MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
- It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.
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Questions in the Category: Occupational Health
Employment dispute
I have been fortunate and reached a point where my condition has improved and been stable for some time. So I feel confident enough to try and return to my job on a part-time but flexible basis. I have discussed this with my GP and the occupational health department at work – both of whom agree that a phased return to work would be worth attempting. I have also had what I thought was a sympathetic appointment with the HR (human resources) department of the large company that I work for. However, I have now received a written summary of the proposed adjustments to the work I do and the way in which they intend to reduce and adjust my working hours – which are both OK.
Although the immediate reduction in hours on return is perfectly reasonable, my employers are working on what I believe is a totally unrealistic idea that I will return to work on a part-time basis and then progressively increase my hours over the next two to three months. They don't seem to understand that any further improvement or adjustment to returning to work if you have ME/CFS is going to be slow and unpredictable. So their plan for a rather inflexible and progressive increase in hours of work could actually cause a relapse in my condition.
What can I do apart from change my mind about trying to return to work?
Aids and adaptions
I have moderate to severe ME which has been relatively stable for quite some time. I live in a house with a difficult flight of stairs – so my family and I have decided that it would be better for me to also use a downstairs room. This would make life a lot easier for everyone and, as the room overlooks the garden, it would help to brighten up my day! I also use a wheelchair occasionally when outdoors.
My question, which is partly an observation, is that when we have tried to obtain support from an occupational therapist (OT) regarding the use of aids, a blue badge and home adaptions, including the outdoor wheelchair, the response has always been quite negative. I've even been told that going down the route of obtaining, and then relying on aids and adaptions, is going to “hamper my mobilisation and recovery”.
Is this something that happens to other people? And is there anything I can do?
ME/CFS Specialist Services
The new NICE guideline was published a year ago. But here in Northamptonshire we still don’t have a specialist ME/CFS service where GPs can refer people for help with either diagnosis or management. And there doesn’t appear to be any formal arrangement with a referral centre anywhere else that GPs can refer people to. I think this is unacceptable. So I am going to raise this with my MP – hopefully by arranging a meeting. Do you have a brief summary of the key points that I need to make?
Employment: Disclosing Medical Information
Having made a significant degree of improvement over the past year I am considering returning to some form of part-time or flexible employment that I can preferably do from home. But I’m apprehensive about disclosing the fact that I have ME to a future employer. Please could you explain what the legal position is here – especially if I am asked about any health problems at an interview.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
If you have questions about ME/CFS or Long Covid, you can:
- Review the free information in the What is ME/CFS section of the website, and the free Covid-19 and Long Covid information in the website shop.
- Review the largest range of literature covering all aspects of living with ME/CFS. Download detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, management, co-mordidities, employment, education, related health conditions, The 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline, welfare benefits etc.
- Join the ME Association as a member and you'll receive the highly-rated ME Essential magazine, and you can ask questions of the charity’s expert advisers including Dr Shepherd.
- Contact us via the ME Connect Telephone Helpline (open 365 days a year) and speak to one of the national team of fully-trained volunteers who waiting to provide information and support.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are a Health Care Professional you can sign-up to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).