Wanting to take sick leave this week

[ttcemmie]

Hi all. I have been on the Norethisterone for almost a week and I'm feeling dizzy, practically sedated, and nauseous at times. Is this normal? I have worked from home today and yesterday (not sure my manager is too happy about this), as I don't feel safe for driving/I'm not getting up early enough to get in to work (parking issues - you have to be there before half 8). Not sure what I should do. It's year end accounting stuff so quite important to be involved in, but also my workplace is p*ssed off already at me because of the sick leave and working from home etc. I have taken over the last year as this will be my fourth round of IVF, so I'm worried about how flaky I'm being. Redundancies are coming up in the next couple of months and I'm fully expecting to get made redundant (although obviously I'd prefer not to). And a lot of my self-worth is tied up in my bread-winning and providing for my family, so I guess I'm also just feeling bad about myself that I'm struggling at work atm. Does that make sense? Should I ask/say about sick leave for the rest of the week? Ask to work from home for the rest of the week? Does that look worse?

[FrancyItaly]

I think they should be aware of your situation and hopefully they will accept that you work from home during this medication. If they value your work they will understand and be flexible. It’s better to be open with them and explain what is going on that calling in sick all the time.

[ttcemmie in reply to FrancyItaly]

Thanks FrancyItaly.

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

Totally agree with Francy, Emmie! It’s difficult to share our personal life details with our bosses but in this case I think you should- your employer has a duty to support you! I hope you’ll feel better soon xxxx

[ttcemmie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I'm being open and at least if they're being difficult about it then that's on them, not me. It's just all the guilt, which again, should subside with being open.

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

Please don’t feel guilty, you have the right of wanting to prioritise your dream to become a mum ❤️I’m sure you have all the support from your family xx

[Lots8788]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling great and I totally get what you mean. Do work know about meds / latest IVF? I know easier said than done but there are times we just need to put ourselves first and not worry about others and maybe this is one of those? What about seeing occ health to see what they suggest too? Work may be more understanding if occ health have recommended things like wfh when you need to. all the best xxx

[ttcemmie in reply to Lots8788]

I have now told them about these latest drugs. Trying to not worry about the impact on work (I know they don't worry about the impact on me!). I just know that my manager isn't very supportive and is fed up with this IVF ongoing (he said he though they wouldn't have to support me through it more than once - and the once they did support me through it I was still having to work until like midnight etc.).

[Lots8788 in reply to ttcemmie]

How insensitive. I bet you thought "yeah you're not the only ones that would have loved it to have worked it first time!" 🙄 big hugs to you xx

[Judy18]

I had such a bad time on Norethisterone. I spent the entire time on it looking up symptoms online and other people’s experiences on it as i could not believe how bad i felt. Loads of people we’re saying how horrid it was so I really do feel for you. I would definitely speak to your boss and explain how the medication is impacting you. It is such a stressful time and work can really make it so mu h worse. I hope you start feeling better soon. Sending so many hugs xxx

[ttcemmie in reply to Judy18]

Thanks. I'm glad it's not just me! Feel drugged or hungover or something! I have now been open with work about these drugs. They know about IVF generally, but not this stage. Just wish I didn't have to work!

[KiboXX]

Hey ttcemmie,

Just wanted to say, Norethisterone has the same effect on me! I don’t know how people take it when they go on holiday to delay their period, it makes me feel so absolutely rotten! It will ease off as soon as you stop taking it, how long have you got left?xxx

[ttcemmie in reply to KiboXX]

Just til Friday. I think I will have a go at my clinic about this, though. It seems unnecessary that they put everyone on these to sync everyone's periods to have a set egg collection week. Pretty stupid. Or is that normal? The clinic I went to for NHS didn't do it (but then I didn't get pregnant through them, so can't vouch for that). Glad to hear it has made other people feel awful. Slash I mean sorry it also made you feel awful. Glad to know it's not just me. Thanks. xxx

[Libsie3103]

Hey, thank your your post - someone has suggested I take it and I've been debating it but after what I have read I think I'll leave it and sit it out... So sorry to hear you're having such a tough time at work - it is so hard to juggle. I'm not sure whether there is anyone in HR you could talk to and confide in? I was so worried about telling work but had a great chat with our HR Business Partner and she was so supportive and said I had to put myself first and work could wait. It took a weight off my mind. You may not be fortunate enough to have that kind of support but just wanted to share my experience with you as it surprised me xx

[ttcemmie in reply to Libsie3103]

Thanks Libsie. I'm glad you've had support from HR. I've told two managers in my team and two colleagues (amazingly one manager and one colleague have also recently been through IVF so are very understanding), but the one manager who really makes all the decisions is not understanding, but whatever. If worst comes to worst I can always get another job, but it'll just be annoying. IVF has to come first, unfortunately. It just makes everything more stressful when work are being difficult.