Leaving work through endometriosis

[Shazmo]

Hy warriors hope today is a pain free day 🤔I was just wondering if I can get any info on appealing for pip/esa with endometriosis thanks 😽

[claudia_91 Moderator Endometriosis UK]

Hi Shazmo

Hope you're having a pain free day too. I'd suggest contacting your local Citizen's Advice Bureau for information on applying for PIP or ESA: citizensadvice.org.uk/

Sorry to hear that you are having to leave work due to endometriosis, I was unable to work for 2.5 years myself in my mid-twenties. Understand the challenging and sending empathy your way.

Take care,

Claudia

[Narcica]

Hi Shazmo,

although my case is more complicated I am not fit for work and left my work 2 years ago due to my symptoms. I have other conditions like endplate sclerosis, osteoporosis and arthritis,IBS and the main illness is stage 4 endometriosis which is in between my bowels as well. Contact your citizen advice bureau, they helped me with applications. Sadly endometriosis is not a disability in the UK (and in many other countries). We are fighting for years to be accepted as a disability. I am receiving PIP because of my immobility mostly and incontinence. All of my other conditions are secondary to my severe endometriosis yet they often disregarding it whenever I have an assessment. I am hoping this will change one day and it will be taken seriously. You can also contact endometriosis UK and sign their petitions. All the best xxx

[Purple_Badgers]

Hi Shazmo. I gave up work last September and applied for ESA due to endo. There were all sorts of phone calls to make and forms to fill in, but my claim went ok and I have been receiving National Insurance based ESA payments fortnightly ever since. I haven’t had a face-to-face health assessment as of yet, only a huge long health questionnaire to complete. It’s all about how your daily life is affected, how much physical activity you can do, how you cope mentally/socially etc and whether you need help with those activities. They also ask what medications you take and what treatments or operations you expect to have.I was specific about fatigue, bowel and bladder issues, pain in lower back, hips and knees. I also mentioned anxiety and depression. Not forgetting other, more minor, issues such as Reynauds, hayfever etc I also wrote to update them when I started having other issues later on.

The biggest pain for me has been obtaining Fit Notes from the GP. With my general fatigue, drowsiness from tablets and confusion/brain fog, I have found it hard to keep 100% up to date with fit notes. There have been multiple problems with them being done wrong or not signed, which the DWP then can’t accept. If you fall too many days behind, your payment gets put on hold until it’s resolved. I try to get at least a month on the note each time, because 2 weeks is just ridiculous… do they expect a miracle in that time?? 😂

The other pain is how long you have to wait on the phone to get through to the DWP, but to be fair they have always been very helpful and understanding when I eventually get to speak to them. (Top tip: the earlier you call in the day, the quicker you should get through!)

I was advised to try for PIP as well, but I couldn’t find the energy, so I don’t know if that’s a similar experience or how much you get.

Hope some of that is useful 😀 wishing you the best of luck xxx

[Shazmo]

Thank you ladies 😘 it's very daunting all the forms you have to fill in and trying to explain endo in words but am gonna give it a go 🙀🌻