Working and Fibromyalgia - do I qualify for benefit?

gabby71

Hi

I have suffered with (what I believe to be) Fibromyalgia for around 10 years now.
I work full time, am a single mum and get Working Tax Credit.
I have been told that I may qualify for the disability element of working tax credit...
can anyone give me any feedback on this?
I go to my GP regularly for painkillers but he has never offered to get me diagnosed or given me any guidance in any way - apparently a lot of doctors don't understand it and I have been told to push for a referral to a neurologist.
Should I push for a diagnosis (which I have been considering, just for peace of mind!), and if so, what criteria qualifies for disability payment?
I do not want to give up work as I do enjoy it, and think that kids should see their parents working hard, but sometimes it is a real struggle to get up and out of bed as the pain is severe.
I just want what I am entitled to and am not out to swindle anything out of anyone!

Any advice welcome...

thanks

Gabby

Indie_Kid

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/who-qualifies/you-have-disability.htm there is also a link on that page that gives the criteria.

Mupette

Hi Gabby71

Like you i was a working single mum last year.

I was diagnosed with fibro (since been diagnosed with MS, i can't get a straight answer of is this instead of fibro or with fibro)

I applied for dla last year, based on fibro, i was awarded high rate mobility and middle rate care.


Ask your gp for a referral to a rheumatoid arthritis consultant who can tell you in a matter of minutes if you have it, it you do, then dla is one to apply for IF you have mobility problems and need help with your care needs. (washing, dressing, cooking etc)

My own gp refused the referral for over a year, and it was down to begging my neurology consultant who did it for me, a few minutes with the rheumatoid arthritis consultant and he said i had fibro and was hyper mobile.

About the disabled tax credit stuff, they are going to want to see proof of your disabilities.

Good luck

gabby71

Thanks both for your replies

Mupette, thanks, I do not need help with washing and dressing etc, but do struggle with housework due to pain and tiredness.

Will book an appointment with my GP and try to get a referral.

best wishes

Gab

sunnyone

Mupette wrote: »

Hi Gabby71

Like you i was a working single mum last year.

I was diagnosed with fibro (since been diagnosed with MS, i can't get a straight answer of is this instead of fibro or with fibro)

I applied for dla last year, based on fibro, i was awarded high rate mobility and middle rate care.


Ask your gp for a referral to a rheumatoid arthritis consultant who can tell you in a matter of minutes if you have it, it you do, then dla is one to apply for IF you have mobility problems and need help with your care needs. (washing, dressing, cooking etc)

My own gp refused the referral for over a year, and it was down to begging my neurology consultant who did it for me, a few minutes with the rheumatoid arthritis consultant and he said i had fibro and was hyper mobile.

About the disabled tax credit stuff, they are going to want to see proof of your disabilities.

Good luck

Mupette/OP you need to see a rhummy, a rhumatologist for diagnosis of many conditions including fibro and rhumatoid arthritis, both can be disgnosed in a single blood test but to confirm things many other tests are also taken.

Mupette

sunnyone wrote: »

Mupette/OP you need to see a rhummy, a rhumatologist for diagnosis of many conditions including fibro and rhumatoid arthritis, both can be disgnosed in a single blood test but to confirm things many other tests are also taken.

Interesting he never took a blood test, but then again i have had loads that i do lose count for what they are for.

tobykim

I don't think Fibro can be diagnosed by a blood test, I think it's only used to rule other things out, Fibro is usually diagnosed with the pressure point test

shays_mum

Mupette wrote: »

My own gp refused the referral for over a year, and it was down to begging my neurology consultant who did it for me, a few minutes with the rheumatoid arthritis consultant and he said i had fibro and was hyper mobile.

Spooky me too , got the 'possible fibro type symptons' but def Hypermobility EDS3 type. Lucky you got dla, i got a bluebadge, but got turned down for dla what a joke .
The irony of it is i am being assessed at work to see if i am "fit for purpose" & am appealing to the dla as they feel i have no probs - forget the fact a top specialist diagnosed me.
I have grin & bared this life changing disorder for nearly 8 years & now my body has had enough & i ask for help, its refused.
Seriously, if it was not for my kids i don't know what i would do

nannytone_2

gabby71 wrote: »

Thanks both for your replies

Mupette, thanks, I do not need help with washing and dressing etc, but do struggle with housework due to pain and tiredness.

Will book an appointment with my GP and try to get a referral.

best wishes

Gab

Gabby, the care componant of DLA is awarded for help with personal care. washing dressing, preparing a meal etc, not for help with housework, clothes washing, ironing etc

Stranger_Than_Fiction

Fibro cannot be diagnosed with a blood test but they do lots of tests to rule out any other cause for the pain and exhaustion. The rheumatologist will conduct a test where he/she will press certain areas on your body to see if you are very sensitive to pain. If you have fibro, you will have quite a high score of 'tender' points. This is the only way it can be diagnosed at present. There is medication your rheumatologist can give you which helps quite a lot of people but, unfortunately, not everyone.

There are some useful and supportive forums where you can meet others who will understand your exhaustion and pain and can offer you support. One is https://www.ukfibromyalgia.com and the other is https://www.fibromyalgia-association.org.uk.

Hope this helps.

Mupette

Stranger_Than_Fiction wrote: »

Fibro cannot be diagnosed with a blood test but they do lots of tests to rule out any other cause for the pain and exhaustion. The rheumatologist will conduct a test where he/she will press certain areas on your body to see if you are very sensitive to pain. If you have fibro, you will have quite a high score of 'tender' points. This is the only way it can be diagnosed at present. There is medication your rheumatologist can give you which helps quite a lot of people but, unfortunately, not everyone.

There are some useful and supportive forums where you can meet others who will understand your exhaustion and pain and can offer you support. One is www.ukfibromyalgia.com and the other is www.fibromyalgia-association.org.uk.

Hope this helps.

all the drugs i was given didn't help me at all.
it was only when i was dx MS and was given gabapentin, did it start to ease off a little bit, which made me question did i really have fibro, no one has yet given me a answer, i just get shrugged shoulders.