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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want to work on day of colonoscopy

58 replies

CurlyRover · 09/07/2018 11:28

Having a colonoscopy Wednesday. I don't have annual leave yet so was planning on taking the day as unpaid. Boss has now asked me to work from home.

AIBU to not want to? I'm up at 6 to take prep and from past experience I'll be on the toilet for most of the morning. Then I'm off to hospital at 1, appointment is at 2 and I'm having sedation so the hospital have said I'll be there for 2-4 hours.

Not sure how I'm meant to be productive for 8 hours given the circumstances...

OP posts:

Singlebutmarried · 09/07/2018 11:36

You’ll feel pretty crappy from the prep and the sedation means you won’t be able to drive on the Thursday either.

MyGirlDaisy · 09/07/2018 11:37

Does your boss know why you need the day off? Is there a deadline you are working to? If you are having sedation will you be able to work the next day? I don’t think you are being unreasonable you are not asking to be paid and it doesn’t sound like you will really be able to work. Hope it goes ok for you.

Original poster

CurlyRover · 09/07/2018 11:39

@MyGirlDaisy - boss knows why I'm off and currently not working to any deadlines.

OP posts:

DidimusStench · 09/07/2018 11:42

No. You need to take the whole day off and if you’re having sedation you need to take someone with you (as I’m sure you already know). You need to take it easy after the sedation and unless you’ll be working from the loo, you’ll be tied up all day.

myrtleWilson · 09/07/2018 11:42

Does your boss mean "work from home and produce some outputs" or do they mean "why don't you 'work from home' rather than take unpaid leave" - but they're going round the houses on it because they can't say 'take it as paid leave" - perhaps fear of others thinking you've got an advantage (am not sure if colleagues would know why you weren't in work...)

SgtFredColon · 09/07/2018 11:43

Surely that’s a sick day rather than AL anyway?

Verbena87 · 09/07/2018 11:44

Explain that you will be continuously shitting water whilst becoming dizzy from lack of food, then drowsy and muzzy-headed from the sedative (husband has regular colonoscopies as he has Lynch Syndrome, so I know the drill!). Would you be expected to work if off with a D&V bug or other illness?

I’d tell your boss you’ve had a pre-op call from the hospital and they have told you not to work on the day of the procedure as you won’t be well enough.

I’d probably also say some deeply rude and unkind things about them to non-work friends and family to let off some steam.

Redglitter · 09/07/2018 11:46

I've been told to expect to need 3 days off work. One for spending on the loo, one for the procedure & one because I won't be able to drive & will still be suffering from sedation

GreenEyedBlonde · 09/07/2018 11:53

I've had 2 of these vile things, you absolutely will not be able to go to work - or even leave the bathroom - the day before the procedure when you're on bowel prep. Just take a book to the toilet because you'll be on it for a good few hours! Work will just have to wait! Get well soon xx

pilotswife · 09/07/2018 11:54

I have them regularly - you could certainly work from home before leaving for hospital if you wanted to (entirely your call though).
You can’t drive following the procedure but there is no reason if everything is straight forward not to be able to work or drive the following morning. Sedation is very light and I’ve been able to attend functions etc the same evening. Hope all goes well for you - really is your call though. It certainly counts as sick leave

bookworm14 · 09/07/2018 11:55

I've had several colonoscopies. You can't possibly work from home - you'll be on the loo for the first half of the day and drowsy/out of it for the second half. Does your boss actually know what's involved? Can you take it as a sick day?

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 09/07/2018 11:59

OP you need to take sick leave for the day before and the day of the procedure. You will be too unwell to work, either because of the prep, and the after effects of sedation.

bumblingbovine49 · 09/07/2018 12:01

I went to work the day before but left work a couple of hours early to start the prep which went on from about 2pm until late evening. I stayed on the bed near a toliet and just watched netflix/read. It wasn't too bad actually. It was all fine by around midnight and I slept well afterwards. I did have sudofed cream to use for the 'bum burn' effect which worked well. I had no discomfort (apologies if TMI).

Then I went to hospital for the procedure in the morning quite early (appointment was for 8.30am) and came home with DH as obviously could not drive. I was fine for work the following morning

So one day off is definitely needed I think and possibly more depending on the timing of the prep and the procedure time etc.

The whole thing was less pleasant actually then the two gastroscopies I had done

kaytee87 · 09/07/2018 12:03

Boss probably doesn't understand what it entails. This should be a sick day.

Blobby10 · 09/07/2018 12:10

Woman who works for us had 2 days off for a colonoscopy - she had the day before for 'preparation' and the day itself for the procedure.

blackbunny · 09/07/2018 12:13

You can self certify yourself up to 7 days. You could point out to your employer that on the day of the procedure,the sedation you receive will affect your decision making process,which would have implications on the business.
I've had this procedure several times,the day after the colonoscopy I've always felt fit enough to work, of course it affects people differently.

OhDearMavis · 09/07/2018 12:14

You should not work, sign any legal documents, drive or have alcohol for 24 hours post sedation

MrsJayy · 09/07/2018 12:15

Take it as a sick day your boss is away with the faries if they think you will be able to bloody work

bengalcat · 09/07/2018 12:17

Tell him you need sick leave - if he wants any further details then go into graphic detail - he'll stop you before you reach the end

Missingstreetlife · 09/07/2018 12:17

Should be a sick day but is boss being kind and saying 'work' as in just take the day and don't worry about sickness monitoring?
My mum took me to a hospital appointment and her boss said just have the time, don't worry about taking leave.

blackteaplease · 09/07/2018 12:18

Why are you taking annual leave? This should be sick leave to cover prep and recovery time.

AntiHop · 09/07/2018 12:20

Aren't you entitled to sick leave?

LoniceraJaponica · 09/07/2018 12:21

Can you send your boss a link explaining exactly what happens before and during such a procedure?

Inertia · 09/07/2018 12:23

Perhaps your boss has some kind of sickness / absence target for the department, and is telling you to ‘work from home’ with a nod and a wink to keep the absence figures in check? Might be worth talking to your boss and explaining that you don’t expect to be very productive.

petrolpump28 · 09/07/2018 12:25

I have recently had this done, having had 2 previous ones. I dont want to alarm you but you wont feel great and you wont be able to work.

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