Getting a drs note

[frogbull]

I've never done this before, never needed to. But now I've been off work for a week with a horrible virus, and I'm still not well enough to go in. Sinuses blocked, weak, achy, bad chest, horrendous cough. As well as that, couldn't manage the packed tube journey in.

Do doctors interrogate you? Part of me feels a fraud, it's only a bug. But I feel utterly crap. I'm worried the dr will say no. Then what? I texted my boss yesterday, he's ok with me getting a note, as they can ask for some cover if I'm "officially" off. I know I should just go in, be honest and they'll believe me, but I'm a bit anxious. Which is silly, I know, I just feel so bloody awful I can't bear the thought of being told I'm well enough to work.

where I work you need a appointment the doctor won't sign you off without seeing you ( it's different if say they have the paperwork from hospital saying you have had a operation or you have been seen for long term condition then they may issue without seeing you) but for one off bouts of illness they will need to see you but also as they can backdated they don't class needing a sicknote as a reason for a emergency appointment so it a a bit tricky for people who find themselves in your situation. Obviously your surgery might be totally different so I would ring first thing and see what they can do.

In my experience, they’re usually very kind and reasonable. I had notes last year as I had flu.

We have a ‘sit and wait’ system at our surgery so not difficult (although not fun) to get an appointment for this sort of thing.

I've got an appointment. They offer routine ones online, took one of those on Saturday when I realised I was still feeling pretty shocking, so I'm going this morning.

Just go in and explain you need some more time xx

You'll have to be seen, but no, they will be led by you.

I got a sick note a couple of years ago for what was basically a cold/virus but I felt absolutely shocking, like you I was worried about going in and genuinely expected "well why do you need time off, it's only a cold"
But actually I was in and out and I think the only question was "one week or two?"
Unless you're in regularly wanting sick notes for this, that and the other... I think they take your word for it.

I’ve never been refused a sick note. I am actually off with similar at the moment. With those symptoms it’s worth being seen anyway - mine had developed into a bacterial chest infection. You just need to be assertive and say ‘I’ve got these symptoms and I’m not well enough to be at work, can I have a sick note please?’.

The one and only time I asked for one I was refused. I had an abcess in a delicate place and was in constant agony. I ended up in hospital the next day. Some doctors seem to give them out for anything but not mine.

I've asked twice for sick notes and both times my doctor wrote them for me, no questions asked.

Once was for a flu/cold bug I just couldn't shake, and the second time was when I was going back on anti-depressants and I knew from past experience that they made me sick/dizzy and very tired for a week or so while I adjusted!

Back home and thankfully been signed off for a week. Now to rest and recover.

I'm signed off at the moment, and I felt really scared going to the docs, but they were lovely. They're care providers and if you feel you cannot do your job they will understand that x x

I’m signed off for another week too. I came home and had a 2 hour nap.
Hope you feel better soon.