Having a Medical?

stazi

Phyiscal only = 15, mental health only = 10. Where someone has both tests applied, between 6 to 9 MH points counts as 9 points towards the combined 15 needed to pass PCA. Less than 6 points on the MH is disregarded.

AJB135

Hi Everyone

Sorry I have not written sooner, Well I went to my appointment on the 6th September, , I went with my partner, I was nervous as hell, I had to wait ages in the waiting room, 40 minutes as they were running late. If just felt awful, I could feel my chest tightening up, I could hear my heart beating fast, hands begining to shake.

And then the Dr called my name, she was asking all sort of questions, including do you have any pets? do you feed the pets? do you walk the dog? (what is that all about), hello I am not going to let my pets starve, if I don't feed them then someone else feeds them. Plus the Dr had all of the information from the form I filled in and from my own Dr , why ask the questions again?

I am sure that she things I am just a lazy slob, who gets up at lunchtimes and hangs about in your nightclothes, it is hard when you suffer from depression, I wish I didn't suffer from it. (if you see what I mean) I hope I will pass, as I don't think I am fit for work at the moment, plus I get upset so easily over the smallest of things.

Well I thought I would give you an update of what is going on. Now I have to just wait for the dreaded letter.

AJB135

jules_2

Good luck AJB135
I am awaiting my medical appointment too - I know what you mean about the doctors thinkingyou are lazy - I always feel the same...... its not like we want to be this way!
Anyway - hope the letter brings the good result you deserve!
all the very best
Julie

cazza35

Hi AJB135
I know exactly how you feel, I've suffered from depression for years and it's hard to explain how you're feeling to others. I've been to a couple of these 'medicals' and have just been asked to go for another. The first was ok but the second was a female doctor who you would think would be sympathetic, how wrong can you be. From the moment I entered the room I knew she had no manners and couldn't care less. When it came to the questions on depression I kind of went off on a tangent explaining what you were saying about not having the motivation to get dressed etc, she quickly said, 'let's just stick to the questions, ok!!' I felt like bursting into tears from all the stress as it was but to be confronted with a less than sympathetic doctor who was speaking to me like I was nothing (which to anyone who has known depression is a dangerous thing) it was horrible to say the least. My benefit was duly stopped and my brother came to a tribunal which had two of the most patronising men I have ever met in my life on the panel, I couldn't go back in the room for the result as I was in floods of tears from the stress but they also turned me down. I had no money at all for nearly a year until I went for another medical that agreed I was unfit for work. Although most doctors are fine, there are a few that really should reconsider their jobs. Because of that experience I am terrified when I receive the letter to get a medical in case I get a horrible doctor. I'll let you know what happens at mine.
Take care.

jules_2

I had a very similar experience to you cazza35..... I wonder if it was the same horrible doctor!?!
I am now awaiting my appointment for the medical again - I don't mind telling you - I am scared beyond belief! I just dont wantto have to go through the whole tribunal thing again.
Good luck to you and everyone else who is a similar situation.

fraoch

Just been for a medical today, its very scary and I hadn't realised that this forum had people who felt the same. Call came through 7.45 Friday evening to ask me to go today at 9.30am.

Was signed off completely due to depression and anxiety about 4 years ago but felt better and went back to work, now worse than ever and off for about a year. Don't know how I did today but burst into tears half way through (how embarrasing).

He didn't ask a lot of questions but spent quite a while clicking on his computer. He did ask if I was right handed followed by did I have nightmares - what has the right handed bit got to do with it.

Don't know how long I'll have to wait to find out.

Good luck to anyone who has to attend a DWP medical for incapacity benefit and may it work out well for you.

fraoch

I also have asthma but he didn't ask me anything about that - strange

healy

fraoch wrote: »

Just been for a medical today, its very scary and I hadn't realised that this forum had people who felt the same. Call came through 7.45 Friday evening to ask me to go today at 9.30am.

Was signed off completely due to depression and anxiety about 4 years ago but felt better and went back to work, now worse than ever and off for about a year. Don't know how I did today but burst into tears half way through (how embarrasing).

He didn't ask a lot of questions but spent quite a while clicking on his computer. He did ask if I was right handed followed by did I have nightmares - what has the right handed bit got to do with it.

Don't know how long I'll have to wait to find out.

Good luck to anyone who has to attend a DWP medical for incapacity benefit and may it work out well for you.

They should have given you at least 7 days notice of the medical.You should be notified of the result in about 3 or 4 weeks, though it can be quicker or take longer.

browneyez10

Hi I need some advice. I am claiming long term incapacity benefit for stress related seizures, panic attacks and because of these things I am agoraphobic. I can't even go up the local shop alone and even with company I get very anxious.
My benefit was recently up for normal review and I had to fill out another IB50. Over the weekend I received a letter from medical service asking if I could attend a medical. I phoned them up and explained that although i was happy to have the medical I suffer from agoraphobia due to fits and panic attacks and would need a home visit.
On top of all of this im 32 weeks pregnant and not prepared to out mine or babys health at risk.
She seemed suprised that id been asked to attend a medical as im so close to having my baby but said that I would need to see my gp and get him to fax a letter to medical services stating that a home visit would be more benficial to me and also to mention about my illness and pregnancy.
She said that him sending this letter to change the descision entirely and that I may not end up needing to have a medical.
The only problem is I changed doctors about a month ago, just because ive moved areas so my new gp has never met me and doesn't know me or my history, I know it's all on my medical records but im worried that he won't be sympathetic and write a detailed letter to medical services.
Do you think he will and also going by the info ive told you do you think my medical will at least be deffered until after i have my baby ?

stazi

Did you tell the IB section at your JCP Benefit Centre that you were pregnant? If not, that's why you were referred. If you have a Mat B1, sent it to JCP with a letter, and any medical will then be deferred until about a month after your baby is due.
JCP will have written to your GP (old or new), who should have said if you can/cannot attend a medical.