What a day!

[Smithycat]

A strange day today. I had my third Sickness Absence Meeting and they have dismissed me after 17 years service. So I am unemployed for the first time in 35 years. Today I was also finally contacted by Healthcare at Home to arrange to deliver Imraldi and for a nurse to come to show me how to administer it. I have been waiting for this since February 2019 after years of treatment with various drugs that have not got my disease under control. I am really hoping that this will work as I am really fed up with feeling so ill and fatigued. Christmas has been a real struggle. One of the reasons that I don’t sleep is that I feel really itchy as if ants are crawling all over me. My GP says that this is a reaction that I have to the meds I take to help me sleep because of the pain! Does anyone else experience this? I am hoping that the Imraldi will get my disease under control and I won’t need those meds. I am also so fed up of people not understanding this disease and having to explain myself. As I explained in the meeting today I am not living my normal life, I don’t read and I don’t go swimming ( I used to swim more than a mile a week) because of the fatigue which is brutal. I have always been a very sociable person but I am now virtually a recluse. I am trying on one hand not to pin too much hope on the Imraldi but on the other hand really hoping that I can get somewhere close to my ‘normal’!

Sorry for another essay but today has been a really strange day.

Best wishes to all.

[Hidden]

Smithycat oh no we’re you expecting this any pre warn?

Funnily enough I get skin itches at night too on MTX.

What a crap day for you.

[Smithycat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your message. I know that they have just been biding their time so it wasn’t that unexpected. Do you take any medication for the itching? 🕊

[Hidden in reply to Smithycat]

I have had itchy skin from tramadol so think might be some link.

[Mmrr]

What a day for you. Did you expect the dismissal or was it a bolt from the blue ?

This disease can really drag you down, but hopefully the new meds will be the beginning of a more positive future.

[Smithycat in reply to Mmrr]

I wasn’t that surprise because this has been a long and complicated path because they have behaved badly since I told them about my diagnosis so I knew that this was what they were angling for and that they were just biding their time. Thanks for your message 🦚

[mhlmom]

That’s such a shame when you are so close the the real possibility of feeling much better on biologics! I think I would take advice from an employment law specialist about whether they should have considered your imminent medication change and given it a few more months...

[Smithycat in reply to mhlmom]

Apparently I can appeal but realistically I just don’t think that I can cope with doing that job anymore so maybe it’s for the best. Thanks for your message 🦋

[cathie]

What a dreadful start to the year. I hope you can find time to get to grips with your health , destress and find a way back into a more sympathetic work situation xxx

[Smithycat in reply to cathie]

Thank you 🌸

[sylvi]

I agree with what has all been said. Hugs. xxxx

[Smithycat in reply to sylvi]

Thank you 🌼

[Dodo1943]

I see from your first post that you requested ill-health retirement a year ago. I think if I were you I’d be following mhlmom’s advice above.

Good luck.

[Smithycat in reply to Dodo1943]

I got turned down for ill health retirement but my Union rep is looking into whether I can appeal or reapply. Thanks for your message 🌺

[jojo_71]

Hi.

I hope that you did want to be finished? Otherwise, I really think you have been unfairly treated.. Especially as you are starting new meds soon.

I really hope the new meds give you some relief, but if not, then there are others out there.. Don't give up.

Love Jo x

[Smithycat in reply to jojo_71]

Thanks for your message. I have been off sick for quite a while and I understand that the job has changed quite a lot. I don’t really want to be dismissed but know that I couldn’t cope with working there, so maybe it’s for the best. Best wishes 🌻

[Biofreak]

Oh dear that is awful after 17 years. I think they should have given you a bit more time to see if your new meds make a difference. On the other hand, if you want to finish working because you are struggling to cope with the pain of RA and it's debilitating effects I would seriously consider applying for Pips if you haven't already done so. After all this condition has taken away your ability to work. Look after yourself and take time to reflect on the way forward. I hope the new treatment makes all the difference to your life x

[Smithycat in reply to Biofreak]

I applied for PIP but I got turned down. Maybe when I feel better I will appeal. Thanks for your message 🌷

[gailyb]

Hi I'm so sorry to hear about your dismissal, It happened to me. I was working in the same place for 23 years. Well i look at it like this, It's their loss. You just take it a little easier on yourself.. x

[Smithycat in reply to gailyb]

Thanks🌸

[medway-lady]

Away from a stressful job, life might well be a lot better. I think one door closes another opens and your new medication may also be a life changer too. I'm now on Benapli and its working gradually I'm not so stiff and most of the swelling has gone and I'm optimistic it'll get even better. Anyway best of luck and give yourself time to relax and enjoy a new beginning. I took early retirement ( I asked for it) from Government employment and it was best thing I did with this condition. No pressure, no stress and best of all I'm a lady who now does lunch.