Should I go on the sick?

Welshlassie

Some of you might remember I posted a thread a week or so ago about being on crutches for the next 18 or so weeks as a result of having SPD in pregnancy. I'm now in the position of being in permanent pain as the painkillers I have don't remove the pain completely although they reduce it somewhat (and have been for over a fortnight). I'm very limited in what additional pain killers are available to me.

I am only 23 weeks pregnant at the moment, but after today when I have really struggled to make it through the day I am seriously considering going on the sick, which realistically would be for the rest of my pregnancy (approx 17 weeks). I've worked from home this week for few days and it hasn't really made much difference to my pain levels.

I saw my physio yesterday who has admitted that they can do very little for me other than try to manage the pain, I'm unable to get a referrable to an obstetric pain clinic until 32 weeks, at which point they will prescribe Tramadol, which it will be unlikely that I will be able to work whilst taking as they will space me out too much.

If I was to go on the sick I would be entitled to full pay until my maternity leave kicks in at 36 weeks. I know I'm likely to go stir crazy if I do go off, but I'm not sure what else there is I can do as I'm starting to make silly mistakes in work because I can't concentrate properly, which other people will end up having to clear up behind me.

I've just got to a point in work where I could easily hand my work over to someone else, but if I stayed around for a few weeks longer would have to get stuck into a piece of work which will last around 8 weeks and make it much more difficult to hand over at short notice.

If you were in my position what would you do?

Indie_Kid

Have you spke to your boss and see what the say?

Welshlassie

I spoke to my boss on Monday and warned him there was a possibility of me going off on a Friday and not coming back, he has a contingency plan in place should that happen. He has tried to make it easier for me to split coming into the office and working from home, but he can't take the pain away and ultimately that's what I need to be able to function effectively.

mrcow

You don't need to ask us for permission. You do what is right for you.

SPD can be chronic. As i said in your last thread, I've had it with all 5 of my pregnancies and it can be terrible.

In your shoes, what I did was work from home where possible and then I kicked in my maternity leave ASAP. I tagged on my holiday before the maternity leave (three weeks I think) so I think I had about 3 weeks full pay, then 6 weeks 90% pay and then my SMP lower payment kicked in when I was about due.

Did you try accupuncture? I had it with my 4th pregancy and it took the pain away completely (no drugs)

mwa

Hiya

I had awful SPD with my first pg but was amazed when it went away at 30 something weeks, was literally crawling from 15 - 28 weeks but something just happened and it made a random and vast improvement. I hope it does so for you too, I know how dibilitating it can be. I got it with my 2nd pg but not half as bad.

If I were you I'd go off sick, you never know it might get better if you rest up.

honeypop

Seeing as you are at a point where you can easily hand over the work to someone else and if you left it longer this would be made harder, and that your boss does understand you may have to go on sick leave, and also that it would be full pay until maternity pay kicks in, then I don't think there's anything to think about... you should be signing off as sick asap and get the rest you need to ease the pain as much as is possible (had spd with my first, and at 13 weeks alreday suffering with this one, so I 'feel your pain'!).

gratefulforhelp_2

Have you discussed with your GP what you can and cannot do? Can your GP give you a note saying you can do a limited amount from home?

Ultimately, though, the baby's health and yours are more important so I would have to go sick.

If you do, though, don't be riddled with guilt. Use your time as you see fit. It is not your fault you have this condition.

Courgette

I'm nearing the end of what has been a very painful pregnancy so know exactly what you're going through too! It looks like there's no way you can work at the moment but it really might not be this way for the rest of the pg. I was signed off for 4 weeks at 25 weeks (really should have gone sooner though) and that 4 weeks helped me focus fully on myself nad get to grips with the pain and understand exactly what I could and couldn't do. I then wrote my boss a very lengthy letter explaining exactly what I could and couldn't so fully expecting him to sign me off on full pay but to my amazement he changed my working conditions totally which enabled me to go back for weeks 30-36. It was a real life saver in terms of my mental health as I was going stir-crazy at home.

Just something else for you to think about. Ultimately though, as I'm sure you're aware, you and baby are the most important people here!

Good luck

Welshlassie

Thanks guys.
I wasn't really looking for permission (or was I?) I do feel guilty going off and know I shouldn't but I'm built that way, especially as me not completing my targets affects the whole teams targets and we are already short staffed so struggling.
I've got a long weekend so hoping 3 days with little planned will help and I'll make it in Monday. I'm off to my GP tomorrow where I'll mention my concerns and see what he suggests, there is always the chance I will improve with rest, but as my pelvis is separating I'm not hopeful!
I suppose I'm just worried what I would do to keep myself sane should I go off, I'm the type of person that needs to keep busy, my DS is 3 and has his own social life with his dad (SAHD) during the day and I know I wouldn't be able to keep up with it.

jenhug

have you tried reflexology?

meritaten

my daughter had SPD and was on crutches for months during her last pregnancy, so I understand how debilitating it can be. hun, if you are making mistakes due to pain then I would go on the sick immediately!
As another poster said sometimes it seems to fix itself, and if your boss is agreeable you could go back to work.
as for the pain, daughter found acupuncture (available on nHS) helpful, but didnt take away the pain completely.
Reiki was helpful during acute bouts, you may like to try it - at the very least it calms the mind and relaxes you.