Work too much

[Davemayhead]

I am thinking about giving up work before my body completely shuts me down but I still have mortage etc to pay do I sell up and move elsewhere in the country or what are my options everyone thinks I should keep going but they don't have my body I need some guidance on this from people who understand

[Alanna012]

I'd sell up and move further into the country, less busy, less stress. Try and buy a place with a large garden or an acre, to be a bit more self-sustaining. But it depends on things like family etc. But your health is irreplaceable.

You have to weigh up stopping and the enjoying the health you still have, or continuing and eventually retiring with more equity but less health to enjoy the benefits. That's how I see it imo.

[Dinkie]

Are you employed or self employed. If the former have you had an occupational health assessment and had reasonable adjustments put in place to enable you to stay in employment? You are protected under the Equality Act 2010. If you resign then you will not immediately be able to access certain benefits as it is classed as being intentionally unemployed. If you cannot continue far better to be retired due to ill health, that way you can access any pension you may have.

For me I have continued in work although part time as to be honest I know if I did not work then I would become a recluse and suffer more medical issues so I just soldier on. May be worth you taking some independent advice before deciding what to do.

[catherine19611 in reply to Dinkie]

yes, the benefits agency wont pay the interest payments on the mortgage until he has been on benefits for 9 months

[Cloughy71]

Hi Dave, I hope you're doing OK.

Can I ask what it is you do for a living? Also, have you contacted your mortgage provider about a short term interest only arrangement? It's a fairly recent thing as far as I'm aware and I think it's a government scheme to help with the cost of living. This may help buy you a bit more time financially while you decide what to do.

We have made use of the interest only scheme as I've had to reduce my hours by half this year and I've also spent some time off sick.

The arrangement is only for 6 months and they recalculate your payment at the end of it (nothing is really free eh).

Anyway, I hope this helps, at least in the short term if you need to take any time off sick or reduce your working hours.

All the best,

Paul

[Davemayhead in reply to Cloughy71]

Hi Paul thanks for the reply in an engineer working in the plastic sector moving around things up to 4 tons so has taken it toll on me I have a lot of thinking to do need to look after me but tend to put others first and just keep on pushing will keep u all informed what I do

[Cloughy71 in reply to Davemayhead]

Hi Dave

Would it be an option for you to move into a less physically demanding role? Perhaps something office based or "off the tools" so to speak? I'm sure you have valuable experience that could be put to use in another role.

Whatever you do, as others have said, your health comes first and that includes your mental well-being.

All the best,

Paul

[Judygarland1 in reply to Davemayhead]

You need an occupational health assessment and then work needs to provide a role more suitable to your health condition! Don’t just leave! You’ll be fighting to get any benefits and that is super stressful so no good for your health either. Like Dinkie said try to get retirement on ill health, financially that’d be the best way to approach it. Hopefully you’ll get sorted soon 😊

[Gooddaysagain]

Hi Dave,

After I was forced to stop working, I had to sell my home and move to somewhere cheaper where I am now mortgage free. I still miss my old home, but this means I don't need to worry about losing it because I couldn't pay off the remaining mortgage.

I have found my new 'tribe' here who look after me really well and the new house meets my needs so much better as it's all on one level and easy to keep heated.

I hope this helps and that you find your happy new place, too.

Dee

[Marieg1270]

I am facing the same questions, I live along and am really struggling. I cannot seem to get the medication correct and work are not that considerate. I am just getting myself more and more stressed out. If you can afford to it I would move and take a slower pace of life. I am slightly tied as I need to be my mum as we lost my Dad 11 months ago.

[Evonne02]

Hi Davemayhead, I'd just go part-time and claim Pip and Esa if I were you. Locate your local Cab online and send a message asking for help. Please do not move to an isolated area. You can still achieve a wonderful home that's just as good in an environment that's in a built-up city area with a good-sized garden if you wish to move or downsize. I say this, as a lot of fibromyalgia patients tend to have issues with 1 or more organs, and you'll need medical intervention asap, as well as hospitals and clinics nearby. Think of what roles you can do if you were to leave your current role. Could you consider a supervisory or management role fir the sector you work in? Or would you prefer to make a clean break and go for admin roles? Most good companies would prefer to keep experienced staff and just accommodate them in other roles in order to retain staff. I hope you can get the help you need as soon as possible. Please keep us posted. All the best 😍

[Lillylilac]

Hi DavemayheadLots of good advice above. Please don't just leave. Let your employer know how you are struggling. I gave up work took a part time job then had to give up that. I was lucky being 4 years from retirement. I really missed the job but for my health it was the best thing I ever did. I put in for PIP and got it so along with my pensions I am ok.

I wish you well with whatever you decide to do.

Hugs

Lilly

[Kazzza1976]

Hi. I totally understand you. I was working full time 40 +hours a week and couldn’t do it anymore. Was not the best company to work for anyway but I made my health worse by working and being exhausted. I tryed to carry on for as long as I could as I worried about my finances and paying my rent. Then I realised my health comes before anything. I was working 10 hour shifts ans in constant pain and tired all the time and I was getting warnings about the time off I was having, it was all too much for me. The pain, exhaustion and brain fog are still there but I no longer have the worry of calling in work sick and getting warnings from hr all the time. You need to do what is best for you, after all you are the one in the pain. I wish you the best of luck on whatever you decide but be kind to ur body and look after yourself. Best wishes

[Tanya-B]

LIFE IS SO SHORT. Don’t be a slave to your house. If you can move do it. I did and although I still have a morgage it’s very small and my quality of life is better as I am now self employed. My mum recently had a stroke and that reinforced just how short life is. Look at getting PIP or try and go part time . Make sure your employer is aware and get the bast help available from them.

Wishing you all the best .