should i return to work the day after a bad flare up?

[jimmy22]

im havin a very severe flare flare up in my knee hip and left hand where i cant move it at all without being in extreme pain. how long should i rest before returning to work ?

[Philip]

Everyone is different but I wouldn't like to push myself to far and too soon, could make things a lot worse.

As long as you have an understanding employer, it might be wise to have a chat with them and explain how you are feeling ATM , I'm sure if you do return to soon you could end up off work again.

Personally I don't work because of illness, maybe because I pushed myself to far too fast and this is the end result, take care and remember it is you that matters at the end of the day.

Philip

[Hidden]

Hi Jimmy. Sorry you are flaring. You need to rest for as long as it takes to die down.

Here's a cautionary tale for you; I have a close friend who is currently undergoing major spinal surgery as I write. She has been struggling with a back problem for several years but didn't opt for surgery because she knew it would mean a long time off work and she was scared of how this might impact on retaining her high powered public sector job in the current climate. Sadly she has left it for so long and pushed herself too hard and was eventually air-ambulanced off to the main Scottish hospital last week and has been catheterised and is in great pain.

She has been soldiering on taking anti-inflammatories and steroids for about 3 years ignoring advice re surgery and has paid a very high price for it now it seems. I don't think any job is worth this do you? I hope you feel better soon, Tilda

[Beth58]

Hi Jimmy

I agree with Tilda and Philip no point in rushing back to soon you'll end up worse for it in the long run.

If you don't feel up to returning yet have a chat with your GP and request another week or however long it takes for you to feel up to the challenge, it's not worth risking your health for ungrateful employers.

Beth x

[jimmy22]

very happy with the advice, thankyou, always have a guilt and have to clear it, working day on day off for 2 weeks and a set of 8 strait days i never get time to fully rest and ra catches up with me with vengense lol. thankyou all again for the advice.

[nutty]

Sorry you are having a flare. I totally agree with the advice you've been given. Don't rush back it's not worth it, I know from experience, my employers arn't worth the pain and suffering. Get well soon...

[helixhelix]

I've learnt the hard way that my health is more important in the long term than work. And now I have my priorities the other way round I've founf my health is much better! Take the time you need to rest and get fully over the flare otherwise it will just come back again. Polly

[pauluk60]

THOSE flare are bad news if its a bad one well jim i suppose only you will know that depends on lots of things how you feel able to cope will they let you back any light work available is it manually draining for you not much help am i jim best i can do