Time off work?

[Spyro76]

Hi, just sat in hospital after being diagnosed with BP. Was sent here by my GP who was worried it might be a stroke, but after several hours and a scan they diagnosed BP. Didn't know anything about the condition so it was scary to suddenly have little movement in half my face!

My immediate question is: can I get signed off work? The reason I ask is that on most sites it says rest, but when I asked the doctor here he said I could go back tomorrow afternoon with a discharge note?? Is that normal. The whole thing has just stressed me out so much and now I'm expected to go back to work with only half a face working?!

If anyone can help, please let me know. Btw, my job is a teacher at a challenging special school, it's stressful enough as it is!

[Hidden]

My doctor told me to rest and said it was an order not a request ! I retired from teaching some years ago but still had been spending Saturdays in front of tutorial classes.

I couldn’t do it now even after almost 6 months of BP and some signs of recovery. Full time teaching would be far too tiring but I am probably a lot older than you.

At this stage you should definitely rest.

[hje23]

Its quite strange you asking about time off. I have had 5 episodes of bell's palsy, last one being just under six weeks ago. Apart from this one I have always been signed off two to four weeks depending on how bad it was. My doctor has changed this year and he didn't think I needed time off. Luckily I had holiday booked. It does knock you for six and if you have a job that is quite physical and your on your feet for hours, its definately not resting. I think it does depend on your doctors knowledge of the condition. You certainly need to rest and probably not go back to work straight away, I have friends who are teachers and have seen how it tires them out. Try talking to your doctor again.

Hope your recovering ok.

[25clai]

I am not surprised unfortunately by your GP reaction to the BP. I found the gp to be quite dismissive about it, even though he told me my case was acute and I was only 3 days into shingles in my face on top of the BP. I wouldn’t recommend going back to work for a while. It depends on how are affected, but you’re recovery will be slower if you do not rest and give your face time in the day to stop moving the muscles . Your job must be stressful and also you must be doing a lot of talking, all of which is not helpful to your recovery. There is also to emotional side of getting to grips with it, I wouldn’t rush into work if I were you. Top up on Vitamin b complex which has a high B6 content to help facial nerves.