Is fibromyalgia a disability?

[michl14]

I’m having issues with universal credit are saying I’m not disabled with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis in my hip and need a replacement. Had a heart attack and several other diagnoses. Causing me so much stress.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

the same could be asked about the other conditions you mention and the answer is the same as well. A diagnosis does not make you automatically disabled. However, you can be disabled as a result of it.

There are many with fibro that are or are not disabled. It is down to their individual circumstances.

[Farmerboy in reply to desquinn]

Under the description of disability in the I think the Equality Act 2010 will make an interesting read.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Farmerboy]

It is mentioned in the guidance notes that accompany the act. However, a condition does not equal a disability.

[LoneEra]

This document is quite handy. Read the right hand column of page 4.

It talks about “members” as it’s a Union handbook, but if you ignore that the rest explains the disability side of things:

usdaw.org.uk/CMSPages/GetFi...

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LoneEra]

that looks awfully familiar

[LoneEra in reply to desquinn]

Haha!

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LoneEra]

fairly sure we contributed, reviewed or did something with it. They created it not long before we have our employment booklet at an advanced draft.

[LoneEra in reply to desquinn]

I’ve found all sorts you seem to have had a hand in over the years 😂 I just like the layout of that one - very easy to read.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to LoneEra]

yeah our plan was to have the employment in a more photogenic / pictures of people layout and had a draft with part of the way done but went with keeping the existing layout and then we have team / time then layout will change for all booklets.

I know graphic design software but often fight with designers about "needs more space around this or that" and me saying but we can get more info or whatever in there

[LoneEra in reply to desquinn]

Oh, there have been a few “you could drive a bus through that gap” conversations between me and my boyfriend (graphic designer) over the years!

[Dylan62x]

Just put in for pip I've just had a review on mine and been given it for the next 10 years my fibromyalgia being one of the main causes of my disability

[Farmerboy in reply to Dylan62x]

PIP is not awarded on a disability, illnesses, diagnosis or the amount of prescription drugs you are taking. PIP is awarded on you abilities to preform the PIP descriptors,activities in a safe, repeatable and timely manner for 50% of your daily live. You, me and others are classed as or looked upon as being a disabled person yet we still go to work and can cope or manage the PIP descriptors.

[Billypil]

I don't know much about the system in the UK but in the land of Oz where I live I would think that if your doctor were to provide a medical certificate / statement, then the people giving you a bad time may have to accept that statement and should help you along.Best wishes/ Bill

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Billypil]

That doesn't happen in the UK, unfortunately. When we fill up the forms, while the box filled with the meds we take might be full, what really counts is how much of daily life you need help with, and help doesn't have to be human - help can be all the things you have around you to help you bathe, stand, walk, drive and prepare food. It would be too easy if our social services only had to read the diagnoses - they probably wouldn't know what they all were anyway!

[Tia-maria]

Hi sweetheart we all know the stress that goes with applying for what we are entitled to the best thing you can do is get your self down to citterns advice are some other agent that will help you , as you can only tell the truth and it if doesn’t fit in there boxes so everyone needs help with there forms we have to talk there language but on our worst days weeks months roll past most of us in pain but I would advise go get advise ask your local fibromyalgia group if they can help you some will. Good luck sweetheart let us know how you get on xx

[LoneEra in reply to Tia-maria]

Good point about help. FMA UK also has a benefits helpline: fmauk.org/rc-contact-list-s...

Wishing you all the best x

[Farmerboy in reply to Tia-maria]

Hello, we are not entitled to any benefits, we may think we are or think we meet the criteria for claiming certain benefits but the bottom line is unless we meet the qualifying criteria for the benefit we are trying to claim then it like all the posts and mentions about PIP, Attendance Allowance seniors maybe able to claim seen on social media. People then think O I could claim that ect and we have hundreds thinking they are entitled to the benefits having not even looked at the criteria for claiming.

[Hidden]

Many people do not know the legal definition:

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/20...

equalityhumanrights.com/en

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

Too true. Being disabled also means different things depending whether it is access to services, within employment or accessing benefits.

A condition does not mean your disabled (barring a handful) and being disabled does not mean you are disabled enough for a benefits advisor.

[Hidden in reply to desquinn]

Read the above. There is a legal definition. Publicly funded bodies have to adhere to this.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

Had done previously and will aware. Perhaps you could say what of what I said above was incorrect I could explain

[Midori]

According to the NHS site it is,. Challenge them.

[PheChristyLVN]

Very much so! I'm on disability for it in Arkansas.

[PheChristyLVN]

I became very disabled from it back in 2011, but at that time I was put on medical leave, went back to work after a year, but struggled, then it got worse by April 2016. So by 2018 i won disability, i applied at end of 2017 and won August 2018. I was a nurse for 17 years, after my diagnosis, which was in my mid 20's and now 52. And now diagnosed with other chronic pain disorders, as well as autoimmune. So, it is what it is. Living the dream. Hahaha

[toni-m-235]

It depends how badly it affects you, fibromyalgia can be very debilitating!

[oldsouls]

I am sorry to hear this,Yes FA is classified as a disability for a Govt pension in AU. I was assessed by a doctor contracted to the Govt who had it himself! I recall seeing it recently on a USA site as well which surprised me.As others have stated how do you get assessed? How do you prove it? I was lucky my GP is also a physio as well and specialised in physio related conditions. He told me what I had. Look at Govt. websites to do with pensions.

Good luck.