Occupational health appt??

[Fighterxxx]

Hello ladies.

I’m just looking for a wee bit of help. I have got an appointment with my occupational health person in work. I work for a local authority. I’ve been given the appointment due to my absences as a result of endo.

I’d like to know if anyone else has been for an appointment? What should I expect? What should I say?

I’m obviously going to explain how bad my symptoms are and how it is affecting all aspects of my life, but I’m just scared in case I don’t say the right things and end up playing down the serverity of the condition. I’m just anxious.

The appointment is next week and I’d appreciate any help and advice you ladies could give, as I know how well you do at giving support and advice !

Thanks in advance,

J x

[weekari]

Hi

I had to see occ health a few times and was really anxious about it too. I thought they'd think I should be working and it was all about trying to make out I was exaggerating things or something. I was with the NHS and had been off a lot. When I first met with them, I didn't have a diagnosis at that point either so I really did feel like a fraud.

But, the drs I met were lovely. I had a to go off long term sick last Oct and met with the dr and she was the one that knocked some sense into me! I said I thought I just needed a week or 2 to just rest and she told me they're was no way I should be working just now and that 2 weeks wasn't going to be near enough-she said I was looking at months. I really needed someone to tell me that and to almost give me permission to be off. I met with her and a few other Dr's over the 9 months I was off sick and they always acted as though they had my interest in mind. I eventually decided to leave on ground of illness and they were lovely about that too and helped me to do it in a a way that was supportive and felt as good as it could be.

Your situation may be really different to mine but ultimately their job is to just help you to work if you can and if you can't, to support you while you're ill and help you to get back to work in a way that that's going to be best for you.

I think it's best to work with the assumption that they won't understand endo, most Dr's don't. You'll need to explain how it affects you because it affects us all a bit differently anyway. Even write it all down so you don't have to think on your feet on the day.

I think we all have that feeling of being a fraud and worry of not being believed, it just comes with the territory with endo. But that is just the part of you that's anxious and scared. There will be another part of you that will know exactly what endo does to you and what kind of support or help you need from your employers to help you to do your job effectively. Even if all you need is for them to know that when you're off sick, it's because you're really sick and you need to know they know that. Try to get that part of you to write it all down before you go in and give the scared part of you a hug and tell her everything is OK.

It really will be OK. You have laws protecting you. Just be honest and unashamedly you.

Xx

[Fighterxxx in reply to weekari]

Thank you so much for your reply. You’ve made me feel a lot better about it. I do hope it does ok. I hope you’re as well as you possibly can be. Thank you again xx

[JS77 in reply to weekari]

Hi weekari, your reply has just brought me to tears.

I am in a similar situation at work and have a review meeting with my line manager and HR later today (Tuesday). I haven’t had a diagnosis and so much of what you said really struck a cord with me. I am feeling very unsupported by my employer (a charity) and was totally blindsided at our last meeting. I have since had copies of all my medical records over the last 3 years and spent time writing out how, whatever this is has totally affected every part of my life.

I feel less alone after reading your reply and just wanted to say THANKS xx

[weekari in reply to JS77]

Awe you're welcome. I'm really glad it helped. It's the only reason I share my experiences, the good & bad, in the hope it helps someone. So, you telling me it helped you, has now helped me. Thank you 😊

BTW, You really shouldn't have to be taking in notes etc to prove anything to them though. That's ridiculous. A sick line is all they need. I really hope that they will understand and start supporting you.

This disease is difficult enough to live with, we really don't need any extra hassle!

Good luck for today. I really hope you come out of this meeting with a really different experience and feeling about it all. X

[brokenbladder]

I have always found OH to be really helpful and understanding! They may not know what Endo is so be prepared for that and just be honest about how it affects your life at home and at work. They will be able to make adjustments if you need it x

[Fighterxxx in reply to brokenbladder]

Thank you for your reply. I hope that I can get everything across that I need to. Thanks again 💗 xx