Hi, my name is Germanshepa!

Germanshepa
Germanshepa Community member Posts: 5 Listener
👋, I need some advice on what to do ,ime due into work this mo day ,but am feeling really anxious about going as I do t feel good ,I have degenerative disc and osteoarthritis down my right side ,not sleeping feeling depressed just want to cry so any advice would be helpfull please

Comments

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 6,743 Online Community Coordinator
    Hey there @Germanshepa and welcome to the community. 
    I'm sorry to hear you're not sleeping and depressed. Can I just ask if you've spoken to your GP about this and do you have anyone around who could support you?  We're all here if you need us. 

    What advice are you specifically after? We'll do our best to help. :) 
  • Germanshepa
    Germanshepa Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Tried to get 8nto doctors today to get a sicknote for work on Monday but no appointments ti Monday, and I have a good family connection for support 
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 3,684 Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @Germanshepa, just wanted to pop in to say welcome too :)

    Sorry to hear you're in pain and anxious about work, it sounds really tough. I know how much chronic pain can impact your life, it's not easy at all and can really affect your mental health. Are the people you work with supportive and understanding about your conditions? 

    I hope the doctors are able to help with a sicknote on Monday. 
  • Germanshepa
    Germanshepa Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    My works not supportive at all but if I just leave I miss not get my pension  so ime basically stuck and dont no how to go about getting it on ill health grounds wouldn't no what to do  ut thankyou
  • Letty17
    Letty17 Community member Posts: 11 Listener
    Hi @Germanshepa,
    I feel your pain. I have been suffering from prolapse discs and degenerative disc disease for many years. My experience is that nobody actually cares. I suffer from depression and anxiety and panic attacks these in turn just exacerbate the pain. I am left feeling very lonely.
    I hope you get the help you require. x
  • Germanshepa
    Germanshepa Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Your so true and thankyou
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 3,684 Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @Germanshepa , sorry to hear they're not very supportive, that must be tough. Apologies if this doesn't apply due to your age, but if you are 55 or older you might be able to get ill health retirement. 

    There's some information on the Scope website here: Stopping work and ill health | Disability charity Scope UK

    If you'd like to stay working, is there anything you think your employer could be doing to help? Any reasonable adjustments you think they might be able to do to make things easier for you? If there's a HR department, it might be worth having a conversation with them or your line manager to see if there's anything more that could be done to help you feel more comfortable while working. 

    I hope things start getting better for you soon. We are always here if you need somewhere to rant or chat things through :)
  • Germanshepa
    Germanshepa Community member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thankyou that's very helpfull ,I am atchelly 55 haha so will take a look as that seems the better option thankyou for your help .