Medical assessment

busyMum16

hi all any advice would be great
bit of a long one sorry in advance 

i have a medical assessment coming up via telephone I’m currently on uc and been sending fit notes in for agoraphobia with panic attack’s, I had a medical few months back for anxiety and was deemed fit for work however anxiety has escalated into agoraphobia with panic attack’s, I know mental health effects everyone different my issues are the thought of leaving my home even to go to the shop makes me physically sick, I shake, have the sweats, difficulty breathing, bladder weakness (although I don’t need to wee) I do actually wee myself (embarrassing for a 32 year old female) my panic attack’s are kicking in at the thought of the assessment and it’s not for 2 weeks yet! I’m dreading when my children have to go back to school because I have to leave the house the outside world fills me dread. 
Im scared to tell the assessor incase she thinks I’m lying in going into to much detail but this has been my life for the last few months. 
Has anyone had any similar experience? If I can’t even go to the shop how could I hold down a job. I’d love to feel normal and go about my day but at this moment even with medication and grounding techniques it’s not possible. 
Sorry for the long post 

poppy123456

Duplicate thread here where question was answered. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/94859/medical-assessment#latest

busyMum16

Hi all sorry to bother you I bet your a bit fed up retelling the same information over and over, but I have a question I just had my WCA over the phone the call only lasted 37 minutes the lady I spoke to said it can be about 10 weeks to a decision, anyone else had to wait that long I know they busy and backlogs etc but physically I’m going to suffer with my all ready fragile mental health not knowing it’s got me into a panic attack all ready just thinking of the long wait 

poppy123456

Once the assessment report has been returned to DWP it can take anything up to 12 weeks for a decision. I note that you're claiming UC, once the decision is made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal. Some have decisions in less than a week, some wait a couple of weeks and other wait a lot longer.

I know it's difficult and very stressful waiting but try to focus on something else in the meantime.

busyMum16

poppy123456 said:

Once the assessment report has been returned to DWP it can take anything up to 12 weeks for a decision. I note that you're claiming UC, once the decision is made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal. Some have decisions in less than a week, some wait a couple of weeks and other wait a lot longer.

I know it's difficult and very stressful waiting but try to focus on something else in the meantime.

Thank you for your reply I’m praying I’m not waiting too long my mental health can’t take not knowing 

Tori_Scope

Is there anything you can do to try and keep yourself calm and distracted in the meantime @busyMum16? 

Are you receiving much support to help you manage your mental health at the moment? 

busyMum16

Tori_Scope said:

Is there anything you can do to try and keep yourself calm and distracted in the meantime @busyMum16? 

Are you receiving much support to help you manage your mental health at the moment? 

I’m going to try keep busy to distract from the waiting these things can’t be helped. I’m awaiting a referral from the mental health team and CBT but know there’s long waiting list I’m currently using ground techniques to help with the panic attacks but so far not any good. Praying I have good news from the WCA and get awarded LCWRA I mentally can’t cope with jobcenter and job search etc

busyMum16

Hi sorry to be a pain but o have a question hopefully someone can answer. I had my WCA done via phone call on 02/09/22 and it was sent to DWP the same day, I ask my work coach for a copy of the report on 09/09/22 but he said it’s not ready to be sent to me .. is this because the decision maker hasn’t looked at it yet or because a decision hasn’t been make yet any help please 

easy

Hi @busyMum16 I believe with a WCA for LCWRA they don't send out information until after it has been decided by a decision maker, If I am wrong someone please correct. I hope all goes well for you.

busyMum16

easy said:

Hi @busyMum16 I believe with a WCA for LCWRA they don't send out information until after it has been decided by a decision maker, If I am wrong someone please correct. I hope all goes well for you.

Thank you for your reply I thought that might of been the reason, im not liking this waiting and not knowing .. awh thank you fingers crossed hey 

poppy123456

It has been known for them to refuse to send the report out for the WCA before the decision is made, which isn't a bad thing really. It's not always a good idea to request the report because more often than not it just causes more anxiety. Once a decision is made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal. This can take up to around 12 weeks.

busyMum16

poppy123456 said:

It has been known for them to refuse to send the report out for the WCA before the decision is made, which isn't a bad thing really. It's not always a good idea to request the report because more often than not it just causes more anxiety. Once a decision is made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal. This can take up to around 12 weeks.

Thanks for the info poppy I have read that on a different threat, my work coach first said it have the report on 09/09 but then said it wasn’t available .. I understand it takes time to go through etc but waiting really doesn’t do my mental mental issues any favours fingers crossed I’m not waiting to long and get the result I need .. however my work coach doesn’t believe and all ready telling me about future appointments my next step will be a MR 

poppy123456

It's the same for everyone, waiting causes more anxiety. I would say your work coach mentioning other appointments is perfectly normal when a decision hasn't been made. Only a decision maker can make the decision on a WCA.

If you are found to have LCWRA then all appointments will be cancelled. Your only work commiment will be to agree to report all changes.

busyMum16

Yes your totally right there my anxiety is through the roof at the moment I’ve read some people are waiting months it’s shocking how they expect people with mental health to wait so long .. I’m aware of back logs and obvs can’t rush through the reports etc these things take time but I’m impatient I just want to know sooner where I stand so I can relax a bit 😂 the woman who done my WCA said I should hear in 10 weeks only 9 weeks left to wait hopefully be sooner 

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @busyMum16. Our responses are the very least you deserve. 

I can hear how the uncertainty and waiting are really difficult, especially with your mental health issues. What might help this to feel more manageable for you at the moment?

I can hear that added to the difficulties you are experiencing, your work coach doesn't believe and already telling you about future appointments and your next step will be a MR. Do you want to tell us more about how this is making you feel at the moment?

Hopefully, you are not waiting too long and get the result you need. Please feel free to keep us updated with how things are going for you, we are all here for you 

elahrairah

i'm in a similar situation @busyMum16 , i think i will probably be found fit for work after my latest assessment as i don't think i was very clear about how ill i am.  its so stressful waiting for that information to come through, worrying about what will happen.  my partner was recently found fit for work and she's not able to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time.  its very upsetting.  i hope that they don't put you through any more and that it all goes well.

busyMum16

elahrairah said:

i'm in a similar situation @busyMum16 , i think i will probably be found fit for work after my latest assessment as i don't think i was very clear about how ill i am.  its so stressful waiting for that information to come through, worrying about what will happen.  my partner was recently found fit for work and she's not able to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time.  its very upsetting.  i hope that they don't put you through any more and that it all goes well.

Thank you, I know that feeling all too well I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be found fit for work it’s hard to explain to a stranger how your illness makes you feel/stops you from doing things .. it’s the waiting I’m finding the most difficult the uncertainty of not knowing it’s driving me insane .. keep positive you never know if not you could always request a MR 

sorry to hear it’s not the outcome your partner needed have you asked for a MR?
hope it goes well for yourself and partner I know it’s not easy but try to remain positive 

how long have you been waiting for a decision?

poppy123456

elahrairah said:

i'm in a similar situation @busyMum16 , i think i will probably be found fit for work after my latest assessment as i don't think i was very clear about how ill i am.  its so stressful waiting for that information to come through, worrying about what will happen.  my partner was recently found fit for work and she's not able to stand up for more than a few minutes at a time.  its very upsetting.  i hope that they don't put you through any more and that it all goes well.

Is your partner requesting the MR to challenge that decision? If so have you seen the descriptors for LCWRA? If not you can see them here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

She needs to meet just one of those. Do also be aware that the mobilising descriptor also takes into consideration your ability to use a self propel wheelchair so it's not just about standing and walking.

busyMum16

I’ve tried to get a copy of WCA report but it’s not available to send, my WC said last Monday he’d put a note in to the decision maker on Friday stating I was struggling waiting and to try to get the decision maker to look at my report sooner, well it’s Tuesday today and I’m not getting any reply from him, I’m really struggling at the moment not sleeping or eating due to waiting and I really appreciate they have to assess each case which I know will take time and can’t be rushed but to me it feels like I’m going to be waiting for ages and I really can’t wait it’s sending me into panic attacks I know it’s not the decision makers fault they are busy looking at all the reports and I don’t want to keep messaging my work coach as he has a job to do and other claimants to deal with now I feel like I’m over reacting just writing this.. just curious how long people have waited and does it depend on where you live 

poppy123456

Some wait a week, others wait a few days but some wait several weeks, sometimes longer. They say up to 12 weeks.

I totally understand the wait causes so much anxiety, it's the same for everyone. It's out of your work coaches hands and will depend on how many other files are waiting in the pile for the decision maker.

I know it's difficult but try to think about something else while you wait, otherwise you'll make yourself worse than you already are.

busyMum16

Hi all me again sorry to be a pain, my wca is currently with a decision maker however I was due a meeting with my work coach on the 21/9 I’ve just received a message and my appointment has changed to 28/9 with a different work coach, does this mean my wca was not successful?? I’m really freaking out now any help would be greatly appreciated