Recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Desperate to find out some information as I feel very stressed and confused at the moment.

[ladybob1]

I have been recently diagnosed by my GP as having fibromyalgia after a struggle for it to be recognised as such. I have osteoarthritis too which I've had for 7 years. I struggle with severe pain in all parts of my body particularly my feet , legs and hands particularly the thumbs which are extremely painful every day. I am 62 and don't qualify for a pension as the pension age was increased by the government so I won't receive my pension for another 4 years. I am currently on ESA and have claimed low rate DLA for the past 5 years for my arthritic condition. I attend the Jobcentre and luckily had an understanding advisor who was sympathetic about my health problems and about the mental stress that I'm under with my son of 30 being treated for schizo affective disorder and severe OCD. I have been assigned a new jobcentre advisor and I'm very concerned about thisas I am worried that I could be sanctioned if they think I'm not doing enough to find a job. I can hardly get my self out of bed most days because of my pain.

As I'm currently fighting to get my son transfered from his current mental health facility to a specialist unit in London this situation has exacerbated my own health problems to the point that I rarely leave the house apart from the days when I visit my son and his psychiatrist every 2 weeks to get updates on his progress. This is a struggle as I have to catch 3 buses there and back. I just have a few questions that I need to ask as I am confused about some things and hope someone will be able to find the answers.

1. Does the condition (fibromyalgia ) entitle sufferers to claim disability benefit in England. I read that the condition is recognised as a disability in Northern Ireland although reading other comments here some people with fibromyalgia are receiving disability benefits and don't need to actively seek employment.

2. Can the jobcentre still require me to apply for jobs and will the fact that my GP has said that I have fibromyalgia and has given me medication to treat the condition. Will this exempt me from looking for work which I will be unable to do.

3. Can I reapply for DLA as my fibromyalgia was not on the original application. Just the arthritis that I got awarded the lower rate for. Is it PIP now and not DLA IF I had to make a new claim to include my recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

I feel so stressed out by all this and hope that someone perhaps with similar circumstances can advise me. Thanks

ARTHRITISPSORIASIS

[Rose54]

Hi

Sorry you are having such a rough time

I take it ESA your in work related group if so yes they can sanction you if you do not keep to your contract with them and if you do not attend appointments

You could ask for reassessment to be placed in ESA Support Group so you will receive ESA and not have to look for work or attend Job Centre.

DLA you can inform them of your change of circumstances which would result in a claim for PIP but you may get less than you are at present but at some point they will ask you to change from DLA to PIP .

Its not your condition you are applying PIP for but on how it effects your daily living so no having Fibro does not enable you to Disability benefits .

As far as medically fit to work DHS their assessment takes priority over your GP

Hope this helps

Your DHS adviser should be able to help with information

Rose

[ladybob1 in reply to Rose54]

Thanks for sharing this information with me. It is very helpful. x

[Harper27]

Hi there doll and welcome to the site. I'm really sorry that you're suffering so much. I'm in Scotland so I don't know how much it differs from England or Wales but in Scotland you can apply for PIP. You can add it to your claim to include fibro. If you get a good inspector, they may add more money to your claim. My friend with fibro gets high rate PIP for her fibro, and she doesn't have arthritis. Sorry that this is all I can shed on it, just wanted to say welcome to the forum xx

[ladybob1 in reply to Harper27]

Thanks so much for sharing your information with me. Hope you are OK x

[suzey26j in reply to ladybob1]

I had help from a social worker ,she got me in a group at the job centre ,and now I don't sign on and there not asking me to work

ask at the job place see if you can talk to someone about this Iif your over fifty try age concern they are very good at sorting things out for you good luck. Suzey X. X

[ladybob1 in reply to suzey26j]

Thanks for your reply Suzey. I will ask when I'm next in the Jobcentre x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hello ladybob1

I just wanted to wish you a very warm welcome to the forum

I can see that our lovely Rose Rose54 has given you lots of good advice.

As she says having Fibromyalgia doesn't "entitle" you to claim benefits. It is more about how the condition affects your daily life, rather than the illness you have.

The best way to start learning more about Fibromyalgia is to take a look at our mother site fmauk.org

You will also learn lots about Fibro by reading through posts on the forum. We discuss just about everything under the sun!

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish.

Once again a very warm welcome

Lu x

Administrator

[ladybob1 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Thank you x

[Janet28]

Hi ladybob1 Welcome to our wonderful forum 😀 I'm sure you will find it invaluable chatting to others who have similar experiences and at different stages of their lives with fibromyalgia.

I'm sorry you are struggling with everything at the moment my friend, its not surprising with what you have got going on. I see you have already been given some great advice that I 're iterate. I just want to ask you, have you got any involvement with adult social services ? If not, it may be an idea to speak to them & get an ot to come and assess you and your situation, because it may be that they can offer you some support looking after your son & even travelling to London etc. You definitely sound like you need some support my friend. Also you could have a look at what a physical disibility advocate could do to help with getting your correct benefits etc. They can do so much to help you and you could also possibly get financial help with London trip too.

Just Google disibility advocate in your area.

This is a little bit I copied for you 're SS

If adult or children’s social services are involved in your family and you are unsure what to expect, these guidelines will offer some useful advice. Your local social services departments will have a number of leaflets and written factsheets that can help you understand the work they do and their procedures.

They will have a website to give you more information about the sorts of difficulties they can help with and the services they provide. If you do require the leaflets and factsheets in other languages or braille, please do ask your local social services department about this. You can also get independent advice, leaflets and support from Family Rights Group or if you are a concerned relative, the Grandparents’ Association.

I do hope this helps somewhat and it gets sorted out quickly for you. Your gp may be able to suggest it refer you also.

Luv Jan xx

[ladybob1 in reply to Janet28]

Thank you so much for your invaluable advice. I have had such helpful and encouraging reply to my post and they have lifted my spirits and given me strength to go forward with this. Thanks again x

[TheAuthor]

Hi ladybob1

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 genuinely sorry to read of how you are suffering and struggling my friend and I truly hope that you can find some resolution to your pain. I can see that you have been given some wonderful replies and advice so 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

[ladybob1 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks so much for your kind words.I have had some excellent advice and support since joining this wonderful community.

[TheAuthor in reply to ladybob1]

Good luck my friend.