Employment & Support Allowance

aloneinthedark

Hey, thanks for everyones input. I got a letter from my doc saying that he would only give me a sick/fit note from the 20th (my claim started on the 6th and I'm allowed 7 days self cert, so no idea what to do about the other 7 days (between 13th - 20th).

After speaking to my doctor explaining that I get anxious about going out and even pulling myself round to walking to the bus stop and having to come back because I've got myself into that much of a state where I need to come home and get changed.. he said Nope. I'll issue you a fit note from the 20th May - 3rd June and I want to see you in clinic on the 3rd.

I rang up to explain that I'd really really appreciate it if he done a home visit and I was told by the secretary that the home visits are for " elderly and home bound patients only" (I laughed at that one (the home bound patient bit)) and that he won't issue me another fit/sick note until I see him.

a little annoyed but I'm screwed either way, missing a weeks sick note from 13th-20th and then him not issuing after 3rd unless I go in...

aloneinthedark

OH and to note, on the sick note he issued me, he put it down to stress, "stress related anxiety" and that I should get out more to get over it. :') I have the best doctor EVER.

93123

aloneinthedark wrote: »

OH and to note, on the sick note he issued me, he put it down to stress, "stress related anxiety" and that I should get out more to get over it. :') I have the best doctor EVER.

He doesn't sound helpful at all. Can't you see another one?

Parva

epitome wrote: »

The ESA50 can arrive in week 2 onwards.

After failing assessment she can appeal (at assessment rate) with further sicknotes until tribunal which can take 4 - 14 months.

If appeal is longer than 6 months can make new claim to ESA with sicknotes even if loses appeal.

The only real issue is how long the doctor is prepared to provide sick notes for. As long as you get sick notes you will almost indefinatly be able to get ESA.

I'll give you that one, I forgot. Still a pain to do though.

FBaby

Your doctor is taking the tough approach, which comes across as uncaring and lacking compassion, but in many ways, it might not be a bad thing. As you've said, you got into a rut with your lifestyle leading to how you feel. The only way you will get out of it is my facing the world again. I know it is extremely hard, and I think your doctor appreciate this too, but time will not make it better, on the opposite.

I don't think your doctor is saying he wants you out to work tomorrow, he is saying that he wants to see you to discuss the way forward, and that is a much more caring attitude that signing you up for month and getting rid of you as so many GPs do.

You CAN get there. It will be hard, it will making you feel anxious, but see it as your first step to recovery. You have a week to plan it so that it isn't as bad as you fear. Maybe you can take some relaxing tablets before you go, talk it through with someone, plan your trip there (how far is it?) and do it. When you'll get there, you will feel so much better about yourself and that will help talking with your GP your next move to recovery.

I hope I don't across as harsh, it is not my intention, just trying to give an insight in why your GP might be telling you what he is saying.

aloneinthedark

appreciate it, yesterday I managed to after about a week of saying I'm going to do it, I went to the hair dressers (about 5 minutes away) walking down I was what I'd say was paranoid, feeling like everyone was looking at me thats my only issue, I've had times before this where I've been out and people have beeped their horns or shouted !!!! out the window when driving, as you can imagine it isn't nice and it does hurt.

As for my doc, the sick note covers 1 month (20th may - 11th june) when I go and see him, I'm going to explain that if he can give me the sick note for another month or two whilst I try my hardest to lose as much weight as I can (safely) just to see if I can pull myself around to being confortable out in public again, 1 thing he mentioned.. he asked if I was feeling like killing myself, and my reply was basically I'm not.. but being like this doesn't help the situation (which is why I'm guessing he wanted to see me so soon)?

I don't want to be on benefits, I want to get back to work, but I feel before that happens I need to lose 4 - 6 stone which I think in my mind will help me alot, but its trying to explain to the doc that, that way it will be best for me

Parva

aloneinthedark wrote: »

OH and to note, on the sick note he issued me, he put it down to stress, "stress related anxiety" and that I should get out more to get over it. :') I have the best doctor EVER.

Could be worse. I kept going to my doctor about pain in my hip/leg since 2004 and he kept sending me for physio and prescribed ever-increasing doses of tablets. Roll on holiday in Cyprus 2011 when my femur broke on a waterslide. 2 months after leaving for a 2 week holiday I returned home minus my entire right leg and hip.....

I had been suffering a chondrosarcoma (bone cancer) which if caught earlier would have saved the leg.

zzzLazyDaisy

aloneinthedark wrote: »

I used to work, but then I had to leave work to look after my disabled mam

Is your mum in receipt of DLA? If so you may be able to claim carer's allowance.

kcmoon

Hi,

I just saw your post and although I have no helpful suggestions for your original question I just wanted to ask if you have tried going to your local slimming world meeting? I have been going to one for 7 weeks now and the amount of support I have been getting has been really amazing. Its not just about weight loss its about image therapy too.

Just a thought