Has anybody successfully “medically retired” due to ME/CFS and been able to draw a work based pensio

I suggest that you write to him and keep a copy of your letter requesting a letter from him and contect the care ombudsman, otherwise there's little chance.

The new minister in charge of what happens to disabled people doesn't believe in help for disabled and sick people, and they're going to take billions from the disabled budget so I think that's a pretty good hint of what's in store for sick people. Do it fast.

Hi Dragon... i am currently waiting for the outcome, i also have Prinzmetal angina and intermittent arrhythmia, but my GP did state that permanent disability and Permanent chronicity resulted from my illnesses. My work think it likely i will get it but just awaiting occ health and idependant persons opinion. If no i will appeal and already have prepared (ing realy but) for appeal if need be... due to my conditons i need to move around to stop heart spasms and Arrhythmia and need to rest to help my ME... Both actions are essential!!!. i cope (poorly) by breaking my day down into periods of each trying to satisfy all masters (including my need to do something and and and) and basically i suspect keep none of them very happy.  I will keep you informed... But iti is esential to get all medical answers in writing and if they will use the words permanent and chronicity and disabled then you stand a better chance... i agree though ME by itself is enough... regardless of what those in power want to think. for example can you work 3 hours a day - yes i probably can so long as those hours are at least two hours apart each time and i can rest where i am working... Good Luck!

Sorry, no can help, I went down the redunancy route and I had to fight for that.  I have spoken with my CFS/ME therapist this week, and she is hoping to come and see me next week.  Apparently, we can now think ourselves well by focusing on the times we were in no pain, and able to go out and move (remission times).  I don't want to be negative here, but the last thing I think about when I am in pain and can't move and curled up is trying to convince myself that the pain is not there.  I understand the concept of it but I don't think it will work for everyone.  As far as Mr D's lot, I actually wrote to him prior election and voiced my concerns but this was just passed on to the DWP.  I was talking to a severely disabled friend of mine the other day on the telephone, and we believe that if we all get assessed again fit for work, then lets do it, and we know that it will be days, week, before we are applying for benefit again.  I have asked my thereapist who will employ someone with M.E. unfortunately, we are not an asset to a new employer if we have to have more breaks than anyone else, not sure from day to day if we can get up and out of the house.  Even voluntary work now want people to commit to certain times and days of the week.  How can anyone do this with a fluctuating condition.  Plus even if we are in remission a new employer will not know if and when we are going to be struck. 

I really think the government and other bodies really should look at how disabling and debilitating this condition is.

Right, I am off the soap box now! (lol)

Tx

Hi, I am in that position now. Had cfs sine early 2014. Went back to work on phased return last April but ended up worse than ever and off sick again. My employers are now going down the unsatisfactory attendance procedures with a view to sacking me. My only alternative is an ill health pension but getting someone to commit to paper that you probably won't be able to do your job again is very difficult. I am under a specialist clinc at the moment and even the GP there can't give me any prognosis. Doesn't feel right to be dismissed after 23 years good service though. Will keep you updated

sarah x

 

Yes, I have been pensioned off! About 3 years ago, and I am in my 50s. As a teacher I was employed by my local authority, the city council. My diagnosis is CFS, which was given to me about 7 years ago, but in reality I believe I have had the illness for well over a decade. The factors that really helped were:

An excellent GP, who ensured that I had every test going (all negative with the exception of Epstein-Barr - probably stemming from Glandular Fever at age 14 - about which nothing could be done), and all interventions that the local NHS budget allowed for.

Another excellent GP in the council's Occupational Health Dept, which I had to attend once had been off work sick for a certain period of time.

Both doctors absolutely believed that I had a physical illness, even though later on ATOS declared me fit for work! (I was too ill to challenge this appalling decision at the time).

I belonged to a union, and received moral support from them when I had to attend meetings with my place of work, although it was the doctors, and - I imagine - the written reports they received from the numerous specialists I saw, that made my application successful.

As my GP said, I had tried every route available on the NHS to recover, but to no avail.

I am still very determined to recover, and continue to follow research and pursue all sensible scientific routes to find answers. I am less I'll now than I was 3 years ago.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

I did nearly 3 years ago now. I had to be seen by the company Ocuupational Therapist. He said it partly depended on age ( I was 45 at the time), as he had to say that I would never be fit to do my again. I had at least 20 years left to work, but he felt I wouldn't recover enough. You don't say your age, or what you do for a living - I worked with children with autism, so was on my feet a lot of the day, and very on the go.

Here in the U.S. (I assume you're in the UK), ME/CFS is recognized as a real disability, with Social Security benefits available. Also, I suppose because of that, private disability program recognize it, too. But here's the rub. You still often have to fight for these benefits. My Social Security disability benefit was turned down the first time I applied, even before I had turned in all the required paperwork! I appealed, and had my rheumatologist write a letter about by ME/CFS. I was granted the benefits. My private disability insurance also gave me benefits. Between the two sources of income, I received about 2/3 of my previous wage, which took me to retirement. It's terrible to have to fight for what should be freely given, when you're so sick!

So its looking like it's a bit hit and miss and down to a good doctor and plenty of paperwork...I'm screwed then.