Struggling at work

[nellie_deany]

Since being diagnosed a number of years ago I have always managed to work 30+ hours a week. I am a specialist nurse in the NHS and I love my job but the pain and fatigue are making it increasingly difficult to manage. In addition to this my husband is also disabled so we rely heavily on my salary. Has anyone successfully manged to claim for PIP and still being in work???😞

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello , sorry to read of your struggle as I have family that work on the hospital wards , so dedicated but not always the easiest of jobs so can understand the pain and fatigue, i am hoping some of our members who have had experience with PIP will pop on and give you some advice. Xx

[crochetjoy]

Hi nellie_deany I'm sorry I don't have any experience of claiming PIP so can't offer any advice on this I'm afraid

From other posts I have read on here though, the FMA charity do have a benefits helpline you could call for some advice perhaps?

Just wanted to say I can appreciate where you are coming from as I struggled for many years to cope with my job as a nurse. I felt I had no energy left whatsoever after work - it is such a debilitating condition

I'm not a dramatic kind of person but I do have some regrets that I didn't address my own situation sooner than I did

I hope this may be of some benefit to you.

Kind wishes

[Ijo1]

Hi. I was in a similar position a number of years ago. I worked full time as a manager in local government. I applied for PIP on the advise of my GP, I read lots of information on the Internet on how to complete the forms and after completing them I had a home visit from a PIP assessor and was awarded lower rate. Had to do this again last year after having the benifit for a few years and again awarded lower rate. I did find the form filling hard work but if you prepare everything and complete it as one of your worst pain days it is fairly easy.

I retired between the 2 occasions of completing the forms at the age of 51 and was awarded top level ill heath retirement. Is that something you could look into.

Good luck.

[Purplebluebell]

Hi, possibly look into enhanced pension on medical grounds but I don't know what age you are. I understand this can be a difficult process but isn't everything !I'm a specialist nurse too and still manage two days a week, can't imagine working that many hours! I'd be half dead!

Surely your manager can offer support in the workplace to enable you to carry on. The idea is to retain staff in the NHS not potentially loose them.

A colleague on the ward next door has a radically different job now as she is so disabled by her fybro.

Take care, look after yourself, the NHS needs you!

[nellie_deany in reply to Purplebluebell]

I generally feel that I am a nuisance and an inconvenience. So I rarely say anything. I know that I cannot carry on with these hours. I feel lonely but I love my job. I don't think there is scope to reduce my hours without leaving the job x

[Purplebluebell in reply to nellie_deany]

That's so sad. What about your union ?RCN they should be supporting you.Regarding my comment about medically enhanced pension I understand you could not practise as a nurse once you had that.

[je32pj40conect86]

i HAVE SPENT MANY YEARS WORKING AS HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF PICKING UP A RARE DISEASE FROM PATIENTS LIVING CONDITIONS, MANAGED TO GETDISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE LOWER RATE, THEN THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO STOP IT SO I TOOK THEM TO A TRIBUNAL, AFTER THE INTERVIEW THE CHAIRMAN CAME TO SEE ME AND SAID THE DECISION WAS THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE DECISION FOR LIFE AS THE INCURABLE DISEASE I CONTRACTED WAS LIFLONG ALSO THEY WERE GOING TO SAY IT HAD TO BE AMENENDED TO HIGHEST LEVEL SO GO FOR IT IF YOU DON'T PUSH YOUR CASE THEY WILL JUST TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT.........GOOD LUCK ACTION

[Dinkie]

Have you had an occupational health assessment. I had one and although I fought against having it, I have to say it has benefitted me greatly. My employers took the report on board and put reasonable adjustments in place. It's been years since I had the assessment and it has allowed me to stay in work even though I thought I would have to give up.

Yes you can claim PIP and work. I did the paperwork for a friend and he was awarded PIP for 3 years.

[Crochetmakes]

Hey, sorry to hear you're struggling, I feel your pain. I'm a nurse, previously full time. My manager and occupational health have been very supportive. Trialled reduction to 30 hours at which point I applied for pip. I struggle to complete tasks and mobilise without causing additional pain. Work actually asked me how could they improve things for me. Every suggestion was agreed, including more autonomy regarding how my day is taken up.

I was awarded the lower rate for both elements which helped make up some of what is lost in wages. I need and want to work and luckily my boss wants to keep me in whatever capacity I am able to meet the needs of my role.

Consider occupational health, they understand. Also the access to work scheme.

I hope things pick up for you.

[nellie_deany in reply to Crochetmakes]

Wow it sounds like your manager is fantastic. I'm really pleased for you. I have been to occupational health and they may some suggestions. Most of them have been glossed over and there is a lot of not meeting service need. So now I just don't say anything x

[neave0 in reply to nellie_deany]

Hi I've just joined, and feeling sad our nurses are struggling, I've been diagnosed with diverticulosis, but the fatigue and joint pain im finding difficult, I'm off sick at moment, but I know i won't be able to do my job anymore,

[nellie_deany in reply to Crochetmakes]

What type of nursing do you do x

[Crochetmakes in reply to nellie_deany]

I'm a paediatric nurse, now trained as a public health nurse (health visitor). It's definitely easier to tweak my role in the community rather than the wards.

[Blueoxo]

Hi, yes, I have claimed Pip and work. I reduced my hours to part time and occupational therapy made a number of adjustments. I have the option of working from home or in the office and plan my own diary so this probably makes things easier. I am allowed regular comfort breaks to get up and move around. I am also allowed more time to read documents etc. I also applied for a blue badge which has helped when travelling into the office. I do still get very fatigued but I think I have found a balance that works. I hope you do too.