ESA home visit friday, new GP giving new diagnosis

hello all,

my ESA home visit is now happening this week after ATOS cancelling last month.

Still waiting on my DLA care consideration as well. Have already been awarded DLA LRM last year.

My new GP has diagnosed me as having Chronic Fatigue and has referred me to a specialist.

Until now my old GP has diagnosed me as having depression, anxiety and social phobia.

Now, my dilemna is what to tell the DWP as the 'new' diagnosis is more defined and is being followed up but, at the end of the day, the condition still limits me in what I can do and what I cannot do and it still affects my life.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I am dreading the ESA home visit this week as I have no faith in my condition and limitations being reported correctly.

best wishes, Lisa

You aren't a medical person so I think it's your job to accurately report and describe your symptoms if and when you're asked and just be articulate as you can in that. I don't think anyone's going to expect you to be your own diagnostician. If the HCP asks what you've got, just tell them of the two diagnoses. It's not your fault there are conflicting opinions aboout what's wrong with you.

BB

lochlisa wrote:

hello all,

my ESA home visit is now happening this week after ATOS cancelling last month.

Still waiting on my DLA care consideration as well. Have already been awarded DLA LRM last year.

My new GP has diagnosed me as having Chronic Fatigue and has referred me to a specialist.

Until now my old GP has diagnosed me as having depression, anxiety and social phobia.

Now, my dilemna is what to tell the DWP as the 'new' diagnosis is more defined and is being followed up but, at the end of the day, the condition still limits me in what I can do and what I cannot do and it still affects my life.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I am dreading the ESA home visit this week as I have no faith in my condition and limitations being reported correctly.

best wishes, Lisa

IMO given the view of what atos and the DWP think of Chronic Fatigue, and taking into account posts on here and other forums I think you original diagnsis was better

I know its what you can and cant do that gets you the points for ESA .. just reading posts on here makes me see possible problems ... do you feel happier with the new diagnosis ?

I am not happy with either of them, I just want to feel better !

Hi Lisa, my GP told me I should dwell more on the symptoms of my CFS/ME/Fibro. (I didn't).

However, it was my mental health 'problems' that got me through the appeal.

I personally think it is best to describe all of your symptoms and how they prevent you from doing things.

At the end of the day it's not a 'diagnosis' that puts you in an ESA group.

All the best,
Rachel

Hi Lisa,
I have anxiety, depression, social phobia and I also have chronic fatigue. One does not exclude the other so I am surprised that this doctor is implying the mental health conditions are excluded by being diagnosed with CFS. Have you had any input from mental health services about the anxiety depression etc to support the original diagnosis. When I have my medical I will be saying that I have both these conditions and how they affect me day to day. Did you fill out your form based on the mental health if so I would probably base it on this and also say you now have a further diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue and how this adds to the problems. I am not an expert but I hope this helps. Good luck for Friday.