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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call in sick?

525 replies

iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:50

I’m on my first day back at work after 10 days annual leave.

I was walking down the road this morning when I rolled my ankle and fell, I have horrific grazes on my knee and elbow, and my ankle is swelling up hugely and is painful even at rest.

AIBU to turn up, explain what’s happened and go home? When I’m cleaned up I could probably work but I’m in so much pain at the moment I feel sick, I have two fresh grazes that are about to bleed through my clothes and I don’t know whether the adrenaline carried me to the bus or if I can walk.

OP posts:
bababamama · 09/09/2026 08:20

Go to work, see how it goes. I’ve done similar many times, clumsy! and it looks worse than it is usually

Timeforachange26 · 09/09/2026 08:18

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Doesn't that depend on the job Not everyone can" sit at a desk". She may have a job where she's on her feet all day

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/09/2026 08:18

Hoardasurass · 09/09/2026 08:00

A sprained ankle and skint knee is not a reason to skip work unless you work in a job that involves you being on your feet all day.
If you work in an office you are being absolutely ridiculous, take a couple of ibuprofen and ice your ankle at work and if needed im sure you can get a couple of plasters for your knee from the 1st aid box

This is very unkind. A sprained ankle can be very painful. The OP will need to elevate and ice her ankle. She will probably also need to take lots of painkillers and may still be in pain.

ThisRedStork · 09/09/2026 08:16

TVonyable · 09/09/2026 08:09

Go to work, let your lovely colleagues look after you, when safely there take off your dick and look at the injury, you might need an xray, is there a minor injuries unit nearby? Do any of your colleagues drive to work?

this wasn’t your fault, it’s ok to cry, get looked after

Take off your dick??? Your typo just done me I can’t stop laughing haha

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 08:16

jonesonscam · 09/09/2026 08:14

You are acting a little bit like a child so it tracks. Why haven’t you sought medical attention for your ankle?

Show quote history

This happened literally half an hour ago. I have no means to get to a hospital right now, I’m going to go into work, clean myself up and see how I feel at lunch.

OP posts:
jonesonscam · 09/09/2026 08:14

iminpain · 09/09/2026 08:11

It just really sucks. I feel like a child, who skins their knee and elbow as an adult?!

You are acting a little bit like a child so it tracks. Why haven’t you sought medical attention for your ankle?

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 08:11

It just really sucks. I feel like a child, who skins their knee and elbow as an adult?!

OP posts:
TicTac80 · 09/09/2026 08:11

I think if you're able to get to work, then it would be good to get cleaned up there, and see how you get on. I hope you feel better soon.

TVonyable · 09/09/2026 08:09

Go to work, let your lovely colleagues look after you, when safely there take off your dick and look at the injury, you might need an xray, is there a minor injuries unit nearby? Do any of your colleagues drive to work?

this wasn’t your fault, it’s ok to cry, get looked after

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 08:06

Hoardasurass · 09/09/2026 08:00

A sprained ankle and skint knee is not a reason to skip work unless you work in a job that involves you being on your feet all day.
If you work in an office you are being absolutely ridiculous, take a couple of ibuprofen and ice your ankle at work and if needed im sure you can get a couple of plasters for your knee from the 1st aid box

Realistically I know it’s not but I’m in so much pain, everything feels like it’s burning, I’ve hurt my wrist and elbow too where I went down and everything is just sore

OP posts:
Hoardasurass · 09/09/2026 08:00

A sprained ankle and skint knee is not a reason to skip work unless you work in a job that involves you being on your feet all day.
If you work in an office you are being absolutely ridiculous, take a couple of ibuprofen and ice your ankle at work and if needed im sure you can get a couple of plasters for your knee from the 1st aid box

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:59

ThestoriesIcouldtellyou · 09/09/2026 07:59

I'd see how you are but if you are in work you still need to treat the ankle. You need to elevate it and ice ita bad you'll need some good painkillers.

Yes I definitely need to get it up, it’s swelling to the point my socks feel uncomfortable now

OP posts:
ThestoriesIcouldtellyou · 09/09/2026 07:59

I'd see how you are but if you are in work you still need to treat the ankle. You need to elevate it and ice ita bad you'll need some good painkillers.

mynameiscalypso · 09/09/2026 07:59

One of my team did exactly this last week. She made it in but was clearly in a lot of pain. We paid for her to get an Uber home and then she went to A&E as it turned out she had broken something. No issue at all from my perspective but I’d probably suggest you get yourself some medical attention.

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:59

EppingIsFun · 09/09/2026 07:56

Are your colleagues generally nice, sympathetic people? I'd go in and see if they have a first aid kit, have some painkillers etc. See how it goes. Go home later if it feels really bad still.

Yes, a lovely bunch.

Im worried I may burst into tears if someone is nice to me! I think that’s just the shock though

OP posts:
Quotemenot · 09/09/2026 07:57

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Quotemenot · 09/09/2026 07:56

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EppingIsFun · 09/09/2026 07:56

Are your colleagues generally nice, sympathetic people? I'd go in and see if they have a first aid kit, have some painkillers etc. See how it goes. Go home later if it feels really bad still.

Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:55

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I want to go and get back in bed, but I feel like not turning up would be worse! At least if I go in they can see the state of me and see for themselves that I’m hurt

OP posts:
Sirzy · 09/09/2026 07:54

I would go in get cleaned up, have a coffee and some painkillers then take it from there.

Quotemenot · 09/09/2026 07:53

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Quotemenot · 09/09/2026 07:53

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Original poster
iminpain · 09/09/2026 07:52

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I’m on the bus on the way to work. I couldn’t face walking back, I was closer to the bus and just wanted to sit down

OP posts:
Quotemenot · 09/09/2026 07:52

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Mumof1andacat · 09/09/2026 07:51

Just go home. Call in sick due to an accident.