RE: Pathways to Work Interview

January 12, 2011

You were quite probably given a diagnosis of CFS because you had

the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism yet your thyroid function tests

were probably within the normal reference interval in the past. Such a

diagnosis is often given to such patients, but some give a diagnosis of ME or

FM. In a great number of cases, all of these can be helped with the active thyroid

hormone triiodothyronine (T3) either in the synthetic form with T4, T3 alone or

natural thyroid extract. Your TSH now rising would prove this point.

I hope you can get the help from somebody who has gone through

'Pathways to Work' Jo.

Luv - Sheila

Just got a Pathways to Work interview for next Monday and I was wondering if

anyone had any advice/personal experience? I have long-term mental health

problems, and have recently been diagnosed with CFS. I'm also being referred to

an endocrinologist as my TSH is rising, and I have multiple classic hypo

symptoms, and a family history of autoimmune and thyroid issues. I would love

to go back to work but I know that I'm truly not fit either mentally or

physically at present. The prospect of the interview fills me with dread. I'm

trying to arrange an advocate to go with me, but I'm still very worried. Any

useful advice would be much appreciated.

January 12, 2011

Hi Jo

There is great advice on this link. A lot of the information is free but for

more detail advice you can pay to be a member. I know a lot of people have found

the help there have needed for interveiws for benefits.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/home

Judy

>

> Hi,

> Just got a Pathways to Work interview for next Monday and I was wondering if

anyone had any advice/personal experience?

January 12, 2011

Hi Jo

Who's the interview with, is it with Remploy? or with the DWP?

You really do not sound well enough to work. What benefit are you on, is it

ESA?

I was signed off much of 2009 with fatigue (turned out to be from sleep apnea

but that's not too relevant here). I had an assessment from a 3rd party company

to assess me medically - it wasn't relevant to my condition and i failed the

test; the test had stupid questions in it though, like can you stand, can you

sit, etc. it doesn't take into account a lot of things. but the good news is

you can appeal if you don't get enough points. and a good percentage of people

succeed.

if i recall correctly, when i 'failed' i went to the job centre where they have

a special adviser who can help you find work that you can do. they are supposed

to take into account all of your health problems and find you relevant work, not

just push you into anything.

i don't know what benefit you're on or what stage of the process you are at, but

you can appeal : 'they' bank on people not appealing and just 'giving in', and

think only the genuine cases succeed. I have heard of people with psychosis and

also someone eles with bladder cancer, being told they could work. but the good

news is, they won on appeal. and i understand that i fyou're on ESA and win the

appeal, you get a bit more money. are you on the right benefit for you?

do you have any letters or anything from any of the consultants you could take

with you? my work interview wasn't an interrogation and it was ok, though i was

naturally apprehensive about it all.

is there anyone at CAB who can help you? the CAB in my area were helpful

please don't worry and let it overwhelm you, (easier said than done). please

advise what benefit you are on?

chris

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

" Employment and Support Allowance involves a new medical assessment called the

Work Capability Assessment. This assesses what you can do, rather than what you

cannot, and identifies the health-related support you might need.

Most people claiming Employment and Support Allowance will be expected to take

steps to prepare for work, including attending work focused interviews with

their personal adviser.

Under Employment and Support Allowance, if you have an illness or disability

that severely affects your ability to work, you will get increased financial

support and will not be expected to prepare for a return to work. You can

volunteer to do so at any point if you want to. "

>

> Hi,

> Just got a Pathways to Work interview for next Monday and I was wondering if

anyone had any advice/personal experience? I have long-term mental health

problems, and have recently been diagnosed with CFS.

January 13, 2011

Hi Thanks for your reply. The Pathways to Work Interview is with the DWP. I currently receive Income Support with a payment because I'm sick/disabled, and also the two lowest rates of care/mobility DLA. Thanks to to the support of Welfare Rights, I appealed last year, after being refused DLA, and would not like to go through this process again. It was extremely stressful, despite the panel and a person from DWP voting unanimously to award the benefit in my favor for three years, (the first year was paid to me in arrears as it had taken so long for the tribunal). It really has made all the difference in the world as I have a son to look after, and he is my priority. I have been making some progress recently with my mental health,

but this has knocked me for six as I really am not physically or mentally in a fit state to work, and leave my house on average once a week. I have always intended to return to work, (ironically I trained with the CAB for three years before my declining health got the better of me!) but I believe I have had undiagnosed Hypothyroidism for years which has caused my mental health to crash. My TSH of 4.29 last year is still rising, and I also have classic symptoms, plus it's a family problem too etc. I'm waiting to be referred to an endocrinologist, which I understand is not as straightforward an experience as one would hope, but there it is.I've managed to rearrange the appointment, and for a mental health advocate to accompany me, but I'm honestly worried sick and angry in equal measure that I'm having to attend. I really would love to return to work, and I've worked my backside off studying and training for years,

and have a lot to offer when in good health, but at the present, I'm really not fit. I'd like to know who devises those stupid tests, as like you say, they are so irrelevant to your particular illness. Thanks for all the info and links though, they will be a great help. I'm pretty sure my GP and psychologist will confirm the state of my health. I'll just have to see how it goes. Hope you are getting well, and thanks again for your help.Best wishes,JoFrom: <chrisjtaylor46@...>To:

thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, 12 January, 2011 19:38:11Subject: Re: Pathways to Work Interview

Hi Jo

Who's the interview with, is it with Remploy? or with the DWP?

You really do not sound well enough to work. What benefit are you on, is it ESA?

I was signed off much of 2009 with fatigue (turned out to be from sleep apnea but that's not too relevant here). I had an assessment from a 3rd party company to assess me medically - it wasn't relevant to my condition and i failed the test; the test had stupid questions in it though, like can you stand, can you sit, etc. it doesn't take into account a lot of things. but the good news is you can appeal if you don't get enough points. and a good percentage of people succeed.

if i recall correctly, when i 'failed' i went to the job centre where they have a special adviser who can help you find work that you can do. they are supposed to take into account all of your health problems and find you relevant work, not just push you into anything.

i don't know what benefit you're on or what stage of the process you are at, but you can appeal : 'they' bank on people not appealing and just 'giving in', and think only the genuine cases succeed. I have heard of people with psychosis and also someone eles with bladder cancer, being told they could work. but the good news is, they won on appeal. and i understand that i fyou're on ESA and win the appeal, you get a bit more money. are you on the right benefit for you?

do you have any letters or anything from any of the consultants you could take with you? my work interview wasn't an interrogation and it was ok, though i was naturally apprehensive about it all.

is there anyone at CAB who can help you? the CAB in my area were helpful

please don't worry and let it overwhelm you, (easier said than done). please advise what benefit you are on?

chris

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

"Employment and Support Allowance involves a new medical assessment called the Work Capability Assessment. This assesses what you can do, rather than what you cannot, and identifies the health-related support you might need.

Most people claiming Employment and Support Allowance will be expected to take steps to prepare for work, including attending work focused interviews with their personal adviser.

Under Employment and Support Allowance, if you have an illness or disability that severely affects your ability to work, you will get increased financial support and will not be expected to prepare for a return to work. You can volunteer to do so at any point if you want to."

>

> Hi,

> Just got a Pathways to Work interview for next Monday and I was wondering if anyone had any advice/personal experience? I have long-term mental health problems, and have recently been diagnosed with CFS.

January 13, 2011

Hi Judy,Thanks for the link.Best wishes, Jo From: Judy <judywilson_1@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, 12 January, 2011 18:17:49Subject: Re: Pathways to Work Interview

Hi Jo

There is great advice on this link. A lot of the information is free but for more detail advice you can pay to be a member. I know a lot of people have found the help there have needed for interveiws for benefits.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/home

Judy

>

> Hi,

> Just got a Pathways to Work interview for next Monday and I was wondering if anyone had any advice/personal experience?

January 13, 2011

Hi Sheila,Thanks for your reply, I'm waiting to see an endo, and I've have really useful replies from tpa forum members re: pathways to work interview.thanks again,JoFrom: Sheila <sheila@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, 12 January,

2011 15:31:16Subject: RE: Pathways to Work Interview

You were quite probably given a diagnosis of CFS because you had

the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism yet your thyroid function tests

were probably within the normal reference interval in the past. Such a

diagnosis is often given to such patients, but some give a diagnosis of ME or

FM. In a great number of cases, all of these can be helped with the active thyroid

hormone triiodothyronine (T3) either in the synthetic form with T4, T3 alone or

natural thyroid extract. Your TSH now rising would prove this point. I hope you can get the help from somebody who has gone through

'Pathways to Work' Jo. Luv - Sheila