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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to work?

46 replies

Quickstrawpollquestion · 03/01/2017 06:11

I need a quick straw poll please: my work are a bit funny about sickness absence, and I've lost faith in my ability to judge and genuinely have no idea.

Last night, my back went really badly. I was unable to move at all - any attempt caused extreme pain. DH helped me to get down onto the floor where I was (In DD's room - scared her a bit Sad). After 10 mins or so lying down I was able to crawl to my bed (walking still not possible, but crawling ok) and DH helped me get into bed. DH also had to help me to the toilet later (was able to shuffle along slowly holding onto him for support, then held onto him to lower myself down and back up). Giving all this detail so you can see what I mean by my back going.

Had ibuprofen, a hot water bottle and a nights rest.

This morning I can walk, rather slowly and stiffly but OK. Can't twist at my waist obviously. Managed to get up and down from the floor to pick something up - a bit painful but OK.

I'm planning to go to work, but DH thinks I'might daft. So that's the AIBU - to go to work.

It's a desk job on a computer all day and I drive there (45 mins). I'll obviously have to go to the loo a couple of times but the rest of the time I can sit. Not sure whether sitting will be painful after a while. I think my main worry is seizing up again whilst there and not being able to drive home. I'd also like to get some physio, although I know the exercises since this happened to me before about 15 years ago. So it would be mainly for a bit of emergency massage to give a bit of relief. I work part time, so if I go to work I'll be able to go to the physio not Thursday.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 03/01/2017 08:34

You need to see an osteopath today. Get a taxi there of needs be. Definitely don't go into work.

Mrsemcgregor · 03/01/2017 08:37

Don't drive on co-codomol!! Take ibuprofen before you drive and then co-codomol when you get to work. But be prepared to feel a bit out of it. Make sure there is a good few hours after taking codine and driving home.

Ohyesiam · 03/01/2017 08:39

Just read the thread with people advising pain relief. You need to deal with what is causing the pain, which a professional can tell you. See an osteopath or chiropractor today and they can abode about pain relief, but also treat the injury.
It's your spine, way to important to just mask the symptoms.

Mindtrope · 03/01/2017 08:51

i'd go

NeedsAsockamnesty · 03/01/2017 08:59

If I don't got to work when I need to then all hell breaks loose so yes I would go for pretty much anything that did not require hospitialisation or was not contagious.

I also have horrific back problems, decent pain killers that you know how you respond to and an alternative mode of transport if safe driving is not possible, I can't remember what those people are called that fuck arse about with backs but I have one near my office and often shuffle in very slowly and 30 mins later walk out a bit more comfortable I just try to get an appointment as near to lunch time as possible, just don't stay still for longer than about 90 mins.
If possible shove a childs coat hanger in your handbag as you may find it helpful when you need to use the loo at work.

MycatsaPirate · 03/01/2017 09:06

I wouldn't. It doesn't sound like you are safe to drive. You need to be able to do an emergency stop and quite honestly if you are in that much pain, I don't think it's safe.

Do you have a diagnosis of what's wrong with your back? It sounds like sciatica and sitting or standing all day will only exacerbate it.

You need to get your GP to refer you.

And speak to Health and Safety officer at work to look at getting a chair which supports your spine.

Codeine is good for pain relief and tramadol may help if you can tolerate morphine.

PebbleInTheMoonlight · 03/01/2017 09:24

Please don't drive after taking cocodamol unless you know it doesn't affect you.

Some people are fine after taking it but I'm rendered senseless (which admittedly makes the pain so much easier to deal with).

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 03/01/2017 09:29

I know you'll have made a decision by now but for anyone reading this - unless you can perform an emergency stop, do not get in the car and drive.

Original poster
Quickstrawpollquestion · 03/01/2017 23:41

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

My back loosened up enough that I felt safe to drive (I was able to look around me without pain) so I went in. I didn't see the posts about emergency stops before I left. It's a very good point! I would have been able to do one I think, but certainly couldn't have driven afterwards (I stalled at low speed in the car park and it was agony).

Managed the day on ibuprofen, so I think it's healing well. I've stiffened up again tonight due to not moving enough, but hoping that gentle movement will do the same trick in the morning.

I notice the advice to go to an osteopath or chiropractor. Are those more suitable than a physio?

Thanks again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Quickstrawpollquestion · 03/01/2017 23:45

By the way - child's coat hanger suggestion is genius! Wish I'd seen that this morning, will definitely take one tomorrow!

OP posts:
Daisychain2017 · 04/01/2017 00:08

Sorry being thick - how does the coat hanger work?!!!

NeedsAsockamnesty · 04/01/2017 00:12

Daisy

When you back is hurting lots it can be really hard to bend and twist when trying to pull knickers up.

The childs hanger will fit in most bags and is quite handy for pulling up knickers and trousers with belt loops

PickAChew · 04/01/2017 00:16

This happens to me often.

I can barely care for myself, never mind my kids. If I still worked, sod that.

Daisychain2017 · 04/01/2017 00:17

Oh that is brill!

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 04/01/2017 00:18

I have found www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org/ to be the best for me - but probably because they flick it all back in and I didn't have to do much, also felt better quickly - although the next day it often felt a bit worse again. No hot baths or ibupothen either straight after as it relaxes it all again so it slips out.

Having said that everyone is different and different treatment suits different people. It is a bit of trial and error to find the right solution for you.

PickAChew · 04/01/2017 00:22

While i don't believe chiropractic to be great, I can agree with not relaxing everything again. I can't take epsom salts, partly because theu relax my muscles to the point my bones hurt.

Katinkka · 04/01/2017 00:27

You can't drive on co codamol

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 04/01/2017 01:03

Personally I think chiropractors are dangerous quacks and osteopaths don't do much.

Physio is definitely the way to go.

StarlingMurderation · 04/01/2017 09:23

Do people really find cocodemol affects them so badly? When my back was really bad I was on precription codeine, 30 mg at a time, and the doctor and pharamcist never said anything about not driving. It doesn't do anything except kill pain, for me.

blueskyinmarch · 04/01/2017 10:41

It affects me terribly Starling. I can’t tolerate morphine based drugs at all. I had pethedine the first time i gave birth and couldn’t speak at all while was in my system. I was really out if it. I had it written into my notes for subsequent births not to give me it. Then years later i had a hysterectomy and was on a morphine drip. They couldn’t wake me while i was on it, they had to take me off it and eventually i was on nothing more than voltarol. I would be a crap heroin addict!

StarlingMurderation · 04/01/2017 11:42

Weirdly I'm allergic to pethidine but tolerate codeine without any issues. Same with oromorph, come to think about it - I had that after I'd had DS.

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