Hi Marshie 888
I have had this terrible disease for around 14 years now. I had no choice but to
leave my job and reluctantly sign onto universal credit, this was about three years ago now. Like you and probabaly most of the people on here, I have chronic pain most of the time, which does intensify when I have a flare up, I am male and 50 years old now, Like you the chronic fatigue I have is sometimes unbearable, and sometimes I stuggle to stay up for more than 3 hours before I have to go to bed and back to sleep. And dont even get me started on how the brain fog affects my daily life and memory. Like Karen above, I too have trouble in sitting or standing for a time, and am sorry to say that since being diagnosed with this 13 years ago the illness has progressed and gotten a lot worse over time. I have had little to no help from the NHS doctors, and the last time I went to see a consultant he reached out his hand to shake mine and wished me good luck, I was a bit confused because thats what I thought I was there to see him for. Hence I have have since lost all trust and respect for doctors. Anyways to answer your question, I too also had to go and see a "work coach", I was told I would have to attend a medical, and to take any relevant documents from my doctor about the illness I was suffering from. I did pass the medical and was awarded the extra money called the health element on top of my universal credit. However thanks to the short sightedness of the previous government and the same from this one, it looks like they are all expecting people with disabilites to go out and do what abled bodied people can do. We need to come togther people and fight this disgrace of a policy. I know speaking for my self, I wouldn't last 2 days at work without feeling extremely ill and having to take time off, I dont think any employer on this planet would appreciate their employee having to take time off work every week, and I couldnt relly blame them.
Anyway good luck man, dont let them bully you, this illness id not your fault.

Hi, I have read that people on esa are been moved into UC. I have fibro plus other things but I’m on Pip and UC. As I’m self employed I work from home for about 10 hours a week and could not possibly go out to work as I never know what I’ll be like each day, I can’t sit or stand for long. My work coach has been fantastic he has never pressured me into more hours in fact they are now going to do a limited capability for work assessment as he said I aren’t really fit for work. Obviously this will go through your Drs too. If I’m found that I can’t work, which I know I shouldn’t be then as well as pip I will get extra on UC. So I say go for it they shouldn’t pressure you and they are really helpful and will advise you on what benefits will suit you.

Hi I have fibro too as well as other issues. I’m sorry to read that you are worried about the job centre pressuring you. It is very stressful not knowing what will happen when you see someone. I really think that they might think you are able to do some sort of work as you admit to doing housework and taxi for school run. Fibro is a terrible thing. I have had it since being a teenager and I’m now 65. It has got worse as I’ve aged. Fatigue is a big part of the disease. Good luck with your claim.