Fibro for only two years!! i dont think so...

[shazzad]

Recently i wrote a blog on here about my ongoing pension appeal, this is going to be my 2nd attempt. The rationale states that i am adversely affected with my ability to carry out daily tasks they still stick by their first decision....crazy, they also feel i needed to explore more treatment avenues...all basically making u hang out for what is so rightly mine! I have read on the pension eligibilty that i can get my pension due to ill health if i have suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome or ME for four years or more, i did a bit of research and came up with an interesting article that suggests that FM, CFS, ME and PVFS come under the same umbrella.....if this is the case and i can prove this i should be able to get my pension. Trouble is they seem to be going on the diagnosis of the consultant and not my doctor who suggested i had this long before. Anyway we have started to explore other treatments i have also recently seen a pain specialist...still waiting for her to write the report for my doctor, my doctor is also going to refer me for CBT....fingers crossed! And in tge mean time im still stuck wondering what else i can do to enhance my chances of success with this second and final application.....please help. So very greatful, warm wishes to you all, Shazzad xxx

[Hidden]

Hello there Shazzad. It is a minefield isn't it. I am trying to look up some info for you on Pension Tribunals but am struggling to find anything at the moment, I will keep trying for you.

Fibromyalgia, CFS/ME and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome are all very similar and tend to get banded together. With Fibromyalgia the emphasis tends to be placed on pain levels whereas with the other conditions it is the chronic fatigue and exhaustion that tend to play the greater part. That's it in a nutshell.

If you have been waiting for a report for a long time (months), by all means chase this up. Telephone the Consultant's secretary and try to hurry things up a bit. They are notoriously slow at this sort of thing and it can be so frustrating for us. Also chase up your GP for the CBT referral if you think you would benefit from this treatment.

I will try and find you some info or helpful hints on Pension Tribunals. xxx

[shazzad in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, very kind of you xxx

[Ozzygirl64]

I agree with Liberty, it is a minefield. I have the fibro but I also suffer the symptoms of CFS. One of the big things for me is housework. I will pay the price in the fibro deparment but about two days after doing said housework I become extremely exhausted, it does not hit the minute I do the housework. Or if I go to my sons on a Thursday, which means a fair bit of walking, I will become more than just tired on the Saturday. I have told my GP about this but he is not willing to say CFS at this point in time. I never got ESA as I was cured in 42 or 43 minutes by the ATOS doctor and the judge made the same ruling. But I wish you luck with all of this xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Ozzygirl64]

Have you considered asking your GP for a referral to a Rheumatologist Ozzy, this might help you towards getting a firm diagnosis? This is what happened with me, my GP was reluctant to commit, so I asked for a referral and got it. I had to see two Consultants, the first one wouldn't accept that Fibro existed! The second Rheumatologist I still have today, she was wonderful and diagnosed Fibro with CFS/ME.

Have you considered appealing Ozzy on the ESA decision? We can send you some info on this if you are interested, just email us on [e-mail] and we can send you the Benefits and Work info sheets with info and advice on ESA and DLA for free.

(((hug))) xxx

[Ozzygirl64 in reply to Hidden]

I lost my appeal at tribunal hun and I was in no state to start all over again on it. So I plumped for C/allowance for daughter with a top up of Is. Normally I do not give up but I had other things going on at home. I have the sheets from last time

As I was diagnosed by rheumy all those eyars ago my GP feels there is no reason to see yet another on. But in the New Year I think I may just push a bit and see if it gets me anywhere xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Ozzygirl64]

I understand Ozzy, I hope it all works out for you in the New Year. xxx

[Ozzygirl64 in reply to Hidden]

And with a popped Plantar lol I am in no hurry to go anywhere. But alas I have to go to the GP in the morning on behalf of my daughter who has yet another UTI!!!!! xxxxx

[shazzad]

Hi ozzygirl64, i am the same with everything, its like my whole body weighs me down! the hurt and aching each time i try to do things in the house, i frequently sit on the end of my bed willing myself to find the strength to even get dressed some days, i have a wonderful partner that keeps telling me to just rest which is mainly what i have to do most of the time sitting there thinking why am i like this!!! remembering how i was, i guess life cant get much worse when u lose ur 23 year old son as i did....but this illness/ conditions certaimly takes its toll...but thank you for your kind comment, even though i have bad days i still need to appeal for this my pension xx

[Hidden in reply to shazzad]

Oh my goodness Shazzad, you have been through it haven't you. I am so sorry to hear about your son, I can't imagine how horrendously devastating that was. I am a mum too and you have my full sympathy, bless you. xx

I am still looking for info, I haven't forgotten. I am really struggling with this - is your pension a basic pension, it isn't military is it?! Any info that might help, I would appreciate. What sort of pension is it? Where is it from etc?!

If you would prefer to message me privately with this info so I can look deeper into it for you, please go to my profile by clicking on my name. Look on the left of my profile page and select send a message. I will get back to you asap.

(((hug))) xxx

[shazzad in reply to Hidden]

Good morning Libertyz, just to let you know that my pension is a teachers pension, i am currently on high rate mobility and low rate care dla and until March 3rd i will recieve contribution based esa. Apparently the pension criteria is different from dla and does not count.

They even wrote that my conditions were most disabling! I recieved my chronic pain clinic report back yesterday, just confirming all that was said to her, she has suggested i try yet another drug called Duloxetine?? but she does'nt want to see me again.....seems like yes you have all these conditions you seem to be managing ok, so get on with it.

Back to the info i found on the National Union of Teachers pension, it state as follows, The eligibility test applied currently by tp is that the teacher is permanently unfit to teach. In cases involving ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the DFES has advised that sufferers will, subject to other conditions, normally need to show that the condition has existed for 4 years for the department's medical advisors to be able to grant ill health benefits.

The info on different diagnostic labels states that an allied condition to cfs me cfs is fibromyalgia. It also states that fibro is closely related to cfs.

I have already been diagnosed by the consultant in August 2010 but my doctor had suggested i had fibro about 2008, in 2007 i was off work for a while with post viral fatigue syndrome....was that the start of it all? a I think my doctor realises this, we will be chatting on Monday.

In the mean time i shall start to write a letter and will include all info i have found high lighting their eligibility criteria, The prognosis of different fatigue diagnostic labels longitudinal survey and hopefully a supporting letter that indcates i have had my conditions for over four years. i will also resend the paragraph from my ex employees who kindly dismissed my under the incabibilities procedures which stated i was unfit to teach.

A big thank you to you for your kind support with all this as it is so frustrating by yourself. i will keep you posted, many thanks Shazzad xxx

[Ozzygirl64 in reply to shazzad]

My heart goes out to you hun and all in my household send you their love. I know what you mean as if you lose someone your health sort of pales into insignificance xxxxx

[Hidden]

My goodness, it sounds like you're already on top of it all Shazzad! I am not sure I could add to that information. I will still try to see if I can find anything else for you.

This info is basic and not very informative, not sure if it helps at all but will post on the off chance -

teacherspensions.co.uk/publ...

tes.co.uk/article.aspx?stor...

teacherspensions.co.uk/?gcl...

I hope it all goes really well for you.

(((hug))) xxx

[shazzad]

Thank you your kind words have indeed spurred me on! xxx

[Hidden in reply to shazzad]

It's a pleasure. We will help and support you all we can Shazzad, if there is anything at all we can do, please just ask any time. xx

[shetlandlass in reply to shazzad]

HI THEY SAY FIBRO CAUSED BY A TRAMA OR A BEREAMENT CAN START IT OFF I WAS FINE TILL I HAD AN ACCIDENT AT WORK THAT WAS SIX YEARS AGO I AM LUCKY I HAVE A UNDERSTANDING DOCTOR I LIVE IN SHETLAND AND OT AS PROVIDED ME WITH AN HOSPITAL BED ELECTRIC TOILET WET ROOM AS I CANT GET IN A BATH ALSO I CHAIR LIFT I COUNT MYSELF VERY LUCKY I HAVE A WHEELCHAIR BUT I CANT USE IT MY SELF IT HURTS MY ARMS TO MUCH I THINK YOU SHOULD APEAL AS THE FIRT TIME DLA REFUSED IT BECAUSE OF THE DOCTOR WHO CAME TO SEE ME HE WAS VERY RUDE AND HE DIDNT BELEIVE ME I GOT IN TOUCH WITH MY MP HE WAS VERY HELPFUL AFTER A WORD FROM IN THEY REVERSE IT WHEN I HAD TO APLY THE SECOND TIMR THE DOCTOR WHO CAME TO SEE ME WAS LOVELY HI GOT TOP MOBILITY AND MEDIEM CARE FOR THREE YEARS WHEN I WILL BE SEVENTY I AM DREADING IT AS I AM WORST NOW BUT I HAVE TO APLY FOR IT IN SIX MONTHS I AM DREADING THAT BROWN ENVELOPE COMEING THROUGH THE DOOR AS THAT MAKE YOU ILL IN ITS SELF I AM SO SORRY MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT COME UNDER PPI OR ESA KIND REGARDS CAROLX