Early ill health retirement

[Rareity]

Hi I am going to see my rheumatology consultant tomorrow and going to be asking him to fight my case for early retirement. I am so worried that he may disagree and want me try other drugs although I've really tried them all already. In a nutshell I'm 37 years old, working as a nurse (currently off sick). I have sjogrens, vasculitis, SLE, lung cysts, raynauds and currently being treated for non hodgkin's lymphoma. Just looking for any tips if it doesn't go my way, thanks 😊

[allanah]

So are you working somewhere you could apply for your pension early ?? Eg do they have a occupational health or personal department. If so go to those departments with a union representative.

If asking rheumy only to support you I still suggest joining a union too. With their help and your docs support it should work.

I was retired on ill health and got my pension early ( nhs) with help from Occy health and personnel and union. My boss was on my side too as she knew what I was going through.

[allanah in reply to allanah]

Oh and nras helpline has amazing advice and supported me x

[Rareity in reply to allanah]

thank you for the reply. Yes I'm with the NHS and think they will be behind me as they have suggested it in the first place. I've got an appointment with occi health soon and I'm in a union but I was just worried about getting my consultant on my side. I know that sounds daft but you know what Doctors are like they want to try every drug under the sun first and I've just about had enough of taking drugs.

[allanah in reply to Rareity]

Occy health will contact him. You will gave no trouble. Get your boss and personnel on board approach them and tell them of your problems.. they will lead the way for you. Then get the union rep to organise meetings with occy health andvoersonnell, your boss and you.

Initially they tried to make justifiable changes eg getting me trolleys, chairs, offered part time . When I still couldn't manage that and was off sick for a year they can either sack you for high sickness absence full stop or sack you but apply for your pension. As I had been honest with personal occy health etc they did the latter and my union rep helped a lot.

I you are " sacked" I know it's hard to hear .. you will hear about your pension and I also applied for PIP and ESA .

Theres a lot to it. Get as much support as you can. Xx

[rab1874]

Hi Rareity, I hope you get it as it’s no fun trying to drag yourself to work every day when in so much pain and you don’t want to let anyone down,I had to retire medically at 51 from the local authority and although it took me a year to adjust having worked since I was 16 it’s the best move I made as I struggled for 2 years before finishing up,I got my pension plus get pip and esa now and I manage fine,my work we’re great with me and I hope the same happens with you as this disease and all the complications isn’t easy to manage day to day ,good luck xxx

[Mmrr]

When I was applying for medical retirement my rheumatologist added a small paragraph to my update letter saying that almost a year after referal my disease progression was unknown at this point, but I was struggling with medication side effects.

Along with my good OH dept and a supporting letter from the specialist hand physiotherapist I had a lot of supporting evidence that I was unfit to work. Don't be afraid to ask. Good luck.

[Leics]

Occupational health in the NHS are only there for you as a patient and totally on your side they are not interested in how your absence from work affects the department you work for, they are totally neutral. If occy health agree that you need early retirement due to chronic health conditions they will suggest it and put it in writing for you. This helped me enormously when I was ‘sacked’ due to ill health. I had no problems getting my full NHS pension was able to easily get ESA. If you apply for your pension then your GP will normally be paid to do a report for you saying how your illness prevents you from being able to work etc I was lucky enough to get a copy (I’ve used it as evidence on more than one occasion). I doubt very much you will have a problem with your consultant but you’ll always have your GP, manager and other health professionals to support you. I have to say I found the tribunal I decided to go to very distressing but I was in denial that I could carry on when I knew I couldn’t. The upside is if the NHS say you’re not fit for work then it could be worse working for someone who isn’t in the know about health conditions. I doubt you’ll have a problem and will be able to move forward.

[Rareity in reply to Leics]

thanks so much for that 💜