Too ill to work, too "well" to claim benefits?

lifeisstrange · 4 October 2010 at 5:35PM

Hi all,

I have a conundrum. I haven't been able to work full-time for a couple of years, since I was signed off work with severe chest pains apparently sparked by a series of extremely stressful events (deaths, a family feud, caring for a very disabled relative, suicidal girlfriend, noisy neighbours on top). I was told at the time it was anxiety and was given anti-depressants, which didn't do any good. Since then I've been working part-time but now I find it difficult even to manage that because I don't know how I'll feel one day to the next, and I have a zero hours contract so I only get paid for the work I do.

I've seen 3 or 4 GPs about this and they've all given different diagnoses - "anxiety" even though there's not much correlation with stress, "costochondritis" which is a perfect description of the severity of the symptoms - "often mistaken for heart attacks" apparently - but is only supposed to last weeks at most. Today my new diagnosis is "musculo-skeletal", for which the GP said "take ibuprofen" (I do anyway).

My symptoms are chest pains, sometimes sudden and severe lasting seconds, otherwise dull and lasting hours, sometimes going down my left arm. I get a sensation of tightness and find it more difficult to breathe. Nothing seems to help. I've had an ECG and was clear.

I'm not fishing for a diagnosis (unless there's any psychic doctors passing through:A) - what I'm annoyed about is that I have a debilitating illness that massively limits what I can do, but doctors can't agree on a diagnosis, and none of the ones I've had have been taken seriously by my employers. I've found I'm a liability as far as HR departments are concerned - have x sick days in a year and get put on a warning, regardless of whether or not you're genuinely ill. So I wouldn't be able to hold down a full-time job for long even if I was physically able to do one, and I have enough trouble as a part-timer.

Benefits don't look like an alternative. I've helped my girlfriend fill out ESA forms, and helped my mum fill out DLA forms, and I'd be amazed if I qualified for either. I don't need help doing 'x' for 'y' times every day and I can walk 'x' distance without needing to rest. I just don't do these things a lot of the time because I don't feel well enough, and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the forms let you say that. It's like the forms are deliberately designed to miss the point. So to sum up I feel in a situation where I'm "too ill to work and too well to claim benefits". Has anyone else been in a similar situation and made a successful claim?

Thanks for reading.:beer:

dmg24 · 4 October 2010 at 5:39PM

I would focus on getting a diagnosis and treatment rather than claiming benefits - have you been referred to a specialist?

Hammyman · 4 October 2010 at 5:42PM

DLA isn't awarded just because you're ill. DLA is awarded depending on mobility needs and if you need care and they've obviously decided that you don't get it. People with angina don't automatically qualify either.

Not sure of how old you are but you may qualify for the disability element of working tax credit even if there's no final diagnosis.

What do the ESA people say?

themull1 · 4 October 2010 at 5:44PM

Or maybe a psychiatrist?

welshmoneylover · 4 October 2010 at 5:47PM

Have you considered aromatherapy or homeopathy? Both are considered useful in the treatment for anxiety.

lifeisstrange · 4 October 2010 at 6:01PM

Hi all - thanks for your comments. I wasn't clear enough - at first it was caused by stress but now, I still get these symptoms, and it's not related to anxiety or stress that I'm aware of.

No doctor has been interested in referring me to specialists (or psychiatrists, I hasten to add) because they think the diagnoses are enough, even though they've contradicted each other and I don't have anxiety, I have a physical problem. So while I'd like to see a specialist to explain why I'm ill, as doctors don't want me to go down that route I'm left wondering about benefits, and whether it's even worth applying because (like Hammyman says) you don't get it just because you're ill. I've looked at the forms and the points system for ESA and I could practically guarantee I wouldn't qualify for that either - hence the frustration.

Oldernotwiser · 4 October 2010 at 6:06PM

Does the Neurofen help the chest pains?

lifeisstrange · 4 October 2010 at 6:11PM

Fraid not - I can't say I notice a difference.

merlin68 · 4 October 2010 at 6:20PM

I was diagnosed with anxiety and costochondritis, then they discovered that i had copd. If you smoke it's worth getting a simple spirometry test done at your gp's. My symptoms were the same as yours.

dmg24 · 4 October 2010 at 6:20PM

I would agree with welshmoneylover, perhaps it would be worth looking at alternative therapies? I would pursue the specialist referral (and a psychiatrist is a specialist!), and if the GP is not willing I would speak to the practice manager, or even PALS if you still get no joy.

lifeisstrange · 4 October 2010 at 6:30PM

merlin68, good to know you got a proper diagnosis after being fobbed off with the same labels. I don't smoke, but thanks. Hope you're doing ok.

dmg24 and welshmoneylover, thanks for the suggestions, but as I think it's safe to say it's not anxiety I don't think it'd achieve anything (except costing more money I haven't got!). Probably would've done me good a couple of years ago, but not now. And yes, taking it to PALS or the practice manager might be a good idea. Incidentally, I hear the GP who gave me my new "diagnosis" today is going to be investigated for negligence leading to my neighbour's death...

Too ill to work, too "well" to claim benefits?

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