I have to return to work tomorrow. I think it’s making my anxiety worse. I always have low grade nausea from my meds but it’s worse since I found out. They can’t find one that I can take. So far they all affect me. This latest one makes me nauseous and gives me continual muscle and joint pain. I work mostly outside and there are only a few people around and we’re usually separated by at least ten feet but I’m still uneasy. In our country agriculture is exempt so we’re all up and running even though we don’t know yet whether the governor of our state will let us sell any of it. Nuts isn’t it! It’s really doing a number on my anxiety. My stomach is growling at me right now. It’s doubly hard to go through repeated med changes at the same time as all this is going on. My boss laid me off for 3 weeks due to my age along with his mom but he really needs me back now. (Mom can work from home). He’s a good man and I know he wouldn’t call me back if he didn’t really need me but it’s not helping right now.
Anxious : I have to return to work... - Positive Wellbein...
Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation
Anxious
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
I used to have terrible feelings of dread before going to work, then, when I got there , all was fine. Those feelings disappeared.
That wasn't in the present circumstances though. A long time ago.
It's understandable that your concerned (but you'll be taking the necessary precautions ) & not helpful that your experiencing these symptoms & meds problems now.
The way I see it you have two choices, you either go in or phone in sick tomorrow, if still not well enough.
Hope your symptoms settle down, you can get things ready for your return to work tomorrow, and make the most of the rest of today.
Thank you. It’s good to hear from a person who’s experienced it. I know the work would be good for me because I benefit from a structured environment and physical work. I just tend to amplify any negative feeling I have until the snowball becomes a snow mountain in my mind. Anxiety is accompanied by so may physical symptoms they can wear you out. 😒😒
I work part time, semi-retired. I am wondering if I should go back. I do love my job but I think this "virus" catalyst might send me in a new direction, hopefully a better one. I am sad about my job. My co-workers are my friends as well. I have not worked in six weeks. I worry about leaving for good. I am trying go get into a routine at home. Before the virus, I had just started going to the gym. affiliated with the hospital. Nothing difficult. Treadmill, exercise bike, some weight lifting. I also was going to the library, through now I'm on Kindle which is great! Seeing friends and going to church. My routine is totally broken and it takes alot to start my day. I am never in my bathrobe past twelve, but sometimes it is one or two o'clock, and there I sit in my robe on the internet. Better weather would help, too. My get up and go got up and went! My husband is retired. He's not a well man so that adds to my need to get out! I understand the anxieties about going back to work. Our mental health is the fruits of our labor, be it the real need to support ourselves, or for someone semi-retired like myself, the routine of a job, no matter how many hours is good. Still, I flip flop. That's my story. Glad to connect with people who are self-isolating! Hang in there!
No one knows about the treatment. I didn’t tell anyone I was hospitalized over the holidays. My one coworker knows I take meds because she does too but that’s it. I think I’m the long run it will help me to work as does my doctor and therapist. I guess I’m just needing ears to hear me right now.
I'm so sorry you are feeling like this and you are reacting to the meds, that's awful for you.
I have IBS and my symptoms are diarrhoea and acute nausea but fortunately since following the low fodmap diet I'm a lot better, I rarely suffer now. What I wanted to say is for nausea take travel sick tablets which work for me, they really help with nausea.
As for work, once you get there you will be so focused on what you're doing and be occupied that you won't feel so anxious. It'll be good for you to be doing something.
Look after yourself and here's to you feeling better.
Thank you so much! I’ve had ibs for many years too. I haven’t been to careful of my diet since being in the hospital. I will get back on my fodmap diet again.
I can see it's tough for you at present but you will get through this. IBS is horrible and I agree with what you are saying about going back on the low fodmap diet. I've definitely seen a huge difference with my IBS since following the diet.
You'll will do it going back to work, you're stronger than you think.
Wishing you well.😊
Hi Spinner,
You are doing the hard bit.... talking to people about your anxiety and all that it entails so please take a deep breath and thank yourself for instinctively taking care of you!
Being a routine is a positive and being outdoors a plus (easier to distance etc). Maybe it would be possible, and easier, to let your employer know about your irritable bowel and that then opens up a door to ask for shorter hours for a few weeks whilst you ‘settle it down’. That way you keep the mental issues private still and your employer has the opportunity to help meet your needs at present through considering your IBS needs.
I hope all goes well
Ali
Thank you Ali. My work day will be a short one 10 to 3. He’s a good boss and is trying to protect me the best he can. I’m the head of a large department and he needs my input on setting displays and incoming stock. There will be no customers around until we receive the ok to open to the public. There is only 6 of us usually all working in different areas.
Deep slow breaths and go for it knowing that you are valued..... then express all your anxieties here as no judgement or knock ons! 😎
Ali
Can you ask about a phased return to work? Just to ease you back in. Maybe a few hours the first day and see how that goes. Then take it from there.
Knowing you’ve only got to stay for a couple of hours might make it easier to actually get you there.
Good luck whatever you decide and know we’re here to support you.
Hi there, if you have continual nausea from your medications has your GP ever offered you an anti-emetic. As for work if you decide to go, it sounds like you may be able to maintain social distancing with your colleague's if there will be only 6 of you in. Is that something that would be possible. Is there good facilities for regular hand washing. These are the things you need to consider. xx
No I haven’t taken anything except tums or rolaids. My boss is fanatic about washing hands and keeping distant. I work in a greenhouse operation but my area of shrubs trees and perennials is outside. Even planting perennials is outside.
We certainly have running water and every disinfectant you can imagine. I work with gloves on and am going to mask if I’m anywhere near somebody. I might be the only one masking but too bad. The rest of them are wayyyyyy younger! I’m seventy my boss is in his 30’s.
You seem to have it all under control but wouldn't you come under the vulnerable group. I would also, next time you see your GP discuss an anti-emetic if you have so much trouble with your meds. It will stop the nausea. xx
Yes I’m in the vulnerable group even tho agriculture is exempt from having to shut down.
Well take very good care of yourself and if your outdoors even better, remember when wearing a mask be alert not to touch your face, it can be very hard not to do. Try to do something to calm your anxiety. Some of the mindfulness and meditation is quite relaxing you can get on you tube. xx
I feel for you Spinner 1916. Maybe you will feel a little better when you've actually broken the ice, gone back and are into a routine again. My husband too is having to work through and we have had concerns that he might become infected, or bring it home. I think one key thing is to take responsibility for being safe. Make sure no-one comes too close. Be sure you are the responsible one with cleanliness, hand scrubbing and decontaminating when you go home. We think out every single move before we make it, in order to try to be safe. It's tiring, but doing that will give you less chance of contracting coronavirus and keep you safer. Very best wishes and try not to worry too much.
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
How to cope in anxious times
Anxious, sleepless - looking to share ways to reduce anxiety, stay positive
Quotation for Thursday 2nd April 2020
Lockdown schooling /fed up
WHAT A JUXTAPOSITION TO BE GRATEFUL FOR
No jokes, this came up on my facebook page and struck a cord. X
Bragging about my moms cooking skills and a sad story 
Quotation for Saturday 18th July 2020