ESA health assessment

[louisew]

hi, guys I haven't posted in a while hope everyone's ok well ok as can be.

I'm a bit worried at the moment I have another assessment coming up on the 27th of December and I'm worried I wont get it again has anyone got any advice please.

I have psoriatic arthritis and fibro although my arthritis has not been given me much problems as I'm taking my medication and pain management but I still am in a lot of pain and don't sleep very well. I'm just really worried walking is a big issue although I do go out for sort walks and try to exercise as much as I can.

on a separate note could anyone help me again my ankle and knees swell and go red and hot and really painful I seen my GP but she said it was nothing to worry about but its so painful. thank you in advance.

and have a nice Christmas x

[Golfer15]

Hi Louise, try not to worry about your assessment. It is difficult being on the 27th as it Christmas. I have just heard that my ESA has been extended so hopefully the DWP are realising that fibro and related conditions are treated as disabilities.

Take care of yourself. Have a good Christmas.

David

[louisew in reply to Golfer15]

Thank you david have a good xmas too. I will try not to worry thank you

[Golfer15 in reply to louisew]

You are welcome.

[Shazzzy]

Hi louisehew, so sorry you have to go through this, it just makes us worse physically and mentally going through this process. Just to let you know I have found out I am to be put in support group ESA, so it's not always disastrous. As to the swelling, pain and heat in your joints it sounds more like athritis, I would ask gp to refer you back to rheumatology for diagnosis and treatment. All the best

[louisew in reply to Shazzzy]

Thank you sazzzy i go to the rheumatology and she just said it could be excess water but i dont think its that. I did think it could be the arthritis thank you

I am in the surport group of esa but im just worrying that they will take it away. I was on jsa for a while and every interview i went to i never heard bk so im just worried that it will happen again x

[mattjoachim in reply to louisew]

ALSO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU AT ASSESSMENT.YOU STICK TO WORDS LIKE FUNCTIONAL ABILITY. ALL THERE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO LIKE SHOPPING AND ON A GOOD DAY WHAT YOU CAN DO. SO BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR ANSWERS AND AS A TIP I WAS GIVEN KEEP SAYING THINGS LIKE WALKING EFFECTING YOUR FUNCTIONAL ABILITY ON A DAILY BASIS DUE TO PAIN ALSO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WATCHING TV MAKE SURE YOU STRESS YOU COULD ONLY STAY SEATED IN ONE POSITION FOR LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR SAY ABOUT 20 TO 25 MINUTES WITHOUT HAVING TO GET UP TO MOVE DUE TO PAIN AND DISCOMFORT. SAY THIS AS THEY JUST TICK A BOX AND SAY YOU SIT FOR OVER AN HOUR TO WATCH TV. THAT FAILS ONE OF THE DESCRIPTORS IF THEY TICK 1 HOUR

[louisew in reply to mattjoachim]

Thats exactly what i do i cant stand or sit for too long and lieing down is uncomftable

[mattjoachim]

Are you in support or wrag group at the moment that makes a bit of a difference. You say your ankle and knees swell and go red have you been tested for Gout

[louisew in reply to mattjoachim]

I am in the support group hun for the time bein. I havent been tested for gout what is it please? And what is the tests please thank you for replying x

[mattjoachim in reply to louisew]

Gout is high uric acid levels in your blood which results in swelling of joints Its a form of arthritis very painful. Blood tests will show levels of uric acid. Surprised your doctor has not done blood tests for this if joints red and swollen. If you already in support group you stand a better chance of staying on it but i would be careful saying you go out for short walks as they might say your condition has improved from medication . Better saying that since you last assessment your condition has not got any better and its effecting your functional ability on a daily basis

[louisew in reply to mattjoachim]

Thanks for the tip mattjoachim oh is thos serous sorry my spelling isnt very good. No i have not had any blood tests for a while now and somtimes in that much pain i cant put no weight on it and i cant sleep much

[mattjoachim in reply to louisew]

GOUT VERY PAINFUL I BENN GETTING ATTACKS FOR YEARS NOW. AT FIRST I USED TO BEAR THE PAIN FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT WOULD EASE UP THEN A FEW DAYS LATER GET PAINFUL AGAIN. YES I BE UNABLE TO PUT ANY WEIGHT ON FOOT DURING ATTACKIN ANKLE OR TOE YEARS LATER IT STARTED SOMETIMES TO EFFECTS MY ELBOW AND FINGERS AS WELL ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR BLOOD TEST

[mattjoachim in reply to louisew]

ALSO ONE MORE THING AT THE START OF YOUR ASSESSMENT MENTION YOU ARE IN SUPPORT GROUP ALREADY BECAUSE THE DWP SOMETIMES JUST FORWARD YOUR ESA50 ONLY TO THE ASSESSORS AND AT THE MOMENT . SOMETIMES THE ASSESSORS ARE UNAWARE WHAT GROUP YOU HAVE BENN IN BEFORE AND TREAT IT AS YOUR FIRST ASSESSMENT. THEY BLAME EACH OTHER WHEN IT COMES TO APPEALS FOR NOT BEEN GIVEN THE CORRECT INFO AT THE START

[louisew in reply to mattjoachim]

Thank you for the heads up i will say thank you i didnt realise this

[Mdaisy]

Good Evening louisew

What an inconvenient time to have an assessment as it will no doubt be causing you to be a little anxious over the festive period. I suppose though someone has to be placed in these appointments to ensure everyone is assessed.

Please find below a post containing all the information you'll need should you wish to contact FMAUK Benefits Advisor plus other website links that may be of help;

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

I sincerely hope you will be able to relax at Christmas time after getting the advice to help you in regards to the assessment.

All the best

Emma

[louisew in reply to Mdaisy]

Thank you emma i will have a look at the link i will try and keep calm over christmas but my anxity has hit the roof

All the best x

[louisew]

Thank you ajay575 i just walk to my childrens school witch is around the conor and i struggle but try my best to get them to school. I seem to swell about lunch time everyday somtimes it goes down during the night only to return the next day and sleeping is a nightmare

[jbgood7]

£50 bonus if they fail you

Lay on the floor as soon as possible after you arrive ask to be helped up don't get on the examination table

Don't raise your arms above shoulder hight

For your arthritis 1tbsp of turmeric 1tbsp of ginger pinch of black pepper 1 pint water bring to the boil for simmer 2 mins cool add tea bags of choice honey after 1 week pain will ease trust me .I was on the verge of screaming with pain It works

Best of luck

Love John x