Hi, my name is wobblyshell! I feel lost completely

wobblyshell
wobblyshell Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited June 2022 in Housing and independent living
I have been having problems since March 2021...

Latest diagnosis is FND and to be honest I feel lost completely. I have vertigo..balance issues...walk like am drunk...severe head neck and back pain...joint and muscle pain....I stutter quite a bit and forget things and names of things....I have moved to an adapted bungalow because I can't manage stairs...same with bath and shower...I fall over...I can't sleep and am exhausted all the time...I  haven't driven since this happened as the car makes me feel sick...I have to do a driving assessment with the dvla and am convinced they will take my driving license off me....there's other stuff but I just feel like I am drowning in symptoms...I  have now been off work for 16 months and they are referring me for ill health retirement but because I am only 52 HR reckons my pension provider (NILGOS) might refuse, I don't get company sick anymore so I get Contribution based ESA and am now having to apply for Universal Credit...help please anyone had similar experience 

Thank you so much 

Shell

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,775 Championing
    Hi @woobblyshell - & welcome to the community. We have other members that have FND, but I'm not sure if they're active. You will however find a lot of understanding here, & in trying to cope, as with many other disorders.I'm sure you'll find this a very supportive community.
    I wonder if you've looked at a couple of other charities that are about FND. Please see: https://www.fndaction.org.uk/
  • wobblyshell
    wobblyshell Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you so much 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    It may be difficult to get ill health retirement as basically they are saying you are no longer fit to work in any capacity 

    Also bear in mind taking a pension early isn't always the best option as it will affect your benefits and you may not be any better off with a pension opposed to benefits 

    It will depend on the income a pension would give you 

    You need to get some expert advice before doing anything 
  • wobblyshell
    wobblyshell Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you so much 
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Hello @wobblyshell and welcome to the community :) 

     

    This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 I have included below a few of the pages I’d recommend having a look through to get used to things:

    • The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
    • The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
    • The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

    If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.


    Sorry to hear of everything you are going through at the moment, it sounds really difficult and I hope the replies so far on here have helped you feel a bit better and less alone :) 

  • ethom
    ethom Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    I wouldn't bother with Esa even if you have enough contributions.You don't gain anything as they will take it off Universal Credit
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Welcome to the community @wobblyshell :) 

    Do you mind me asking whether you live alone, or whether there's someone around to help you with things like having a bath or shower? Have you ever had a needs assessment from your local authority? 

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