Failed WCA, Considering Options and Trying To Understand Claimant Commitment

Hi there,

I am in awe of all the people who go through this process. I have found it so difficult and at times unbearable.

I suffer from migraine and other perimenopausal symptoms that kick off the migraine, like hot flashes. It's well known by headache consultants, but as usual the GPs are pretty clueless and have made dealing with the DWP HAAS more difficult. I was originally given a 3 month fit note, then 2 month as they prescribed triptans and then 1 month when the next GP prescribed candesarten. Basically these are either acute medicines I can only use for up to 10 days per month (I am experiencing symptoms pretty much everyday) and the candesarten is part of a group of "dirty" drugs that the NHS will prescribe which have approx. 50% chance of success and a fair number of side effects.

I do feel like I'm being bullied to follow a treatment plan that's being dictated by clueless GPs and that's not going to happen as I'm still recovering from the side effects of the last prescription drug.

I feel like I want to take a much more holistic path - as recommended by some headache specialists (one of whom happens to be a Fellow of NICE) and that's one of the reasons, having had my WCA "rejected" and being found Fit For Work, that I really want to explore properly the option of just letting it all go and just dealing with the Job Centre and a claimant commitment.

Dealing with the GPs and the HAAS has made me really stressed and that's given me more, much more severe migraines. When I was waiting for my call from a Decision Maker, I just really felt in my bones that I couldn't do this any more.

I feel like I really need to consider what is best for me - for my mental health and my stress levels. I am doing a bit of work, I do a bit of caring that I am paid for when I can, I teach Zumba from home online - all for people who understand if I have to cancel if I'm unwell, which has happened plenty of times and in surroundings that I'm familiar with (like my own house.)

I do want to do more. I have regularly attended networking events in the past (when it's not too hot or bright outdoors) and done some publishing mentoring and speaking (although the reliability for this is a problem) and have my own training program where I am training other people.

I'm just scared that the Job Centre may ask me to commit to unreasonable hours or simply things I can't do. When the migraines are bad I struggle to get out of bed, but I am trying not to stress too much because that just makes me worse. After the call from the Decision Maker I had killer headaches for the next two days and was incredibly nauseous (another problem with migraine that has sent me to A&E before when I couldn't stop being sick).

I feel like the GPs at the practice do not take me seriously or may not even believe me, which is one of the really upsetting things about having an invisible condition that you just cannot prove. I did have a letter from a friend who has seen me having a migraine and the Decision Maker told me I should take it in to the Job Centre. I am keeping a journal which basically shows I've had migraine every day but two this month, but I manage to keep the pain low using exercise, nutrition and walking in nature - all things which I'm worried I will have problems keeping up if the Job Centre expect me to do too much.

I have seen a neurologist who was really nice and told me I was doing all the right things for my health - the lifestyle changes - and told me I needed to reduce my stress levels more - but he was not a headache specialist (or a hormonal specialist).

Sorry for the long winded message. I had the Decision Maker call last week and then bad migraine for two days, so I've been trying to not think about it and let it go - give myself time to figure out what is right for me. But I honestly don't think I can fight the GPs AND the DWP - because as far as perimenopause and migraine are concerned they are endemically sexist IMHO. I just want to focus on my health and getting as well as I can and doing the work that doesn't compromise that.

Is it sensible to "trust" the Job Centre and my Work Coach or am I kidding myself?

Thank you so much, Pearl

Thank you, that is so helpful.

It is amazing how much advice you all give on this website that you just could not find anywhere else.

It's like they don't want you to understand how it works

Warmest regards,

Pearl