I too, suffered enormously from the side effects of medication. Everyone is different. For me, I was unable to tolerate the initial medication regime, and was turned down for an alternative medication regime by my PCT. I had to undertake an appeals process which took one year to complete, before being put on different medication that I could tolerate. In the meantime, my work performance suffered, and so did my health. Because I had kept my work place informed from the very start, they were aware of my difficulties, and made a range of adjustments and allowances. However, even with these, I was unable to continue working. I was referred to the Occupational Health Department, and was retired on the grounds of ill health. Although it is not a course of action I would have wanted to take if I had not been suffering from the side effects of medication, the benefit is that you are protected financially if you are in a work pension scheme (always check your pension schemes and get advice from human resources or from a reliable independent source). I received my pension early, so did not have to worry about bringing in money (apart from tightening my belt) whilst battling for new medication and trying to remain as well as possible on the previous medication regime. You may also want to think about whether to register yourself as partially sighted/disabled or not. There are a range of benefits that come with registration, but also a range of disadvantages. My work Human Resources Department was able to take me through all of these.

Rea