Work!

I’ve always loved my job, I work 5 days a week part time as a teaching assistant and have two very lively girls of my own aged 9 & 7.

Since my diagnosis of cardiomyopathy & my new meds I have found it increasingly hard to motivate myself with work, I am constantly tired and I use all the energy I have when I am there and I am fit for nothing after.

I was really tired before my diagnosis and it makes sense why now.

I get to Wednesday and i am physically drained and cone the weekend all I want to do is sleep or regain some energy.

My heart & head is telling me to get up and do stuff with my family but I am just too tired most of the time.

I really want to ask my manager if i could lower my days, so at least I have an extra day to recharge but I’m not sure if that a reasonable request? Only by one day.

I have worked sinced I was 16 in various lines of work so I have always had a good work ethic, but I’m struggling right now to keep up.

Does everyone else work?

Just wondering, as it is something I have been thinking about but don’t know where I stand.

Thanks in advance for reading x

[Zena166]

Hi I think it’s a reasonable adjustment do you have an occupational health dept? It might be worth discussing with them your options. If you have just gone back to work after being off sick it maybe that you should do a phased return to work or you could do a different pattern of work for a short period of time as an option so you can try out things until you find what suits. Definitely speak to occupational health or HR. Hope this helps. Zena

[Howardl]

Hi,

You need to start with the doctor. Get his backing before you tackle your employer.

I can imagine a teaching assistant is a very full on job.

[Icenae]

Hi. So sorry to hear your plight. Have you got a partner Do you have to work full time. I would definitely goto HR. I have heard lots of school heads are very unsympathetic these days but you need to really look after yourself if you have children. Also you could apply for P I P. which would help financially. You can get it whilst working. But you have to stress your bad days and if it makes it hard to walk far. I left employed work at 50. Just went sick and eventually was let go through ill health. You might get your pension early. I retrained as a reflexologist and worked from home. I didnt qualify for statutory sick pay as I hadnt paid enough stamps and had a husband in work.

I wish you well. Take it easy 🙂

[Gill1026]

I have worked mostly full time for 40 years. Going in July for a valve reconstruction. Over the years I have been very tired but the last few years struggled to work and lost my motivation. I cut back by dropping 1 day a week so have a long weekend. The difference has been a good one just having an extra day off. I wish I had done it years ago. Don't struggle listen to your body. We have 1 heart and 1 life ❤

[Fismith69]

Hiya! I’m 49 and 4 months in to my CM diagnosis, I work as dental nurse in a hospital and had 3 months off work initially, and went back phased return ( I work full time) I’m up at 5.30am and sometimes by 3 pm I could quite easily have a nap. I’m going to bed earlier on an evening, and try and have a nap on a Saturday afternoon. So I totally understand where you’re coming from. I feel loads better than I did prior to diagnosis, but this is a different type of tired. It does get better, I’ve started taking vitamin B complex and Magnesium, and that seems to help xx