Should I Tell The Job Centre About My I.B.S.???

C1ueless

marybelle01 wrote: »

I inferred it from the fact that you said that you have been claiming for the "past few weeks" and have "missed two appointments". So that would be a good start to inferring that you are missing appointments every week or two, wouldn't it? Clearly you only want advice that you agree with. And I also don't appreciate your tone - ask for advice then slag off people who give you advice you don't like. BTW - the advice you liked was that it MAY be a disability, not that it is. If you don't want any special treatment (and I inferred that because you said so too) then why are you expecting it? If you get a job, seriously, are you planning on saying that you can't start work in the morning on time? Or are you restricting your work serach to jobs that are afternoon or evenings only?

Yet more insinuations. I don't know why you are getting on your high horse. The fact of the matter is that you did not contribute anything constructive to my query. I am looking for full-time employment. If I can only find part-time work, I am open to that also. In my last job, I had reasonable adjustments made for my condition. Rather than making yet more assumptions, trying to insinuate the type of employment I am looking for-which, by the way, is not what my query was about-it would have been more productive for you to answer productively. Anyway, my query has been answered and I've got things to do.

slenderkitten

unfortunately i have ibs, some degree of lactose intolerance and severe diahorrea due to a stressful situation i was in.

I only wish i could have gotten consideration for this condition when i was claiming i don't know if you would be able to claim sickness etc but I will watch this thread with interest.

Galaxy1987

IBS is a difficult one when EOA is concerned.

As someone who has suffered with it for 14 years I have never once been covered by the EOA even at the NHS or Nursing university. I have been hospitalised twice with it when it is really bad but its not severe enough to be classed under EOA. 4 Gp's have refused to provide me with documentation to this effect especially when I failed to attend an important exam, claiming its just one of they things.

Mention it to job centre by all means but dont hold your breath.

motoe

I completely understand because I have a very severe form of IBS - have been hospitalised at one point because I was unable to eat or drink without excruciating pain. I was training to be a teacher and qualified with my PGCE but haven't worked in teaching (over 2 years) since because my symptoms were so bad during my training. I now work self-employed as a tutor, not what I saw myself doing after training to be a teacher, but the hours are much more compatible with my symptoms and I don't have to take days off when I'm ill, in fact I have been much better since I have cut down my working hours and worked them around to suit me.

The problem with IBS is a lot of people think of it as a rather trivial thing. For some people it is just a bit of "tummy trouble" but for others like me, I live with it everyday of the year - pain, bloating, nausea, etc. In fact my mother has Ulcerative Colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease) which is much more serious than IBS and she has admitted that my symptoms are much worse than her's at times.

One thing I learnt from working with my condition is that having a good bedtime routine makes a huge amount of difference. Going to bed earlier and unwinding an hour before bed (no TV, computer) really helps, especially if you have to be up early the next day. Also gentle exercise, such as walking in the early evening helps so you can get to sleep better. My quality of sleep is a huge factor in how bad my IBS is. Also eating breakfast slightly later works for me, so if you have to be at the Jobcentre at 9.15, eat when you come home.

Also if your symptoms are affecting you this much you need to go back to your doctor. You don't say what your symptoms are but Imodium or a gentle laxative might help as can anti-spasmodics if pain is an issue. If you are limiting your working hours because of it or can't leave the house at a reasonable time, then that is definitely cause to go and see your doctor.

I know living with IBS can be difficult, especially when it's at the extreme end, but you have to do everything you can to help yourself, especially because people see it as something not very serious. Unfortunately mine is tied in with fatigue as well, so mornings really are incredibly difficult for me. I take about 2 hours to feel like I can do anything in the morning - drive, shower, get dressed; but I am currently undergoing tests to see if I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME as well.

SmallL

That's the problem with ANY chronic condition, theres a huge variation in severity from day to day and person to person.
All you can do is stay factual and honest when talking about your condition, but try to make a real effort to attend your meetings.

If you can't make most morning appointments due to the need to be close to a toilet you should try and explain this.

Vectis

Dearie me. I don't think it's just the OP's bowels which are irritable.....

his_wife

i too have suffered for 28 years, only getting diagnosed in the last three, how do you "manage" your ibs clueless,,,, i know stress is a big trigger point in it, as well as certain foods,,, i can mostly manage mine, until my body decides to add another food to the hit list!

I have always worked too, so i will watch this thread too with interest, as some days i am doubled up in agony, whilst at work, i have always assumed, its just one of them things we have to live with.

Good luck clueless

Missme

C1ueless wrote: »

Anyway, my query has been answered and I've got things to do.

Reckon people will be talking among themselves.

As a term, IBS does no one any favours. So you may have the trots or be constipated. You may pass more wind than a tornado or it might stay trapped and bloat you to bouncy castle proportions. Or perhaps, you have a permantly griping stomach/abdomen.

When doctors really can't/won't work out what it is, it's IBS.`

Other than 'unclench, luv' all I'd say to the OP is to tell the DWP if she thinks it's relevant (which she clearly does and was just looking for some support).

borkid

motoe wrote: »

I take about 2 hours to feel like I can do anything in the morning - drive, shower, get dressed; but I am currently undergoing tests to see if I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME as well.

So they are trying to rule out other causes of the fatigue. There is no test for CFS/ME just negative results for anything else it might be.

Have you tried any changes to your diet? I have just excluded wheat from my diet and fatigue has gone, arthritis has improved alot , and no more GI problems.

Torry_Quine

borkid wrote: »

So they are trying to rule out other causes of the fatigue. There is no test for CFS/ME just negative results for anything else it might be.

Have you tried any changes to your diet? I have just excluded wheat from my diet and fatigue has gone, arthritis has improved alot , and no more GI problems.

She isn't the OP though your advice is worth looking at.