ITP and working

Hello all,
I have a bit of a question/scenario that I'm hoping fellow ITP people can help me with. It's a bit of a saga, but I'll make it short and sweet. I've recently been medically discharged from the Australian military due to having chronic ITP. Platelet counts have fluctuated over the years - 10, 23, 35, 40 etc. The condition is considered chronic and I have been on and off prednisone and anti-bleeding medication to stop spontaneous nose and gum bleeds etc. I also experience large bruising when carry out normal daily tasks.

Does anyone know if there are restrictions for people with ITP to be able to perform medium to heavy physically demanding civilian employment roles? The military is trying to tell me that ITP will not cause me to stop working in specifically "medium to heavy physically demanding roles" (such as a storeman/storeperson). Therefore I am NOT eligible for a small service pension due to the retiring condition (ITP) not impacting my ability to work in the above role I just mentioned.

Does this seem correct? I thought that having a bleeding disorder and the associated effects of treatment would incapacitate me to at least 30% in medium to heavy physically demanding roles.....so I would be eligible for a small service pension. Any ideas???

If It's anything like the UK I doubt you stand a chance. I'm a front line NHS nurse, which is extremely demanding both physically and mentally, and am expected to work whatever my counts. I asked about early retirement due to a bleeding disorder and was told not a hope in hell.

Thanks for the info and I hope you’re fit and healthy.

There’s specific assistance for veterans who are medically retired but they are saying ITP doesn’t fit the bill. It’s incredibly frustrating. I’ve been shown the door with no income coming in. I’m terrified

Sounds dreadful. Presumably the military are saying you are unfit for military service but not civilian work.

My guess is that the military doesn't consider this physical work dangerous to you--that is, you might not be in danger of accidents which might result in a brain bleed. Some ITP folks though have fatigue which would make most jobs difficult. Would your doctor be willing to support you in this?

Thanks all for the reply

Yeah the military is saying unfit for service due to the potential for bleeding issues and not being able to guarantee access to medical treatment if deployed etc

However my military superannuation - which is who will pay me an invalidity benefit is saying I can be a storeman and having ITP won’t effect that job. So no $$.

My heamo is pretty good and I think he will write something to the contrary. All I have to hit is 30% invalidity and I get a small pension. It’s so frustrating

What is a storeman?

Like warehouse work

Won't they just expect you to treat, not with steroids but something else, to get a decent count so that you can work? They would in the UK. ITP is no reason not to work.

Nick would that be the only work available to you?
Are you treating now? What count do you normally have? What do you treat with if you need to treat?