Just been sent home from work for falling asleep at my desk - really worried

no.1swimmum

As my title says I was sent home earlier for falling asleep at my desk - this is the second time that I have fallen asleep at work, although the first time was during my lunch period so not a problem. I am now really worried about what will happen next - but let me explain a little.

I have just had my third set of blood tests done at GP's (on Monday) because I am chronically tired all the time and can not sit down without falling asleep or nearly falling asleep - this is not for lack of sleep either - last night I was in bed at 8.30 and woke up at 6.45 this morning. I am in my mid 40's and the first 2 sets of blood tests have shown nothing - this is just not like me at all.

My boss knows that I have been under my GP but I am really worried and confused - why this is happening. Can I loose my job over this or am I worrying about nothing.

stephent82

If you are a member of a union contact the ASAP. If you are not I would suggest joining one. You may wish to get in-touch with the Citizens Advice to know your legal rights.

The issue here is that other than telling your manager that you are seeing your GP regarding this, there is no tangible proof. If you can, visit your doctor today and get a note stating that you have been seeing him and why - they may charge for this.

Taking time off work may be adventitious in this situation.

This could turn into a bit of a hoo-ha if your employer is not very understanding so I would do everything you can now to protect yourself.

saintjammyswine

It could be a form of Narcolepsy, a colleague of mine has a TENS machine on her leg that she needs to have on all day for the same reason.

dickydonkin

stephent82 wrote: »

If you are a member of a union contact the ASAP. If you are not I would suggest joining one. You may wish to get in-touch with the Citizens Advice to know your legal rights.

The issue here is that other than telling your manager that you are seeing your GP regarding this, there is no tangible proof. If you can, visit your doctor today and get a note stating that you have been seeing him and why - they may charge for this.

Taking time off work may be adventitious in this situation.

This could turn into a bit of a hoo-ha if your employer is not very understanding so I would do everything you can now to protect yourself.

Isn't a note of confirmation from the doctor 'tangible proof'?

As for the OP's condition - I used to work with a guy who would fall asleep at work - however, he was grossly overweight and was eventually diagnosed with sleep apnoea.

Some saving grace seems that the OP does not operate work equipment, however, I would worry if s/he drives into work.

heretolearn_2

My first thought was sleep apnoea too - is your doctor talking about this as well as blood tests? Worked with someone who kept falling asleep all the time and this was his problem. Most people with it don't realise themselves.

98jdougl

Has your doctor tested for coeliac? Myself and my mother both have it, my mum was crying every morning before going to work because of how tired she was which was related to the coelia - at first the doctors just kept telling her it was the menopause and was normal.
Does your work know that you have been seeing the doctor about this? Was it ever mentioned after the first instance?

no.1swimmum

Thank you for your replies - after having a tearful half hour have calmed down a bit, partly thanks to my boss who rang me during his lunch - he has told me that he knows that this is so out of character for me and has put it down that I went home sick and is not going to mention to anyone higher about me falling asleep, but I am to take the rest of the week off sick and to make another appointment with GP and insist that this is sorted.

I am quite relieved, but still worried what it could be - my GP's first thought was thyroid as my Mum has an underactive thyroid but has tested for diabetes, vitamin d deficiency (which my eldest son has), amongst other things. She has not mentioned narcolepsie (sorry for spelling) but I have an appointment for tomorrow morning so will ask. But I am a woman in her mid 40's, 6ft tall and I weigh around 12st 9 I have put on just over half a stone in the last month - I would not consider that I am overweight by much.

Emmzi

early menopause? that can disturb sleep too - restlessness etc? And cause fatigue in any case, and weight changes.

any idea when the rest of your family started? just another thing to ask the doc.

confused76

I hope you can get to the bottom of this. Are you iron and B12 levels ok as this could also make you very tired. Good luck x