Applying for IHR

[Syeeee]

I feel like I've come at the end of my teaching journey after 25 years. Applying for IHR on health grounds. I've tried 7 different medications and 2 aggressive treatments, which I had serious side effects to. Does anyone know if I can refuse further aggressive treatments and still get IHR? I'm worried about the side effects and feel like i need to make a lifestyle change and remove the stress associated with teaching to give my body a chance. Any help/advice with me appreciated. Thank you

[Runrig01]

I worked in the nhs, and when I went through ill health retirement, I had to show I had gone through the treatment pathway, and had no more options, I also had to show that Occupational Health had exhausted all reasonable adjustments as well. Gather plenty evidence. I had a severe stroke at the start of the process, due to an adrenal crisis at 52, and still found it difficult. Good luck 🤗

[bpeal1]

I got Ill health retirement from teaching at the age of 35 before I had even tried biologics (however that was 14 years ago so may be different now). Thankfully the LEA occupational doctor was very knowledgeable about autoimmune conditions and I had a very supportive head and they both backed my claim. The advice I was given by the occupational health doctor was to focus on the fatigue and pain making it hard to concentrate and that this could compromise the safety of the children and impact the quality of teaching. He said not to focus on physical problems as they would just come back with a list of aids. You will need to tell them about all the things you have tried already, including reducing hours and/any flexible working hours (eg being able to take PPA time at home).

Good luck!

[Syeeee in reply to bpeal1]

Thank you I will write about this. Appreciate the help

[126Jessie]

Hi there, I was awarded IHR after 32 of teaching last year. The process was gruelling. I was given lots of wonderful advice and support from some amazing people on this site. I was about to start Barticinib after two failed biologics and every other posdje DMARD after having RA for 26 years. My council occ health knocked me back straight away stating that on the balance of probabilities there was a chance of me getting better with other medication , so, it was heavily considered. You may need to word this bit carefully and think what you need to say, possibly keeping an open door/agreeing to a new medication, then once you get IHR, do what is best for you, I would say. . My form was also littered with medical errors so keep your records up to date. Fortunately, thanks to my cheer leaders on here and the wonderful support of my employers we challenged this by using a very detailed report from my Gp and clinical consultant letters. This went straight to my pension company and I was awarded the top tier, full benefit within the week. As I was told on here .Get your evidence collated, fight the good fight and lean on the wonderful support you get on here. I will forever be be grateful to them.. Recently I found out the occ health Dr/ company that let me down has not had had its contract renewed. Karma is a wonderful thin!!. Best of luck in the journey. Best decision for me and I hope-for you too xx

[Syeeee in reply to 126Jessie]

Unfortunately my doctors think there could be more medicine I could try and completely disregarding that I'm worried about the side effects as I ended up in a&e last time. They won't provide letters to say my condition will last until npa even though we know RA is progressive and I haven't responded to medication well in the past

[126Jessie in reply to Syeeee]

So sorry you are having to deal with this too. RA is hard enough without your GP not being in your corner. Possible change of GP? Best of luck, you know your body and illness best. I hope it works out for you x

[Leics]

I was medically retired due to ill health from a job in the NHS which I loved so much and didn’t want to leave even though in hindsight I knew it was time. I had to attend a tribunal which I found very stressful and it was as though my colleagues and bosses never knew me at all even though I had always been honest and open with them. I was distraught after it as I had always poured my heart and soul into the job. If I’m honest with myself I was struggling so much and couldn’t bare the pain and wasn’t having any kind of life and living on painkillers. 10 years on it was the right decision for me as at least I can pace myself and even though I still struggle daily I’m much better and happier than I was. As others have said when you’ve tried every avenue and got your evidence sorted then be prepared for a better future. My hand was forced in some way as they wanted to change my contract so I would be a ‘bank member of staff’ instead of having my permanent contract which basically meant that they would ring me if I was needed but I wouldn’t be paid if I didn’t work so wasn’t left with a lot of choice and wasn’t prepared for that little bombshell. Mostly it was my decision although I still mourn the job I loved but I’m in a better place now and managed to get my full pension. Good luck I hope it goes smoothly for you and your managers continue with their support during the process but be prepared that they won’t.

[Runrig01 in reply to Leics]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I had to attend a capability hearing, as part of a tick box exercise. However, my ward manager and matron were very apologetic, at having to do it. They did make it as painless as they could.. I loved my job, and would have loved to continue, but after the stroke at age 52, I was left with serious memory issues, although the thrombolysis did marvels for the physical symptoms. I still nevertheless found the process extremely stressful. Despite being severely restricted with my AS and the stroke, I was only awarded tier 1, with the recommendation to apply in 3yrs for tier 2, which I did. I did reapply, and had to go through the rigorous process again, taking around 6 months to complete. In hindsight it was the right decision to retire, but 7yr on, I still miss it.

[Leics in reply to Runrig01]

Yeah I miss it too I felt every day that because I put my heart and soul into the job and always went above and beyond that I had probably saved someone’s life that day or made a difference to them. There was nothing like that. I would give anything to still be working and getting that sense of achievement even though others considered the job repetitive and mundane I could see the bigger picture as a patient myself. Hey ho it is what it is and I can’t change that.

[Runrig01 in reply to Leics]

🤗

I feel the same, it was a joy to do the job we did. It’s so much easier when you love your job. The only thing that kept me going, was the supportive team I worked with. They used to do heavier jobs, and I’d do their obs or something less physical. You still have the memories, of all those life’s you improved 🤗

[Syeeee in reply to Leics]

That's me too! I love my job as a teacher but I can't remember things and get confused as to what I was saying in the lesson. I realized that I'm not as effective as I used to be and it's hard pill to swallow.