Thought I was starting to get sorted - but illness has set me back

tlc678910

Hi OP,
When you say there is no work going to apply for I wonder if you are limiting yourself to looking at only in your existing field?

I work in care and (in my area) there are always lots of care jobs advertised, even when there is nothing else. Could you consider care - could be elderly care, people with learning disabilities, children, vulnerable people. Residential or in people's own homes/the community. There can be a reasonable amount of independent working if you are sick colleagues on your back. Lots of places consider people with only informal life experience in caring.

At this time of year lots of retail and service sector employers advertise. Although they will be likely to let a lot of these people go in the new year. This could provide some experience to change sector.

I don't know what you do and I appreciate that if you are skilled/senior you might feel these jobs are a step down, but at the moment you are too unhappy to go to work. If you can't see this changing you've got to make a change. After you get some experience these sectors also need senior staff and managers.

What do you like about your job and sector? Is it worth fighting for?

Tlc

JustAboutThere

AdviceSought wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience with income protection insurance? Was wondering if it's something I should consider if I'm essentially not going to get anything other than SSP if I'm ill.

They look pretty cheap, are they too good to be true?

Whilst I haven't had to use these, wouldn't they have pre-existing conditions specifically excluded?

I would think anything that mentioned stress would be on that list for you.

I'm sorry.

Others may have more experience with these products and be better placed to confirm.

Take care of yourself.

AdviceSought

So, after just about coping, I've had a really bad morning after now getting put under pressure at work again.

I think I'll need to go back to the GP, but I'm convinced they'll look to sign me off again, and I really can't afford any more time on SSP.

If there was even the remotest chance of picking up a new job in the short-term, I'd hand in my notice, as these mental issues are almost all work related.

Problem is, I can't afford to take the risk due to:

DPP of approx £780 per month;
Car HP of £220
Car insurance of £21
Car Tax of approx £10
Mobile Phone of approx £35/£40

Being on JSA for any period of time would cause real problems with all of those.

I honestly don't know what to do for the best.

EssexHebridean

Have you tried any of the anxiety/stress related coping mechanisms that can be found on sites online? I put details about one such site in my very first reply to your thread - if you've not tried it, I really suggest you do - don't just dismiss it as "it won't work" - it really can do!

Next thing if that's not working is to return to the GP. Explain that being signed off again will only increase, not decrease, the stress, due to the financial issues. Doctors have heard this before - trust me. Ask what other options he can suggest. It *might* be that he suggests medication is worth a try. Again if so, don't dismiss this out of hand - this type of medication has come a long way since the days of people getting bunged on "tranquilisers" and left there!

Scour EVERYWHERE for job opportunities. Ask around amongst family and friends too. If nothing else, at least that leaves you feeling like you're trying to do something to sort things. There IS another job out there for you if your current one isn't right - it's just a matter of finding it.

AdviceSought

Hi

Yes, I've tried looking at a few things, and the thing on youtube the GP suggested. It was generally working ok until today.

As for job opportunities, I've been looking on every website that advertises jobs here, constantly emailing recruitment agencies, there's absolutely nothing out there.

The last time I got a new job, it took me about four years of trying. I don't think I can wait anything like that time again.

As for the GP, I fear that my best/only option now is going to be asking to go on medication to get me through for now. Although I really don't want to be reliant on them for what is, primarily, a work related issue.

nkkingston

At least you;'ll know that you can come off them again, though, when you do find another job.

Do you have any skills or creative talents you could use to (a) burn off some of the work stress and (b) make a little extra money? Sell tea cosies on etsy, short stories through amazon, paintings through deviantart...

AdviceSought

nkkingston wrote: »

At least you;'ll know that you can come off them again, though, when you do find another job.

Do you have any skills or creative talents you could use to (a) burn off some of the work stress and (b) make a little extra money? Sell tea cosies on etsy, short stories through amazon, paintings through deviantart...

Hey, I've now been back to the doctor as things got worse.

He wanted to sign me off again, but that's really not an option for me at all given my financial predicament, so I've had to agree to go on meds.

So far, they've left me feeling tired and lethargic, which is a big worry.

Absolutely nothing I can do to make any extra money unfortunately.

As for coming off them when I find a new job, given the way things are here, I think I'm going to be stuck in my situation for the long-term.

nkkingston

There are multiple different options, so if the ones you're on don't suit you tell your doctor and see if s/he can find some that work better. Tiredness can be quite a common side effect, so sometime it takes a few tries to find the best meds for you. In the meantime, a lot of people swear by vitamin B12.

In terms of extra cash, have you tried surveys? I've made a couple of hundred quid this year on Opinion Outpost, which isn't much, but definitely helps. I tend to take it as Amazon vouchers to save me on present shopping.

AdviceSought

nkkingston wrote: »

There are multiple different options, so if the ones you're on don't suit you tell your doctor and see if s/he can find some that work better. Tiredness can be quite a common side effect, so sometime it takes a few tries to find the best meds for you. In the meantime, a lot of people swear by vitamin B12.

In terms of extra cash, have you tried surveys? I've made a couple of hundred quid this year on Opinion Outpost, which isn't much, but definitely helps. I tend to take it as Amazon vouchers to save me on present shopping.

Hi

So, I've now been back to the GP a couple of times. I'm told it's normal that I'm still struggling at this stage. First time back, it was suggested I start taking them in the evening rather than in the morning to see if that works.

More worryingly, I've now had to be signed off again, which will mean more lost money. I was already going to have to be working extra hours/weekends to make up for days I'd missed when knocked for six by the meds. This won't be possible now, meaning January will be awful for me financially.

Will now be short on my DPP for the 3rd month in a row.

As for the this month, I'm now down to my last £20 and don't get paid again until the 30th.

This is a horribly vicious circle that I'm trapped in.

As for survey things, yeah, I use yougov, panelbase and prolific.ac - don't ever get much from them though.

AdviceSought

So, my GP changed my anti-depressants after I ended up being signed off again.

My medical certificate expired and I was going to go back to work on Monday, but the initial side-effects of my new medication has left me feeling pretty much like zombie and I've been unable to go in.

I've not long woken today and picked up my mail.

I have received a written warning from my employer about my level of absence and they are looking for consent to see my medical records in relation to my absences.

I must say this is now leaving me absolutely terrified.

I really don't know what to do.