Wish me luck !

[Speedqueen9]

I've got my ATOS assessment this morning.

After hearing so many horror stories I'm feeling more than a little bit nervous

[MissKittycat]

Good luck Speedqueen - will be thinking of you today!

If you're taking someone with you, make sure you get them to open doors etc for you and if you want a drink - get them to do it for you. Take notes yourself aswell, as from my experience the 'health professional' didn't noterise all that I told her...

Let us know how you get on xxxxx

[Speedqueen9]

Thanks Christine and Miss Kitty cat. It's good to be armed with some useful facts beforehand. It also helps to know that people are thinking of you and wishing you well. Will let you know how I get on.

[Hidden]

Good luck Speedqueen.

[MissKittycat]

Just a quick addition - when you go take any aids that you use, like a walking stick or frame - and you will get asked some stupid questions. For example ' can you put a hat on' even if you can - tell them in detail how much it hurts to do it. They will ask you if you can walk far or bend over to pick a coin up. Can you dress yourself, can you cook a meal, can you dress yourself - there are all sorts of things - I wish I had more time to find the link to the questionnaire - its on the DWP and directGov website - you have to look deep to find it.

They might ask you if they can examine you on a table - if they do, ask them for help to get up on to it - and they watch you all the time to see if you are sitting comfortably in your chair. If you're like me and can't - make sure you tell them that. I will see if I can find the link... BRB

[MissKittycat]

benefitsandwork.co.uk/emplo...

Heres one.....

[MissKittycat]

benefitsandwork.co.uk/?gcli...

You have to join to get tips and hints on this link but it might help.....

[MissKittycat]

Just found the handbook they use for assessments hope this helps

dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handboo...

[Hidden]

Good luck but why should we all have to remember to do this do that say this say that how can ANYONE possibly determine what this FIBROMYALGIA is like and how we live day to day with it in 20 mins or so its dreadful i hope you get on ok and hope they listen to you, i for one get very nervous in these situations and forget things and also due to fibro fog so ii tend to write things down for them to read so that it is all ther as sometimes you can forget the most relevant and important hings, take care love to you Diddle x

[Speedqueen9]

Thank you so much everyone, all your help and good wishes are making me feel a little calmer xxxx

[Speedqueen9]

Well I'm back, not feeling confident I don't think I performed very well I was told to expect it to last up to 60 mins I was in there 30 mins So not sure if thats good or not. Now just have to play the waiting game which is the worst bit of all I think Thank you all for your good wishes xxxx

[wednesday_focker]

fingers crossed for you honey x

[nicola-h]

Hi

hope your medical goes ok..if you don't pass, appeal straight away. I lost my medical, scored 0 points. I won my appeal, scored 15 points ...the minimum you need. The atos medical is rubbish, i don't think it applys to people with fibro whatsoever.

If you do lose, if you appeal asap you get paid the appeal rate esa till your tribunal hearing.

Hopefully you'll be fine

Hugs

Nicola x

[MissKittycat]

Hi Speedqueen - they normally tell you an hour - I was in and out in 35 mins so don't worry on that score. The hard bit like you say is the waiting....

I'm an old hand at the appeal process and mine also went to tribunal, so if you need any help at all let me know ok? But like nicola said if you do lose you need to appeal straight away. I did this in writing and sent by special delivery mail... can give you tips if you want.

Gentle hugs xxxxx

[traceybarker]

hi there hope it went ok with medical ,i had mine 15 march yestaday an was there a hour asking me things ,wot i can an carnt do i felt like crying for help they watch every move , an asked me loads of things aswell , they dont know wot fibro is like do they , anyway leave a message bk thanks ...

[jazher]

Hi speedqueen,

I have my fingers crossed for you, i hope it went well and you get what you deserve hun,

let us know your outcome.

kel xxx

[Speedqueen9]

Thanks Miss Kittycat If it gets to that stage I wiull certainly need all the help I can get as Never done it before. Tracy and Kel I will let you know the result as soon as I get it, but it's gonna feel like a very long 4 weeks I think. xxxx