Working and Fibromyalgia - do I qualify for benefit?

Trialia

Some of these meds work for some people. It's usually dependent on the individual. Pregabalin, gabapentin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, none of them do anything for me. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a pain management consultant (not a rheumatologist) five years ago, and they've tried a whole list of things on me. I'm currently on oral morphine and codeine, and I also have hypermobility EDS (to which the fibromyalgia's secondary).

Oh, and I'm in receipt of indefinite LRC and HRM DLA.

TOBRUK

summerof0763 wrote: »

gabapentin never agreed with me,i take pregablin alongside mst daily,but still not got doses sorted yet,still feeling pain and suffering severe exhaustion,for which i dont have a name for yet

Hi summerof0763;35923805, I take the pregabalin along with a few other painkillers to try and relieve symptoms, as they work differently - armitriptilyne, baclofen, D.H.C continus (slow release pain killer) paracetemol 500mg. However, I still have constant pain, it never goes away completely, and the severe exhaustion well, that is constant.

Hope you get a diagnosis soon and perhaps get some relief.

TOBRUK

gabby71 wrote: »

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

Hi Gabby, if you have been suffering with something for 10 years it's only fair that you are referred to someone that can try and diagnose. If you are seeing your GP regularly, can you speak to him freely, is he at all helpful - what does he put all your symptoms down to? Is he testing you for different things? He should be helpful otherwise try and see another GP.

Can you ask him for a referral? Tell him how you feel and that you would like to see someone.

As far as claiming Disability (DLA) you can receive DLA and work. I have M.E. and at the beginning I was working and kept struggling to carry on working for about two years before it got to the point that I could no longer do so.

I was receiving DLA when I was working - mobility low rate. A year or so later I was awarded DLA High mobility rate. I deteriated and had to leave work. When I received a renewal form I was awarded HRM and LRC. Anyway renewal 3 years ago I was awarded HRM and MRC Indefinitely. Beginning of this year on my renewal I was awarded HRM and HRC Indefinitely.

If you are having problems with your mobility or have any care problems then apply for DLA. You can seek help to fill the form if you wish, but be honest with your answers. Good luck.

summerof0763

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi summerof0763;35923805, I take the pregabalin along with a few other painkillers to try and relieve symptoms, as they work differently - armitriptilyne, baclofen, D.H.C continus (slow release pain killer) paracetemol 500mg. However, I still have constant pain, it never goes away completely, and the severe exhaustion well, that is constant.

Hope you get a diagnosis soon and perhaps get some relief.

oh please tell me your joking re exhaustion,i honestly cannot bear it.
i take pregablin,mst,amitripilene,omprezole,quinnie,think thats it,along with never ending antibiotics,for infections never seem to get rid of,just now bad chest infection,so even breathing is exhausting.
i suffer really bad with athiritis and prolapsed discs in back,but this pain is in the joints,legs knees,ankles,hands elbows,feel as if am jelly most days,got doc again in two weeks if not any better bah!!

Trialia

summerof0763 wrote: »

oh please tell me your joking re exhaustion,i honestly cannot bear it.
i take pregablin,mst,amitripilene,omprezole,quinnie,think thats it,along with never ending antibiotics,for infections never seem to get rid of,just now bad chest infection,so even breathing is exhausting.

Unfortunately, there really isn't much they can do about the fatigue. Lyrica works for some people, modafinil for others, but I haven't found anything that works on me yet.

Mupette

anyone tried oxygen therapy, i am very tempted to try it

Trialia

Mupette wrote: »

anyone tried oxygen therapy, i am very tempted to try it

Not had it suggested to me before, but I do notice a great reduction in my pain level when they give me nitrous. Unfortunately, it also comes with a drastic reduction in my mental function!

TOBRUK

summerof0763 wrote: »

oh please tell me your joking re exhaustion,i honestly cannot bear it.
i take pregablin,mst,amitripilene,omprezole,quinnie,think thats it,along with never ending antibiotics,for infections never seem to get rid of,just now bad chest infection,so even breathing is exhausting.
i suffer really bad with athiritis and prolapsed discs in back,but this pain is in the joints,legs knees,ankles,hands elbows,feel as if am jelly most days,got doc again in two weeks if not any better bah!!

Sorry summerof0763, I know it's hard and I wish I could tell you I was joking but unfortunately I'm not BUT that's how I am - I can't say that it's everyone's experience.

I have gradually got worse over the last 10 years and it's hard to cope. The only way I can cope is to switch off mentally - that's the only way I can explain it really. I just don't allow myself to 'think' if you understand what I'm saying! I only take things one day at a time ... even one hour at a time!!

I'm lucky that I have a wonderful GP who has tried (and still tries) anything that may help me, and she likes to see me every 6-8 weeks and has plenty of time for me. Although each consultation/appointment is supposed to be 10 mins, I am often in with her for half an hour!

I became ill (after what I thought was flu but couldn't shake it off) in 1997 and was initially diagnosed by my GP with M.E. but was referred to a specialist and the diagnosis was confirmed all this within a year.

ash4becks

TOBRUK wrote: »

Sorry summerof0763, I know it's hard and I wish I could tell you I was joking but unfortunately I'm not BUT that's how I am - I can't say that it's everyone's experience.

I have gradually got worse over the last 10 years and it's hard to cope. The only way I can cope is to switch off mentally - that's the only way I can explain it really. I just don't allow myself to 'think' if you understand what I'm saying! I only take things one day at a time ... even one hour at a time!!

I'm lucky that I have a wonderful GP who has tried (and still tries) anything that may help me, and she likes to see me every 6-8 weeks and has plenty of time for me. Although each consultation/appointment is supposed to be 10 mins, I am often in with her for half an hour!

I became ill (after what I thought was flu but couldn't shake it off) in 1997 and was initially diagnosed by my GP with M.E. but was referred to a specialist and the diagnosis was confirmed all this within a year.

i have to say the thing that is driving me mad atm is my tierdness, my breathing is rubbish and heart keeps racing when it likes, after appointment with rhemy i decided to spoil mam long overdue birthday pressy was in march when i was really ill, mum had to take me around the metrocentre in wheelchair but i did find it alot easyer on me ,

i think iam just facing up to the fact that doing long distances is out of the question and trying to push myslef to go out when i no iam not up to it going to make me worse and the short distances are to be taken easy and slow, i still pay for it for a few days afterwards anyways

i wonder if crutchs or a stick my help with geting around and cut the tierdness out anyone have experence with this

the rhemy was useless, gp agreed with me and still thinks is fibro or M.E back to square one

TOBRUK

Hi ash4becks, I know what you mean and everything however small takes it's toll. I have to use a crutch to get around - I can't use 2 as my right arm is paralysed. My legs are so weak and can go from under me at any time. Leaning on the crutch helps!

I am virtually housebound, hardly leave the house and a lot of the time I don't get dressed at all as the pressure of clothing hurts my body ... pathetic isn't it! It's difficult especially as I live on my own and family are far away. I can go days when I don't see anyone.