I'm cross

loovechocolate

I’m getting angrier and angrier every time I read another thread, cause I can see so much of myself in them and am cross with myself and furious with the system and medical profession.
I’ve been diagnosed with arthritis since 2001 been operated on injected and pop pain killers daily, fortunately we have health insurance so I’ve never had to wait more than a few days for x-rays, MRI or appointments, I’ve struggled at work but fortunately always had understanding employer’s, until last year when the company was sold and my new boss was a moron and I handed in my notice and left, fortunately my hubby has a good job but that isn’t the point, I’m cross with myself cause I should have fought him and not just given in, but I was so tired I couldn’t. I signed on in Sept and got the grand total of £31 per week as I have a private pension, Nov I got a job 2 days per week but they were hauliers and couldn’t afford me so in Feb I lost my job, back on the dole, 4 weeks ago I had TKR and now get £71 sick pay as I paid into the system I feel no guilt about claiming.
Why am I cross, because this illness is evil some days we are fine other days we just want to sit quiet and people are being discriminated against because they are ill, refused BB because on the day they are assessed they are having a good day, refused benefits and told to work, I watched Jane Asher speaking but where is the fight for rights, if we had 1 leg would we be told to work?
Is there a lobby group who are fighting for our rights

stickywicket

Arthritis Care do this, in conjuction with other charities. (See http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/Campaigns - it's one of the buttons at the top of the page) Why not join and see how you could help? I agree that it's always better to feel we're doing something rather than just sitting back feeling like a victim. However, the constant debility of arthritis can make this difficult for some people.

dreamdaisy

I've given up being angry, it takes too much energy. I am very lucky in some respects as I am self-employed and so can tailor things to suit my needs. Yes, work is dwindling but I can still manage a little every day. I have had long and complicated dealings with the medical profession (the majority on the NHS) and have nothing but time and respect for my consultant, the rheumatology nurses and my GP - they are all doing their best and that is all I can ask. It's not their fault that what they can offer doesn't achieve much for me but it can and does work for others, which must be lovely.

I have started my sixteenth year of this, now have the two sorts to contend with, and have accepted that there is no point in wishing that things were different. They are as they are, the arthritis will do what it will do, there is no fix or cure for me, I just have to get on with it. As do we all.

Oh, as for the ESA/job situation, the rationale appears to be if you can breathe you can work. Getting employers to understand our situation however - that is another question altogether. DD

sbolam

I think everyone here has been at that stage of being angery. I have gone past that, and I try to take everything In my stride, I hard sometimes (like when I failed my ESA medical), but I found getting angery just make my pain worse and just increases my stress which does not help either...I have made just sure that AC is on my FB page so that other people I chat too know about this place.

stephen.

freesia

I have CROSS / ANGRY days still.... but as another post said, it's tiring and I'm learning to accept ARTHUR and let things go....

I too am having problems at work, I think they think I'm pulling a "fast one" and that I'm making the pain up, but recently had Occ Health involved for a report, they were wonderful, and a report has been sent to my boss.... I was fully expecting to be called upstairs for "a catch up" but have heard nothing at all....!!! I guess the report spelt it out to them.... I can live in hope....

All we have is today, live for the day.... and try and be as happy & painfree as we can...