DLA & ATOS medical

Hi, I wanted to say how helpful regarding information that this forum has been since I joined. 

However, I only found it AFTER I'd submitted DLA form online, AND couldn't access it again after it had gone in, though it said you should be able to print a copy off. 

I have been ill since Dec with no diagnosis other than Functional Neurological Disorder as my symptoms don't fit any 'boxes' they have. 

I've had 2 hospital stays 20-31 Dec where sudden double vision was investigated with all serious causes ruled out as no evidence showed on MRI scan + other numerous tests. Discharged with meds for ocular myasthenia, but again no +ve results to any tests although I know there's a small % that don't show. Dramatic (consultants word) response to those drugs in 2week period & my vision is almost back to normal but they still won't confirm diagnosis. 2nd hospitalisation 10-31 Jan after speech deteriorated suddenly,
& violent spasms in A&E. More tests & MRI of brain, no +ve results of that either. Am left with no balance, walking problems, speech difficulties, shaking spasms and lots of pain in neck and left arm, no grip for fine motor control - all of which has no firm diagnosis. I'm having speech therapy but no improvement, physio but seem to have plateau'd as underlying cause is not being treated. 

My employer has just given me 3 months notice as report from consultant said altho he thought vision had been organic problem ie in his eyes genuine physical problem, though no +ve result; the rest was due to  'Functional Neurological Disorder' which could take years of psychological help with only a 'possibility' of full recovery. My Occ Health kindly sent me a copy. When I read that, I despaired - psychological?? Seems like that's their answer when they just 'don't know'.  6 months on I'm now having MRI scan on neck for possible trapped nerve/herniated disc. Might answer part of it.

I was advised by GP to apply for DLA so after reading about other people on here's GPs not describing difficulties well, am hoping mine does. 

As I said, DLA firm went in online - this was in April. I didn't know about this site then, so I now know I didn't describe or cross ref anything anywhere near detailed enough. I got phoned to go for medical & it was at that stage I found here so I was able to read up on what to expect. That was 2nd June. My husband drove me & we could park right outside (I'd had an interview previous week with the council & they've awarded me a blue badge).  

As it happened, I was having an awful day & could hardly walk due to shaking spasms & speech was extremely difficult. The ATOS dr watched me walk in so he knew how bad that was. I struggled through what questions he did ask, nowhere near what was described on here - I did say not everyday is as bad as this, but was extremely upset at having to go through it all, & he stopped before I'd fully described a 'normal' day. I have no idea if that is usual? He then asked to examine me, but said it would be too dangerous for me to climb onto the couch, so i stood leaning & holding onto it for support while he got me to do various things, some of which I refused as it was making me worse with spasms. I was truly exhausted after all that and sobbing. I assume that is why i read beforehand that ATOS medicals are dreaded. It's not right that you should have to go through all that. Now am left wondering what he reported & waiting for DLA to get in touch. 

In meantime, as the breadwinner (ha), I've got till end of August before 'employment' finishes & i start really worrying about what £ we've got coming in. Only got married last year, think hubby got short end of straw! Spent 18 yrs nursing his 1st wife, now i break!  

If employer ill-health retires me, does that mean ESA is not applicable? I'm 54 so with what's happened, probably have cat in hell's chance  of another job at my age - that's even IF my health improves which doesn't look likely.  Am trying not to worry, but till some decision is given I can't help but worry.  

Hi,

You have every sympathy from me, and I'm sure from all moderators, but we do not have the resources to provide information/advice on individual claims.

See Forum FAQ

You need 'face to face' advice from an agency that can give you this kind of support.

Try your local CAB, if they cannot help, try Community Legal Advice

Good luck.

Jim

Linnty wrote:

Hi, I wanted to say how helpful regarding information that this forum has been since I joined. 

However, I only found it AFTER I'd submitted DLA form online, AND couldn't access it again after it had gone in, though it said you should be able to print a copy off. 

I have been ill since Dec with no diagnosis other than Functional Neurological Disorder as my symptoms don't fit any 'boxes' they have. 

I've had 2 hospital stays 20-31 Dec where sudden double vision was investigated with all serious causes ruled out as no evidence showed on MRI scan + other numerous tests. Discharged with meds for ocular myasthenia, but again no +ve results to any tests although I know there's a small % that don't show. Dramatic (consultants word) response to those drugs in 2week period & my vision is almost back to normal but they still won't confirm diagnosis. 2nd hospitalisation 10-31 Jan after speech deteriorated suddenly,
& violent spasms in A&E. More tests & MRI of brain, no +ve results of that either. Am left with no balance, walking problems, speech difficulties, shaking spasms and lots of pain in neck and left arm, no grip for fine motor control - all of which has no firm diagnosis. I'm having speech therapy but no improvement, physio but seem to have plateau'd as underlying cause is not being treated. 

My employer has just given me 3 months notice as report from consultant said altho he thought vision had been organic problem ie in his eyes genuine physical problem, though no +ve result; the rest was due to  'Functional Neurological Disorder' which could take years of psychological help with only a 'possibility' of full recovery. My Occ Health kindly sent me a copy. When I read that, I despaired - psychological?? Seems like that's their answer when they just 'don't know'.  6 months on I'm now having MRI scan on neck for possible trapped nerve/herniated disc. Might answer part of it.

I was advised by GP to apply for DLA so after reading about other people on here's GPs not describing difficulties well, am hoping mine does. 

As I said, DLA firm went in online - this was in April. I didn't know about this site then, so I now know I didn't describe or cross ref anything anywhere near detailed enough. I got phoned to go for medical & it was at that stage I found here so I was able to read up on what to expect. That was 2nd June. My husband drove me & we could park right outside (I'd had an interview previous week with the council & they've awarded me a blue badge).  

As it happened, I was having an awful day & could hardly walk due to shaking spasms & speech was extremely difficult. The ATOS dr watched me walk in so he knew how bad that was. I struggled through what questions he did ask, nowhere near what was described on here - I did say not everyday is as bad as this, but was extremely upset at having to go through it all, & he stopped before I'd fully described a 'normal' day. I have no idea if that is usual? He then asked to examine me, but said it would be too dangerous for me to climb onto the couch, so i stood leaning & holding onto it for support while he got me to do various things, some of which I refused as it was making me worse with spasms. I was truly exhausted after all that and sobbing. I assume that is why i read beforehand that ATOS medicals are dreaded. It's not right that you should have to go through all that. Now am left wondering what he reported & waiting for DLA to get in touch. 

In meantime, as the breadwinner (ha), I've got till end of August before 'employment' finishes & i start really worrying about what £ we've got coming in. Only got married last year, think hubby got short end of straw! Spent 18 yrs nursing his 1st wife, now i break!  

If employer ill-health retires me, does that mean ESA is not applicable? I'm 54 so with what's happened, probably have cat in hell's chance  of another job at my age - that's even IF my health improves which doesn't look likely.  Am trying not to worry, but till some decision is given I can't help but worry.  

OMG ! reading your 4th paragraph brought back a problem I had start about 7 years ago, its like what happened to me

I was already retired on service and war pension and my troubles had nothing to do with the above problems you describe but I started having sight and speech problems too just like you have put they at first could find nothing to cause it after scans mri ct pet
it was not till they did full bloods did they find the cause
antiphospholipid syndrome - APS with secondary Sjogren's syndrome

all of this was a bounus as I was already very sick and my health problems I had to start with confused them where to start


in most cases easy to treat but I am too ill from other problems that makes things very complicated

Just to give an update:

- I've been awarded DLA higher rate mobility & middle rate care until 2014, so thank you very much to this site & it's guides regarding the ATOS medicals as apart from what I physically had to do, it helped me to answer the questions in enough detail correctly, & in the right words for their system in how I'm affected in every day life and the help I need.
I'm still waiting to hear if I will be granted ill-health pension so from what I've understood from the guides on here, applying for ESA will have to wait until that result comes through as I'm still being paid till end of Aug. Hopefully I won't have to go through that.

Still no diagnosis, and little improvement and I'm waiting for results of another MRI scan, but things look a little better now after the DLA result