I’m a temp ~ and am currently on SSP due to a CIS dx a few weeks ago. Since the dx I can’t say that I’m feeling the best I’ve felt, I’m wobbly and shaky, have horrible headaches, have unbelievable dizzy spells and feel dog tired from the minute I get up ~ like the worse bout of flu every experienced or someone is ringing the life out of my body. My cognative skills are also not up to par ~ I have to think about doing ‘normal’ every day things before I do them.
Anyway, before I Iost the use of my right leg at the beginning of September and the MRI which stated my symptons were consitent with MS I was a full-time temp, I worked (temp) perminantly for a UK retailer in the imports & shipping dept but was never taken on their books ~ at the time it suited me. I was never sick, the Company never offered any benefits that I didn’t get from the Temp Agency, and I was happy with the job and my colleagues.
However now I’m in a right dilema, as it’s looking like the company I temped for dont want me back ~ and definitely not if I’m not 100%. I cant ask for reduced hours or flexi time, and they don’t have to accommodate me in any way! So, it looks like I may well have to start a job search in a few weeks.
I’m signed off work and on SSP until this time next month and my Neuro appointment is on the 29th October… so I have a few weeks grace (living off savings and SSP at the moment)
I’m just stressing about the prospect of interviews and the thought that I may not be 100% fit when I have to attend them ~ has anyone else changed job during this pre dx time? or after dx for that matter.
Am I going to live the rest of my life on the ‘dole’ sending application after application and having to suffer rejection, due to a dodgy leg and the inabilitly to stay alert and awake for 8 hours a day?
Grateful to receive any advice from anyone else who has been in the same situation.
For jobs available pop down or ring your local Job Centre Plus and speak to the Disabled Employment Advisor who will help you get a position you want.
Please DO NOT think of starting back until you are better. Start a claim for DLA; ring 0800 882200 (BEL) and if awarded will pay you back tto this phone call. Contact DIAL http://www.dialuk.info/ who will come around your house and help with the forms. Or Benefits and work http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ who give excellent advice costs £19.40 per year. The DLS give excellent free advice http://www.dls.org.uk/advice/factsheet/factsheets_download.html it is essential you get help.
Most people with CIS find that their symptoms improve a lot (some back to normal). September’s not that far behind us so there’s still plenty of time for yours to get a lot better too, so stay hopeful!
I recommend that when you start to job hunt, you do not tell anyone about your diagnosis. Legally, you are not obliged to and prospective employers are not allowed to ask. It’s all very well being upfront and honest, etc, but the fact is that if an employer is faced with choosing between two identical candidates except one has CIS, it’s going to be the other one who gets the job (no matter how much they deny it had anything to do with CIS).
Are you getting any help with your symptoms? The right physio and meds could make a world of difference to how you’re feeling - and get you back in work sooner. So don’t suffer in silence!
Excellent advice! I will follow up with all your advice George and I have been thinking about applying for DLA, but didn’t think I could as I’ve only been off work and on SSP for 6 weeks.
I’m attending one to one physio Karen, which is such a help… and my physio has also referred me to an OT, who will be able to help with the cognitive side (or lack of them). My GP hasn’t given me any meds as he said to wait for my Neuro appointment on the 29th Oct, so currently I’m just taking 400 mg of Ibruprofen for the pain in my neck (muscle spasms ~ which the physio is also working on)
One unrelated question… before I went into hospital with the numb lifeless leg I had no other symptons, since I have had multiple other symptons which come and go ( some for a few hours, others last for days, or are still ongoing) Is this ‘normal’?
I’ve started to make a list of them all ready for my Neuro appointment. My GP seemed vague when I spoke to him about them - they include Fatigue, Spasms in neck muscles, burning pain in my finger tips, a numb fizzy tongue and a few numb patches on my face?
I’m a bit of a silly old bugger but again; as with many others it is your headaches that send alarm bells ringing. Yes; MS do cause headaches but they can be worse and continuous with something called Hughes Syndrome http://www.hughes-syndrome.org/ plus other symptoms that mimic MS.
See if other things may fit from the symptom list on the website and get a blood test for APS Antibodies; although if your Neuro is any good they should do this as a matter of course. HS unlike MS is easily treatable.
12 things that don’t affect your right to claim Disability Living Allowance.
You’re getting any other benefits - Disability Living Allowance will be paid on top.
You’re working.
Your partner works.
You have savings.
You have not paid any national insurance contributions.
You don’t consider yourself to be disabled - Disability Living Allowance is for people with long term health problems which affect their everyday activities.
You’ve been told by a doctor, nurse, care worker - or anyone other than a welfare rights worker - that you won’t get Disability Living Allowance. Eligibility for Disability Living Allowance is a legal question, not a matter of medical - or any other - opinion.
You live alone and no-one is providing care for you.
You already have someone, a partner for example, providing care for you.
You don’t want anyone to provide care for you.
You’ve been turned down before. You may decide you could put forward a stronger case if you applied again.
You do not want to spend money on personal care: you can spend Disability Living Allowance on anything you wish.
Good luck; remember MS is not a stop sign; its traffic humps.