Managing IPF

[Cheekychappie]

Hello all, I am fairly new here, building up courage to talk about this. Two months in from diagnosis, I have returned to work. I am struggling with perfumes and work around a lot of people. My chest feels fine in the morning but is prickly and sore at the end of the day. Should I think about a different job and are these feelings in my chest further damage? I love my job but...so confused. I am a 38 year old male.

[Badbessie]

Hi I have no experience With IPC. But there a number of people on the forum that do. I am sure there will be someone who will come and give good advice soon.

[Cheekychappie in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks for responding. I have started to browse here a bit more and am finding some useful information already. Hopefully I will find more.

[Helen6]

Hi there, I also have IPF and my consultant first suspected this 5 years ago. I carried on working for 2 years and like you, could not tolerate perfume, furniture polish etc. I don't think these substances cause any harm, but rather irritate the lungs causing the cough response. Have you approached HR about this problem? Employers have a duty to make reasonable provision for medical conditions. It may be that they can take you out of your present environment or even ask co-workers not to wear perfume to work. Most people are reasonable about this when they realise their perfume is causing you distress. Don't assume that you need to find a new job until you have explored your options with your employer. If you are worried about this then involve your union rep (if you have one) or request an appointment with an occupational health professional. They will produce a report for your employer listing the measures they should take to enable you to carry on working without further damage to your health.

Good Luck,

Helen

[Cheekychappie in reply to Helen6]

Thank you for such detailed advice. HR have been supportive and offered me an alternative space where possible. The problem is I am a teacher and students (mostly girls) are terrible at having strong smelling toiletries on and have found this the most challenging to address. My colleagues have made adjustments thus far although I have been making use of a spare office for most of my desk time. HR have also offered an alternative role which could be created and I am glad about this but I know I will miss the classroom. I hope I don't have to involve unions in future but I will say I am thrilled by how HR have been supportive thus far. I will continue to explore all options that can keep in in work and will try and get confirmation about long term I'll effects of chemical smells. Thanks again Helen, hope you continue to have stable health.

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to Cheekychappie]

My wife had several health problems and eventually was given I'll heath retirement with enhanced pension (unable to work again, even outside teaching). Her union support and advice was excellent (NASUWT). This was from the full time union people, not local rep. They deal with this sort of thing very regularly. If you are in a union at least make them aware of the situation.

[Cheekychappie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for sharing this. I am a union member but had not thought about getting them in the loop. I will act on this.