New e-petition re fibro and CFS which may interest some members.

[Whippetlover]

As well as being hypothyroid, I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and CFS.

For those of you who also have either a fibro or CFS diangosis as well as thyroid problems, your support would be much appreciated in signing and sharing this new government e-petition.

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/pe...

This petition demands that the government instructs the DWP and ATOS to recognise Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as seriously debilitating illnesses as per the World Health Organisation's Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10).

Any support will be very gratefully received!

[Pollybostik]

I have signed it I do hope that it does some good

[Whippetlover in reply to Pollybostik]

Thanks Polly. We need a lot of signatures 100,000! to get it to the next stage. I am also trying to get my MP involved as are others.

[SilkyJ]

Signed! x

[Janinit]

Signed, I was diagnosed with CFS before I then went on to be hyperthyroid.....

[nightingale-56]

Signed and hope it gets somewhere.

[Whippetlover]

Thanks everybody. We need a lot of signatures so if you can think of anywhere else I should share it, please let me know.

I should have said you don't need to have fibro or CFS to sign so anyone who is sympathetic can sign.

Christine

[sarahstevenson]

think I've signed and have added to face book page

[wightmouse]

Signed it, emailed to all in my cfs group. I know most of them were deemed fit for work by Atos even though some of them could not sit in a chair for two hours of the group session and ended on the floor asleep!

[Whippetlover]

Thanks and so sorry to hear about your friends deemed fit for work. I hope they are appealing. This is why it is so important to get this petition signature right up in the tens of thousands asap.

[Schenks]

Signed.

[Whippetlover]

Thanks x

[Schenks]

I am soon to be kicked off benefits - the DWP decided that i will be well in a year, despite doctors' letters to the contrary, and I didn't have the energy to appeal, so I don't think I can now, since it is over 6 months ago I was told.

[Whippetlover in reply to Schenks]

To my regret, I did the same thing Schenks and ended up living off my life savings for two years only for the same thing to happen again!

Your letter likely gave you a date when your benefit will be up to. Before that date, you will receive a form ESA 50 to complete. For the best tips on how to complete this and other DWP forms I found Benefitsandwork.co.uk more help than anybody else. You need to pay a one off fee of £20 to join but their guides are fantastic and have helped lots of people get the benefits they deserved. Meanwhile ask any doctor or consultant you see to provide a report. My best bet is my psych but yours could be your GP.

Keep busy gathering supporting information and get in touch with me when you get your ESA 50 form in. Send me a PM.

Hope this helps, Christine x.

[Schenks in reply to Whippetlover]

Anyone who is a whippet lover has to be a doll - and you are one. Does this ESA 50 form come immediately after you are told? Because I was told last October or so, but I don't remember the form and I just couldn't face the appeal, so can I appeal even though it is supposedly out of time - will I get this form nearer to September, when I am to be thrown onto the scrap heap? Actually, I think the ESA 50 form is the one I filled in and then was called to the medical with Atos - it was after this I was told that my benefit will end this September - they gave me a year!

I used the benefitsandwork site, but after the Atos medical and all the fear and trauma, I was too unwell to do the appeal process, and couldn't even use the website - I couldn't make sense of it (still can't - still foggy). I thought I'd just blown it, despite the doctors' reports and all. You know, even typing this is causing my guts to constrict with fear - I'm off to the loo! (too much info!) .Thanks so much Christine - it helps to know that someone will just hand hold.

Steph XX

[Whippetlover in reply to Schenks]

Hi Steph

My ESA is due to end this month and I was sent the form last month. I still haven't sent it back because I know I'll get a medical so why make it sooner?

You'll get your form at least a month before your benefits are due to end. If it doesn't come in August, I'd ring them up. Once you send it back with as much evidence as you can gather, you may or may not get called for a medical. I'm hoping I have enough evidence so that I don't need to go for a medical - high hopes lol.

I hate the system and the way it has us living in fear of a brown envelope. I'm in the same position but I have learned that if I really believe I am in the right and don't back down, I can be scary too!

Drop me a pm when you get your form and I'll help in any way I can.

Christine

[Schenks in reply to Whippetlover]

Christine, thank you so much. I don't think I realise what a strain this is because I've just read your message - and I've filled up. Really, thank you. i will pm you - I didn't know that I'd get a form before it came to an end, no-one tells you aything. I was just told it will end - period. So when I get another form, I will get back to you - I fell less alone, now.

Steph. X

[Whippetlover in reply to Schenks]

My pleasure x

[DeniseR]

Thanks for sharing, signed x

[heyjude]

Signed and on facebook page. I also failed my esa back in May last year, even though I passed the incapacity benefit medical 2 years and was examined by the same atos doctor both times! I decided not to appeal this time because of stress caused . Luckily I have a great husband too support me,

[Whippetlover in reply to heyjude]

Once you get your strength back, I hope you will have another go at getting what you are entitled to x

[Schenks in reply to heyjude]

I second Whippetlover. Don't let the b*****s grind you down. x