell...I hope your right,I do have severe anxiety and my epilepsy was caused by a brain heamorrage and in my neuro report from 2010 it said "my cognitive defiencies were permanent".....Thanks

[esagestapo]

Of course I am right, I have been to their sham medical enough times to know that if you play ball with them, it means there is nothing wrong with you. When questioned, sit in silence for a few minutes to ponder what was asked, then hum and haw a bit, sit in silence again, then get up and walk around the room because you can't sit still for more than 5 minutes, and finally say, what was the question again.

[Hidden]

I have not been to an ESA medical but I agree that calling one a medical is a nonsense, these people may be HCA's or physiotherapists or midwives and while I respect their expertise in their own field, only doctors are qualified to carry out medical s and you will be lucky if you see a registered doctor.

If you can look at the benefits and work freebies and see what pitfalls to avoid during the "medical". The full facts website also has information.

[mub40]

hI

had my "medical" or assessment as I would prefer to call it in May.I got my letter last week and I am deemed "fit for work" what a load of b*****x(sorry about the language).From what I can gather this happens to 99.9% f people.I am appealing (another load of stress!).I was asked if I could raise my hands above my head.I replied no as its painful .When I got my report back it said I could! I as you got very stressed and upset with the assessment and now the trouble of going through an appeal.Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Hidden]

One thing I have seen time and time again is the advise to record your assessment if possible. That way you have definitive proof if discrepancies arise. Atos are well known to fabricate and if you ask for your medical to be recorded they will find it impossible to do so when you appeal.

I think we should all ask to do this in the future , that way perhaps they will not varnish the truth so often.