Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've not slept all night and now got to do a 12 hour shift in hospital

44 replies

sunshineandkindle · 17/10/2025 06:02

Would you do it? I started a new medication for my fibromyalgia and I haven't slept the whole night as it turned me into an insominic. Aibu to call in sick

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 17/10/2025 07:11

Call in sick. This is why I gave up nursing when they went over to 12 hour shifts. If you are feeling out of sorts it isnt possible to work for 12 hours. We used to work 7.5 hour shifts early or late and you could manage a short shift.
Im in podiatry now we work 9 to 4.30 with weekends off and there isnt a lot of sickness as a result.

Keepingittogetherstepbystep · 17/10/2025 07:10

No sleep, new medication and fibro are not a good combination regardless of what department your work in.

You're risking flaring harder for longer if you try to push yourself too hard. Might be better 1 day now than ending up off for longer in the next few weeks.

Tamfs · 17/10/2025 07:09

If you are clinical staff, it would be unethical for you to try to work through a twelve hour shift on no sleep at all. It's not your fault you've had a bad reaction to medication.

ArcticBells · 17/10/2025 07:09

Depends on your job

dollyblue01 · 17/10/2025 07:08

Call in sick

Dolphinnoises · 17/10/2025 07:07

I did this when pregnant after all-night insomnia. It wasn’t a life or death job, but it was one where a silly mistake could be career ending.

Sevillian · 17/10/2025 07:07

Call in sick.

MultiFucktional · 17/10/2025 07:03

Not Amitriptyline is it?
It did the same to me, despite it having a sedative effect on most people. I did Google and there are others who react the same.

No, in your shoes I couldn’t go to work. I hope you manage a nap today and a good sleep tonight.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 17/10/2025 07:01

In my job, I'd push through. In your job (if you're front-line medical), I'd call in sick.

It isn't as much for your benefit as for the benefit of the patients. What if you make a mistake? Life and death and all that.

MrsDoubtfire1 · 17/10/2025 07:01

Please call in sick and spend the day sleeping. You will need to get your meds sorted to avoid another repeat. This is not your fault. You are a victim of the medication.

PersephoneParlormaid · 17/10/2025 07:00

You will get through it.

Picklepucklebuckle · 17/10/2025 06:46

If you’re clinical please call in sick. I know how hard it is to let your team down, I’ve been there. But you could make a catastrophic mistake that costs someone their lives and your registration

Bishopstail · 17/10/2025 06:20

I'd call in sick if you're a nurse. You've had a bad reaction to new medication.

FenceBooksCycle · 17/10/2025 06:13

You are sick. You can't work in this state because a bad reaction to a new medication for a painful medical condition has left you incapable of working today.

Olive42 · 17/10/2025 06:08

YANBU to call in sick as no sleep at all is very difficult. Depends on role and how you actually feel. I have been in to work as a secondary school teacher with two hours sleep due to baby being unwell but it wasn’t easy but doable for a short period of time. How long will the medication have this side effect? Can your doctor give you anything to counteract this side effect if it continues? 💐

ThinkSoList · 17/10/2025 06:06

I would. And have done longer hours on no sleep. I hate letting colleagues and patients down. But it is your call.

nellietheellie75 · 17/10/2025 06:05

Depends what your role is

LameBorzoi · 17/10/2025 06:04

You can't make decisions on no sleep. It's not safe. Call in sick.

CheeseDreamsTonight · 17/10/2025 06:03

Depends what your job is. Office, go for it. Life changing decisions or surgery? Maybe not

Swipe left for the next trending thread