Disability pension

Hi Brenda5
Goodness, you are having bad run.  Did you tell your psychiatrist about the side-effects ?  He/she may try something different for you.  A letter for Centrelink would come after he/she has seen you for some time - may be worth waiting for.
If one has been self-employed (i.e. your renovating houses) it is always harder with Centrelink for some reason.  I have been a self-funded retiree (from savings for the future which are now gone !) and am still struggling with them.  Any dollars in the bank at all and it has to be spent - nothing like keeping some aside to pay one's bills.
You are in our thoughts as we have all had some or all of your issues to deal with and hope there is light at the end of your tunnel.
Kind regards  Summer  :-)

Brenda, I am so sorry to hear of this plight still you are on. I too am wondering, is it an option to discuss changing your medication? I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs and can say I had zero side effects but I was pre menopausal then. You had chemo in October 2015? I had mine in August 2015. January 2016 I was placed on Arimidex but before being on anything through chemo I plummeted into horrendous menopause as is usual, so my hot flushes have had nothing to do with the medication. My side effects of joint pain and muscle was shocking, so much so that my Oncologist trialed me 6 weeks off Arimidex and keep a diary, there was a difference in pain. He then changed and Im now on Aromasin, they are very similar...however this is what I believe....For me??? Chemo has taken 2yrs to get to quite a good normality, I have limited pain now, due to Aromasin? NO I don't believe so, I think a combination of side effects of Chemo are continually lessening. I've been on Magnesium, Vit D, Vit C for 18 months. The hot flushes have lessened, but even when I stopped meds for 6 weeks I had them?? I have also been lucky to work with an exercise physiologist through my income protection and its all just been stretching not alot more. I had to learn to walk again thats how severe I was, mentally well don't have to tell you how beaten I felt. All these things and time have given me much improvement. Something that surprised me was, I didnt care to go back to work, but I did Jan 2016 3 days a week and til now apart from mastectomy/diep flap recon in feb this year I had 3 months off and now am 3 weeks off post revision was another hefty surgery. An OT that was organised said how important it was mentally for me to go back to work...I scoffed!!! but she works with people for a living in all arenas. I did go back and I agree mentally I've become sharper, less stumbling in my thoughts and getting my words out.  I had chemo brain BAD!!!!! but Ive noticed a significant improvement. 

Brenda we are absolutely all different and I don't suffer from Lymphedema so that's hard! I do Elevate on my phone, brain training is another good thing on a Nintendo DS. 

I'd definitely speak to your oncologist about changing your medication and see if it helps, time will I believe help alot. I did look at one point at Disability but there was no way I'd be accepted even after a recurrence, unless I was terminal...it's ridiculous as there are many facets to not being able to work. It's hard!!! 

Let us know how you go, thinking of you Brenda,

Melinda xo

Well it is 6 months since I applied to Centerlink and over a month ago since I had a job assessment interview with one of their psychologists where I broke down in tears during the interview. I haven't heard any news at all.
I couldn't continue the  psychiatrists depression medication due to the excessive side effects and now only take a tiny dose of medicinal cannabis oil once a day. It is helping my brain I feel but thinking and remembering is still a struggle. Gosh I took a lot of things for granted in my life before!
I feel so trapped atm. I would dearly love to get my own little car, be able to drive it wherever I want, get some training and have a job or even a small business but I have no idea how to go about it while this Tamoxifen shreds my brain and messes with my body temp all the time. Yes, for most the hot flashes settle but for some like me they just never do.
I am grateful so far this winter I have managed to avoid any nasty flu bugs as I think with my low immunity it would set me back. Just getting a little suspicious freckle removed from my leg took three whole weeks before the stitches were removed. I seem to be living in slow motion.

Hi Brenda,
Tonya is right.   I had to get two letters to get on the pension.   Mind you its mean tested and my husband works, so I am getting $110 per month!  However the health card does bring some benefits.   I was hoping that going on the pension, would lead to some casual work as employers get incentives to take on disabled people.   If you managed to get your pension, the system is to register with employment agencies who place disabled people.   Unfortunately most of us are not overtly impaired, so they don't know what to do with us and also our working future can be disrupted.  They are used to dealing with physically or mentally handicapped people.   I don't know whether the NCIS authority can help.   I intend to seek them out after Easter.  Let you know how I get on.  As you have lymphedema I would think you should get some assistance.   I got onto the pension because I have brain mets.  All the best.
Karen 

I filled in all the forms and got letters from my oncology, eye specialist and gp and physio. Psychiatrist had only just met me and put me straight on to depression meds but wouldn't yet do a letter. Done all the financial information including a declaration that we no longer own a block of land sold 16 years ago! Sheesh.
Hubby has been given the carers payment for both dad and me but I haven't heard yet if my application is successful. If it does get granted I will display the list of ailments letter I gave to all my drs to do their letters from. ;)

@Sheran i totally ahree on Arimidex i cant get my thoughts through my mouth its so noticeable and im so articulate usually. 

@Brenda5 I  looked into it and it is difficult you can Google the criteria for disability pension and Breast cancer. Absolutely get letters from everyone oncologist and surgeon, GP. My Oncologist did a report to my insurance company for income protection because they want you back at work!! Now!! Interesting he stated to them that exercise is good but will not rehabilitate me back into my job and the other was whilst im on Arimidex particularly and side effects from it i wont be full capacity and said 5yrs plus however long im on this medication. Thing is it runs out jan 2018 then what? Bad luck i have to go back full time anyway theres no assistance. So im reassessing what im going to do as i support myself so its hard!! 

Hello Brenda I find that meds like Arimidex and Femara also add to the problem of chemo brain and exhaustion.
I work for a government department as a telephonist, I wear a headset, I found what I was hearing from the caller in the headset was not coming out in my typing! to such an extent I thought my cancer had spread to my brain so my GP sent me for a brain scan. Only then did my oncologist agree to change the Arimidex to Femara.
I am still so tired on the Femara I have to force myself to get up and do anything; but at least my memory isn't as bad as it was...
also excercising is great for lymphodema, stretching and walking especially - that is something else you have to force yourself to do! Walking especially gives you more energy and really helps to get your body's lymphatic system back into gear.
good luck to you and take care

Hi Brenda good luck. Dealing with centerlink is a nightmare. My husband was allocated a carers allowance but I wasnt given a disability pension. If you are not successful it wont be because you dont deserve it ,it is their rules and regulations and how you fit in to their criteria.
 Mention the side effects of the medication to your psychiatrist. They may prescribe another medication or reduce the dose you are taking.  
I found the people I dealt with at centerlink good but the system is terrible. Lets hope they see reason. 
Nothing lasts forever. Over time things do pick up. Like the shampoo commercial it wont happen overnight but it will happen .Heres to your health improving and better days

You heading down a road some of the rest of us will have to travel. Good luck. Xxx