Made the very difficult decision that I probably can't return to my job - I'm devastated. — Scope | Disability forum
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Made the very difficult decision that I probably can't return to my job - I'm devastated.

ClareG81
ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
edited March 2019 in Work and employment
Been in pain on and off for years and MRI reports a large disc bulge in my back, which chiropractor thinks is as a result of my pelvis not working properly. Made the very very difficult decision that I probably can't return to my job due to all the driving/inconsistency/carrying a heavy work bag. I'm devastated. I really need to accept that this is long term and make some real adjustments to my lifestyle which is hard.

Comments

  • annedh
    annedh Community member Posts: 12 Listener
    Clare, I went though having to accept i could not keep living on pain killers and had to leave the profession I loved. I had CBT which really helped. I kind of mourned the loss of my job and lifestyle and learned that a new life goes on. Give it a try. I know how tough it is
     Anne
  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,780 Pioneering
    Hi @ClareG81 I am sorry to hear this. How are you doing today? You may have an interest in homeworking. Please keep us updated and let us know if you have any questions. We are here to support you.
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @ClareG81 and welcome

    It is a very hard thing to do if you have had an active role. Have you spoken/discussed with your GP what the long term prognosis is ?
    Once you have explored all the possibilities then the decision becomes easier, but not easy.
    Are there other work possibilities that you can explore ?
    You don't say how old you are ( I would not ask a lady that question normally ) but if you are to "retire " early, then it is important to to plan ahead. Day time tele is not all it is cracked up to be
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • ClareG81
    ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thanks for reply! I need to speak to GP but she doesn't know as much as orthopaedic doctor and I think I've been discharged from her. She said 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same and 1/3 get worse and I feel like mine has got worse. However I've got a great book with loads of exercises in so going to get signed off for another month and be religious with these in the hope that it improves things enough for me to go back. I'm 37 so lots of time yet! It's so depressing living with something chronic right? And I think I've got to shift my mind set to that rather than pretending it will go away. ?
  • ClareG81
    ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thanks everyone else! New to the site and didn't realise I had replies. It is really hard. If I can't return to my job (mental health/attachment nursing in the community) then there would possibly be roles I could do within our trust. 
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi Clare

    It is necessary to accept that adjustments are going to have to be made, leaving a job/vocation that you love is a hard thing to have to do but your health must come first. It is a good idea to explore the other roles that maybe available, you have the right mind set to carry on doing great work. To many people think " Oh i've got an ingrowing toe nail I have to stop work and live on benefits "
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @ClareG81

    I just wanted to pick up on something you mentioned - 'It's so depressing living with something chronic right?' Yes to a certain extent. In the morning it currently takes me 25 minutes to get to the station to get the train to work, in the evening it takes me up to an hour to do the same walk back home.  By the time I get home the pain is aweful and there is no quick relief. 30 minutes lying on my back increases the pain to begin with and is uncomfortable while my back relaxes. I get my dinner out of the microwave and then start thinking about getting to bed. Restless leg syndrome, cramp and having to go to the toilet means I don't get a full night rest.

    That doesn't get me down, what gets me down more is when I think about the times I spend with my daughter. We enjoy going to see musicals together, but after the last time I had to let her know that I probably would not do it again simply because of the pain levels. The last one was to see hamilton, I remember very little of the show though we had waited months to go. I worry that most of her memories of her time with me are coloured because I have to struggle to cope rather than just enjoying what is going on.

    But as you mentioned it is about changing your frame of mind, being positive and realistic with what you can do. For years I have wanted to do a boating holiday on the Broads. I now have the money to do so and asked my daughter if she would like to go on  holiday with me, the wife has never wanted to do this. A couple of days later my daughter had us booked for the holiday in October. For some reason coach is quicker than train so we will get a cab to the coach station, spend the afternoon and evening in Norwich the night before meaning we can have a relaxed 15 minute journey at the end to begin our holiday. I don't expect the holiday to be pain free, but will mean it won't be a major feature of our time together and hopefully my daughter will build a lot of happy memories. Probably at my expense trying to dock the boat. This year we are only going for four nights and when the Broads are less busy, but if we do enjoy it then we will look at either doing a longer period next year, or perhaps two short breaks.

    I guess I was lucky in some ways as I was told early on - three years after the sciatica had become an issue - that I would always be in pain, it was only a matter of how much and how I coped with it. I have also been lucky that because my current employer took me on because I have a disability and I have had very understanding managers. My current manager has been a diamond, working with me to get adjustments in place to help me cope, and which helped to reduce my sick leave. 

    My view is I would still be in pain if I was in or out of work, work helps to give me focus and purpose. It also helps me to live at a comfortable level where I still have to manage my money, but earn enough for little luxuries which make the pain worth while for me. I guess the trick is to focus on what is important to you and finding right frame of mind for you to make it work, and being realistic about what you can cope with at work, and looking for alternatives if necessary is part of that transition. 

    Good luck.




    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
    Having to stop working due to health problems or becoming disabled is a life changing thing. If you have done, working at the same place for a long time getting used to the coming changes is difficult to accept especially if you have a long working life ahead but can only see emptiness or nothingness. What will I do, I can’t earn a living, will I have a enough to live on, how much will my lifestyle change will I be able to participate in my hobbies and interests. A lot of these will depend on your disability and mobility issues. Myself having had spinal decompression surgery and looking forward to a return to work farming for over 40 years my recovery was not progressing so after three MRI scans I was diagnosed with MS early signs so my working life was ended as my place of employment could not make adaptations to accommodate my disability, balance and mobility issues. I had to inform DVLA and surrender my full driving licencse and apply for a basic three year car license. I now use two mobility scooters one lives in the car and the bigger off road one is used for dog walking. Keeping the garden tidy is painfully slow and tiring. My church ministry had to stop unable to stand and move freely around the alter and church, pastoral visits have stoped cannot do steps ect but the phone is a substitute. There are a lot of friendly people out there who will stop and talk with you and enjoy a banter.
  • LaughingLolly
    LaughingLolly Community member Posts: 100 Pioneering
    edited March 2019
    Would you consider accessing Access To Work or the job advisor on SCOPE to help you think of ways around your work and staying out @ClareG81 ?
    A laugh a day keeps the psychiatrist at bay. 
  • ClareG81
    ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Ooh that's a good idea. I must check it out...
  • ClareG81
    ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Wilko I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis ?
  • ClareG81
    ClareG81 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    @Geoark can I ask what is wrong with your back? I live in Norwich! 
  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @ClareG81

    The last I heard there is an issue with L4 and L5 (I think). There are two pains I get, one is a constant dull pain that can increase during the day, the second is a sharp pain which I normally experience towards the end of the day. But it does go in cycles and winter seems to be worse than summer.  I get the occassional sharp pain going down my left leg, feels like liquid fire suddenly shoots through my leg. Fortunately this pain is over very quickly and while I start to stumble I can usually stop myself from falling. More often I get a warm feeling going more slowly down my leg, when it first started I actually thought I was wetting myself.

    On top of this if I sit too long I can go numb from the waist down so at home at least I will suddenly get up and walk to the end of the kitchen and back. Early morning I find very difficult as my leg muscles have contracted over the years and I find it difficult to stretch my legs properly, so the first dozen steps or so I am very unstable. This happens at work but not to such a great extent, but my walk is awkward or on occassion I will immediately fall back into my seat if I get up too quickly. More than one medical person has told me I have the legs of an athlete - I wished!

    I have similar issues with the lattimus dorsi muscles. Not much fun when you laugh and your suddenly in a lot of pain, but life is too short not to laugh. I have love hate feelings for Jeff Dunham and his puppets!


    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

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