Hi Margaret and welcome to the forum :0

Sorry to hear you are having issues with being able to work NRAS have some brilliant booklets available through the helpline , and the Two benefits ones have been updated recently...
PDF versions of them :

Benefits and RA

How to Claim Disability Benefits

Have a look at the publications list HERE as there are quite a few booklets that will be of use to you..espescailly the benefits ones ( above ) and the work related ones .

You can read them on-line or order them if you haven't already received them when you joined.

A lot of what you can claim depends on your family situation together with family income ... ie whether you are a lone parent , if you have a partner ..how much they earn . Whether you have a mortgage or rent etc.Whether you have non-dependants living with you.

Above all do not resign without getting qualified advice as this could complicate matters .

There is help out there financially dependent on your circumstances .
If your company do not know that you have RA , then definitely consider telling them , as they cannot be expected to make reasonable adjustments if they do not know . However the choice is yours.
Do you think you could remain in work with adaptations to your workplace or your work routine ? There could be help via Access to work , to help the company pay for adaptations etc.

Look at the DLA guide on the link above ...do you think you have any of the mobility or care needs ? If so ..apply for DLA as this does not affect any other income and you can claim whether you are working or not . It could also open up other avenues of help.

Hope this helps as an initial brief reply .

Memory foam .. i cannot answer unfortunately .

Rich :)

Hello Margaret and welcome.

I bought a new bed a yr ago, with a memory foam mattress, best thing I have ever done. However, I couldn't get on with having mem foam pillows too, so have 2 shallow pillows.

Yes it is warmer than other mattresses, but I sleep with windows open, 2 fans on and a summer quilt, I sleep alone, so I only have myself to please.

Good luck with the benefits and giving up work research, keep us posted please

Trace xx

Hi Margaret,
I get Access to Work, that allows me to use taxis to enable me to do my job, Access pay 50% with my employer paying 50%.
Access to Work also helps to assess what reasonable adjustments your employer can make to allow you to continue working, they help with cost.

I have had a memory phone matress for 10yrs, would not be without it.
There are different kind of matresses, mine is high density viscose. There are many kinds of memory phone matressess on the market, with varying prices. I also know many people who have tried the pillows and never got used to them.
Me I have my V pillow, 2 normal pillows, 2 medium pillow and 2 small pillows.
As I can't bend my wrists, I use the small pillows, one squashed in each hand, I can then lean on my knuckles to get into bed. Ah genius!!

All the best Margaret hope all goes well,
Rose