Will I be able to take my cat with me to an ATOS medical?

anguk

Scared45 wrote: »

I decided to visit the Jobcentre Plus office this morning and try and find out more about my case.

I was really anxious so took some valium - just a low dose - which I keep for emergencies. I fed my cat first with some chopped liver which she loves.

Must have been out for 2 hours, which is the longest for me in quite a while, I felt panicky despite the tablet but persisted although I didn't really accomplish anything re my claim. I was able to visit the supermarket, though, and taking deep breaths I got home okay.

The cat was fine - eager to see me again - but not scratching the wallpaper or anything while I was out. So that was a really good tip. Thanks.

Well done you! :T Small baby steps, little and often, will be good for both of you.

anguk

Scared45 wrote: »

Thanks, I think one cat is enough. She does have every opportunity to go out and a nice big area of gardens she can explore, but, like I said yesterday, the most she will go out for is about 30,40 minutes.

Not all cats like to be outside for long periods of time. We've had cats for years and all of them have loved being outside for hours at a time and they've all preferred to be out at night except for the cat we've got now. He likes to sit at the back door looking out and if he's feeling brave he'll go into the yard and sit at the back gate or go under the car for about 5 minutes but that's it! We're surrounded by fields so it's ideal for cats but this one just doesn't like being outdoors much.

pebbles88

Scared45 wrote: »

I decided to visit the Jobcentre Plus office this morning and try and find out more about my case.

Scared45 wrote: »

I was really anxious so took some valium - just a low dose - which I keep for emergencies. I fed my cat first with some chopped liver which she loves.
Must have been out for 2 hours, which is the longest for me in quite a while, I felt panicky despite the tablet but persisted although I didn't really accomplish anything re my claim. I was able to visit the supermarket, though, and taking deep breaths I got home okay.
The cat was fine - eager to see me again - but not scratching the wallpaper or anything while I was out. So that was a really good tip. Thanks.

That’s really good to hear, I’m so glad you have started to look for support. :j:beer:

Scared45 wrote: »

Thanks, I think one cat is enough. She does have every opportunity to go out and a nice big area of gardens she can explore, but, like I said yesterday, the most she will go out for is about 30,40 minutes.

You may find that as your confidence grows, so does your Cats. So she may start to explore a lot more & possibly stay out longer.

One of our cats is a house cat, purely by her choice. She’s terrified of everything, even me, if I’m dressed in say jeans & a top, she runs & hides, yet if I’m in my pjs, she won’t leave me alone! However I am now pleased to say, after 11 years with us – she has finally calmed down & started to venture onto the patio. Even if it is for only a few mins each time!

I love cats, their independant streaks are amazing, they are so good at sensing your feelings too, so as you get better, it will have a good effect on her too.

dealer_wins

Joke alert!!!

It you do take your cat then dont let it out of the bag. You will get sanctioned pronto!!!

dmg24

I have reported walking stick's posts to Abuse - please do not quote them, as hopefully they will be removed soon.

Scared45

I generally don't respond to posts by complete halfwits who find any of this amusing - they clearly haven't read or are incapable of understanding the thread.

nobodyputsbabyinacorner

Have you spoken to your GP/psychiatrist about your assessment? Only lots of people get anxious about the medicals before hand so they might be able to give you some coping techniques just to get you through the short term lead up and for the day.

Scared45

I don't know when my assessment is yet - I got a letter saying I was to be migrated onto assessment for ESA and that I was to phone them confirming my details before they send the forms out.

Tried phoning them today but got no answer. I'm really just thinking ahead and assuming the worst - that I will have to attend an ATOS medical in a month or two's time.

But thanks for the suggestion - I'm seeing my G.P. on Thursday afternoon - she is quite good and generally spends more than half-an-hour with her patients, and I have got quite a bit on my mind lately.

nobodyputsbabyinacorner

i know it's easy to say but.... try not to worry about it. ESA would be manic today because they have been closed since last Thursday. Try them again first thing and they should be more quiet. They might be able to put your mind at rest.

AnnaLicious_2

I haven't read the full thread here, as it went a little odd in the middle. Some cats do get petulent when you leave them, but a few hours is fine. I had a cat that would pee on my bed if I was away overnight (which is harder to clean than you think!). But they honestly don't mind their own company. I would leave the radio on, which helped a lot. Or maybe leave a tshirt of yours somewhere your cat sleeps, so she can smell you? To the same effect, can you bring something of your cat's to calm you down? A toy of her's you can keep in your pocket to hold when you're feeling unsettled?