Help with Incapacity Medical

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but have subscribed for a while.

The thing is I was exempt from filling in IB50/medicals but between Atos and my local benefits office they both could not give me a proper answer as to why I had go through the process again, as it is distressing to say the least!!

Eventually somebody suggested it could be that I had not been assessed for 18mths and everyone with an exemption needs to be seen again at some stage.

I have made use of the excellent guide for the IB50 claimants and made a through valid account of how my illness affects me using all the descriptors.

Anyway I was dissapointed and to be honest quite frightened that I have to have a medical again.

My doctor has requested a home visit for me so just waiting to hear the outcome.

The thing is I need some advice regarding my treatment. I have tried antidepressants many times for lengthy periods and they have not worked. I am not on antidepressants at the moment but 5htp (which is a supplement that is supposed to act like an anti-depressant). but concerned it will go against me by the decision maker that I not on any official medication for anxiety/depression/insomnia.

Also I have had an extended course of CBT ages ago which didn't work either. I've also tried melatonin from my doctor which did'nt work for insomnia. I am also taking thyroxine for my thyroid and this does not seem to be working either. I have got an appointment with an endo/cfs clinic for investigations.

I am majorly concerned that my picture is showing that I'm not on any medication for anxiety depression and insomnia and receiving no treatment and how this will effect the outcome of my medical?

I have spoken to my doctor about this concern but to be honest she has no idea of the brutalness of how the system can treat claimants.

My doctor said that there was no point getting a re-refferal for CBT or trying antidepressants again because they have not worked.

In terms of my medical, I'm wondering if this is going to be of detrement to me and am I best to push my doctor for antidepressants and re-refferal for CBT to cover myself - even though I agree with her that they are not working.

I want to be armed with the best possible case for my medical if you could advise on my situation it would be really appreciated.

Many thanks

Angelcake

Hi Angelcake

I would not advise anybody to take medication just to satisfy the DWP, (I would rather they took it).

If it's any reassurance to you, I suffer from depression, do not take medication for it (for the same reasons as you, it doesn't help), and I've just passed my ESA medical with 15 points.

I do admit that if you had to appeal, the Decision Maker may try to argue that you cannot be depressed if you are not on medication, but that's a desperate argument that can easily be countered.

As far as the medical is concerned, you just need to focus on why you satisfy the descriptors as a result of your mental health problems. You either satisfy a descriptor or you don't, medication has little relevance to this part of the test.

Best of luck

Derek

Hi, I agree with Derek. I have been on antidepressants for 13 years and still suffer from depression and I only scored 6 points at my medical. I don't think you should go on tablets just to say that you are. However, I do think you should ask your GP to refer you to a consultant to discuss medication as they are a lot more aware of what works and what doesn't. Please excuse me if you have already done this. There are a lot of different anti depressants and I am suprised with your GP's advice. Best of luck,
Rachel

Fedup wrote:

Hi, I agree with Derek. I have been on antidepressants for 13 years and still suffer from depression and I only scored 6 points at my medical. I don't think you should go on tablets just to say that you are. However, I do think you should ask your GP to refer you to a consultant to discuss medication as they are a lot more aware of what works and what doesn't. Please excuse me if you have already done this. There are a lot of different anti depressants and I am suprised with your GP's advice. Best of luck,
Rachel

Where I live it is nigh on impossible to be referred to a consultant psychiatrist, unless you are being/have been treated for a psychotic illness, bipolar disorder or you have been a psychiatric hospital in-patient and there is a possibility of a relapse.

I have suffered from severe depression and acute anxiety for a number of years, and despite having tried a number of treatments most without success, the psychiatrist discharged me informing me that there was nothing further he could do for me, and would I just have to live with the illness with the help of strong medication to control the symptoms. All continuing care has now been passed to my GP.

That doesn't mean I am fully recovered though; indeed I am far from being anywhere near cured!

HI there,
I had my Medical yesterday and indeed the Doctor took little or no notice of the anti-depressent I was on and when I pointed out to here that I was on 2 pills a day. She said the dosage was irrelevant to the Medical!
The fact that your not on Medication at all. I really do not think it will have any bearring on the Decission.

Best of luck anyway.

TheNetGuy.

Hi Derek, that is really awful, and I am sorry if I was speaking out of turn. Strangly, although I have seen a psychyatrist, I have never been offered any other help at all, like councelling or CBT. Last time I asked, I was told I'd have to pay for it. I geuss the system is different in different places. Luckily I can function on a high dose of anti depressants most of the time, (all be it in my own peculiar way!), but outside influences can cause major anxiety. Being a single parent of 4 teenagers comes with a large bundle of stress. Appealling the ESA is pretty huge.
I really do wish you all the best with everything,
Rachel.