@jamars 

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jamars

Benefits advice after diagnosis?

Dear good people on Shift MS I was hoping you could me. I am enquiring about potential welfare benefits advice after being diagnosed with R/R MS in August. I currently work as an admin staff in an office, having recently reduced my hours due to my diagnosis. Although my employer is relatively understanding I am struggling day-to-day (mainly with debilitating fatigue, queasiness, brain fog etc). My mobility is fine and to other people I probably seem okay but i'm finding things harder and harder. I am soon to start Lemtrada treatment in hospital and i'm conscious that this will involve lots more time off work (I've already had four months off earlier this year with my last relapse) and subsequent regular hospital visits. As such I would like to know if I was to hand in my notice, due to MS health related reasons, would I be able to claim/entitled to any benefits? If so which ones - ESA, say? My concern is that I look vaguely 'healthy', don't have any real problems walking etc and to someone unfamiliar with the condition there doesn't look like there's anything wrong with me. I'm scared it's just going to look like i quit my job just for the sake of it. Sadly that's not the case and with the upcoming treatment I fear working is only going to get increasingly difficult/near impossible. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm finding the whole damn' thing genuinely confusing. Many thanks James
@Stumbler

Hi @jamars and welcome. I wouldn't even consider any of this, until you've had your Lemtrada treatment. You supplied no details of when you were diagnosed or your age, so it's difficult to guess what your post-Lemtrada prognosis might be. Some people feel that they get their life back after this treatment.

@grandma

Basically you can get ESA, but it would be better if you were dismissed, though that is now illegal! As Stumbler says, we have no idea of how old you are, whereabouts you live etc., so fill in the bio but and then you can get more specific help. If you are suffering with fatigue and quesyness the chances are yo will be unable to work, but wait until after you have had the Lemtrada treatment, it could make the world if difference. There are other drugs to help you deal with the other symptoms, ask your ms nurse if you have one James, she will be able to point you in the right direction. You say that work has been very good so far, but it is a legal requirement, so don't feel guilty about time off work for relapses, appointments etc., Good Luck with the Lemtrada and don't forget we're always here for a natter, a question, a moan, a rant, a celebration, whatever, and don't forget with ms there is no suc thing as a silly question.😍🤙🤢👂