Medical evidence for CFS/ME

Hi, I'm currently on incapacity and expecting to be start to the transfer process to ESA soon so im trying to get as prepared as i can in advance. I have CFS/ME and im wondering if anyone has any ideas about where to get supporting medical evidence to submit with with my claim?

My GP is good but i don't see a consultant or anything because theres basically nothing anyone can do to help the condition and very few tests show any major abnormalities.

I am extremely worried about about being turned down for ESA so i would like to give myself every chance possible for a smooth transition. I feel the exceptional circumstances rule applies because just having to attend the job centre once a week would make my health much, much worse. Proving this with medical evidence is just extremely difficult.

Are there any consultants or private doctors that would write a letter about the illness in general and the dangers of pushing yourself? (which are ultimately hospitalisation and a few people have died from it with very severe ME)

Or perhaps some private doctors I could visit once to be assessed and then get supporting evidence from?

Many thanks for your time, nick

Hi Skippy

ME was one of the conditions we described in detail in our esa form (with help from this site we were successful in being placed in the support group) Like you there was little recent information on our medical records and no new treatments to report on as none were applicable. It was helpful although upsetting to access the medical records but they are a good place to start.

Another way which could help you to present your case is to understand how ATOS inform/advice staff on CFS/ME. That way you can get pointers to match how your own ME/CFS affects your everyday life. We took the view though that ME is not the same set of conditions as CFS despite apparent overlaps. It took a long time to complete the form so try to get someone to help you do the research - there are lots of very helpful links on the site here and a search on the web re ATOS and ME/CFS will bring up some good links too.

hope that helps - good luck!

issie

Hi Skippy
ME is one of my main conditions, and has been since 1977. So as far as evidence went most of it happened way back. I sent in the original diagnosis letter from 1989, then three reports from my carers, one of whom is a retired staff nurse. Then I gave my GP a copy of the ESA50 form and asked him to relate my conditions to the descriptors as the basis of his report.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Pen.