Feeling anxious

[Celiadawn]

Psoriasis arthritis just been diagnosed does your dr have to write a letter if you can't manage work anymore or do you put in a claim for pip yourself feeling confused and in pain 😟

[Josparkle]

Put in a claim for employment support and pip asap as it goes from date of claim. Your doctor can write a supporting letter but this can be sent on if need be just make your claim it can be done by telephone and they will send out your form for completion.

[Celiadawn in reply to Josparkle]

Thank you for your comment so relieved there are helpful people out there x

[Sanbanan]

Hi Celladawn

I have Psoriatic arthritis.

When I first became ill I thought I may never work again but with various changes to medication and I am currently now on Biologics, I am feeling so much better and able to work full time although I can feel quite exhausted some days.

I have just been approved for reduction in hours and hopefully that will go some way to be able to remain in work.

During bad spells I would say to get signed off work by your GP and hopefully you will get sorted with your medication. There is hope 😃

As for PIP, you can apply regardless of whether you are in work or not. I was thankfully successful and it has helped me to be able to reduce my hours without a huge financial loss.

Wishing you all the best x

[Celiadawn in reply to Sanbanan]

Thank you for your support I definitely want to be part of the working force still but so so painful

[Nottobad]

Hi I was dx with psoriatic arthritis in May last year. I had to move house in March of last year. And had to give up my job. I am 58. I applied for pip and was awarded it I also have COPD. And I have recently applied for ESA and was awarded it. I also qualify for housing benefit and council tax reduction. As I don't see myself being able to work anymore. Due to my COPD and arthritis.

[Celiadawn]

Thank you for your reply I'm 56 and it seems so depressing but knowing I might get help seems good x

[Julierab]

Hi. I do hope you get sorted. I have recently been diagnosed with PsA and I'm worried about how I will manage going back to work. Before the school holidays I was constantly exhausted and in pain. I've been on methotrexate now for 4 weeks so I'm hoping I will improve but work is worrying me. I couldn't afford not to work

[gwynedd in reply to Julierab]

Like you julierab I'm new to mtx with PsA. I'm off work for the summer hols and keeping my fingers crossed that by next week I'll miraculously start feeling well enough for work! I'm a new teacher just starting out on my career and can't afford to take any time off.

Wishing you luck with your treatment

[Julierab in reply to gwynedd]

Oh I wish you luck too! I'm a teacher also - I was off work for the last 6 weeks due to a foot operation not linked to the PsA so i will have been off for 12 weeks by the time I get back. I must say 4 weeks into the mtx I think my hands/fingers are a little better although told it can takes up to 12 weeks for it to kick in. I think it's the exhaustion that is worrying me when I get back to work - plus the marking!! I do hope you well and find some ways of managing your pain. I'm beginning to exercise more and losing some weight to help the joints etc so I do feel I'm on it and doing what I can. Good luck Gwynned