I'm due to return to work on Tuesday(8-11-16) but I'm still feeling absolutely awful after being in hospital on nebulisers and being signed off for two weeks. I have an appointment with my GP Monday morning, do you think I should ask to be signed off again as I'm still coughing a fair bit and I can't sleep at night. I have tried going for short walks to exercise but even just walking over to my local shop I'm out of breath and coughing lots when I get back indoors. The job I have got is a nursery nurse so it's constantly on the go all day and I'm not sure if my body could handle that at the moment and my peak flow readings are still between 250-300.
Any advice given will be greatly appreciated
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Charliebuttnut85
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Hi. Well if you don't feel well enough to return to work just tell your doctor. Only you and they can judge that. I'm sure it won't be a problem though. x
Have you been evaluated by an Occupational Heatlh speciailist to determine what is reasonable accommodation? I have some reasonable accommodations made for me because my astham falls under the Equality Act and I suspect yours will too.
Also, read your business discrimination, equality, and equal access policies. Furthermore, reading flexible working and long-term absence policies may help. Finally, if you are a member of a union speak with a rep and speak with the Equalities officer for further advice.
There is a way forward but it will not be obvious. Best option is to get advice.
Sorry to hear your feeling so bad, and certainly not ready to rerun to work.
Go to GP and explain you defiantly need a further couple weeks off. I'm also a nursery nurse, Iv had a rough ride the pass year, sadly my HT not at all sympathetic. As found I have allergies to mould/damp and doing Forest school made my Asthma worse. After fighting a year have temp admendment of duties.
So remember Asthma is covered under the disability Act 2010 so you are protected there.
Do seek advice from your GP and hope you feel better soon. Rest as much as you can.
Thank you for your reply. How long did you have to have off if you don't mind me asking? Just wish I felt a little better but so fed up of coughing and I just want to breath properly again
I feel for you concerning work's attitude. Seeing them in person if you are still breathless might make them realise how sick you are. You could offer to be an added extra for an hour or two a day but if you are not well enough for that, just take the time you need to recover. If you go back too early it will take you longer to recover.
I always have a peak flow target that I have to reach before I go back to work. If your pf is still well below your normal when well you should not return as you will only make the recovery take longer . hope this helps. good luck
You definitely need to be signed off for longer!! You are not over it!! Don't go back until you are ready!!
I went back to work too early a few weeks ago and then ended up really poorly again!! Work had to call ambulance!! I've now only worked 3 days since 19th sept!! Wish I'd listened to my body!!
See dronmonday explain your job your physical limits askfor addontherapy like pednisolone or a long acting preventer inhaler stress that u raptor end ucant takeresonsiblity for other people's children
U r not fit for work being short of breath and low peak flow. U need to see gp and get medicatio may e u need more steriods to reduce inflammation. Also try see asthma nurse for help. Dont risk working when u r unwell cus u will suffer. Hope u get sorted.
Definitely you need more time off. My doctor always says we want you back in green zone before you go back and without symptoms. You are not well enough, you might even need a longer course of steroids. I would suggest 2 weeks minimum. I work with kids too. It really isn't the same as a desk job. You need to be fit.
Thank you so much for your reply. I've had two weeks off already, but I still feel completely exhausted and just going for short walks I'm still out of breath. How long did you have off if you don't mind me asking? I'm still having to take my reliever inhaler every four hours if not more
Hmm. I'm still off. Got out of hospital on 20th October but each time they reduced the steroids I got worse again. I am just trying to stay out of A&E today too. Unless you are very lucky you'll take a while to bounce back so take it...
Thank you all for your advice, went and saw my GP earlier and she has signed me off for a further two weeks and has prescribed me some sleeping tablets. Also I've got to see my asthma nurse tomorrow afternoon as got told my peak flow should be 454 and it's only 250-300.
I had an asthma attack and ended up in the hospital for three days. The asthma attack turned into pneumonia and I was incapacitated for two months. It was a soul searching time.
How did I get into this mess? 1. I exercised too much. 2. I allowed too much stress in my life without dealing with it. 3. I watched football games outside in cold weather. 4. I didn't eat right. 5. I didn't get enough sleep and enough rest from exercise. 6. I exercised when I wasn't feeling well, thinking that would help me (wrong).
Five years later I still make mistakes that lead to asthma attacks. Recently I exercised hard while someone in my house was sick. I was exposed to germs after a hard workout. This is terrible because hard exercise temporarily weakens the immune system, allowing an infection to sneak in.
If any of this makes sense to you, you could read my book, "Running with Asthma: An Asthmatic Runner's Memoir," available on amazon.com
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