I saw my afore mentioned new/old GP and she didn’t let me down. I’m writing this while I am on top of the world because I know my blog is heavy on the “woe is me” vibe these days. She could have looked at my notes, sighed and ushered in the time waster with the aim of getting rid of me as quickly as possible. But no, she didn’t. She has obviously had a busy morning as she was running twenty minutes late, but she still treated me like a human being who is having a hard time. She seemed genuinely upset for me that I’d been treated so badly. She was utterly baffled by the DWP’s decision. She really, really wants to help improve my quality of life.
I cried. I cried like a baby (especially once I got home) and told her that her kindness was appreciated more than she knows… Then I rammed my wheelchair into her consultation chair because I am a fucking liability. Nice one.
She’s going to write to the DWP and politely suggest they take a long, hard look at themselves… as well as looking again at my case because it’s RIDICULOUS. She is getting me back again in two weeks for another double appointment. In the mean time she is going to look into EDS/hypermobility, refer to me a geneticist as my consultant rheumatologist isn’t exactly interested in helping me as I don’t have arthritis (his area of interest) – and look more into contraception/pill options with a view to stabilising my hormones and generally try and think of ways to help me because that’s what we all need, a little help.
I have to call a number about some over the phone CBT, because talking to someone can’t hurt. I am seeing a great guy this afternoon for help appealing the DWP’s stupid decision. Annnnnd I have antibiotics for the raging ear infection I didn’t really realise I had. Apparently my kind of sore, super blocked feeling ear is actually filled with gunge and looks kind of disgusting – so much so that she wanted to give me steroid cream on top of the antibiotics. Whoops. I guess that says something about my pain threshold these days! I politely passed on the steroids as the similar nasal spray I was prescribed has consumed the skin inside my nose and it now needs cauterised, I’d rather avoid a similar fate for my ear – though I wonder if I’d be taken more seriously if I had blood dripping from my nose and ears.
I can’t explain just how much of a weight has been lifted. She is lovely. She works so hard and really cares about human beings. She better not be planning on adding to her family anytime soon!
Ren x
broken down body 
So pleased for you, it feels fantastic when a doctor fights for you and doesn’t give up. I hope they change their mind and good luck x
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Thanks!! Even on a really sore day with added ear infection fun, i feel really positive. Now, when I’m sick, there is someone whose initial reaction involves how we can fix it – not just getting rid of me 😊 super happy! X
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I don’t know how long it’s been since you got your ESA decision – you usually get 28 days to undertake the Manditory Reconsideration and then another 28 days for appeal. However, you would be in an ideal situation just to re-apply for it. You’re physical situation has changed greatly since you applied – you now need and have a wheelchair. This might be a better choice than fighting the old claim. I say this as someone who has done both. In addition to getting your GP on your side, you need to get documents from all your specialists – all the letters from all the appointments. You can get your GP to write a letter of support for you. And you need to get an Advocate in place, for if you have a medical. I cannot stress the power of an Advocate. You should also write to your MP and a friendly journalist (whose details I have and can send you). Sorry for the barrage of information, but I’ve been fighting this very thing for over a year, so it flows out. Ear infections suck balls.
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I’ve been to see a guy in Aberdeen twice before and then again today who used to be a lawyer but now works for a charity helping people like us apply for what we are entitled to. He seems pretty confident that I stand a good chance at them changing their minds. My GP is going to write a letter of support and I’m waiting to hear back from my OT and physio – they are always really slow to get back to anyone! I’ve written to my MP who is happy to fight my corner if it goes to a tribuneral… I try not to blog too much about ESA/DWP/PIP crap because it sucks the life out of me, but I’m all over it. Hehe. Ear infections do suck dick, indeed. I feel absolutely floored on top of the usual kind of paaaaain and fatigue. AND they are delivering my replacement wheelchair between 8am and 10am tomorrow… Fuck.
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Oh, and it’s only been a week. I’ve written a bullet point of responses to their “assessment” and the disability and illness charity guy is going to send that away with his legal spiel, as well as a letter from my GP. My medical was an absolute joke – my hip popped out at one of the 5/6 times I had to get up and move around and I was left in tears, yet they said I managed to sit for an hour – I WISH. I also felt like I was going to throw up as stress really angers my reflux, so they handed me the bin. I threw up straight after the interview into their disgusting toilet, i was probably better with the bin. The whole thing was bollocks. Luckily my GP today was pretty furious that anyone has been stressing me out – yay for lovely GP 🙂
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This is all ‘good’ – you know what I mean, as good as it gets for us Wonks. Good luck. I went to Tribunal once – but last year Mum being sick meant I couldn’t get on it like I needed to, and like you are. Fight the bastards. My WCA in ’15 was stopped when I couldn’t get on the exam table AND the doctor doing it said prayers over me when I mentioned being suicidal, and asked me if I wanted him to leave things OUT of his report because they were ‘too embarrassing’. Yeah. Riiiight.
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What the actual fuck? Was it stopped because you were forced to stab him to death with his stupid pen? Apparently because I acted “normal” in my assessment and so I am not depressed. These people are MORONS. The disability and illness guy was laughing at their assessment and the fact that they hadn’t even bothered to proof read it. Apparently I can use a compute and a mobilise phone… Assholes.
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