Why would the assessment company award nil points when they have a list of conditions, including Fibromyalgia in a letter from a senior rheumatologist from the hospital ?
Don't they realise that by forcing us to appeal they are making our condition worse because of the stress etc.,
I'm in the same boat. Got a nil score even though got evidence from G.P and Consultant. Got my Tribunal Hearing tomorrow morning,
good luck.. mind and tell them everything.. how u would love to work but because of ur pain u suffer everyday u cant.. also tell them, u cant cook and need help with everything.. because that is only when they will listen... when i said i could not make a cup of t because i even find the kettle heavy, i was told.. cant someone make u a flask of tea and leave it for u.. em noooo because when my hands are sore and weak i would spill it and get burnt.. they got one of there doctors out, and they had a look around my house to see what aids i use... and i was eventually given dla.. so good luck.. let us know how u get on.. x
I really wish you all the best for your hearing, I am getting the forms tomorrow to lodge my appeal for being moved from the support group for ESA.
I really can't understand why we fill in the forms if they ignore them!!!
They know the illness but it affects everyone differently, i know of a woman who has FMS but can work in a cafe as a waitress, I am too ill to work so we are all different.
With the DLA, its how the illness affects tasks you have to do, like can you bath and dress yourself, you might be in pain but still be able to do this tasks, if you can do them you don't qualify for personal care DLA, the same with mobility, you might be in pain but if you can walk over a certain distance then you won't qualify for the mobility award. I hope this will explain it alittle better for you
Like me Ebony, I'm not too bad and work as a childminder. I'm very lucky really. It's hard and I ache like mad but I can still work. I haven't bothered applying for DLA because I just wouldn't get it, I can still do things for myself.
ur right ebony.... was just thinking... i get dla... mobility and care.. am lucky or unlucky.. lucky because i am ill enough and have no life, so i qualify.. or unlucky if i didnt get dla and still be able to work..
wow, totally know where your comming from, i get DLA but would much rather work and have some sort of life, with human contact. xxx
my eldest daughter once said to me that she was lucky because her mum was disabled so she got to come home to me every day where as her friends had to go to out of school clubs, child minders or have a key and let them selves in..... that was before the hormones hit. now she just wishes i would stop asking her to help round the house cos its her easter holidays and the clues in the word holiday!!!!
they seem to disregard when you have fibro as most will see it as a invisible illness it really gets me down 
i was turned down twice iv not bothered since
If your illness is bad please don't give up. xxxxx
im trying not to give up i get dla i have a independent living helper but they still say im fit for work i just dont understand im in constant pain day n day out and its so depressing
Hiya Barbykins, when you go to the tribunal make sure you itemise all your symptoms and how they affect your day to day life. If you say you have fibro that doesn't have the same impact as if you itemise the symptoms i.e. depression, IBS, fibrofog etc. I scored zero points after my first medical but at the tribunal I had scored 15 points which is the minimum you need and they had only covered the first 10 questions. It just goes to show its how you complete the forms and how you portray your symptoms that matter.
Good luck with your claim, Angela xx
Your welcome Barbykins, let us know how you get on tomorrow at the CAB xx
I don't think the assessor had a clue about FM and non of his questions were specifically related to FM and how it and related conditions affect me on a daily basis. His report said that I could walk more than 200 yards (can't), can climb stairs without problem (can't), can see adequately out of one eye (can't) and do not soil myself (have done when couldn't get up stairs quickly enough !).
My printer doesn't work at the moment so a friend printed off the symptoms of FM page from your website.
I have read the the Information Page you mention and hope that the CAB may print a copy off for me.
I will let you know how I get on at CAB tomorrow.
My sister (she also has FM and is on DLA) suggested that I keep a daily diary and treat the whole appeal process as a project.
CAB filled out the G24 form for me and also photocopied and attached the letter from the hospital stating that I scored 18 out of 18 trigger points and also the "other" conditions I suffer from. She asked why I have not applied for DLA and promptly gave me the telephone number to ring for the form. She also wrote down the address of the group who will a) represent me if the ESA goes to tribunal and help with the form filling and b) will complete the DLA forms with me.
She has told my husband to apply for Pension Credit as my ESA has been stopped. Will look into this next week.
Exhausted but at last feel that someone is on my side.
Thanks all for support. I will keep you posted re ESA but this could be a long while off as appeals are taking up to 9 months to be heard.
Recording of ESA assessments
ESA, DLA and PIP
ESA and DLA
Definite dla/ESA
DLA and Esa
