New job and time off sick

heartshaped · 11 November 2008 at 11:18PM

I am leaving a job on Friday and will be starting a new one next week. I am really happy about my new job but fear I could lose it as I'm in constant pain with sciatica in my back and hip. I'm finding work really difficult as I can hardly bend, the pain becomes worse as the day wears on,I often cry out in pain and can bareley walk at the end of the day and the pain stops me from sleeping. I have had pain killers but they don't seem to touch it. I have been struggling with this for over two years now,I'm worried about paying bills and meeting the rent payments if I need time off with this. My house is a constant tip because I have to save myself for work. I'm not sure I am doing the right thing starting a new job feeling like this and I will be working more hours than my current job, I haven't lied about my health or had to have a medical for my new job. I suspect my current employer of not paying the minimum wage, this is why I looked for employment elsewhere

Conor_3 · 12 November 2008 at 1:37AM

You're not doing the right thing. You're basically at the point I was when I had to stop working altogether for a year. You need to get signed off sick and bang in a claim for Incapacity Benefit. Also apply for Disability Living Allowance as well.

ceridwen · 12 November 2008 at 7:59AM

Ummm....

is it possible for you to retract your notice in your existing job - and then follow that up by anonymously reporting your existing employer to get your wages up to Minimum Wage level?

Sure someone will come along soon who can help out with advice on both those points.

heartshaped · 12 November 2008 at 8:19PM

Thanks very much for the replys, I'm not sure I am doing the right thing. I am in serious pain daily. I dont want to struggle on benefits but at the same time dont want to cause damage to myself and let my empolyers down.

McKneff · 12 November 2008 at 8:33PM

There has been no mention of you going to a doctor to see about this sciatica, it is treatable apart from pain killers which i know dont touch it.
You need help and you could maybe ask to see a specialist if you have been in this amount of pain for such a long time

funkyfunkymonkey · 13 November 2008 at 2:07AM

OH visited an osteopath with his sciatica, sorted out in a couple of visits. Might be available in your area via your doctor, alternatively, it costs £30 ish for 20-30mins. If you are in that much pain you might consider it well worth the money if you can't get it via your doc.

FFM

ceridwen · 13 November 2008 at 7:56AM

I think its the case that osteopaths can often be helpful with things like sciatica. In my area it's £35 for a 40 minute appointment. The first appt will be a couple of £s or so dearer - as it's a longer appointment and is the "initial consultation" where they ask you the full rundown on your health/examine you.

Conor_3 · 13 November 2008 at 2:28PM

heartshaped wrote: »

Thanks very much for the replys, I'm not sure I am doing the right thing. I am in serious pain daily. I dont want to struggle on benefits but at the same time dont want to cause damage to myself and let my empolyers down.

Well you rent. So if you were single, getting IB, DLA, HB and CTB, you should end up with around £320 a month in DLA and if you're single, around another £240 on IB. Your rent and CT would be covered so you'd have £560 a month purely to pay the bills and buy food. Could you live off that? Only downside is that a DLA claim could take up to 13 weeks to come through but it would be backdated.

pinkshoes · 13 November 2008 at 8:17PM

I suffered from sciatica for a while after a car crash, and the osteopath did wonders, followed by some physiotherapy, whilst taking soluable cocodamol for the pain! The pain went from being excruciating i.e. shooting pain every time I moved, and it's almost completely gone now. Definitely worth a try if you haven't already gone down this avenue!

rlc_2 · 14 November 2008 at 11:32AM

Have you spoken to your GP? I'd do that in the first instance - you may get referred to a physio on the NHS rather than having to pay.

little_miss_messiah · 28 January 2009 at 3:51PM

I had a couple of years of sciatica episodes, lasting 5 -7 days each time. Tried physio to no avail, but I got an inversion table and hung upside down while watching TV every night for a month and I've not had it since - not everyone's the same, but might be worth mentioning to your GP as they were at the point of considering surgery to fuse my spine meaning 6 months in a full body cast until I tried it...