morning
So I’m 56 /57 this year . I have pbc - aih . The main issue I have is the fatigue . I work 4 days a week in a SEN secondary school . Last year I dropped a day to help with the fatigue . So yes I get through my days at work . At nights I’m like a zombie and in bed asleep by 930 usually .so when I’m at work I rarely plan anything socially as I don’t have the energy.
just wonder if anyone had got early retirement on medical grounds for these kinds of reasons ?
Thanks
I, too, had a big problem with the fatigue while I was working 12 hour shifts as a nurse. As time went on I needed to cut back to 8 - and eventual 4 hours a day. There is a drug that some of my members of my previous support group found helpful - Provigil. Read about it... have a conversation about it with your doctor.
9.30pm is a positively late night for me 🙈. Often in bed by 8 .
I know it seems nearly impossible to even imagine but try to do some form of exercise each day. It can be as simple as just marching in place, walking around the house, leg lifts.... whatever you think you can start with. It really has been proven that exercise does help the fatigue. I know how hard it is to do this! This is one reason I encourage people who are just starting out with exercise (for whatever reason) to try chair yoga. It's easy and you are sitting the whole time. There are so many sessions available on utube. Starting is the hard part....
I am really sorry to hear about your situation. I am in somewhat of a similar boat, except i had to take a step back from a very demanding career that entailed a lot of travel and long hours and stress. That happened when i was 42. I was diagnosed with PBC at age 35 and AIH 8 years later. I think i caught the PBC pretty early on, but I think the AIH was there for several years before we caught it. That is when things went really downhill. The immune suppressant drugs are causing all kinds of sqamous cell carcinoma and getting sick very frequently. i have had multiple surgeries for the cancer and frequently get spots burned that then blister and sometimes get infected and then antibiotics and it's a vicious cycle. I ended my career in April of this year after multiple years of a much lighter schedule that i still could not keep up with. It has been very difficult. It is not an option to even work part-time as i never know when i am going to get sick, have fatigue to the point i can't get out of bed or get burned and lose the use of my hands, feet, etc. I had previously thought about filing for dissability through a private policy and opted to give it a little more time. I have decided I no longer have a choice but to file given the state of my health. I am just shy of 50 and never imagined i would be in this situation. I was fortunate to have obtained this policy when i was very young, as there is no way i would qualify now. i was told years ago before i even had AIH that i could never get another life insurance policy and my term policy lapses this year. i would be very proactive (as it looks like you are by posting) and do whatever you can. It's hard for others to understand the how these rare diseases affect our quality of life. I try to take advantage of the good days, but it is hard to plan anything. Good luck with your journey and I hope you can get some support so that you can reduce your stress and increase your quality of life. All the best
I'm 59 1/2 had to stop working last year January due to severe itching, fatigue and swelling with leg pain to point where I use walker or cane. I'm working with attorney to get early social security. It's been a challenge but my doctors and hematologist supports me. Good luck, I've taken Ursodoil for 7 years and tried every medication, lotions, UV light therapy and even plasmaphersis twice but nothing stopped my itching. I cannot function to perform my job of 27 years so now retired with no pay 😟 My spouse still works so that's a blessing! LIVE 🌎 LOVE 💖 LAUGH 😌
Hi, I’ve retired twice due to PBC / AIH fatigue. The first time I was 54, working full time in the civil service - I didn’t consider ill health retirement because the terms of the scheme were that you had to have only 6 months to live to qualify.
After a years break I started working part time for a charity on a fixed term contract. I worked for nine months. Had three months break then started another years contract but had to give up after 2 months. I’m not working atm, the fatigue is too much. I can’t concentrate for a whole day and need an afternoon nap. When I was working full time I just worked and slept. It felt like no life at all. Like you, I had no energy for friends or hobbies. Working part time 2 days a week was better but I felt like I could only do decent work in the mornings. I had the option of working 4 mornings instead of 2 days but then I’d have been sleeping in the afternoons and not have the energy to do things that make life worthwhile.
It’s worth checking your employers pension scheme wording and their staff handbook to see if there is anything that could help you. Could a period of sick leave give you enough of a break? Do they have a flexible working policy? Could you take a career break?
I’ve known a couple of people who have left their jobs assuming they would get Ill health retirement only to be told tgeir pension provider wouldn’t pay out so make sure your pension provider has approved your application before you resign. If you’re a union member take their advice and support.
I’ve never heard of provigil but Donna’s suggestion might be worth investigating.
Hi I was in a similar situation to you. I was an advisory teacher travelling around 5 different secondary schools plus other responsibilities. I had to drag myself out of bed, spent my lunch break snoozing in my car, early to bed. Started a 4 day week but still experiencing fatigue. Requested early retirement on health grounds. Doctor who interviewed me told me that as I was I hadn’t missed any days work and sleeping at lunchtime was getting me through the day that he wouldn’t be able to support my request. Apparently you have to fail to do your job - which is what I was trying to avoid! I took early retirement on reduced pension and now live a life that meets my needs. If you are in a Union ask them for advice. Good luck
I retired early with 33 years of service, a month BEFORE I was diagnosed with PBC, I didn't get it on medical grounds ,.I went sick for 6 months , went to Occupation Therapists , got my union involved etc . In the end I got a pay off from the school to leave ........I just thought I can't do this any more ! Teaching is such a demanding job !!!
I found this for you
Final Salary Scheme (Protected Members):
If you started teaching before January 1, 2007, your NPA is 60.
If you started teaching on or after January 1, 2007, and before April 1, 2015, your NPA is 65.
Career Average Scheme:
If you started teaching on or after April 1, 2015, your NPA is the same as your State Pension Age (SPA), or 65, whichever is later.
Early Retirement:
You can retire early, but your benefits will be reduced.
The minimum pension age is currently 55, but this will rise to 57 on April 6, 2028
My final salary pension is quite good , if you haven't many outgoings you will survive and you will feel a lot better. Sorry I haven't really answered your question but hope it helps a little bit.
Hypothyroidism 
Early pbc
Hello
Who has Pbc and under active thyroid?
