Work Balance

[Eclarke]

Hi All,

I have suspected endo and waiting for a date for my first Lap.

I have had quite a bit off time off at work recently due to pain, doc appointments and general illness cold/flu which i had for 7 weeks! My work are starting to give me a hard time about taking sick days.

When i have my period (like today) just getting out of bed and going to work is a struggle, I am in so much pain and feel emotionally drained, I am starting to fee really depressed and I am scared im going to loose my job that I worked so hard to get! I am only 21 and I am not ready to work reduced hours etc, who's going to help pay my bills.

How do you all cope? How do you support yourself if you cant work all the time? I dont feel I can put my financial pressure onto my partner as he has enough on his plate.

I just feel like this is ruining my life, going to work is such hard work, I have no social life, my relationship is suffering and no one (family or work) understands what im going through.

[Wishes_]

Hiya, sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I'm 25 and I'm currently waiting on my lap date. I struggled into work for almost a year getting by with my medication and a hot water bottle when I could. I've now been signed off my work since Feb as I just couldn't push myself anymore. I was coming home from work and falling asleep on the couch and just wasn't living. I've had to give up my gym membership, cancel plans with my family/friends and partner and it definitely takes its toll! Luckily my work have been really understanding and have said they don't want me back until I'm 100% fit enough and my companies sickness policy and pay are good so I've managed to support myself. I do worry about the possibility of having to reduce hours however I'm hoping when I've had my lap and on proper treatment I can get myself back on my feet. x

[purple-dragon]

Sorry to hear you are going thru this. I know the feeling...was in similar sitation. But doing the lap is step in the right direction. But rem if you have any endo on the ovaries stress that they preserve them as much as possible and don't cut then to much. My first lap I told them drain the endometrioma/cysts and not cut it away because this can lower yourAMH. If you plan on wanting kids. Also I had zoladex for 6 months after lap. This really helped the pain. I also stop eating chicken and beef esp burgers. .they are filled with xenoestrogens which makes endo worse. Eat lots of fish. Make the change now. Good luck it gets better here on out!! Xx

[Starry in reply to purple-dragon]

Hey. Hugs x I am struggling with this too. This week I had to put in for reduced hours and now my manager wants occ health to see me and HR are getting involved. I am praying a four day week will take just enough pressure off me to get me coping again.

[bethm1983]

Hi,

I've been going through a similar situation. Although my work have been really understanding compared to some I read about it still really frustrating for them when I ring in sick. I went to the doctors yesterday and had a bit of an emotional breakdown. I explained everything to them and how it's affecting my life, (work, social and relationship) they suggested they could sign me off which I don't want as I need a reason to get up in the morning (I don't aways feel like that sometimes I want to stay in bed and never get out!) As I suffer with depression I learned over the years it's important for me to have a focus and structure to my day. I appreciate this isn't the same for everyone.

Anyway, when I got back to work I emailed my bosses and explained that I didn't want to me signed off but I am really struggling and one of them phone me instantly and asked of I wanted to do shorter days for a few weeks. It was a great suggestion, I feel like a weight has been lifted!

If you don't think your work will offer this to you on a plate then I think if you speak to your doctor and be completely honest about not only the pain but your mental health they should be able to give you a reduced hours note or a complete sick note to give you some time to get back on track.

What pain killers etc. Do you use? Maybe you need to speak to the doctor about pain management too. I'm taking zapain since yesterday and they seem to be good so far. I'm also taking mefenamic acid although not convinced it's working??

Try and stay positive, we have each other to talk to when no one else understands xxxx

[sanchia46]

I work part time now. It means I take less sick days. It also means I can make up the time when I'm sick most of the time. Got a really understanding boss.