Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi  I applied for ill health retirement I was awarded tier 2, I had only been teaching 15 years or so and the last few were part time, so my pension isn’t enough to live on or pay off a mortgage. You need to make sure you know what the financial implications are before you take it as with tier 2 you cannot work at all. The school got occupational health involved to support my application. I was told by my union that I wouldn’t get it , as I hadn’t been off work , I had only reduced my hours, in fact that was completely untrue and if I had taken my unions advice, I wouldn’t of applied for ill health retirement at all, I originally was just going to resign as I felt I couldn’t cope anymore. My headteacher just told me she would get occupational health involved and they suggested applying. Lots to think about!  ... View more

Hi Julmess I applied and was granted tier 2 , I returned to teaching but reduced My hours, I couldn’t cope as a key stage leader, I was advised by my union that I wouldn’t get Ill health retirement as I wasn’t off on sick leave , Which was totally wrong ,as I was awarded tier 2, I sent a time line of treatment, evidence  and issues in my supporting statement , I also focused on my hormone treatment and how it was making me feel physically and emotionally , I have arthritis too. I would get your school’s occupational health involved., their assessment by a doctor was very helpful.  ... View more

Hi  I went part time too, 3 days and then 2, still couldn’t cope, I have arthritis too, made worse by anastrazole but all this helped with my application. If you receive the enhanced pension , you cannot work in any capacity.  x ... View more

Hi Zed51 I was told I wouldn’t get it by my union, they said it was difficult to achieve, I mentioned this to my headteacher, my school were really supportive and an occupational health doctor HR supplied by my school completed a report. I also provided lots of evidence to support my claim, consultant letters, GP letters, I completed my own statement too. It is time consuming but I didn’t have to wait long for the decision.  I was awarded an enhanced pension.  Xx ... View more

Yes I am waiting for a my employer too , they have to decide on a date and send it off, I also have to fill in the on line pensions form too. Then hopefully that will be it! Hope you have a lovely retirement too 😀 ... View more

Hi  just to let you know I was awarded ill health retirement. The made the decision quickly, only 4 days after the forms were sent in.  Hope things are going well with you.   ... View more

Hi @SueMall The hormone treatment and other tablets I have to take are taking their tole with all the side effects. I find even though I am part time the long days and all the other things that are associated with the role are physically demanding as well as emotionally demanding so I am not enjoying my days off, as I am recuperating and haven’t the motivation or energy to enjoy things I used to do. I do enjoy teaching and I would miss parts of my job but I know that I cannot carry on so will probably apply for ill health retirement this academic year 💋   ... View more

Thank you for your reply 🙂 ... View more

Hi @SueMall I did not apply at that time because of Covid, I have got the forms to fill in though and will get to it probably this term.  I am sure the criteria is different for everyone and you do not have to be terminal or have a secondary diagnosis, where did you sauce that information from ?  ... View more

Thanks for the reply, that is reassuring and I do need to loose a few pounds, will start in the new year. Xx ... View more

I have been told to take it everyday for 3 years wonder why the different dosage? ... View more

Thanks Belford Belle for the reply, I used to take my tablet first thing in the morning and everything was fine now I have to take the Bisphosphonate so can’t take it then any more 😕 hopefully my GP will tell me what to do x ... View more

Thanks for the reply yes that sounds like a good plan, I also take supplements so lots of tablets , yes life was much easier before BC ... View more

Is anyone taking anastrozole and Levothyroxine (for an under active thyroid) at the same time , just wonder when was the best time to take the drug?I am also taking isonic acid which I take first thing in the morning and nothing to eat after that. Thanks 😊 ... View more

Hi I have osteopenia and now on anastrazole, I have been prescribed bisphosphonate, one tablet to take in the morning first thing , I think it’s for 3 years but will take the anastrazole for longer, I had a 4cm lobular ductalar mix tumour diagnosed in November 2017. I have lost weight and upped my excercise routine hoping this will help xx ... View more

thankyou for the suggestion, will post on there 🙂 ... View more

Should of said hormones ... View more