Can someone help me out here - desperate

lynzpower · 12 July 2006 at 2:04PM

Hi all

Im in a really desperate situation.

Ill give you a bit of background. Since my early teens Ive had quite serious pelvic pain and recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease. medics have never found any reason for it. However, I have been hospitalised with PID a couple of times, stretchered adn ambulanced more times than I can remember, and in november 05 i finally got through the list for a laproscopy that showed nothing. Im now 28.

However, they fitted me with a mirena coil that the hormones were meant to get rid of the pain. this in the main has worked however, i still have pain occasionally

On the downside, it has given me a full range of menopausal symptoms, night sweats, unable to sleep, hot flushes, faintness that has meant that I have been unable to really do much. The options are a) keep the coil & have HRT which my GP isnt keen on due to the risk of cancer at my age b) take the coil out and have the pain back. Ive been trying to get it removed for over a month, everywhere I go even with appointments I get turned away as they "dont have time". Ive tried everywhere, trying to find new specialists to see me and Im getting thwarted at every turn. Ive been discharged from gynacology now, and unlikely to be re-referred as my GP said that they have refused to see me again as my last lap was so recently.

I cant use the tube, work is £35-40 quid away each way in a cab, I dont have a car and probably wouldnt be safe to drive in any case. Ive been signed off work with pelvic problems and anxiety. Ive just gone onto SSP. Its not easy for me to get out and about much.

Im trying to find a job locally but i suspect that I wont get taken on due to my horrendous sick record. I was interviewed for something but didnt get it and i just feel like im hitting the rocks. Im trying to stay positive, but im finding it almost impossible. I have to sell my home before it gets repossessed, im up to date on everything so far, but Im not going to be next month as I will get 280 which wont even cover half of the mortgage

I coudnt get sickness PPI as I got an existing medical condition so no one would give it to me when I bought this flat.

Ive spoke to my union, they say theres nothing I can do. As I work for a LA theres no closer offices or anything they can move me to.

please can someone help me- what can I do????

Emmzi · 12 July 2006 at 3:53PM

Lynz,

first up, a huge hug.

I know you have it in you to be ABSOLUTELY BLOODY MILITANT with the NHS. (That's a compliment btw)

Get on the website and start formal complaints!

You know the benefits system pretty well... would you qualify for any motobility type stuff like reduced cab fare scheme? DLA? IB?

Might be worth temping locally-sick record less vital. Especially if there is any way to predict and avoid your 'worst' days.

Poverty_stricken_student · 12 July 2006 at 4:06PM

Sorry just skimmed your post! I think best thing u should do is apply for Disability living allowance, with your condition i think you would possibly be entitled to middle rate? Ive filled out these forms for friends/family and they have all been entitled to it. In the application you must emphasis on how debilitating your condition be etc. Once you have get DLA you can apply for a mobility card which entitles you to free travel in a cab within a specific radius.

With DLA i think you also exempt from road tax if your a driver. You could also apply to get a freedom bus pass which entitles you to free travel train/bus/ etc.

Hope the above helps!

aurora_borealis_2 · 12 July 2006 at 4:19PM

I have a mirena coil as well, fitted at about the same time as yours. I know what you mean about the sleep and sweats. Not too much of a problem compared to life before the coil though. What is stopping you getting out and about - is it the fainting? What happens and how often? Have you seen your GP?

There is no reason why your GP shouldn't refer you to gynae again if he/she can't diagnose or treat in practice.

jaja_3 · 12 July 2006 at 8:03PM

Oh god, good ol' NHS:mad:

Just a thought, but how about changing GP's??

I did this a few years back when not getting my own medical problems sorted out, new GP did wonders.

Another of my many fights, the NHS - currently fighting on my mothers behalf, as someone else said, have to be MILITANT with them.

sorry cant help out on job front. Just wanted to send you best wishes and hugs, before the OH got a job at the last minute our house was up for sale before repossession too, so been there and have that t-shirt.

jaja

Prudent · 12 July 2006 at 8:24PM

What a horrendous example of the failure of the NHS. I am sure you msut be entitled to DLA. It wont be enough money or soon enough to help your current situation. Are you intending to rent after selling the house? It sounds like you may be able to claim housing benefit - although I guess any capital from your house may impact on your claim.

lizzie12_2 · 12 July 2006 at 9:26PM

Hi

Sorry to hear the trouble you have been through.
HAve only seen this thread regarding your situation but seen your name dotted about the site.
Just an idea, not knowing your home situation, would it be possible to rent a room out? Or if you do sell the house, move nearer to your place of work.
Just a idea. Thoughts with you.x

lynzpower · 12 July 2006 at 9:54PM

aurora_borealis wrote:

I have a mirena coil as well, fitted at about the same time as yours. I know what you mean about the sleep and sweats. Not too much of a problem compared to life before the coil though. What is stopping you getting out and about - is it the fainting? What happens and how often? Have you seen your GP?

There is no reason why your GP shouldn't refer you to gynae again if he/she can't diagnose or treat in practice.

thanks love
Constantly at my GPs, feels so :wall: he does his best but hes at the mercy of the hospital which seems to be a law unto itself ( and reportedly the best NHS hospital in Britain PAH) I have however sent off to join up to some "do you have a long term health problem how can we improve the NHS thing I saw in the guardian today, maybe my complaints might be heard there

As it goes I worked in the NHS for years, and know how disorganised and pants it is. although it has given me insight into which heads to knock together, but it doesnt seem to be working anymore

After I posted I spoke to my boss, SSP wont kick in next month which is a bit of breathing space. Also it seems that my boss ( who i like & have a lot of time for) suggesting I should "jump before being pushed" which I understand, altho in a right old quandary now. I dont want to be sacked

but i dont want to be unemployed with crap prospects either

Ps, yes we are selling to rent, but given my OHs barely over the min wage income whether Ill get CTB or not, who knows

beanielou · 12 July 2006 at 10:39PM

Lynz
Sorry to hear your news
I would not advise you to resign under any circumstances
Speak with ACAS and aslso make an appointment to see an employment rights specialist at your local CAB
Keep us posted

LookingAhead · 12 July 2006 at 10:58PM

Hi Lynz. Really sorry to read about your condition.

I'm horrified you might be 'sacked'. For being ill? Surely that can't be legal?
I used to work for one of the meanest private companies in England (in my humble opinion) but they had people off on SSP for 6 months before they then went on to whatever benefit it was and they couldn't sack them. They would have had to go to court.

If my memory serves me correctly, the only time people did disappear off the payroll, was when they had a 'financial incentive' to do so......

Don't resign until/if you find something else and as others say, do what you have to, to get whatever benefits you are entitled to.

I am so angry on your behalf that the NHS is failing you like this.....everyone knows someone who is being failed by it these days, my Mum is literally being left in agony right now with TWO conditions that aren't being dealt with properly. Makes me soooooo angry. And people wonder why those who can afford it go private....

lynzpower · 12 July 2006 at 11:13PM

thanks nerds

I think I better take some more advice on it, I can see why people hand thier notice in, i just feel so hemmed in and intractable

Not to worry Ill speak to acas and the union again i think

Can someone help me out here - desperate

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