Hi, looking for advice or calming vibes! I am 54, a teacher and have been off from wok for 5 months. I have taught for 32 years, 25 of those with RA and my body has just stopped working as it used to.
I started the journey of applying for ill health retirement in January. Very supportive Occupational Doctor and healthcare nurse reports written. Over the last month they requested to see my medical file. ( assuming to double check I have RA) and on Monday they carried out a paper review. I have heard very little from my work except keeping in touch days. They have been supportive of my opting to retire early.
This evening I received a email from my line manager stating can he call me tomorrow? I have now spiralled into a mess of worry thinking the worse, surely if it was good news he’d have said?
Things I am now pondering… I noticed that my records had different dates of when officially diagnosed with RA, staying later than the 25 years since I first visited the Doctor. Also ,when most recently at the hospital they only had one shoulder surgery noted, despite me having two. All in the grand scheme most likely insignificant as I suppose they are dealing with how I am in this moment in view of the occupational report that cited me as unfit for work.
My experience of RA care has been lots of DMARDS and two biologics, about to start my third. As I have seronegative RA I have often felt I have been told I am well ( blood results) when I have felt awful from medical professionals looking after me, with the exception of my GP.
My trust in others believing how I feel has been affected as a result, possibly why I am stressing out, assuming they will be looking to catch me out.
I will no doubt find out when I get my phone call from my line manager tomorrow but I cannot stop catastroph-ising,
Struggling to calm the thoughts. Has anyone had a similar experience of applying for ill health in the Education sector ( in in Scotland) not sure if this makes any difference. Thank you for any advice given, I have convinced myself it is bad news!
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Why should they want to catch you out - and how? You’ve done nothing criminal and you’ve had good support from your Occupational Health team, your line management and your GP. Your employers are willing to allow you to retire early and it sounds as if they’re following procedure by asking for your file. So all good.
You’re very stressed by all this and not well to boot so not surprised anything’s going to throw you into a lather and having an email with a request to talk tomorrow isn’t helpful but it doesn’t mean nearly as much emotionally to your line manager as it does to you. He or she may have had no time to talk, doesn’t want to disturb your evening by ringing you, may have been waiting for news to give you tomorrow which he hasn’t had a chance to do today and may just be really busy and it’s not his or her priority whereas it’s your only one!
So calm down, there’s no reason to think there’s bad news coming. It may be that they need more info and the decision is delayed but the support for you to retire is there and unlikely to be changed. The odd wrong date won’t matter - medical notes are often inaccurate - so chill out, have a large glass of anaesthetic and look forward to better times when you won’t have to be asking for sick leave!
Thank you! You are so right, I am tired, not well and a tad emotional. My brain started to race, going over the slightest possibility for them to find something different to my report to the OH. I so appreciate you taking the time to reply. I have read it several times to calm my nerves, need to get myself that large glass now! Xx
Maybe not helpful but 32 years of school And only a few hours til you speak to your line manager, so in life it’s just a moment of time. Do something nice to distract yourself at home As I am sure they are there to support as you have stated and maybe just a check in with you to see you are ok.
hi I don’t have any experience of education in Scotland but I may be able to shed a bit of light on why you have this appointment. Although I had been working as an estate agent when I was diagnosed with RA, I had a deferred pension from when I worked in the English education system. When I decided work was not for me, I asked if I could get ill health retirement but I was told that there was no point in applying. First reason was because my old employer wouldn’t be able to assess whether I would be able to work with reasonable adjustments (I.e. because I didn’t work there anymore). They explained that as part of the process you have to have a chat with the head (maybe this is what you’re having). You say that they are supportive so this could just be a formality, hopefully they’ll tick the right boxes for you.
Secondly they said that a work assessment would only be deemed unnecessary if I had a terminal illness, with a life expectancy of less than a year. Therefore as my application would not have been successful I decided to take my pension early, which I was able to do because I’m over 55. Obviously I don’t get as much as if I’d retired at the correct date, but it’s enough for my needs. When I calculated the total I’ll take out of the pot.. I’ll be 86 by the time I’m ‘worse off’ . This is not advice btw….pension decisions are individual and if anyone is thinking of early retirement…they should get independent financial advice.
Try to stay calm, no one is out to catch you out I’m sure, but they do have procedures to follow. Good luck, I hope it goes your way x
I applied for ill health retirement from the NHS 6yr ago. I found it very stressful, as it was around 12 weeks I had to wait. The NHS may be different, as OH & employer can submit their evidence but are not involved in the decision. I had to show I’d tried all reasonable adjustments, and my rheumatologist had to submit a summary, on whether their was prospect of improving. I’d had a severe stroke as a result of an adrenal crisis, during the process, triggered by the stress and my lack of cortisol to deal with the stress. My OH dr did say once they started the process, I couldn’t return to my post, as they had both submitted opinion I was unfit to do my job. This meant having a plan B, which was cashing in my pension early, with a 30% penalty. Thankfully I was awarded tier 1, literally the day before my capability hearing, then 3 yrs later I had to reapply for tier 2.
I would have thought if there was any information from pensions, they’d inform you directly, certainly that what happened with me, then I would update my manager. I wouldn’t worry about dates not matching up. You should be able to get your official date of diagnosis on the nhs app, or patient access app. It will also be on one of your rheumatology summaries. I have AS rather than R.A., and my ribs and sacroiliac joints had fused. Despite that, my bloods are always normal too, thankfully the AS charity have a booklet that states 50% never have raised markers, so I submitted that with evidence. As amnesiac says it’s possible he/she didn’t want to disturb your evening, and they probably haven’t considered it may cause you stress. It may even be to discuss dock leave payments, as you’ve been off 5 month, your sick pay may soon be adjusting. I had 6 months full pay, then it was due to switch to 1/2 pay.
Did you have a union rep supporting you through the process?, I did and she was brilliant, and checked my statements and evidence before I submitted it. Have a nice G&T or a glass of vino, and try and de-stress. I’m sure if there was any issues, it would have been picked up earlier. Will be thinking of you, do let us know how things go. 🤗
Do Calm down……you are being granted ill health retirement…so there will be different options open to you…your line manager would be the person to explain the system to you.
You will be given time to consult with pension specialists to help you avoid pitfalls. …so as I say try to keep calm & give yourself time to make decisions.
Think about it…your employers are not going to apointment a lowly line manager to give you bad news…I bet he doesn’t enjoy this part of his job…knowing how stressed you will be…thinking of all the negatives.
Try to relax this evening…& when things are clearer..come back & tell us what has been decided.
I had a very smooth and quick agreement to early retirement on ill health with the USS scheme in England. I suspect RA is on their list of automatic entitlement. I got an additional 7 years added to my pension as I was 59. Just as well as I finished on 20 years. I wasn’t an active contributory member at the time and the USS contacted me directly.
Just need to take it as it comes i had a stroke in dec 18 did not go back yo work due to ill health went on u/c then retired at 66 still have arthritus bronchical asthma but still struggle most days but it will not get better so have to manage best i can but i also know stress is another factor in my life no mattet how i try some days its not mine to control no mattet how hard i try so i understand how you feel i wish you well
I don’t share your experience but am in Edinburgh. Retired 14 years ago at 61 but thi gs were different then. I hope you get treated compassionately. I’ve had time I could be useful to family and others after getting advanced treatment for RA at western general. Can’t speak too highly of them.
You will be alright darling i haven't worked since 2009 when i got made redundant and i was not yet sixty can't remember how old i was(brain cells not working) this morning. You will come out of it alright .xxx
thank you everyone for your kindness and support. I am running on empty and was clearly worrying and over thinking. I received a further email this morning after I informed my line manager a paper review had taken place on Monday this week ( which I was not to attend) and other than that had heard nothing. His reply was, this is really dragging on for you, I will chase it up with HR, no need to speak to you. So I guess it was just a quick end of day email to me with no thought on the impact it might have on me, as said all I’m thinking about and probably just another thing for him to do. I’m sure no malice, just is what it is. All of your kindness for helping me over this wee bump has quite overwhelmed me. Thank you so much x I will of course let you know if I ever get a decision! Xx
Ah, we’ve all been there in one way or another! It’s vile what your mind can put you through when you’re worrying, stressed to the max and unable to see things clearly. Glad you’ve been contacted and it was nothing to worry about. Keep calm and carry on 😀Xx
Hi . I got retired on il health in 2011 from the NHS. I wasn't calm lol , I found it hard, despite like you having a very supportive boss, HR and union rep . It took 1 year exactly to get it. The hardest thing was the discharge meeting as technically I got " sacked" for not being at work and they have to read this statement to you. We were all in tears as we all wanted to try keep me in work , but it was impossible.
So push our union rep for support , ensure they accompany you as they can ask for easier meeting places, easier times or you to get there , that you have family/ friend support after the meeting.
I got early retirement plus my pension early . Made all the difference
It was the best thing. I missed work so much but took up volunteering at music festivals on accessible camping with support from charities to do this. It keeps me busy, I've met so many wonderful people, seen amazing bands and made best friends.
I also volunteered for NRAS which was inspiring.
I miss the money I might have made in my career but my pension plus PIP ensure I have enough and Im grateful for that.
The past few months I've had a return to the bad old days health wise and I realise there is no way I could have continued at work despite my protestations!
So I hope it goes through but I do know that a year off work was the turning point in the nhsx
I have been doing it all on my own. Only, speaking to my line manager and the medical occ health people when prompted.I think I need to speak to my union and get a wee bit of support as yesterday knocked me sideways and I didn’t see it coming either….I was in a I’m fine everything is fine state of mind when I/ it obviously wasn’t. Thanks again for your advice 😘
I'm amazed that you managed to work for so many years. Well done. I was a teacher and began with rheumatoid arthritis in 2011, aged 45. I haven't been able to work since my symptoms started. It took nearly 2 years to get a diagnosis. Ours is usually a hidden disability and so most people can't understand it. I read a research paper a few years ago that found that 50% of people diagnosed with RA have to give up work. So well done for lasting so long. Don't feel guilty now. Enjoy your well deserved retirement. The teaching profession should be grateful that you carried on for so long. It must have been very hard. Many fit and well people can't hack the job.
Hopefully by now you will have had your phone call about retirement on health grounds from work. As your work would be stressful you could go for something less demanding and maybe part time. I worked till 55 then retired to look after my husband who died after a year. The process for retirement on health grounds was very drawn out, so I understand how you feel. I went into voluntary work after my husband passed away until the Covid virus stopped that. So trully there are many ways you can get through early retirement , even with the state retirement age going up constantly. Now you need to sit down and decide how you want your future to be. Every best wish .Do let us know how things go , please.
No news as of yet, but thank you so much everyone for taking the time to reply. Wheels came of the cart a few weeks ago and you all got me through it. Very much appreciated xx I will of course let everyone know the minute I know! Xx
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