That 'in between' stage

Hey folks,

Just after a bit of support and understanding, I guess. I came home from work on Monday morning with the beginnings of a yucky attack. Have been off for the last three days, and upped to pred 40 according to my management plan.

Now work are absolutely amazing, and I'm blessed with a supportive team and Headteacher who only want me to be well. The problem is, I'm the kind of person who's great during the day, but shocking in early evening to bedtime, and then again early morning to mid morning, the times when I'm debating what to do the next day. I seem to keep saying to work ""i'll be in tomorrow"" only to deteriorate overnight and things go pear shaped again.

What do I do? Sign off for the rest of the week, until I'm definitely not wheezy at all, or go in, knowing that I'll be iffy for the morning, and then fine (ish) in the afternoon? Don't want to be seen to be taking the mick (oh, she's having another day then, is she?!) but by the same token keeping an eye on the bradford absence score and the fact that my colleagues are having to pick up for me.

What do other people do in this ""not feeling quite well but also not feeling horrid either"" phase?

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HI,i work ina school at dinner but dont think could do a full day when my asthma is not good.

Have you tried taking few extra puffs of reliever in the mornings while you are off and see how

you go on at home first ?xxx

not a easy decision to go back when not quite right and the weather so cold not helping xxxx

[Annista]

Hi

I fall into the trap every time I have to take time off! I feel ok-ish and go into work only to discover by mid-morning that I can't breathe, and then I have to face the office manager with her 'I thought you said you were all right' routine when I say I have to do home.

I would definitely say that you'd be safest to take at least one day extra and see how you go after that.

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Have you been to occupational health (I assume it's a local authority school?) and asked about 'reasonable adjustments' they can make in terms of your absence or the length of time you are off etc? I understand the fear of the old Bradford Absence Score (I've been bitten by it in the past!) but asthma is classed as a disability and they should be able to make adjustments given that it's a chronic condition and by the sounds of it, you struggle quite a bit.

My old manager always told me to take two extra days off after being unwell too (I know it's a slightly diferent issue but thought I'd mention it) to make sure I am 'properly well' before going back. It's worse if you have a few days off, go back, then have another few days off, in terms of your score.

I think you have to prioritise your health and work sound like they understand that. You can always do your share of picking up for others when things are more stable

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well, against the advice of my husband, my mother and my (also very asthmatic best friend) i went back in. wanted to save the days for any subsequent admissions - january is by far my worst month.

mistake, but hey ho.

at least i had nice classes, and super supportive department did the shouting at kids bit for me!

not at the stage of occy health yet, but will once the bradford score creeps up a bit further. i'll just ask them to discount asthma / chest infection / pneumonia type illnesses, which they did in my old authority. may also ask about the possbility of going in slightly later, i.e. after tutor time, in order to give my lungs that extra hour or so before braving the world, on days after a flare up. we shall see.

managed to survive till the end of the week, at least. problem is i've now run out of my emergency 5 day pred, and couldn't get a gp appt. why do i get the horrible sinking feeling i'll be at the walk-in centre and/or being carted off by the little green men this weekend?? fingers crossed not!!