Osteoarthritis and depression

sequin

Hi all, could someone help and give me some advice. I am currently on the sick from work due to my depression and osteoarthritis in my knee as it got too much for me to deal with, as I work in retail. I have had a work capability meeting and occupational health doctor has ask my employer to consider me to still work the 3 days but early hours. As I have found that 2-6 has increased my pain as it gets worse by the end of the day. The doctor has explained in writing to my employer that the physical side it long term. However has suggested that I would be better on the tills. I have explained on many occasions that with my depression comes anxiety and I am not able to be on the tills. I have looked at all options and if I leave my job due to my health would i be able to claim any financial help. I am really struggling at the moment as I am due to be back at work next week.

helpline_team

Hi Sequin

Thank you for your posting on the forum and I apologise for the lateness of our response. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling because of the osteoarthritis in your knee and your depression.  You have asked if there is any financial help available. We have information on our website about financial support. I have put a link to this below. We would recommend contacting an organisation who specialise in this area for further advice. Citizens Advice are trained in offering information about financial support and benefits. They can guide individuals through the process and should be able to help you find out what financial help you may be eligible for. The link for their website is below and you can put in your postcode to find the nearest CAB to your address.

You could also contact the charity Turn2Us. Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help, online, by phone and face to face through their partner organisations.

We also have information on your rights and options at work when you have arthritis, and it's important to understand and explore fully what they are, so that you get the right support you are entitled to. The section on our website about work I hope is helpful. In particular the section on ‘How do I get the right support?’ I have put a link below to this information.

You can also contact ACAS, who can advice on employment rights and have information on health and wellbeing. I have put a link below for their website.

There is also information on managing Osteoarthritis of the knee that may be helpful to you. These include speaking to your GP about pain relief, seeing a physiotherapist for exercises and using a heat or ice pack.

 You may find the following pages on our website helpful:

Financial support for people with arthritis

Work and support

Osteoarthritis of the knee

You may also find the following general information from other organisations useful. We have no control over the contents of these resources and are unable to guarantee their suitability for you, but we hope they’re helpful: 

Citizens Advice Bureau

Turn2Us

ACAS

I hope this information is helpful. I would like to encourage you to call us here on the helpline to talk things through with one of our helpline advisors. You can contact us for free on 0800 5200 520 (Monday-Friday, 9am - 6pm).

Best Wishes

Dawn

Helpline Advisor

 

 

 

Jona

Hi Sequin,

Welcome to the site, I too have had to give up my job due to my arthritis it all got too much for me I struggled on but made myself worse your work should make reasonable adjustments for you at work an occupational health advisor should be appointed my workplace wouldn’t so I took ill health retirement had to go through 4 assessments which was hard but was granted it albeit £25 a week doesn’t go far if you apply for ESA they also ask for a health form plus assessment as does applying for universal credit you can also apply for pip a welfare rights group will advise ive had to take my pip to a tribunal as my assessor called me a liar none of it has been easy for me at all on the plus side I’m able to take my medication and rest when I need too on the minus I miss working and the stress of it all has caused me severe mental anguish it’s difficult choosing health or wealth I chose health there are many helplines some you’ve been given by the helpline team here that you need to ask for advice I’m just trying to give you a perspective from one who’s going through it.

Good luck it’s hard enough dealing with the pain and shock of arthritis its overwhelming at times but do what’s right for you and remember you do have rights

take care

Jona xx