Support letter from rheumatologist, for ill health retirement for fibromyalgia and depression.

[RaniM]

Hi ,

Im 56 years old and have had fibromyalgia for 20 years , I was diagnosed 11 years ago by a rheumatologist in Sheffield . I am a teacher and over the last 7 years I have had reasonable work adjustments made , in addition to reducing my working hours to 15 hours a week, 5 mornings only. Since the last 2 years my symptoms of fibromyalgia have been at the worst . I could list at-least 15 different symptoms that I currently have and which everyone who suffers with fibromyalgia would just nod in agreement to and relate to . I wish to see a private rheumatologist or a fibromyalgia expert who would be able to write a supportive report for my application of ill health retirement . My own GP is very supportive and would happily write my report. I want to be able to provide a good application which will be successful. I live in Sheffield , and if anyone has any recommendations of any rheumatologists who they have seen and been successful with the ill health retirement report , I would greatly appreciate it. I am so depressed with having to deal with the daily struggles of Fibromyalgia. I have the support of my union , work know about my intentions about applying for ill healt. I have taken pain medication, depression medication, pacing, massage therapy/ physio therapy and attended talking therapy based programs .

I would be grateful for any recommendations for a good rheumatologist .

Rani

[calliejx]

Oh Rani I hear you x I'm afraid I'm not from your area so sadly can't help you. I do know though if you've got a good work ethic it's in yiur souk to carry on reduced hours or however BUT ultimately it's about YOU. I found I had to stop work before I was heard as it seems that if you do, you can. I had to swallow my pride and accept I just couldn't anymore short hours or anything. Bless you it's a catch 22 sometimes as we need money to live xx I wish you well c

[RaniM in reply to calliejx]

🌺 Thank you for your reply !

[Tiggerlostherbounce]

hi, I know how you feel and finally giving up work is difficult, but necessary. It’s not in your area, but if you can get your GP to refer you to Walton pain management, the specialist there has set up a program that helps with fibromyalgia. It was outside of my area too as it’s in Liverpool and I’m in lancs, but it was well worth the travel as they completely understand what we have. The royal Liverpool also has a chronic fatigue/me clinic and again they are amazing compared to any local medical support I had received. Hope this helps and good luck x

[RaniM in reply to Tiggerlostherbounce]

Thank you for the advice, can I ask how long it took for you to be seen by them after your referral from your GP?

[Tiggerlostherbounce in reply to RaniM]

it was during covid so it was delayed for the fatigue clinic (6 months) the pain management was better at around 3 months I think , not sure what current waiting times are?

[Welshcatlady]

Hi I can't help with recommendations, but I wish you well in your application for ill health retirement, hope it all goes smoothly for you.

[RaniM in reply to Welshcatlady]

Thank you 🌺

[Dinkie]

Have your employers not sought a further occupational health assessment? If it is found that on further assessment you cannot do your job even with further adjustments then that should support any application for retirement on ill health grounds. I think that would possibly be a far quicker route than waiting for an appointment with a rheumy.

[RaniM in reply to Dinkie]

Hi there, thanks for responding .. they did a recent one where they said they couldn’t think of anything further to make adjustments to as Im still off work and things may improve ( ?… not sure how ) and to contact them again if things change .

I think it’s just so that I could provide my own report too, to make sure everything goes my way. It seems like such a long. daunting path to take , especially when your physical and mental health are affected 24/7. Fingers crossed i’ve managed to find private Rheumatologists to get in touch with . 🌺

[Dinkie in reply to RaniM]

I saw a private rheumy - it was a total waste of time, hopefully yours will be better. Just a bit of advice don't book a friday appointment. The private guy I saw couldn't wait to leave presumably he wanted to get home or on the golf course!

[Onedaymore1 in reply to Dinkie]

I’m wondering why your OH assessment didn’t refer you to your company/organisation Doctor? As I understand that, despite getting letters from your own GP/Rheumatologist etc work would still insist on seeing their Doctor & work on that Doctor determination of whether you are fit to return to work or likely never be fit to work again.

[RaniM in reply to Onedaymore1]

Hi there, they will eventually refer me to their OH doctor too, as part of the process for ill health. It depends on their decision at the end to what they say and they look at everything that’s been submitted . I have to submit enough compelling evidence from my side. Thank you for replying 🌺

[Onedaymore1 in reply to RaniM]

I really do hope that your successful with this & that it’s sorted out for you soon x

[lynn_lunn]

Hi Rani, If your doctor is so supportive can't they write a report for you or refer to a rheumatologist who will help, I was a teaching assistant and due to a massive flare in my fibro and a trapped nerve in my neck I had to go on sick, I was referred to occupational health, then after 12months when my sick leave was coming to an end I had another OH assessment, I received paperwork to apply for esa, I also get pip, I also had the backing of my union, due to covid there is no knowing when I will get the operation I need on my trapped nerve so I was due to have a meeting with my employer and after speaking with my union rep she said that school were looking to finish me due to ill health capability, if all avenues of treatment had been exhausted I could have received my pension as I was 63 at the time but this wasn't an option for me as I'm still waiting for that surgery 18months later. (Have you had OH assessment, have all your treatment options been exhausted.) If so your union should be able to help with you getting your pension. Have you also applied for pip. I also have had fibro for over 20years and know your pain.

[RaniM in reply to lynn_lunn]

Hi there,

thank you so much for replying. I have already been seen by a rheumatologist 12 years ago and since then have been receiving medication , physio and psychological type of therapies from my GP. They are very supportive and will help with the reports for ill health retirement. I wanted to included additional private , reports as possible from the right specialists so that I wouldn’t have to submit any reports later or get to an appeal stage. I feel exhausted physically and emotionally just thinking about the whole process and eventually getting a positive outcome for me. The union are also very good and are working together with work and myself , I have also had a few OH assessments with adjustments . I think it’s a matter of time now and just going ahead with the whole process.

[lynn_lunn in reply to RaniM]

It looks like you've exhausted every avenue Rani, but reading some comments I really wouldn't waste your time or money getting a private assessment with a rheumatologist, you seem to have enough backing to be able to get your pension, and your union and your employer can deal with that for you. Wishing you well, hope everything works out for you.

[RaniM]

Yes that sounds like a good idea! i’ll probably get started with the application process.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I hope things get sorted for you, you have done very well trying to keep going but now it’s time to focus on you and getting settled more at home, it certaintly takes pressure off not working as many of us at some time had too stop eventually. Glad your GP is supportive that can be a big help, so I’m wishing you all the best xx

[Rowbury]

I've applied for ill health Teacher Retirement but I am only 43 so I don't have much confidence that I will be successful. I found my GP, speech therapist and physio very supportive but the Rheumatologist and Neurologist were not as they didn't want to commit. They told me that would hope at some time in the future I would improve. However, I my school has said there are no more reasonable adjustments that they can make despite me reducing my hours twice. I don't understand how they think I can continue as an English Teacher given all of the stress that is involved. I paid to see a private neurologist and rheumatologist.

[lynn_lunn in reply to Rowbury]

Hi Rowbury I was a teaching assistant and was unable to continue doing my job after I reduced my hours as well, i was diagnosed with fibro myalgia in 2008, and up until 2016 when my mum had a car crash, with all the stress I collapsed at work and was off work for 6 weeks.I reduced my hours and started just doing mornings. I have a trapped nerve in my lower back and use a 10s machine a lot.

In 2020 my trapped nerve got unbearable and I was unable to move my left arm so went on sick again, then I got covid and was very ill, I had an MRI on my neck and as of this moment am still waiting to see neurosurgeon to discuss surgery. School weren't prepared to wait for me to have surgery so after 2 occupational health assessments and discussions with my union rep I was finished on ill health capability. I receive pip and employment support allowance now.

All I can suggest is if you can't continue to do your job is to go on long term sick, ask for another oh assessment also contact your union, I hope you're a member, they are very helpful and will attend meetings with you. Good luck, hope you're health improves.

[RaniM]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Sorry to hear about your struggles. Hopefully you are more settled now and can look after your health more . I have been off for 3 months and have been having workplace meetings . I think i’ll be heading in the same direction as yourself. Hopefully the outcome will be in my favour , but will take a few more months to go through the absence procedural stuff. 🌺