Hello everyone – I was diagnosed with severe COPD earlier this year. Last week I was assessed for Pulmonary Rehab Therapy – 140 heartrate and 02 Sats dropped to 81 after 1 min of the walk test. Initially the nurse refused me for PRT as they said I’m too high a risk then relented then and said I could do PRT but only if I used oxygen in the classes. Nurse said I should be using ambulatory oxygen, but no way can they prescribe as I’m a current smoker. Problem I really have though is work. I’ve been told I would qualify for ill-health retirement. My job is very challenging and stressful (probably main reason I'm struggling to stop smoking) but at the same time I enjoy it though I am finding myself extremely fatigued. Still quite a bit of mortgage etc. outstanding which I could repay out of lump sum but there wouldn’t be much left over, and pension will be very modest. Also, my husband has very severe COPD and is basically housebound and really can’t anything to help with cooking/cleaning etc. I am very torn as I feel if I did give up work, I would have time and energy to focus on stopping smoking etc. and time with my husband. On the other hand, I still enjoy my job though it’s exhausting, I also don’t want to retire and be anxious about money and am worried I might get depressed when I go. Then I say to myself the likelihood is I may not have a lot of time left (am 62) so part of me feels I should go while the going is fairly good,. I know everyone’s journey is different, but I’d really appreciate people’s views.
Time to stop work?: Hello everyone – I... - Lung Conditions C...
Time to stop work?
At 62, you could apply for PIP (and esa = employment support allowance- old sick pay).If u retire due to ill health,u may get enhanced pension - I don't know much about it,you'd have to ask.
Could u go part time?
U have a choice re smoking but at the end of the day,its killing u
I was medically retired from work 3 years ago and don’t have any doubts it was the right decision. I also loved my job but it became increasingly impossible to carry out my duties. It’s difficult to advise without knowing where your pension is coming from. Am happy to be more helpful via personal message.
In my case I am receiving an enhanced pension which works as though I retired at 67yrs whereas I’m 55yrs.
I have PIP. It is the best one to have and if you have enhanced mobility level you can have a car from motability. I’m sure that it would not compensate fully for your salary but it is a very generous benefit. You need to apply before six months before your 65th birthday. You will probably need help to fill in the form.
Misneach here - Don't know how to reply to you all but trying this way? Thank you so much Patk1, Bevvy and Littlepom for your supportive replies. I should have said I am based in Ireland where there are similar but different supports - so as a public sector worker will luckily get an enhanced work pension a little less than if I went at 65 and I would get illness benefit for 2 years and the invalidity until state pension at 68. Our options of stepping down to part-time and getting supports are not as good as the UK no mobility allowance and because I have an defined benefit pension I would severely reduce my pension. However, you have got me thinking about different options and that maybe it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I am thinking that I will stay for another 6-12 months and try to use that time to think more positively about post work life. I'd love to maybe set up a small business or work freelance. I already do some voluntary work. I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much again and take care. PS I love this site - people are so positive!!
Hope u can stay well.do Yr best to avoid viruses as they often/ usually cause exacerbations which damage our lungs further.yr very busy,do get Yr rest too xxx
I'd say retire. I have semi-retired (pension tiny) and it has made a great difference to my coping with fatigue and other issues. It will give you the head space to knock the cigs on the head - a must. Good luck xx
I cannot afford to retire is a statement I have often heard and then as health worsens the person then has no choice but to retire by which time life is more difficult. Thing is they then do manage. I say go for it and make the most of it
Hi Misneach23
Thank you for you post, I have pulmonary fibrosis and I’m in exactly the same position as you, feel that I need to retire and enjoy life while I still can but afraid to retire and worry I might get depressed. The responses you have received have really helped
I think i should be eligible for Ill heath retirement and if so would receive an enhanced pension. I think planning for post work life is an excellent idea as keeping active will be really important. Being able to rest more is also equally important.
I’d be happy to personal chat and maybe share ideas and fears whilst planning the best way forward.
Hazel
Sounds like a gd idea to support ea other x
In all honesty the saying when you retire “I’m so busy I don’t know how I found the time to go to work” is true! I was concerned pre retirement about being bored but can honestly say I can count on 2 hands when I have felt bored! And this includes the time I was shielding due to Covid!
Being retired means that I can do more activities. Nothing major but I meet friends for a coffee. Go to the cinema. Do adult painting by numbers. Read and watch tv! It might not seem the most exciting time but none of these things were viable when I was working (even part time) because I simply worked (loved my job) and rested in order to work!!
I would also say that from a COPD/asthma perspective my health has not been as good for years! The lack of work stress means I am not getting the regular colds and chest infections that could quickly turn into something serious like pneumonia or pleurisy.
Finally I am also on an enhanced pension but be aware (I worked for local authority) that not only do occupational health have to agree but information is then passed to an independent doctor who makes the final decision. It can be difficult to obtain especially if you are quite young. Reason being is that it’s expensive to pay a pension to someone for a long time! I was only 52 when I started receiving my pension. But everyone agreed that it was the only way forward. Not only for me but also for the local authority.
If you want to PM me I would be happy to discuss further with you.
Retire!! I stopped smoking and found I have lots of pennies, enough to pay the bills and get food. I had support from a lovely lady, called Claire, from the nhs website. She rang me every week with loads of helpful advice. When your nicotine level falls that's when your body says ' hey, feed me!' so you need to starve it. I did it with baked beans, microwave ones in the little pots and glucose tablets! I have never, financially, been so well off! I didn't have a choice about work, my health went downhill and I got taken to hospital for a week, came out with severe emphesama and on oxygen! The weeks of filling in forms was horrendous, being driven to appointments all sent my anxiety into meltdown. Doctor put me on Sertraline, which helped, although I haven't taken them for 3 days! We are all in different situations but the help and support on this site remains the same. Good luck and strength to stop smoking 🚭Love Lesley xxx
is it possible for you to drop down to part time hours or do a job share. It is a big decision to retire and this might be a way of coping with things at home but still enjoy your work ?
I was faced with a similar situation.For me early retirement was forced as had respiratory arrest at work.Yes I missed the camaraderie ,friendships and mental stimulation but not the intense level of stress.
Everyone is different had I had warning the job was ending would have got info on hobbies crafts etc that interest me.Creating new circles of friends has been a joy.Not getting out of bed at 05.30 and facing an hour's drive on a winter's morning is delightful.
I wish you well in your new adventure - and also on a practical level see if you are entitled to any benefits.
Hello. I had to do the same thing as we only have one wage coming in now and I can't claim anything. I am lucky in one way through a bereavement we were able to pay the mortgage off. I wanted to train at home free to do something from home but don't qualify for the free training. Your in a catch 22 scenario. Not sure what part of the country you are in but you might be able to get help with your bills. Have you ever thought about doing something from home 🤔 I am still pondering it as I want to feel useful and earn. 😄
Ooooooh, you are between a rock and hard place arent you….with some tricky decisions to make for yourself.
I hear you say that you enjoy working… I get that.
So for your health and well-being ( including life expectancy) how about stopping smoking right now! You can get support for this from local smoking cessation service. Then you can use the oxygen which was offered to you and continue working as you want to or perhaps go part time ?
Stopping smoking will be the best thing you can do for yourself, your lungs will catch a break for sure. Stopping the ciggies will be tough for a while though really great in the long run. They are killing you at the moment- suicide by smoking ?
The oxygen will almost certainly help you feel better, less fatigued, your major organs will benefit because at the moment they are being severely damaged by low oxygen levels, particularly the brain! Oxygen will slow the progression of the condition for sure, and then you can attend PR too. Life changing eh ?
You can ask about the drug Roflumilast too if you aren’t already taking it ?
I know all this because I have severe COPD, use oxygen ( for the last 6 years ) I exercise in classes 3 times a week, have a full and happy life. It’s good. Stopped smoking at diagnosis 20 years ago. Now considered by many as a ‘never smoker ‘ .
Can Citizens Advice help you will with your financial income. Let us know how you get on won’t you ?
Go well,
Pauline
I too have severe copd, we both know we should stop smoking, I’ve tried many times even stopping for 2 years, but as you say any stress and we smoke. Try the Novena prayer of St. Jude, it does help.
Max Kirsten is a hypnotist who has treated members of my family to stop smoking. One session with Max was all it took. He has an online site as well.
|Hello Misneach, .
I was diagnosed with severe Emphysema few years ago ,and I was smoking a lot, it takes some doing but you have to stop, the cigs are killing you they are speeding up the disease. there is a tablet called champix or bupropion that you could get from GP ,or buy online, the tablets are a 3month course and it will stop you smoking it blocks the receptors in the brain that tells you to smoke, they are amazing you don't even think of a cigarette.
Your GP can also put you in touch with stop smoking concession team that can support you stopping smoking. Personally I found working helped me stop smoking as being at home there no1 there to stop you smoking ,at work your mind is on the job and just don't go outside for lunch stay in break area indoors so that your not around other smokers.
Champix is no longer available in the UK, sadly.
Have you tried hypnotherapy for the smoking? I did at age 53 after 40 years fagging and have never smoked since. Now 80 but have severe COPD since first diagnosis15 years ago (family background). Still breathing - sort of.
I am single, loved my job (checkouts) and struggled to pay rent and utilities. I also smoked. I was very relieved when shielding started as I felt very exposed to the virus. During lockdown and shielding my health deteriorated so much that I had no option but to give up smoking. Best thing I ever did. I also didn't go back to work, second best thing! I no longer have the stress of trying to get to work at 7am to work in a freezing cold supermarket and feel much happier in myself and have time to look after myself.
We are all different, but that is my story. You asked for our views, I would say give up both the fags (they sound less appealing than ciggies somehow!) and work if you possibly can. I wish you all the best, whatever you decide to do😃 Keep in touch, we all care xx
I understand how you feel but giving up work is not important but you're health is and you will mange it be hard but things will fall into place
I've had health issues for many years. Working part-time with flexibility i.e. the hours per week were set but I could be flexible when I did them, helped me to keep working for longer. However, there came a point when my health took a dive and eventually I was retired on ill health grounds. Managed to claim ill health retirement pension, but without the enhancement.
Look at all options. I was fortunate in that my husband has a very good pension, so we were less reliant on mine. Carrying on working full time in a job which is stressful (even if you do enjoy it) isn't going to help your health long term. All the best with going forward.
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