Terrified of ASOS Medical. Please help me

I have chronic lower back pain caused by 2 disc bulges and severe disc degeneration. I am in pain 24/7 and suffer frequent back spasms. I am unable to sit down AT ALL, without excruciating pain which carries on for many hours after I have stood up.

I am on many drugs including morphine sulphate, tramadol, solpadol and diazepam to name a few which helps a little but also mashes me up mentally.

I was receiving DLA (higher mobility, Lower care) and tax credits but as my condition worsened September last year and I was signed off by my doctor I applied for ESA. At around the same time I tried to renew my DLA and was totally rejected. Basically this left me with no money to live on or pay my mortgage with for nearly 3 months. A desperate situation…

I appealed against the DLA decision and as travelling anywhere is painful, they sent a doctor to my home to examine me. Luckily my higher rate mobility DLA benefit was re-instated but the care component wasn’t. I am too afraid to appeal again…

I have now been called for a medical at ASOS some miles away. I called them to explain that travelling anywhere is excruciatingly painful and to ask for a home visit instead.

They requested that my doctor confirm the reasons why and she sent them a letter confirming my poor mobility caused by chronic back pain.

Asos sent me a letter stating that they would not authorise a home visit on the medical evidence received but they would pay for a taxi for the new appt on 24th Feb.

I called them again and advised that sitting in a taxi for about 45 minutes each way would be utter agony for me, not just for the time sitting but for many hours after.

I also advised of a hospital appointment on 23rd February for spinal injections which are known to cause the pain to flare up for a few days after – and that’s even whilst lying down.

ASOS advised me that this counted as a cancellation of the appointment and I am only allowed one before they decide that I have refused their medical.

In desperation I called my doctor again and she faxed another letter to ASOS confirming that the taxi would not benefit me as sitting down causes enormous pain not only at the time but for many hours after.

I called ASOS again but they were unhelpful and said that they would write to me. They did not give me any reassurance about the travel aspect.

Imagining the agonising pain I will experience if they insist on me travelling to the medical centre is unbearable and I am so terrified about it that I am unable to sleep. The huge benefit is that the painful injections I am due to receive tomorrow have paled into insignificance!

I wasn’t afraid of the actual medical process itself before I read online and on this site that ASOS medicals are seriously suspect and very unfair on the patient.

My completed ESA50 form highlights the facts that I am in constant pain, unable to sit down and rarely leave my bungalow as I frequently fall over and am very anxious because of this.

I also enclosed the results of an MRI scan taken in the last year confirming my condition for good measure.

No request has been made to see my medical records to date and they are uninterested in the fact that after being fully examined by a doctor sent by DLA approximately 2 months ago, my mobility benefit was re-instated.

Bearing this in mind and knowing that even after two letters from my doctor, ASOS are still considering inflicting horrendous pain and possible damage to me by forcing me to travel to their centre, I cannot expect to be fairly assessed or even humanely treated when I have my medical assessment.

Please tell me what I can do to protect myself from this very scary organisation. I feel utterly desperate.

ask for a home visit. also, make sure you have a friend or someone with you during the medical.

Thanks for responding. I really appreciate it.

I have asked 3 times now for a home visit. Despite my doctors 2 letters, it is very uncertain about whether I will get one.

Write to your MP.

BB

I was very sorry to read about the battle you are having with Atos over a home visit and their uncaring attitude.

It is ridiculous that a medical needs to take place at all when you have your GP providing evidence to vouch for the pain you are in and the cocktail of medication you are on.

I don't know if it is possible for you (or someone on your behalf) to speak to your MP urgently or whether your GP would be willing to contact Atos direct? Or you could try ringing Jobcentre Plus to see if they can intervene? You really should not have to go through all this.

I hope the matter is resolved soon and you can find some way of switching off from the stress as it can only aggravate the pain.

I really feel for you.

Sorry to not respond you your very lovely message sooner. I was extremely touched by your kind words to say the least. Thank you x.

Unfortunately I have been in too much pain to even think after my hospital treatment. Thankfully it has eased up a little today.

ASOS have written to me again calling me for a new medical assessment on the 10th March at 9:00 am. The time of the appointment ensures that due to rush hour traffic I am expected to endure the maximum time of torture possible. I am in a right old state...

No reference was made in the appointment letter about me begging for a home visit or the two doctors letters sent supporting the reasons why I need this concession.

Having called ASOS again, they have pretty much said that unless I hear different before my appointment, I must attend or else my benefit will stop.

I emailed and faxed a letter to my MP today as suggested but feel like I am clutching at straws as he is clearly busy.

My doctor is lovely but has already put herself out with dealing with the DLA and also writing two letters to ASOS for me. I don't think I can ask her for even more help without risking pissing her off.

Jobcentre plus have not been the most helpful souls I have spoken to previously, but if you think they are worth a try, I will try to speak to someone tomorrow - meds permitting.