milliewoos

Hi, just wondering if anyone can offer any advice or has experienced a similar problem...

My husband was in oz end of April for interviews, he's now accepted an offer and we are meant to be starting 457 application this week. I started feeling ill while he was in oz and to cut a long story short I've been diagnosed on Friday with reactive arthritis. Had loads of tests to find out if it is because of a virus or because it's the beginnings of rheumatoid arthritis. I will go back to see the specialist in just under 4 weeks to find out the results of my xrays, blood tests, ultra sound etc.

Being realistic, I can't imagine passing a medical. I would think that they would want a longer period of time to elapse in order to see what's what. Even if it turns out that my reactive arthritis is because of some bug I've had do you think I would still fail the medical anyway?

Sorry for the long message - I'm so down in the dumps and I thought I would just ask the question if anyone has experienced anything similar.

3 years dreaming about going, and then this happens 6 months before we hope to get there. Can't believe it

Iwannabethere

Can't really help but didn't want you to think you were being ignored!!! As far as I can tell the only thing DIMA is really interested in is how much money you will cost Australia. I don't know how much medication would cost for arthritis but worth looking at. I have also heard that it is worth contacting Peter Bollard who is an agent who specialises in medical issues. Never needed to use him but it might help you. He's based in Oz.

Chin up though. I'm not singing yet!

Adi

milliewoos

Thanks! I've had a good cry all weekend and am now just ready to hear if it's going to be bad news. I don't suppose anyone would be able to answer, but as soon as I have a question about going I automatically turn to BE.
Fingers crossed someone might see this who could offer some advice. Will check out Peter Bollard - thanks x

hairart

hi, im sorry to hear about your illness, i just want to wish you well and good luck for the future. X

RenShen

This is in no way an informed reply, but in the scheme of things I really can't see that they would knock you back for this, particularly as you are not the main applicant and there is a job there waiting for your hubby.

You might need to get some advice about permanent visas though as I think the conditions are a bit stronger, but then again, this isn't terminal and I can't imagine that the treatment will be that costly. Also, there is still a chance that it also might not be a permanent condition.

Fingers crossed for you but I have a feeling in my bones that you will be ok.

Sending some Karma your way.

milliewoos

Thanks love - very kind x


Thank you very much
Aargh, the next 4 weeks are going to drag now that's for sure!

RenShen

Please post to let us know how you get on. I hope it will be good news.

We are still waiting for the bloody contract to start the 457 process. This has been going on since October and I have cancelled 2 Meds appointments that I had booked in anticipation of good news.

Apparently there have been various meetings and submissions to all sorts of forums so fingers crossed our contract will come this week.

Have you joined the 457 visa thread? Its really helpful.

milliewoos

How frustrating for you, the whole process couldn't be any more stressful could it?! I've worried about a lot of things over the past few years but I'd never really given much thought to the medicals - I should have guessed!
I'll check out the 457 thread and hopefully see how you get on with your contract

JAJ

This may be well meant, but it is not necessarily based on the migration law. Sorry.

The original poster may have a problem, maybe not, but the above factors are likely not all that relevant.

RenShen

Well I did say it wasn't an informed reply, just my thoughts.

home alone

Don't worry too much! I'm sure I read somewhere, before on a thread, someone with similar problems, and they were ok, to proceed, etc; Good luck! Regards Lin

dpande

You are right in that reactive arthritis is not permanent and DIAC won't bat an eyelid as you only need anti-inflammatory painkillers until you recover completely.

However - and I am really sorry to tell you this - depending on the specific type of arthritis the treatment with modern biologic therapies can be eye- wateringly expensive. In the UK patients have had to go to court to get the NHS to fund it on occasion.

The history of a viral illness prior to this means it is quite likely to be reactive arthritis though.

Fingers crossed for you
D

milliewoos

Thanks Lin

Thanks very much - are you a doc or have you experience of this illness? I've had a steroid injection and due to have some in my ankles when it wears off to keep the swelling down and I'm on anti-inflamms for the pain. It's really helped the swelling but they keep flaring up with inflammation. Still aching all over my body though. It's the not knowing if it because of a virus or start of rheumatoid arthritis that's frustrating

Thanks everyone xx

mand-jim

Hello, not sure how helpful this will be but we've been for our medicals today in Birmingham and our doctor mentioned that she'd only had 2 patients that had to be referred for more tests following their x-rays; 1 who had a history of TB in his family, and 1 who had complications leading from rheumatoid arthritis. She said neither thing would be something that would stop the visa being granted. They are basically checking you out for things that could affect other people (TB, HIV) and for things that will cost Oz money if you need on-going costly treatment

milliewoos

No thanks - I really appreciate your honesty. I had read somewhere a while ago that rheumatoid arthritis would be one of the costly illnesses that may prevent you passing your medical. That's why I posted because I may be right at the start of treatment , it seems that people have passed medicals and from what I've seen they were going for temporary visas and not applying for PR?

By the way, hope your meds went well today