Occupational health appointment.

She was very dogmatic about quoting RCOG, was having nothing to do with the fact I'm older and having gone through change may have weaker ligaments, thinner walls. Didn't even ask how repair was done, I said I was aware that certain new surgical techniques being used had quicker recoveries, but she was not willing to even discuss any of that.

Would hate to loose my job through this as I love my job, but I'm not putting myself at risk of further prolapse. Aready had to have this redone.

I did mention about listening to your own body, just ignored me . Can't believe that they appear to be only their to Bully women into returning to work so early. I did find 2 online sites , one does mention that some women may be able to return to normal everyday activity by3/4 weeks. But all she did was take this out of general context. It does further down say that women should not be persuaded into returning to work to early before they are ready and that they should be able to come to an agreement with employer to return to light work and reduced hours.

Managed to track down the leaflet she was on about, she missed out the bit where it says that if heavy manual lifting work may be able to graduat your return with lighter duties and shorter shifts.

She has angered me now ( I'm on war path) I'm going to track down her details and complain!

😠😠😠

Good on you, shame you have to be in this position after all you have been through recently. let's hope your feedback enables them to update their practice and ensure others do not have to go through this.

all the best for your continued recovery x

The leaflet does mention that recovery rates are dependent on types is sugary and types of repair. It is ridiculous that occupational health people can use generalizations like this to enable them to push people back to work before many of them are ready, this will cost the NHS thousands more in long run redoing all these ops. Whatever happened to prevention. Still in shock!!!

Thank you for your kind words

Phyl xx

You have to take the time you need to recover, there is no price on your health.  Definately go back to your GP and have your sick note extended.  Good luck xxx

 

Going to GP tomorrow, had hoped to negotiate a graduated return doing light duties and shorter hours over extra days. But am now unsure about that it looks like they will try make me go back to normal heavy packing at till and long hours on my feet. So now feel I would be better trying for extension . Only other option is to request 3 months leave without pay if they are prepared to keep my job open, as this is obviously about saving my company money and not wanting to pay sick pay!

Can't see how else I will get proper healing time in deep tissues!

Their are some kind of new laws now that they seemingly do not need to accept GPS fit for work note. Very little interest shown in employees long term health.no concern given to potential cost to NHS for repair where damage is done again!

How are things going for you?

Phyl xx

My occupational health letter has know name or address of the lady (not that she was very lady like) who interviewed me. So unlikely I can pursue this. Can't remember the name she gave me. All set up to protect themselves.

Pretty awful when we pay into NI for years and never off sick, and we actually need time off they conceive ways to wriggle out of paying up.

Never hear these stories on the news!

Phyl xx

All going well for me feel as though I have turned a corner this week, 7 weeks 1 day.... Aww you sound as though you have a really physically demanding job and need the extra time off xx

You could contact your HR and ask for the address or use the address of the location you attended for your appointment?  Good luck xx

I've I went back on their terms would be on the till for 5 hours scanning shopping, milk heavy, bags of potatoes, cat litter, cases of beer, and large pack of soft drinks. It would be the continual shifting of weight all they hours. And when on self scan can be very busy your rushing about from one till point to another .

Glad to hear all going well can't wait to reach 7/ 8 weeks will start ironing and hovering next week, have been doing pelvic floor exercises up to about 4 times a day, can feel things drawing in across lower ab... and can do now quite strongly without causing any discomfort.

Appreciate all your kind words, was feeling pretty isolated.

Phyl xx

After I see my GP will contact my own store, will ask them for her details, would like to know who it was who is setting themselves up as expert , who has no people skills and was insulting to say the least. I'm glad Im not easily angered, I tend to shut done in shock when being verbally attacked, not that I've ever really been verbally attacked like that before.

Phyl xx

Oh, you can't be doing that and undo all of your hard work so far....  I'm still not hovering, I drove for the first time today...  I can feel the difference this week and it feels good.

I know you can feel isolated as though all the world is getting on with life while your stuck at home trying to make it through the day... this site has kept me sane!

Good luck with the recovery xxx 

 

Thank you again for your kind words, and you are right this site is so important it let's us know that everyone else feels the same, and that we are not avoiding work and doing our best to recovery as quickly as we can without doing damage that would nessesitate further damage to our long term health.

I don't drive but can imagine what it must be like having to go without your car when use to being able to jump in and go whenever it suits!

Happy driving,

Phyl xx

aww you are welcome.  I know, without this site I would be tempted to go back to work too soon.  You definately need time to recover fully.  It's just so frustrating that the people who should be supportive have not been in this regard.  You would think the occ health nurse would have the necessary knowledge and skill set to deal with people in an individual holistic manner..... argg it is frustrating.  Thankfully we have the wise words of Matron.  

Good luck with everything xxx

She already new exactly what she was going to write before she even seen me, she had a few pre set questions but overall was not interested in anything I had to say except what was going to support her pre writen report.

She is meant to be there in the interests of both employer and employee, but really just their to bull employees back to work at 3/4 weeks, mainly to save on sick pay.

If they say you should return to work with no guarantee of graduated return or light duties at 3/4 weeks and you don't go back they can then sack you. Can also sack u for not going to meeting.

Don't know if anyone has refused to give permission to submit their report before, had a look on line under occupational health and my company comes up 1st, with many online complaints. Hubby reckons it's the fault of false claims of people who have nothing wrong with them. Anyhow company I work for has really bad press with regard to this subject.

So it looks like I probably will have no job to go back to! Upsetting, as I was counting on overtime in June for my holiday money!

Phyl xx

How awful for you Phyllis, it sounds like an awful company to work for with that attitude.  Your health comes first xx

They have their own wellbeing adviser based in one of the local stores, but she covers all the local ones. She is primarily contracted to save the company money, under the guise of representing both parties, she earns a particular amount just for doing the report and getting people back to work.

I had already previously spoke to my manager and had already agreed to return at 6 weeks if offer of light duties on the table. So was completely taken off guard by this, their was no warning at all that I would be subjected to bullying tactics like this!

I dread to think what other before me or after me will be subjected too. Younger women may be able to recover quicker if had minimal invasive surgery , but wait till they go through menopause and find that recovery is not so quick or successful! The support systems that were in place are slowly being eroded.

Phyl xx

You have every right to complain. Are you sure she was a nurse? You don't need her name 😘

She is a well being adviser who is there to advice the company who has hired her. I did ask her if she was a specialist in surgical gynaecology. She said no. I meant to ask her name when calling my work to let them know that my GP has advised not to return to work for at least another 4 weeks and after that only if guaranteed light duties, at least until I've seen my consultant. She assured me that if she gives me a not fit for work line there is nothing they can do and agreed that just as well I did not give her permission to submit her report based on her own opinion as they would have had me Back on heavy duties.

You know they get over £150- just for writing a report and persuading people to go back to work!

I'm appalled phyllis. How dare someone who isn't qualified treat you like that and to think she's probably googling your operation because she knows absolutely nothing about urogynaecology. I am so angry, wait until I tell the Urogynaecologists and specialist nurses I work with at our next meeting.