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Occupational Health - been off sick with Work related stress for 6 weeks

Posted , 8 users are following.

james61783
james61783

I have been off work with work related stress since the beginning of December 15. I have been on Sertaline for 6 weeks on 50g which has really knocked me for six. I have been having a lot of nasty side effects like not sleeping, shaking, numbness on my left hand side. The anxiety kicks in from time to time and have some valium to take the edge off it.

Received a letter from work asking me to appear to meet their occupattional health person to get checked out,.My GP has signed me off so why do I have to do this. I feel totally stressed out about it. Can some one relate and give me advice?

Thanks

James

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

  • ash97249
    ash97249 james61783

    Posted

    When my husband has been off work sick, after around 6 weeks they refer him to their occupation health people to see how he is (routine in most companies) it's to see if your fit for work, but they can't over rule your GP so don't worry about it at all, it wil make u more anxious, the sertraline does make u abit insomniatic for a good 8-10 weeks but It will wear off and your sleeping pattern will b back to normal, I am 4 weeks into sertraline and not sleeping well at all, I sleep for a few hours then just drift on and off and wake around 4:30am for the day, the 1st time I was on it it did the same but after 8 weeks I was sleeping right through, make sure u take your medication on a morning x
    • james61783
      james61783 ash97249

      Posted

      Thanks Ash. It's just been a rollercoaster. It just freaked me out. I really do think my employer just wants a excuse to fire me. It's mainly down to them why I am off sick.. couldn't take the micromangement and undermining and lack of suppprt from them any more. It's horrible!
  • paul89462
    paul89462 james61783

    Posted

    Safe to say it is a nasty drug my list of side effects was long and hard to live with. I am now off sertraline could not stick it any longer they ruined my life and must admit I feel so much better. Still have a few stomach and bowel problems and a three stone weight loss with the odd brain shock but in general I am much better off them. 
    • Pauljdme
      Pauljdme paul89462

      Posted

      And it's safe to say that sertraline saved my life. It's a bit like peanut butter, for most it's good, for a minority it can be bad...
  • philip46747
    philip46747 james61783

    Posted

    I was the same, I went to my occupational thing and the woman agreed with my doctor, at the time, my boss agreed, 6 months later they sacked me, I then realised that all my anxiety was work related and I have improved a lot better and quicker without them keeping on asking when I would be back, if it's work related stress anxiety, just think about it and would you be better without them, maybe find something else, I've been out of work for a year now.
  • Pauljdme
    Pauljdme james61783

    Posted

    James maybe you should get out of that job, your health is more important. Can't believe how people are treated in the work place these days, Bring back the unions I say. Get well soon James : )
  • jane05636
    jane05636 james61783

    Posted

    Hi James

    I had a similar experience with work and coming on and off anti depressant. Coming off seroxat made me so ill and.anxious coupled with ongoing work related stress. My organisation and line manager were not suppotive at all and kept harassing me eventually sending me to occ health which I freaked out about. In the end it worked in my favour as he wrote a very supportive report to employer and also suggested they need to back off and stop exacerbating the situation. In the end I was moved teams as I complained about HR and line manager (which felt like I was bejng punished) but now I am much happier as have understanding line manager who supported me while going on sertraline and having a lot of.sickness and bad side effects. I am now over the worst but I got a lot worse before I got better and had quite a lot of valium. Try stick it out for few more weeks and the occ. Health professionals should help you through process. Ask your GP. What other support there is.like.talk therapy too. Good luck.

  • Tezes
    Tezes james61783

    Posted

    If you are in a union contact them for support, if not can you join one?. I was in the same position and had regular mtg,s with OH, HR and my manager, the difference in all their attitudes towards me when I took my union rep along was remarkable !!
  • eve83767
    eve83767 james61783

    Posted

    You are doing everything right and should meet with them. They have to follow strict procedures as well. You should keep your doctor informed as you may need to go up or down on meds to taper them out
  • james61783
    james61783

    Posted

    Update - I have my appointment for the OH on Tuesday. I am totally bricking it. I'm in knots and I can't sleep again. My work have been so quiet too. They haven't even asked me why I went off sick or queried why the fit note from the GP said Work related stress as the reason for not being fit for work.  It feels like they are playing mind games with me!
    • philip46747
      philip46747 james61783

      Posted

      Don't panic the OH WILL AGREE WITH YOU if you aren't able to work they can't go against your doctor, it's just something employers do for a second opinion.
    • james61783
      james61783 philip46747

      Posted

      Hey Philip. You were right.. thank you! I had my appointment at 2pm and it seemed to go OK. They were very friendly and impartial. I saw the report that they are going to send to my employer. They really listened and gave me advice. My work have been radio silence since this all happened, no calls or even a visit which made me feel very isolated. I have to fil in a personal stress risk assesment form and put down all my reasons why I have been off work. They will review it and pass it to my employer to fill in. The OH will then prepare an action plan for me before I return to work in phased stages. I still think I will be sacked but at least I can say to my employer that it's contructive dismissal. I am not scared anymore!
    • philip46747
      philip46747 james61783

      Posted

      Good good, I took my employer to court as they can't sack you unless it's over a certain time, check your terms in your contract.
    • james61783
      james61783 philip46747

      Posted

      Hi Philip. Not bad, good days and bad. I have a meeting with my employer this week so hopefully something might come out of it. How are you?
    • philip46747
      philip46747 james61783

      Posted

      Yeh not too bad, have a bad Tummy over the weekend but that's passed, seem to be struggling with heartburn at night.
    • james61783
      james61783 philip46747

      Posted

      I was the same over the weekend and my sleep pattern is out the window too. The weekend was just a blur! I have my meeting with my employer at the end of the week. Saw the Dr today as the OH had asked her for a medical report and I ask to see it before it was released. It seemed fine. I just hope work can make the ajustments... doubt it!
    • james61783
      james61783 philip46747

      Posted

      Well I went back to work on Monday and just worked the mornings all week which has been good as work have agreed a plan for me to come back part time until I am ready to work a full week. Got some really good news from the OH today. My employers OH has agreed with my GP that my anxiety and depression (work related stress) was caused by work factors. Makes me feel vindicated at last. I think my employers are well shocked but I don't think they will ever change. At least I have evidence from 2 medical professionals that my illness was work related!
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