I have been refused ill health retirement. I have had RA since 2008 and on Enbrel and the usual other meds. The reason given is becsuse of my weight, yes I know I am very overweight but this is all the docs fixated on not the fact that at least 3 of the meds cause weight gain plus the fact that I cant excersise as much as I used to.. Also have had an op on my elbow due to trapped nerve,the op was to stop symptoms worsening and not to cure,in fact was told it wouldn't cure my hand but would stop me losing the use of it. The same doc has written that when my hand is cured within a few weeks I will be ok to work. Briefly mentioned my RA ,apparently losing weight will cure this too. The reason given is because the fat in my body causes the imflamation so therefore lose weight and hey presto cured. Sorry for the rant but all this from a 15 to 20 minute 'medical' seems he knows more that my rwo consultants and ignored their reports. Never mind what my employer said. I'm a 60 year old teaching assistant in a primary school, infection risk apart I just love sitting on miniscule chairs! Ok now rant over, just needed to vent .
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Chrissycl
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I know how you feel, I rant all the time but still cannot get it out of my system...Why don;t you ask your doctor if theres another type of med that doesn't put on weight. Its ok for them to say your over weight, when they know exactly what the meds do. doctors really make me mad sometimes. I have a friend who has m-s, she was told she was over weight and that she needed to lose some weight before they could put her on some type of meds. They changed 2 of her meds and the weight fell off. When she went back to the consultant they then told her she was under weight. Well we both just laughed and him and said she couldn't win. I hope your ok and keep positive.
God this sort of attitude makes me so blooming angry,i feel so bad for you darling. My answer is to go sick and see if you can get a medical retirement that way. At least on here we all know and understand how you feel darling.xxxxx
change your Arentive doctor,THEN start again as this gentle idiot is stuck in lala land and willing bends to wards the state idea of being fit. not his oath of do no harm. Sorry you are going through this but they are out there and amongst us. warmest Craig
Would love to change doctors but its not possible now as the decision has been made and can not be restarted. Its my pension providers Panel that makes the decision based on an occupational health doctors report who examined me for all of 15 mins
I know what you are going through. I worked in a school and was told they only give you illhealth retirement if you are dying. The union didn't agree. It's still not agreed but have been dismissed through capability. Please can anyone tell me the difference! It seems they are hell bent on stopping you getting it. Take care and don't give up.
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Hello
I was medically retired over twenty years ago and have not been working since then. I had to be pushed through various medical checks by not only my then Employer, also my own Doctor also DHS. I am now a Pensioner and I managed to get my pension released at that time.
The Boards at work, three of them were attended by my Union, my first and second line Supervisor and Union, I was stopped attending these boards.
At that time I was offered three positions within the company that were well below my level of expertise. So was their determination to retire me off
Talk to our GP and Appeal against their decision, your Union should be able to help, and talk to the DHS and the CBS.
I remember the situation I was in and the stress I was put under, all I can say is be persistent
I was retired on ill-health early this year. It was an independent "athos" doctor who did the assessment. Interestingly he picked up on a line in my health record - 1968, aged 15 I had Yellow Jaundice and he reckoned my RA was in some way triggered by this.
The key to my "successful" retirement was that my job had been heavy lifting and walking in a warehouse for 8 hour shift and I was deemed unable to do that any more without rest breaks, and the job did not provide any scope for rest breaks.
So, for you they keys may be around walking and standing without rest when you need it. Also the very small chairs are a BIG thing. For me to get up from a low chair is not easy. If it is the same for you, and it drains your energy... Then the school should provide suitable chairs for you.
On the matter of being overweight, I post here regularly about the benefits of good whole-food plant-based diet. When I started mine I lost enough weight to get to the top level my of my BMA - for the first time in my life - and it has stayed off. I cannot recommend it highly enough. You never know it might even reduce your arthritic symptoms!
Thank you all for your lovely support. The decision was made by my pension provider and its now up to my employer the agree or disagree with it, but then another decision has to be made about what tier of pension I can have. Its bound to be the lowest if they say I can't retire. I can't even appeal until my employer decides. Ah well at least I still have the option to take early retirement.
You need a friend to represent your interests, my reply above should be the citizens advice centre CAB, the companies doctor will be represented and he will tak to your GP, your GP will not normally be at the Board Meetings. So if you are relying on your Employer your Union if you have one will look after your basic interests, so the Disabled Job shop worker, whatever can talk to those involved with your claim.
To leave it to employer and their pension provider is like putting a fox in a chicken run. You need independent advice CAB will keep you right
Okay - so, no problem with the rant, but I'm sorry - losing weight will NOT CURE RA. THERE IS NO CURE FOR RA... Sheesh! I am so sorry for this result. I don't know your system, but can you appeal because I sure as heck would! Wishing you a good resolution...
I think age may be the clue, to retire on medical grounds will cost them and in a few years you will anyway. So contact your union asap. I retired early the medical was just a formality. I knew the settlement figure, pension details etc. No real issues at all it was easy. But that was local government, have you asked if they are reducing staff and could get redundancy in a few months. But most importantly get some proper professional advice from the union or an employment law solicitor. It might cost a bit but may well be worth it in the long run don't forget if you hurt yourself say fall off a chair you might sue for failure in statutory duty of care. I think then medical retirement might be suggested to you.
This would be a local goverment pension. South yorkshire authority. I work in a school so its classed as local authority.its only a small primary so I know no redundancies going. Will get on to my union now tho.
No such thing as a formality in my department. The pension benifit not that great either. On the plus side I can put in for my early retirement. Thanks for the good advice.
I'm Kent my pension is very good as based on final salary and years worked. I was a senior officer and had 38 years in. I intimated I might sue that did concentrated their minds. That had to be avoided so I was offered a deal. Best thing I ever did, so glad to be away from the stress and so do lunch!lol. Do not just give in make it clear that you are going to apply again in 6 months as your condition will no doubt get worse-won't it ???? Especially if forced to sit in low chairs etc ask for extra assistance and be a pain in the neck, go sick a lot and put yourself first. I admit that I did not need to do anything like this as I just wanted out. Did you have anyone with you as you could claim you were not given time to explain things properly and I'm sure the union can help to advise you of your rights in these circumstances. Good luck and stay strong. xx
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