Anyone out there a vet/vet nurse?

[Saffie123]

Hi,

I have confirmed endometriosis (and until a hysterectomy last year, adenomyosis too).

I’m waiting for an MRI to ascertain if there’s anything else postoperatively that can explain the endo-like pain return so quickly and other new symptoms, other than the blanket ‘hyperaesthesia’.

My question is - has speaking to occupational health through work helped?

I’m worried I’m going to be /already am a target due to figures/leave for surgery etc, particularly in the current climate of redundancies, but I can’t pedal any faster. I love my job, but being pushed to the extreme is causing flare ups (probably not helped by stress).

I dread speaking to another organisation (health related) for fear of another assessment, I’m so tired of appointments, being patronised, dismissed.

And I don’t even know what is reasonable to ask. Any ideas? (small animal practice)

As my bosses have said before, I’m either fit to work or I’m not 😢 I’m so tired of it all, I can’t keep fighting. And walking away (before being pushed) from a profession I loved is starting to feel appealing but heartbeaking in equal measure.

[Vet_nurse26]

hey,

If you can’t tell by the name, I’m a veterinary nurse. I recently had quite a bad flare up and I’ve only just moved to a permanent role from locuming. I had 10 days off work and luckily my practice managers child has endo and was very understanding (esp given I’m new and they don’t know if it’s just a dodgy work ethic) she was good about it but I definitely considered (and still am) talking to occupational health. I talked to my manager and she was understanding about possibly accommodating me needing to sit in long anaesthetics etc.

No one can make you leave or fire you over your health issues you can’t help, and if they do you would be entitled to take them to a tribunal. However, there is a general shortage of vets / vet nurses so we are in demand generally even with some places making layoffs.

I advised my practice (I work 4 x 10.5hr days) that I don’t think I can work that many hours sustainably as it’s knocking me out so much that every day off is spent in bed. So eventually, I think it would be a good idea for me to potentially drop down to part time hours and pick up a locum shift when I can to supplement financially to get a work / life balance that gives me a quality of life outside of work. I don’t know if that’s an option for you?

Speaking to occupational health should be completely confidential regardless so it might be worth chatting to them. Maybe also talking to a union like BVNA (sorry idk whether you’re a nurse or a vet) but either should have a similar union as they’d be able to give more advise tailored to our industry.

Sorry I can’t be more help but knowing you’re not alone esp in an industry that not many understand quite how physically and mentally demanding it is, I’m here if you need to talk. X

[Saffie123 in reply to Vet_nurse26]

Hi, thank you for this! I’m a vet, and sadly in the area and with the corporate (if you know you know :/ ) that is cutting their workforce down - leaving us more stretched. I do 75% full time (with the unpaid non working existent lunch break and unpaid overtime that comes with it). There is no proper rest area, no protected breaks (or respect for them) and I can’t afford to go down in hours financially. But when spreading hours over more days , I end up doing more each day. At the moment i feel double my age. Like you, flaked out each day off, losing friends or at least maintaining relationships. Feel so distrusting of the industry we work in atm that I fear raising it (again!) with bosses and also rocking the boat if they know Occ heath involved. But can’t sustain it 😞 Public have no idea what it’s like - bad enough when you are feeling well !

[Saffie123 in reply to Saffie123]

Sorry meant to say non-existent lunch break…

[Lindle]

My son is a vet and he found the corporate practice ethos totally unsustainable. Reduced consultation time (concurrent with massive price rises), no time to write up notes, reception booking in consults with no notice, inevitable sub standard care, non existent breaks, an insulting 1% salary increase despite the bucket loads he was bringing in as the only lap surgeon - you will be all too aware. The poor nurses and other vets having breakdowns with it all. My son has a chronic back issue from herniated discs that was never given chance to recover, being expected to haul beefy dogs around. But even without that the effect on his medical health couldn’t be sustained. It is so sad that the veterinary industry (corporate anyway) has seemingly lost all sight of the good of the animal and is blinded by the bottom line.

My son has left and is now doing something different but still within the industry - he now works as chief vet for an online vet advice service to complement veterinary practice. So works from home and occasionally they set up at dog shows.

I don’t know how to help but sympathise so much. It isn’t a case of your are either fit to work or you are not though. Endo isn’t automatically classed as a disability but it is covered by the Equality Act 2010 and each case is individually considered based on how your condition affects your day to day life. This might be useful:

unison.org.uk/content/uploa...

[Saffie123 in reply to Lindle]

Thank you for this. I’m sorry your son has had to leave but glad he’s kept within the profession doing, hopefully, something he enjoys.

It’s so hard. I absolutely love my job, but it is killing me mentally and physically. I work as hard as I can, stay late, follow up on cases and give we best care I can. It’s take take take and no give - that’s what it feels like atm.

And the painful fact is that if I was pregnant/had a family , I’d probably be better protected 😞

I’ll take a look at the link, thank you x