To think this is no reason to stay off work?

[CrazyUnderwear]

Posted this in chat but it's probably better here.

So a week ago a huge haemorrhoid presented itself. No amount of cream or potions helped and it got worse and worse. Last night I went to bed and was in absolute agony with it, it had gone rock hard, black and was sending shooting pains through my arse. It was that bad that I called out of hours doctor and was told to go in to the walk in centre. 4am - I'm on a doctors bed with my arse in the air. He confirmed it was a thrombosed/strangulated haemorrhoid which was also infected. I was given 2 different antibiotics and some industrial strength cream. All this stuff has to be taken 3 times a day.

Now the problem is, I am supposed to be working a 13 hour shift tomorrow as a student nurse. The first day of my new placement. I asked doctor if I could still work and he said it was fine as long as it didn't cause me too much pain. He isn't aware however that my work is 13 hours on my feet.

My aunt, who's a nurse said there is no way in hell I should be going in to work with this and I should call in sick. On my first day!!

Apart from this, I shouldn't be taking 3 lots of medicine on the ward with me - anyone know where I stand with that?

It's not hurting that much now and I think physically, I should be fine. AIBU to think ringing in sick when I'm physically fine is a little well ... unreasonable?

You need to ask someone you will be working with, your supervisor. They will tell you whether you are likely to be able to complete your shift. None of us can!

I would go to work, but if you find yourself in too much pain, discuss it honestly with your supervisor. As not contagious better to be sent home than ring in sick and have people doubt you in my book.

Depends how well the pain killers are working. I've had this and it's agony but once the drugs had kicked in it was fine less than 24hrs later. (Not better, but not agony). The drugs were quite strong.

What time does the shift start?

I wouldn't worry, phone in sick but you'll have to make your time up. assess the situation in the morning and take it from there, you won't fail your course, you won't be letting anyone down, you will simply be giving yourself more work to do somewhere along the line.

I am pretty sure if you email your Academic Tutor and explain the situation they will be absolutely fine with you, make sure you ring both your placement AND uni though. Hope it gets better quick!

I would go in and see how you go.

If you need to go home and tell the truth why, no one is going to think you're lying

Hope it gets better, sounds painful

I'd go in and talk to your supervisor about it straight off, take the meds and explain that you have been told to take them 3x a day - see what the supervisor says and go from there.

Hiya. I'm a nurse mentor, so the advice I'd give my student would be if you feel well enough, then come to work. You could always have a quiet word with your mentor to let her know the situation when you get to work, and that if it gets worse during the day you might need to go off sick.
As for the meds, keep them in your bag (you'll hopefully get a locker?)
Plenty of us are on prescription meds we have to bring to work, esp on a long day!!
Hope this helps

The shift starts at 7am. The thing is I have all childcare arranged nicely for this week and I'd rather get the shifts out of the way whilst I know I have the childcare.

My theory is that I should go in, tell my mentor the problem and leave it up to her whether I stay for the shift or go home and make up the time. That way they can see I am willing to do the shift but have been honest about my condition.
My main concern now is not the haemorrhoid itself but the antibiotics. Half hour after I started them today I came over quite nauseous and lethargic/drowsy - all listed as common side effects - but that could also be down to the fact that I didn't sleep at all last night.

I think your theory is right. Just make sure that if you do need to go home that you do. Honestly, your tutors will only start being concerned about you when this becomes a habit.

Have a warm bath and an early night tonight and see how you feel in the morning.The drugs may have started working by then and you could see enough of an improvement to get through the day.

And stop worrying! Just go in, it will be fine either way.

If you can bear it, ice cube... really helps. I have a gadget that looks like a butt plug that you put in the freezer and then insert, its AMAZING for shrinking them. A friend of a friend of a friend used frozen banana inside a latex glove finger! I'm sure it has the same affect.