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Original poster

I'm a bit worried

22 replies

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 21:39

I'm feeling bloody awful - does anyone mind if i have a rant?

I developed flu on 11th December - it properly floored me I was in bed for a week, I could hardly move, the aches and pains were horrific, and I've been left with a lingering productive cough and wheezing, but I started to feel generally okay enough to go to work etc with painkillers/lemsips etc

It's been getting worse and worse - at night when I'm lying down I sound like a sealion 😬 today the aches and pains have started again, and I feel hot and sick. I honestly feel dreadful.

I'm getting a bit scared actually because I thought I was getting better. It's nigh on impossible to get a doctor's appointment - they only do phone appointments in the first instance but they don't give a slot, just 'between 9 and 12' that type of thing, and that doesn't help in the slightest.

I work in a call centre and I can't have my phone on me - it wouldn't matter anyway as if I'm on a call I can't abandon it to answer my phone. The doctor's surgery is so rigid - I've explained the situation to them before and they couldn't offer me a solution.

I can't take anymore time off work as I've had a meeting about that already 😟 - I feel terrible that I might be spreading stuff but I can't lose my job. The annoying thing is I could have taken longer off with the flu as it would have triggered the absence meeting regardless and I wish I had allowed myself enough time to get better - there's so much pressure not to be off sick.

I don't know what to do anymore - I can't call 111 for a cough. And even if I did and they told me to go to A&E or something, I can't stay up all night as I HAVE to go to work - I only got two hours sleep last night due to coughing.

I'm off on the 3rd as annual leave so I guess I'll wait until then to try and get an appointment and hope I don't just keel over.

OP posts:

ChorserSaucer · 28/12/2022 21:51

Sorry you’re feeling like this OP! I know exactly how you feel about work absence and trying to balance your health too.

I had a covid-like flu that wiped me out all week. Same week as you actually! I felt I was getting better then I started to feel worse. I phoned 111 for an out of hours appointment as I was concerned my lungs were burning and I was wheezing when breathing. Turns out I had a chest infection yolk but antibiotics made me feel so much better very quickly.

hope you manage to see someone and get checked out x

ItsNotReallyChaos · 28/12/2022 21:51

You could have pneumonia or a similar infection. The feeling hot and sick after all this time suggests that your body can’t deal with whatever it is.

You are going to have to find a way to see a doctor. Go to a walk-in centre. Or if you don’t have one you need to either go via your GP surgery or 111 to be seen.

You’ve been ill for long enough that if you’re getting worse at this point you need medical attention.

Babyroobs · 28/12/2022 21:54

I would go to a walk in centre if you are able to sit out the wait. I know what oyu mean about Gp appointments just being too difficult. i have needed to go for a while but can't just leave my work phone for a Gp appointment.

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ScarlettDarling · 28/12/2022 21:55

You really need to go to a walk in centre. They’re open later than the gp surgery and you don’t need an appointment so you should be able to go after work and be seen. It sounds very much like you’ve got a chest infection which may well need an antibiotic. Please get checked out tomorrow.

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 22:05

Thank you everyone. Is a minor injuries unit the same as a walk-in clinic? Could go there after work tomorrow (or earlier if my work will let me)

OP posts:

ItsNotReallyChaos · 28/12/2022 22:10

I was in a minor injuries unit recently and a girl was turned away by reception with an ear infection because they said this was something for the GP.

If you don't have a walk-in centre with GPs your next bet is to arrange an out-of-hours GP appointment via 111.

The other thing to do is to check online for an appointment at your own surgery. Our surgery runs a triage system similar to yours that keeps you hanging by your phone all day but occasionally if I'm lucky I'll be able to book an appointment online for the next day, I assume when there's been a cancellation.

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 22:21

I just looked - you can register for online appointments but it takes them a week to process so can't do that. My partner is going to phone the GP in the morning and explain the situation (I can't phone them as my shift starts too early) hopefully they'll take pity on me and see me - I'll have to beg my work to let me go to the appointment - if not I'll have to try 111 tomorrow.

You've all been so helpful. I can't even manage anything to eat the thought is making me ill. Pretty sure someone has a voodoo doll of me and is stabbing it all over.

OP posts:

bumpytrumpy · 28/12/2022 23:00

How are you going to work on a call centre phone line with a cough & wheeze as bad as you say? Talking too much is usually a trigger for coughing. You clearly need to be off sick.

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 23:09

bumpytrumpy · 28/12/2022 23:00

How are you going to work on a call centre phone line with a cough & wheeze as bad as you say? Talking too much is usually a trigger for coughing. You clearly need to be off sick.

I know - I struggled so much today it was actually torture. My sickness record is so bad. I've had the flu twice in the last six months due to people coming in sick (plus lowered immunity due to not seeing anyone for pretty much two years over COVID I think) and I also had a bereavement. I'm so scared to lose my job. It's embarrassing because I'm having to mute my mic while the customer is explaining things so I can cough.

OP posts:

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 28/12/2022 23:23

Can you afford a private doc appt. It sounds like a chest infection or the start of pneumonia or bronchitis

They can give you a private prescription

Whywhywhywhy3 · 28/12/2022 23:31

It sounds like maybe you have a chest infection? Might need antibiotics. My suggestions would be:

take another day off work and then you'll be able to answer your phone to the GP
use a private online GP, they cost about £40 or so and you can get appointments in the evenings

How long have you been at your job? If you have a permanent contract they can't sack you very easily. For absence issues they'd have to get occupational health/HR involved and it'd be a long road to go down. It'd be unfair dismissal to sack you for having flu. If it was me I'd be quite angry at my employer for putting pressure on me to work whilst ill, and I'd be making a big fuss about it (or looking for a new job)

MynameisJune · 28/12/2022 23:38

Do you physically need to see the GP to get a prescription? I’ve got scarlet fever (present from the kids) I sent pictures to my gp who agreed and sent the antibiotics prescription to my local pharmacy. Can they not do something like that for you?

if not then yes look for a private GP appointment you can schedule during your lunch.

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 23:42

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 28/12/2022 23:23

Can you afford a private doc appt. It sounds like a chest infection or the start of pneumonia or bronchitis

They can give you a private prescription

Not really. If it came to it I would have to but I don't really have the money for it at the moment.

OP posts:

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 23:44

Whywhywhywhy3 · 28/12/2022 23:31

It sounds like maybe you have a chest infection? Might need antibiotics. My suggestions would be:

take another day off work and then you'll be able to answer your phone to the GP
use a private online GP, they cost about £40 or so and you can get appointments in the evenings

I've only been there six months and my probation has been extended for three because of my absences. I'm fucked, essentially. I'm not someone who takes time off unless I really need to and it's made me so anxious to have so much time off. I worry every day about it.

I think I'll go in and ask to speak to my manager, tell her how ill I feel and see what she says. I don't know why they would want me there when I'm like this it makes no sense.

I will be looking for a new job as I hate it!

OP posts:

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 28/12/2022 23:46

MynameisJune · 28/12/2022 23:38

if not then yes look for a private GP appointment you can schedule during your lunch.

I'm not sure - wouldn't they need to listen to my chest? I'll definitely try that if I have no luck otherwise

OP posts:

Marmitepot · 28/12/2022 23:51

What a shit situation with your work. My work is the total opposite which makes a few people really take the piss.

I’m sorry you’re still so ill. My GP surgery is a nightmare too although I managed to get an appointment via the Ask First App at 3am (for 10am the next day). This was while I was on hold with 111.

bloody nightmare. Hope you can be seen somehow.

Whywhywhywhy3 · 28/12/2022 23:53

Ah I see, that does make things more tricky still being in probation period. But it sounds like you really do need to see a doctor, and no job is worth more than your health. If it were me I'd just call in sick again, get your illness sorted out, and if they want to sack you then so be it. Don't risk the infection getting worse by leaving it, you don't want to end up in hospital with pneumonia. Your employer clearly doesn't care if that happens.

There's SO many jobs out there at the moment too, I bet you'd find a new one very quickly! My workplace are desperately struggling to recruit enough staff, we are hardly getting any applications!

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 29/12/2022 11:14

Thank you everyone for your help - I called in sick to work today, because I didn't feel I had a choice. I felt bloody horrific when I woke up. What will be will be, I guess 😟

Managed to get a telephone appointment with the doctor who then saw me in person. I have a really bad chest infection and have been prescribed steroids and antibiotics plus an inhaler. My heart keeps racing and the doctor was on the verge of sending me to the hospital. Probably for the best that I took the day off.

OP posts:

LetsPlayShadowlands · 29/12/2022 16:18

Hope you start feeling better soon and we'll done putting yourself first. The attitude many employers have towards sickness is disgusting. And they won't treat you any better whether you come in or not. They don't care about people unfortunately.

Marmitepot · 29/12/2022 16:40

So pleased you have seen a Dr and have got some medication. I hope you improve quickly and that your workplace have some sympathy!

SolitudeNotLoneliness · 29/12/2022 16:46

Have you emailed your manager with evidence of the appointment, diagnosis andprescriotiin op? It might help for when you do your return to work.

Original poster

WhatsWrongWithMe1234 · 29/12/2022 17:06

SolitudeNotLoneliness · 29/12/2022 16:46

Have you emailed your manager with evidence of the appointment, diagnosis andprescriotiin op? It might help for when you do your return to work.

Yeah I thought of that. The only thing I could get was a picture of the prescription - the appointment was arranged verbally. But I did take that and I'll send him it tomorrow.

OP posts:

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