Myasthenia Gravis ..could I ask my doctor to sign me off work for a fixed period??

another_casualty

Hello
I have always been in employment, since I left school many years ago.
Unfortunately, I have had occular m g for almost 3 years.
( misdiagnosed for 6 months also ).

I have a mild form of the condition , though I have put on a huge amount of weight and am more breathless these days.
Been under way too much stress for 10 years, which I think caused it.

However, I have decided to clear all my debt, move to a different area , quit job and hopefully buy a flat outright after renting for a few months.

I was wondering, if my doctor could sign me off, say 18 months or so, and I could quit job on medical reasons.
I am probably gonna move by October , as I just had offer for my flat which I accepted .
I don't think I'll be successful, but you never know.

Thanks

elsien

No doctor is going to sign you off for 18 months up front.
Neither you not they have the slightest idea what your health will be like in 18 months time.
Are you actually unable to work, or do you just not want to at the moment?
There is nothing to stop you selling your flat and living off the proceeds, if that is what you want to do. You don't need a fitnote to do that, you can just hand your notice in and go.

Darksparkle

Why can't you just quit your job the same way as anyone can? Why do you need an 18month fit note to do it?

TELLIT01

If you move to a new area and then to to see a GP in the hope of being signed off, it's likely they will only do so for 1 month max because they don't know your condition. Even if a GP was willing to sign you off for 18 months, DWP will only accept medical certificates for a maximum of 3 months until you have been claiming benefit for 6 months.
Finally, you will have to undergo medical assessment at some point (supposed to be in the first 13 weeks) and there is absolutely no guarantee that the Health Care Professional who sees you will agree that you aren't fit to work. Not wanting to work is rather different to not being able to work.

another_casualty

Thanks everyone .
Have never claimed any thing in my life .
Keep falling asleep in work( small office nothing too worry about)
Also breathless . Overweight , due to working shifts ..
Burnt out etc.

A few friends thought I should claim ' look into it ' etc.
All of your answers here, confirm what I thought .
I won't do anything now .

Thanks very much

TELLIT01

All anybody has said is that there is no way a doctor will sign you off for 18 months. That doesn't mean that you don't have an incapacity which might entitle you to make a claim for ESA or UC. You need to discuss your medical situation with a GP and take it from there.

another_casualty

Thanks tell it . What is esa/uc? Sorry

Darksparkle

ESA - https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

UC - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/overview

another_casualty

Thanks dark sparkle