ESA assessment- Are they trying to trick me?

Overwhelmed1

I hope it’s ok to share this here. I’m feeling so frustrated and upset after a call from the ESA health assessment people. I’m wondering if the two calls I’ve just had from them are trying to trick me or are genuine so would be good to know if anyone else has had similar experiences and what they have done about it. Am I just being paranoid?!

My telephone assessment was arranged for this afternoon. About half an hour before they were due to call I got a call from a freephone number. I was in bed as I’m really struggling with pain at the moment and had set my alarm so I would be up in time for my appointment but answered it in case it was them as they’d said I needed to be ready in advance.

The person who called said she was checking I was ok for my appointment, which I confirmed I was. She then asked me if they could bring it forward and whilst not ideal (I told them I was in bed and a bit about my situation) I wanted to get this over with so said yes. She checked that I had asked for the call to be recorded and I confirmed I did (my health and disability means I can’t take notes at the moment and I read on here it’s a good idea).

My appointment time came and went and about 10/15 mins later the same person phoned me again. She apologised and said they would have to cancel my appointment today because the recording machine had broken. She asked if I could take a call at any time (I would not receive any advance warning of the call) if I wanted it to be done soon and I explained that I couldn’t do this, I need time to prepare and also, whilst I forgot to tell her this, I have a lot of medical appointments coming up so need to plan my appointment.

She then said it would be about 3 weeks before I would hear again.

I was obviously not happy about this as one minute the call was going to be earlier and then I’m told it will be several weeks away and I was completely overwhelmed by this whole situation. I’ve had a really bad year adjusting to many changes to my physical and mental health and this was just too much.
She said I could complain if I wanted and she told me I should call the number on the letter that I had about my original appointment.

Has anyone else had this experience? Did you complain? Do you think I’m being paranoid or was this a test to see if I could cope with change which I had said I couldn’t. Sorry to ramble on I’m just so tired and exhausted by this process it’s been going on for months.