Would you take a day off work for stomach ulcer?

[ScrumpyBetty]

I've been having grinding stomach pain since mid Feb, I put it down to stress and a bad period as it was around the time my son broke his arm really badly.
I now think I have a stomach ulcer as I have all the symptoms and the pain has been constant for weeks now and keeping me awake at night. I'm just feeling shit. I'm due to work tomorrow but have days off later in the week. Should I take tomorrow's off to see GP or wait until later in the week? I feel bad taking time off work as staff absences are high already with people off due to Covid.

If you are in pain, feel rubbish, and need to be seen by the Dr, then you should take the time off.

If you don’t feel too bad and can wait for a later appointment then do that, but it doesn’t sound like it from your post.

I’d phone the GP and follow their advice. But I wouldn’t necessarily take a day off.
Are you taking pain killers? Because that could exacerbate stomach pain!

Definitely. I had an ulcer and the pain was excruciating. Go and see your go ASAP.

For a stomach ulcer? Yes.

Your health is your wealth @ScrumpyBetty no one else is gonna put you first that's what you need to do. Work will sort itself out! Take the day off!!

If you feel too ill to work then absolutely take the day off, if not then go in and book the appointment in your days off.
Have you tried over the counter omeprazole? If your gp suspects an ulcer they will put you on this while you wait for an endoscopy, at least they did with me.

@Soontobe60 no not taking painkillers but took some Omeprazole last night which helped a bit.

Thanks @Happydays321. I tried some OTC Omeprazole last night.
How long did you have to wait for an endoscopy? Did the stomach ulcer go away on its own?

Would you do it to a dog? "My dog seems to have had stomach pains for weeks. It keeps her awake at night, she looks miserable and I am sure she feels like shit. Should I make her go on a long walk tomorrow like usual and go to the vets later in the week, or try to make a vet appointment ASAP and take time off work if neccessary?" If you wouldn't do it to a dog, don't do it to yourself. Unless your job title is "Grabbing Vladimir's hand if he's reaching for the big red button" then go to the doctor.

Yeah and don't take any ibuprofen unless you want a bleeding and/or perforating stomach ulcer. Fun times!

If you are too unwell or in too much pain to work for any reason then call in sick.

You just need to speak with your GP really OP, by phone will presumably be sufficient given the GP won't be able to look inside your stomach for an ulcer anyway, but might be able to suggest what the pain might be or refer you for further testing to confirm or rule out other issues.

If you suspect it is a stomach ulcer make sure you are not taking any NSAIDS (ibuprofen etc).

"@Soontobe60no not taking painkillers but took some Omeprazole last night which helped a bit."

Good stuff that'll hopefully keep the wolf from the door, but I would still not go to work tomorrow and get the GP ball rolling ASAP.

@Soontobe60, I waited 10 days for the endoscopy as I'd lost loads of weight in about six weeks and I wasn't overweight to begin with, so it was done under the Two week rule. Mine was different in that it hurt after eating so I tried not to eat to avoid the pain. My stomach was tender too touch too so the Gp did the blood test for ovarian cancer.
Turned out just to be gastritis, which is just an inflamed stomach, and a very obvious hiatus hernia. Treatment much the same omeprazole and avoiding the foods which irritated my stomach. They also tested for h pylori.

It depends on whether your GP can actually see you tomorrow doesnt it? A lot of posters say they can't even have a phone consultation for two weeks. If your GP can see you then absolutely do it as you are in pain.

If you’re feeling that bad I’d go to the walk in centre today or ring111 for advice.

Be aware that if you have a suspected stomach ulcer - you have to have not taken any medication like omeprozole for 2 weeks before an endoscopy.

Stomach ulcers are very serious. I didn’t take time of work but having realised that was what I thought it was over a weekend, I certainly called and spoke to the doctor on the Monday. I had unfortunately taken some omeprazole equivalent I’d got at pharmacy over the weekend. This meant I had to wait two weeks before having endoscopy.

*off

Why can't you take omeprazole before a scope?

I was told the medication can mask the issues so you need to not take medication for 2 weeks… it was a long two weeks!

I must have seriously understated the pain I was in though so I’m lucky my GP decided to refer me for an endoscopy… as consultant told me they couldn’t understand why I was there as I clearly had just had a tummy bug …thankfully she scoped me anyway while muttering about it… found several bleeding patches of ulceration in stomach and ulceration all down my oesophagus. I’m still waiting for my apology!

I assume you cannot work from home?