stoping working a possibility

under

at the moment the pain in my knees is severe as i have austio in both knees the last x ray showed i have no cartlidge in both knees. the gel and pain relief i use dont work anymore and have put my self on sick leave.i have tried to get a face to face with my gp to disscus my options also it has started to severly effect my abilty to do my job. i was going to try to return to work this sunday but the pain has not subsided yet

helpline_team

Hi under,

Thank you for posting on the Helpline forum. I am sorry to hear you are experiencing a lot of pain and the osteoarthritis (OA) in your knees has progressed and is now impacting on your work. It sounds as if you are going through a tough time.  

It can be frustrating trying to get a GP appointment. However, it is worth persevering to review your pain relief and explore treatment options. You could ask about referral to a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic specialist. Capsaicin cream on prescription may help if you haven’t already tried this. The right kind of exercise, a healthy balanced diet and a healthy weight can all help to make a difference to how you feel.

It is important that you understand your options and rights at work so that you get the support you are entitled to. The 2010 Equality Act (Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) makes it unlawful for employers to treat anyone with arthritis or a related condition less favourably than anyone who doesn't have that condition. your employer has a legal obligation to make 'reasonable adjustments' to your working environment and practices in order to make sure your condition doesn't prevent you from doing your job to the best of your ability. This can include flexibility of working hours, working part time, adapting your role, providing equipment etc. An Access to Work assessment may be worth considering. This government scheme can help to fund special equipment e.g. a more suitable chair.

If you are in a Union, contacting your union representative for advice and support may help. It may also help to contact the ACAS Helpline or your local branch of Citizens Advice.

If you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence, you are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am – 6pm.

I hope you find the information given below of some help. 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/work/

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor 

CirceMorta

My employer only offered unreasonable adjustments and ignored their own Occupational Health guidelines, thus I am currently leaving under constructive dismissal .

Jona

Hi under,

Im so sorry your in so much pain I really do understand, I reduced my hours to try to help but found it so difficult even on reduced hours both financially and working through the pain and lack of sleep it was unbearable so I took the decision for ill health retirement and was granted it this month it’s taken nearly a year though

where I believe for mental health reasons and financially it’s better to stay in work but the utter stress I was in trying to cope was not good for me at all the pros of stopping work means I can take my painkillers properly and rest when I need to although I’m feeling rather useless and forgotten it was the best thing I’ve done the stress however of navigating the benefit system is rather intimidating and it certainly made me realise how soul destroying it all is and it makes me rather depressed being a private person having to send such sensitive medical evidence to a stranger is humiliating in conclusion it’s not an easy decision to make but I’ve done what’s right for me

take care

Jona 😊

JBooth130

Hi Under

i left work as I wanted to go to 2 days due to pain I was in and they couldn’t accommodate me doing that.

I have applied for ESA and the process was quite simple but you need fit notes from your Doctor. It can be done online. I currently receive payments fortnightly and are waiting to have an assessment with the DWP and if you are eligible they then put you in a group so you can then keep claiming without having to keep providing fit notes. Have look on the gov.uk website

Mike1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/685322#Comment_685322

After the assessment if they consider that you are not fit enough to do any work you will be put in the ESA Support Group like I am.