Bit of advice please

[Sg1474]

Good morning to all, I have had the last week and a half off from work (first time I have given in) after pains got too much, I am back on Monday (in a school kitchen) and my boss has already been weird with me, actually text me "what rubbish" when I told him why I was off work, even with a doctor signing me off. Just been told this week I am Anemia as well as having fibro and Raynauds and am dreading going back to work, its a handy job. 9.30 until 2.30 as it fits in with my 5 year olds school day but I don't know how much longer I can do housework and hold down a job but also can't afford not to work, does anyone know if you can DLA with fibro please. Have walked to shops already today and body feels battered, really hard to keep up the P.M.A feeling like this. Any information would be gratefully received. Many thanks. Sarah

[Sali24]

Good morning cg1474..

Sorry to hear you're struggling. I hope someone who had the conditions as you comes along and advise you. DLA wich is now replaced by PIP will look at how your conditions affect you not to the fact that you have them.

I hope this helps

[Sg1474 in reply to Sali24]

Thank you for advice.x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hello Sarah

Welcome to the forum

I don't know how long you have had Fibromyalgia for, but you may still find it interesting to have a look at our mother site fmauk.org

Being anaemic on top of having Fibromyalgia is absolutely exhausting. Are you taking extra iron for this?

In answer to your question DLA has now been changed to PIP Personal Independence Payments.

You will not be awarded PIP just with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. The DWP work on how your illness affects you and your daily life in deciding upon whether they award PIP or not.

I have given you a link below (click on the blue line) and you will be able to read a post that our Head of Admin Ken TheAuthor has written:

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

I hope this answers your questions. If not, please let me know.

Once again a very warm welcome

Lu x

Administrator

[Sg1474 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Hi Lu,

Thank you for the welcome, I have had Fibromyalgia for over 5 years but 3 of the years they were treating me for Rheumatoid arthritis, I have arthritic pockets in my hands and feet which are making hands and knuckles grow bigger and lumpy and can be very painful, I think that's why they thought it was rheumy, I will make a look at the website you mentioned, thank you.

I was only told on Friday that I was anemic and can't see doc until thurs, every time I see doc at mo they find something else, at least finding things out helps me fight it.

Thank you for advice on the PIP, knowing my luck I would be having a Fibro free day the day I was going for interview and look like a fake, shame they can't monitor the pain our bodies go through.

Thanks again for all your advice.

Sarah

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Sg1474]

Hi again Sarah

As you have been told you're anaemic speak to your local Pharmacist. They will tell you what iron supplement to take.

You can at least start on those whilst waiting to see your GP.

Getting PIP is very complicated and not easy but please don't be put off trying.

Just so that you know, if you decide to apply, once the form (more like a book!) has been sent to you, you have a limited time to return it.

Lu xx

[Sg1474 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

That's a good idea I think I will go to see pharmacist, thanks for all your advice.

Sarah x

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Sg1474]

You're very welcome

The sooner you can get control of your anaemia hopefully you wont feel quite as exhausted.

It is very draining being low in iron.

Lu xx

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah, I hate smart ass bosses who think they are medically qualified to poo poo a doctors opinion! About benefits- wehave a great lady on here who can help mon-fri but you could visit local job centre and ask about ESA and lower your hours and get help for less laborious work.

?DLA has been replaced with PIP and is very hard to get now. employment & support is a good option if you are willing to work low hours they also top up your national insurances when your pay goes down. Have an initial look on gov.uk about ESA and the make further enquiries.

[Sg1474 in reply to Hidden]

Hi caz-54,

Yeh me too, I'm not going to work as hard as I normally do for them when I go back, he has showed me that all battling through the pain and never taking any time off work doesn't get appreciated at all.

Thank you for the advice about ESA, I will take a look.

[Hidden]

You could try for ESA gov.uk/employment-support-a...

My friend told me it's easier to get than PIP I haven't applied myself yet as I'm awaiting my tribunal date after it was adjourned a cpl weeks ago.

Also if you feel your boss is disctimating against you you can seek help from higher up the chain

Good luck

[peck]

HI Sg1474 , So sorry your having such a bad time.Im from the US so not sure but I do wish you the best as I'm sure someone will reply with help for you. Take care and good luck!! Peck 🐤

[Sg1474 in reply to peck]

Hi Peck,

Thank you for your kind words.

x

[bluebell99]

Hello and a warm welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can find advice, support, help and understanding.

If you follow the links of fmauk.org you will reach Janet our Benefits lady who may be able to help you out.

I suggest too that you make an appointment at the Citizens Advice as they can explore any benefits you may be able to claim.

gov.uk/pip/overview is worth a look to see about claiming PIP, which is not means tested. If you wanted to you could do some work and still claim.

Kay

[TheAuthor]

Hi Sg1474

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

I am so gneuinely sorry to read of your work situation, and I can see that you have been given some wonderful advice and replies. Under the Equalities Act of 2010, Fibromyalgia may be classed as a disability (depending on its severity) giving you protection at work. The *CAB says:

*Disability discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 says you mustn’t be discriminated against because of your disability.

Discrimination which is against the Equality Act is unlawful. If you've experienced unlawful discrimination, you can take action. If you want to take action for unlawful discrimination, you will have to show you have a disability which meets the definition given in the Act.

*What’s meant by disability?

A disability is a physical or mental condition which has a long-term and substantial effect on your daily life.

Some conditions are automatically treated as a disability under the Equality Act. If you have one of these conditions and suffer discrimination because of it, you can make a claim for unlawful discrimination.

If you don't have one of these conditions, and you want to make a claim for disability discrimination, you will have to show you have a disability which meets the definition given in the Act.

As a result of the Disability discrimination Act, you can ask your employer for reasonable changes to your working conditions and environment.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken