I’ll health retirement

[Anniemack1]

I work for a high st Bank as a mortgage advisor, I became pregnant in 2014 and was in and out of hospital for months after baby arrived. I had a biopsy and was diagnosed with Lupus in 2016 I still haven’t managed to return back to work. My I’ll health plan from work is coming to an end in May. I honestly can’t see that I would be able to return to work again. I have chronic fatigue pain all over brain fog. I feel better then I’m Ill again with another flare up. I’m 38 years old and work have said they are referring me to the I’ll health retirement plan. I understand that to qualify you can’t return to any work not just my role. It just so happens that a college is a few months ahead of me and has been off work with the same illness. She has been declined the pension which is now making me very nervous about the whole process. My mood is also very low I find everything a struggle and with this process looming over me I’m seriously worried about finances which I think is having a knock on effect with my health. Have any of you been through a similar situation. What happened? How did you cope?

[whisperit]

Hello Anniemack1

It's certainly a worrying and stressful situation. I was fortunate in that I worked for the NHS and my employers were both very good in following procedures and in accepting the advice of my doctors. The Occ Health service was also very sympathetic throughout. I ended up with a full ill health pension - still a huge drop in my income - but there you go.

For what it is worth, my suggestions would be 1. familiarise yourself with your employer's ill health retirement policy so that you can be sure you are doing everything you need to (that might include helping your consultants phrase their letters so that they meet the specific criteria set out in the policy) 2. be proactive in approaching your Occ Health service, arranging appointments with them, and keep them on your side 3. tell your trades union what is going on and - unless you are very confident - ask to have a rep with you in any meetings you have with HR and management

Hope it works out for you x

[fabwheelie]

Hello Anniemack1 I'm so sorry that you are going through this.

Lupus is covered by the equality act and Lupus UK have some good guides about working when you have Lupus ( lupusuk.org.uk/working-with... ) which may be useful regarding exploring every avenue and whether there is any way you can maintain employment. However be totally honest with yourself and with your Drs regarding whether you are well enough to work, as ill-health retirement may be the best option

I actually wrote about my experince of ill-health retirement a few years ago ..here is the link to that ... healthunlocked.com/lupusuk/...

As for your college who has been denied the pension It is probably worth them making an appeal regarding the decision. I had to appeal before I got my medical retirement accepted, and I think this can be quite common ... The "sticking point" seemed to be I needed "evidence" that my inability to work would apply to any kind of employment. I also needed "evidence" of how permanent and long term this would be as the assessors needed to know that allthough I was young (I was only 37) that I would be extremely unlikely to ever work again for the rest of my working life and in any type of employment / capacity . My Drs at first were a little reluctant to provide "medical evidence" that was so specific, until it became clear that by not doing so I not only lost my job but did not get a medical retirement pension (I also had to shift my mind set re what I honestly could and could not do considering the limitations and effects that Lupus had on me and my abilty to maintain employment)

To get the ill-health pension / retirement you will need a good amount of support from your Dr. At first both I and my Drs were reluctant to state that I will never be able to be in employment again (as this sounds rather negative) . However It is a case of accepting that if this applies to you then you do have to accept it, and get your Drs to state clearly that this is the case. I think even saying something along the lines of "it's unlikelky to be able to return to employment for at least the next 5 years" helps (Perhaps the 5 years is a "code" that indicates the seriousness)

Be aware it is very stressful going through all this, which can have a massive impact upon your health, and stress can cause Lupus symptoms to worsen, so be kind to yourself. Also speak to your GP about both your physical and mental health. You may even need full mental health suport as in my experience you go through a "grief like process" in learning to accept your limitations and the profound impact that Lupus has on your life

On a more positive note ill-health reirement has actually been one of the best things for me and my health in allowing me to remain relatively "mild and stable"

Good Luck. feel free to ask me anything

[Josieswolf]

Hi sorry you have had such a bad time. I have had similar experiences with the NHS. I had to leave work with I’ll health retirement. I did apply for my retirement pension and it was initially denied. I will say this don’t accept the decision you must keep fighting for your pension. You should be seeing a rheumatologist make sure you get them on board to support your claim. Don’t take no for answer. I know it will be hard, we did struggle financially but when you do succeed ( and you will) the payments should be back dated from you first date of claim. You should also get employment and support allowance and disability living allowance. You should also keep in contact with your mortgage provider and any other creditors to let them know what is happening and work something out with them. Do you have illness insurance.You will be able to sort things out so don’t worry too much, it will affect your health in a negative way. Easier said than done I know. Whatever you do don’t accept the first answer,they try that and expect you to take it. Keep at them. I hope you do get what you’re entitled to. Good luck x

[johare]

I agree with the good advice that has already been given to you. I also worked for the NHS, however, the employment law is the same. As Whisperit says, take advice from a trade union if you have one. Ensure you understand your HR policy. Also get statements from your doctors and consultants outlining their thoughts on your ability to work. This includes mental and physical. For instance, I was a nurse who had to drive, attend meetings, do a physical, mental, emotional, job with children. My employer could not find another role that I could do. Equally I could not work on a till in Tesco, moving , twisting, talking, thinking, without letting people down.

If you are concerned make an appointment with citizens advice. Each person is assessed on their own merit, you need to look at the job you do and how your illness affects you daily and if you can do this or any other job each day. All the best. Any pension you receive can be made up by employment support, you can apply now.

[Anniemack1 in reply to johare]

Thank you for all support and help I will get in touch with my rheumatologist and my nephrologist as I have found out they are the two Drs they are writing to. I’m also going to try to find out about my pension definitions of who can and can’t retire early. I also think I will have to have a medical with a independent GP they will choose for me to see. This whole process is very stressful, it’s really taking a lot out of me. I have not really had to deal with anything like this before. How do you all cope with stress? I feel like it’s all just too much at the moment.

[johare in reply to Anniemack1]

I found it very difficult too. I was giving up a nursing job I loved. I felt I was letting so many people down and it took a long time to adjust to life without work. However, if I had not stopped I think I would not have had any where near the level of health I have now. Just the fact that you cannot deal with the stress alone is an evidence that work will be too much for you long term. To justify it to myself I made a list of my daily jobs and a list of my difficulties doing them. I try to pace myself, change job a often as possible, mental, physical, rest. That is difficult with a small child. But find time to enjoy something. When your little one sleeps don't do jobs rest. Turn everything off and let your brain turn off.

[Anniemack1 in reply to johare]

Morning everyone and thank you all for all your suggestions and help.

I have been very unwell I was admitted to hospital last Saturday and I think it’s stress that caused this. I have been unable to speak to my rheumatologist. I have however had a very comforting chat with my nephrologist. He has done a report that I think will help. But one of the questions on the medical form was will I ever be able to work again. Anyone with this condition will know you can’t ever know that. I think that this question is ok for people who have been injured and there is a definite yes or no. With lupus you can’t say no as there is a chance but there is also that chance you won’t.

My independent medical appointment is now on the 13th March. I feel sick with worry about the whole process. I will update as and when I have more.

Thanks again to everyone for all help given 🙂

[johare]

I can only say that you must report how you feel on your worst days because those are the days that are going to cause you to be off work. That could be occasionally, causing disruption in your workplace or permanently. The problem comes with us when we use words like "fluctuating". We want to be truthful, however these assessments aren't built for the truth. No employer wants a worker who phones in sick every few days with differing problems.

[Anniemack1]

Hello every one I’m sirry I haven’t made any updates till now but not much has been going on. In March I had my independent medical, which went as well as it could have gone to be honest. I was also able to have a chat with my rheumatologist on the phone about the report he had been asked to prepare for me and he reassured me and made me feel so much better. I also recived a copy which was an amazing amount of effort on his part. Then it was all submitted to my HR department and that was is late April. I had been waiting for news for a very long time then yesterday my , line manager called me to say my ill health pension application has been agreed. I now have to go in to my local branch in a couple of weeks for a face to face appointment to end my contract of employment. Very sad in one case but a massive amount of stress has been lifted. I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone your help and support has got me through this very stressful period and I’m so glad I can count on this site. You are all wonder people and help out in the best way. I hope you all have a great weekend. And of course come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 today good luck to the team in Russia x