Going back to work and other mh stuff *updated again*

xXMessedUpXx · 10-03-2009, 06:02 PM

hey

i've been off work for a week now and there's pressure on me to go back asap (i work for a bookies-and its a massive racing festival this week) but i can't. I had a massive relapse last saturday, partly due to not taking my meds and partly due to alcohol and a massive row with my bf. I was threatening to kill myself and begging to be sectioned apparently (my memory is a bit hazy),

I went into work last monday and just broke down. i couldn't stop panicking. I felt like i had to get away from there. I also knew i needed to see a doctor. Ended up calling my doctors who gave me another scrip and an appoinment with my doc on the wednesday.

My doctor thinks this is just down to me not having my meds, even though i was feeling suicidal and si-ing before i ran out. I have another appointment with her tomorrow. which is just as well because i'm not sleeping either.i keep having nightmares for the few hours i do sleep.

i want to cut my hours down to 25 a week but i don't think work will be so accomodating if i miss anymore of this stupid week.

my heads a mess and i can't even leave the house unless someone comes with me. i can't sleep and can't eat. but they want me to go back. i don't know what to do, i'm so scared i'm going to lose my job. they've been firing people left right and centre, especially for absences. would they be allowed to fire me if i'm off cos of my depression??

sorry for this being so hard to read. not really with it right now to making things make sense is harder than usual

*updated on last post*

tamobhuuta · 10-03-2009, 07:38 PM

when you see the doctor on wednesday, could you get a letter from him explaining to work why you've had time off (especially if you think you're going to need more)?
i hope it's helpful to see the doctor tomorrow.
xxx

sherlock holmes · 10-03-2009, 07:48 PM

Can you get a sick note from your doctor?

I dont think they can fire you for being unwell with mental health problems, but it does happen unfortunately.

Have you told them why you haven't been to work?

Katiee · 10-03-2009, 09:26 PM

Hun, could you possibly get a sick note from the doctor?
If not, maybe you could talk to your boss about this. Take care. xx

Ami · 10-03-2009, 09:32 PM

I was only at my job for 3 weeks, when i took a month off work. I *think* it breaches health and safety act if an employer forces you to work when you're not competent at the minute. ((i think, not 100%))

So if you're ill and could be considered a danger (suicidal feelings) than an employer cant make you work. Depression is an illness too, so if someone was physically unable to work, i dont see the difference. x

startingagain · 10-03-2009, 11:26 PM

If you have had it for over a year you are covered by the DDA. It makes it a lot harder to just sack you. Contact CAB and ask them for advice you may have an advocacy centre nearby as well. MIND could give you some addresses. You could also claim DLA, which may help.

My employer targeted me for MH absences. I took him to a tribunal. However, I do know that what they are supposed to do and what they do are two different things.

At the end of the day your health comes first.

Best wishes xx

Sleepless123 · 10-03-2009, 11:36 PM

Sorry your having a hard time.

Good luck at the doctors tomoro and i hope that they listen and are supportive and can help you work out what to do about work/give you a sick note if you need one etc.

i know its hard and there are obviously pressures at your place of work right now but you shouldnt feel pushed to go back especially if you arent feeling ready.

i hope that this gets sorted [and im sure you could do without the extra stress this must be causing!] and i also hope things improve for you soon and you start to feel at least a little better.

xXMessedUpXx · 11-03-2009, 02:21 AM

hey, thanks for the replies, thought i'd add a bit seeing as i can't sleep for love nor money...again

i'm going to need a sick note anyway now cos i've been off 8 days (apparently). my team leader emailed me earlier to check how i was, i told her how i've been and asked her bout cutting my hours but haven't heard back yet. i havent been sleeping properly and think i need to mention it to the doc but i dont know what she can offer me? she's reluctant to up my meds cos of my "hap-hazard" taking of them anyway so i get the feeling she won'd want to give me sleeping tablets.

i'll let you know how the docs appt goes tomorrow

Ami · 11-03-2009, 08:42 AM

Also, if you're covered by DDA, they have to "make reasonable adjustments" x

xXMessedUpXx · 11-03-2009, 11:19 AM

Not sure if i'm covered by DDA, i've had depression for over 10 years but its gone untreated for a lot of that time.

Been to doctors and she's signed me off work for 2 weeks. She reckons the reason i can't sleep is cos i'm stressing about work so by cutting that out the equation my sleep should get better. Like i thought, she didnt want to give me sleeping tablets, even in the short term. She said changing my meds to ones that help with sleep is an option but not right now cos i've only been back on fluexotine for a week. (what would they change it to anyway???)

Not sure how to feel. Yes it takes away the stress but i still don't think i'll sleep. Got some OTC sleeping tablets from the pharmacy..maybe they'll help unlike crappy nytol...

so yeah...mixed feelings really...least work won't sack me now i have a sick note....i hope

xXMessedUpXx · 11-03-2009, 06:17 PM

quick question...

does anyone know what anti-depressent i'm likely to get switched to? doc said it'd be one which would help with sleep (so im assuming its taken at night and makes you drowsy if that nrrows it down)???

xXMessedUpXx · 12-03-2009, 03:06 PM

woah

those OTC sleeping tablets worked....if only a a little too well

sherlock holmes · 12-03-2009, 05:10 PM

Possibly something like mirtazapine or trazodone.

Does your GP know you are using OTC sleeping pills?

xXMessedUpXx · 12-03-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by control freak

Possibly something like mirtazapine or trazodone.

Does your GP know you are using OTC sleeping pills?

i kind of got the otc sleeping pills after my GP appointment....

(my bad...but i was desperate

)

i have checked for interactions and there don't seem to be any

but i suppose that isn't the point...i tried sleeping last night but couldn't felt like i was going insane (again) so resorted the the sleeping pills.

xXMessedUpXx · 18-03-2009, 06:05 PM

New problem. Well i'm not sure if its new per say. I think i'm just noticing it more at the moment. When i've SI'd it feels like i'm just watching it happen. And on two occasions in the past 4 days i've sat arguing with myself. I keep hearing myself tell me what a bad person i am, how i should die and i cant tune it out. I have to argue with myself to stop it.

i know i should probably tell my doc or someone but i can't take more time off from work. and its really hard to explain it to ppl. i don't know what to do.

startingagain · 18-03-2009, 06:58 PM

I think you need to go back to your doctor and tell them about the other tablets you are taking. You could ring up NHS direct and ask as well. Maybe it is making you worse?
If you can't talk to your doctor, then write it down. They can't help if they don't know.

x

xXMessedUpXx · 18-03-2009, 11:28 PM

you're probably right

gonna try not to take the other tablets to see if that helps as well.

i hate feeling so screwed up

xXMessedUpXx · 23-03-2009, 02:55 PM

I can't go back. Rang to doctors on friday but the soonest they can see me is tomorrow. The doctor i spoke to just said to increase my fluoxetine dosage till then. I'm falling apart. If i go back i will kill myself. Can't stop SI'ing and on top of all of this my bf is currently at a meeting to find out if work are going to fire him.

tamobhuuta · 23-03-2009, 07:59 PM

don't go back then, that's ok. i don't have any advice but i wanted to offer you hugs *offers*

startingagain · 24-03-2009, 12:43 AM

You will be covered by the DDA just for the SH part.

Have you thought of claiming DLA? It isn't much, but could give you the financial breathing space that you need at the moment to recover. It also opens up other areas of financial support. You may also not have to pay council tax for instance. When you see ask your doctor, as they are the ones that will be contacted.
Remember that you can always ring NHS direct or call the out of hours doctor. I have cried loads to the nurses at NHS direct and they have always been lovely.