Awaiting a hysterectomy & esa

HONEYMONSTER

My employment contract at work came to an end and I would have been claiming jobseekers allowance but went onto ESA instead. This was due to an unsuccessful operation to partially remove a large fibroid which is causing bilateral hydronephrosis (issues with my kidneys) which means I am awaiting a hysterectomy and I am also suffering a flare up of my psoriatic arthritis.

When I do return to work, as the arthritis is affecting my hands I will have to look for something other than the office type work I normally do as I can no longer manage it.

I have however just had my medical assessment with ATOS.

In reality, even if they don't accept I am unfit for work, I can't really job hunt at all as I can't apply for a job and say at the interview that I will soon need three months off for the hysterectomy but from all I have read, I really get the feeling that the ATOS medical assessment team will find me fit to work until I have the actual operation.

If they say I am fit to work I plan to apeal but I just wondered if anyone out there has undergone the ATOS assessment when awaiting a hysterectomy and what the outcome was?

Any tips?

Thanks

rogerblack

It's going to totally depend on your symptoms.
Someone could need a hysterectomy, and be essentially symptom free, until it happens.

Good luck.

paddedjohn

Do you have an appointment for your op yet?

PippaGirl_2

Unfortunately it will all be down to meeting descriptors currently.

That will be interesting after surgery too as you are fairly mobile within 48 hours and able to push buttons and move things from one part of a desk to another. Afaik there are no clauses saying you qualify for esa following surgery even though you'd not be fit for work and every Doctor would say so.

Dunroamin

I wouldn't necessarily expect to be unable to work for 3 months after having a hysterectomy. Unless there are complications, many women would be able to do most light work after a month.

HONEYMONSTER

No I haven't had a date yet but I have had the pre-op assessment and have already been waiting nearly 3 months and they are supposed to do it within 18 weeks.

Obviously everyone goes on a different journey when they have an operation but I am told by the hospital to expect the recovery to take 3 months so I have to err on the side of caution and anticipate this period of time, in the hope its less.

I have a baby sized fibroid which has distorted my womb and is pressing on my kidneys and a nerve in my back, causing some kidney disfunction, so I am pretty uncomfortable. I also have to have monthly injections to induce a chemical menopause to try and prevent the fibroid from growing further - so I am a tad bit hormonal . My blood pressure is shooting through the roof and I am also having major problems with diagnosed psoriatic arthritis in my right hand (I am right handed), which flares up now and then.

On top of all of this, and not too unsurprisingly, I am anaemic and have to have iron supplements and B12 injections.

Thanks

Muttleythefrog

Honeymonster. You've had your WCA medical with ATOS. My strong advice is call the DWP (number at top of DWP ESA letters) and ask for copy of the resulting ATOS medical report ESA85. There is every chance the DWP eventually will take a decision that will simply reflect the specific advice in that report...the report will detail the descriptors that the HCP felt applied to you... and only the descriptors determine entitlement.

Now.. as I understand it your GP sounds like they're going to keep signing you as unfit to work for time to come. If you were found fit for work regarding the WCA by the DWP then you have the option of appealing. If you appeal then under the cover of sicknotes you can remain on ESA, and probably get the assessment rate paid, until the appeal is dealt with... that would take many many months... the DWP indeed would probably take a couple of months in doing their automatic reconsideration and that's before the tribunals service even get the paperwork.

If you need any specific guidance surrounding the WCA... such as relating to surgery then perhaps consult the manual for the WCA.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf

plum2002

Dunroamin wrote: »

I wouldn't necessarily expect to be unable to work for 3 months after having a hysterectomy. Unless there are complications, many women would be able to do most light work after a month.

It's possible that she has been told that's the case by GP or consultant though? I went back to work 3 weeks after mine, but I didn't have all the other problems this lady appears to from her OP. I'd say she's being sensible trying to find out the facts now rather than later?

Dunroamin

plum2002 wrote: »

It's possible that she has been told that's the case by GP or consultant though? I went back to work 3 weeks after mine, but I didn't have all the other problems this lady appears to from her OP. I'd say she's being sensible trying to find out the facts now rather than later?

Oh, I agree. However, there's often generalised guidelines about this sort of thing which can, if you're not careful, become a self fulfilling prophecy.

shegirl

'3 months recovery' doesn't mean you are only able to sit on your !!!! doing nothing for 3 months.They also tell you '3 months recovery' for a c-section,doesn't mean you can't look after your baby...

Most important thing is not carrying any heavy loads for 3 months

plum2002

It's a bit like people saying it's illegal to drive for 5 weeks after a C-section birth, it's not illegal just that most insurance won't cover you and it is illegal to drive without insurance The recovery guidelines for a hysterectomy is 3 months, doesn't mean you can't work in that time, although for some that may well be the case.