Hi Anne-m

I totally understand your worries over your work situation. I have recently been successful in getting ill health retirement from work. I went on the sick in November 2010 as I couldnt cope with teaching and dealing with students on a day to day basis. I saw the OH nurse three times and she finally referred me to the IH doctor. He was very much on my side and agreed that IH retirement was the best option for me. He wrote a report saying that this was the only option. My consultant was a pain though. The report that he was asked for needed him to say that the prognosis was not good for the future. He was really difficult about this saying how could he possibly know about new drugs that could come out in the future. In the end, my RA nurse wrote a detailled report and it was that which clinched it for me. I know that the nurses know us much better than the consultants so maybe you should ask your nurse as a back up plan. You need to submit supporting information so get support from people that are on your side.

Let me know how you get on and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Louise

Hi and thanks Louise & Becky for the advice,

I contacted the rheumy nurse this am re: a problem with mtx prescription at the hosptial, i then asked her about the I.H.R i explained my situation, she said that she could see no problems getting a letter of back up from consultant,

i explained that her i tried b4 and he would not sanction it, the nurse said not to worry, and that when i am asked for this info via pensions i could get back to her,I know she may not be able to do anything, but just getting this off my chest has helped as right now all i seem to do is worry i am now suffering what i thought at first it was the start of a chest infection, i now know its anxiety, i am having shortness of breath difficulty yawning but the need to more often, i think this is all due to the fact that my sick cert runs out 20th next month and all this talk,meetings,, hosptial appointment its all to much.

Next week i have, Occy health meeting on Tuesday, M.R.I Scan Wednesday & maxillofacial Friday, all at the same hosptial, dont it make you want to cry?

Just want it all sorted.

I find it so difficult to talk to the consultant (not that i see much of him) But its equally as hard to talk to the registrars.


Sorry to sound so wingy and negative this is just the way i feel.


Anyhow how is Retirement girls!? Is it a great weight off your shoulders?

Take care Anne-m xxxx

Well Louise, thank you for advice, i think you are right, My meeting with Occy health is tomorrow, fingers xed i am dreading it and i know its just the start.

Anne-m xx

Good luck

Good luck for tomorrow. Let us know how your meeting goes.

Best wishes

Louise

Well today's the day!!!! Not, up i get after yet another wakeful night, taxi arrives late, turn up at reception on the wrong day, how annoying is that? the Dr was away at a meeting.

My appointment is for tomorrow, i have another appointment with maxillofacial on Thursday,and another on Sunday for MRI scan, Oh well i went and had my blood test so it wasn't a complete waste, so many appointments it drives me mad.


Thank Girls, for all for all encrouging thoughts, i will keep them in mind for tomorrow,Jenni what is ou, bet i should know!!!!

Chat soon.


one dippy Anne-m xxx

I managed to attend on the right day,this time lol, the Occy dr talked to me for some time and then said can you see yourself returning to work? i said NO, he said that maybe my fatigue/depression was not related to R.A i said i felt there was no other reason other than the pain/ and symptoms that i suffer from.


He then said he would write up a report to back up ill health retirement and then request a report from rheumy consultant, i only have 6 mths to go b4 i can retire early due to working within the mental health services, i know my pension will be greatly reduced as i went part time approx 3 yrs ago, it would benefit me to be able to get ill health as my pension would not be as effected, i will just have to wait and see.

I will need a sick cert from GP next month as this one runs out mid December, hope he will be able to write one, keep seeing all the news on this.

Back up hosp tomorrow, love it lol lol

Anne-m xxx

Thanks Becky yep its the waiting, just hope GP will write another cert, i think when i explain whats going he might!!!
Take care.

At least the ball is rolling now.


Anne-m xxxx

Please keep us posted Ann Marie. I really hope to be able to hang on to my job for a long time.....but you never know with RA. Do you work for the NHS? I am following your story closely and wish you luck X

Just a thought here. The NHS really try to avoid losing staff to ill health retirement if there is a possibility of redeployment. Have you thought of that? I know that one day I might have to consider taking on a less physically demanding role at work. I am glad that I studied for my ECDL in IT just before becoming ill. The NHS actually paid for me to do the course (but in my own time). This will hopefully open up possibilities of different, perhaps more administrative, roles should I need to redeploy.
A word of caution. Your department could declare you unfit for your current role but that does not guarantee ill health retirement. Also do look into the tier system of IHR in the NHS as there are 2 levels. One states that you are not fit for any kind of work ever again and that settlement is generous but if there is any possibility that you could be deemed fit for other work then the settlement is not so good.
Are you in a trade union? They might be able to offer advice.
One last thought. Have you ever thought of asking to see a different consultant?
best wishes from Naomi X