Advise / suggestions needed

[PaulaJE]

I am currently have a bad flaw up of my symptoms. My doctor wants to sign me off but I am afraid to be signed off as I have been threaten with dismissal if I take any sick for a 12 month period. What should I do?

[ME65]

If you are too ill to work you need to take the time off. If you don't your ME is very likely to get worse so you won't be able to work then anyway. Is this job worth driving yourself into the ground for? If you are sacked you can claim benefit and maybe there is a better job out there that you can do. The Job Centre is there to help you find a job that is suitable.

Good luck xx

[LindaLolly]

Hi

Sorry to hear your suffering a flare up. Please listen to your body though and take the time off work to rest and let things settle. When I was first diagnosed and had been off work for about 4 months, my work agreed reduced hours. I cut down to 3 days a week. Then I moved to 4 and started doing extra Saturdays - big mistake. I ended up having a relapse and being off work again. Things have become so bad that there are days I can't get up and even taking my dog out a short walk exhausts me. I finish up work on Thursday after resigning as it wasn't fair to them that I couldn't even commit to certain days. So please rest and if you can return to work even part time, don't get carried away as I did just take it slowly. Your quality of life and your health are far more important than work. Try to find a balance which suits you health wise and financially.

Good luck

[Bevvy]

Right a couple of things to note!

1. You have a recognised disability and therefore have some protection with Equality Act. This should give you more leeway with amount of time taken off sick.

2. You are entitled to reasonable adjustments- has this been looked at with you? E.g. Reduction in work hours either temporarily or more permanent. Change in work duties?

3. Not sure where you work but are you in a Union? If so they can help.

[mitty999]

If ME is bad , the last thing you need is exercise . I suffer with this evil disease and ME is a very serious illness. Basically your brain is infected and this often causes damage to the brain. The brain then plays havoc with every organ in the body , including the heart. This then is a serious condition. My pain is so bad that Morphine , Codeine , with Paracetamol together hardly touches the pain. If I leave my bed for more than a few minutes, then I will get a kick back , with pain everywhere , dizziness , inability to talk , inability to walk anywhere . I just manage to whisper a word or two to my wife. I cant eat properly , I choke and therefore when I am bad , I have to eat ice-cream . Sometimes I collapse and fall into a deep sleep.

I get no help from my doctor , whatever NHS may say, you will be lucky to find a specialist and as to getting an appointment.....a year`s wait. I asked to see a pain specialist , twice late and all he said was suicide was my best bet to relieving the terrible pain . No doctor will make a house-call . I was told that even in a matter of life or death situation , all doctors will refuse to see me.

My doctor is 1/2 mile away. A doctor could walk to my house in 10 minutes.

I have had this trouble for many years. NHS talk of special support , diets , visiting nurses.

TOTAL LIES. !!!!!!