To take the day off sick.

[AnUnlikelyWorldofInvisibleShad]

I have been in pain all over my body for the last 3 days. In my joints and muscles plus a headache. Painkillers are not alleviating it. I am also completely exhausted. I get up stiff and feeling like I haven't slept. I have these episodes from time to time but this time is particularly bad. I have been too tired to eat my evening meal for the last three days. Is it unreasonable to call in sick for this when I dont actually know the cause?

Get yourself to the doctor, you are sick.

Of of course you can/should call in sick, but you also need to go to the GP. Talk about fibromyalgia etc.

Definitely a trip to the GP. I have had a similar experience. It had a fancy name and it was a post viral complication even though I didn't seem to have a virus. It could be many things though so get checked out.

I wonder how I should explain it to work. It's not the same as ringing in with a concrete cause like a stomach bug. I just hurt so much.

Just tell them you're too until to come in. They don't need to know the details.

Too unwell

Tell them you're unwell, you're in pain and you've not slept. You can be honest and say you don't know what's wrong. Sounds like maybe a virus, but go to the doctor.

If they press you say it's a virus (sounds like one to me). Do try to see a doctor though as it sounds nasty.

You say: I have been in pain all over my body for the last 3 days. In my joints and muscles plus a headache. Painkillers are not alleviating it I am going to the GP.

Get yourself to your GP asap! You dont need to give work a diagnosis today. Just tell them you'll let them know when you do.
I second mentioning possible Fibromyalgia. I have it and some of your symptoms sound similar, as well as it seeming to flare up periodically.
Hope you feel better soon.

Sounds like you're unwell. GP appt probably best and yes, phone in sick.

Do you work in one of those places where people phoning in sick is treated with suspicion. I used to and it was awful. Done people seemed to take the piss and have every Thursday off but everyone was tarred with the same brush. It came mainly from managers too .
Hope you can get a GP appt.

Yes some people can be treated with suspicion. I went back off maternity leave in may last year and haven't had a sick day since then. I am lucky that these instances of pain either have fallen with the worst days when I'm off work or have been manageable with painkillers so I've not had to call in sick with this at any point. But I'm concerned because in my pregnancy I had hyperemesis and was off for months. I dont want them to think I'm taking the piss.

Of course you should call in sick. If you’ve been this bad for three days chances are your colleagues are aware anyway. It might look odd doing it on a Friday though, it’s a shame you didn’t phone in earlier in the week then you could have gone to the doctors and let your employer know a concrete reason.

Although at this stage a doctor is likely to just say it’s a non-specific virus, get some rest and take paracetamol.

I dont want them to think I'm taking the piss.

You can't control what others think. However what you do know is you are ill and, imo, need to visit your GP.

Well I have called them and let them know I wont be in today. I am due in tomorrow so hoping I will be well enough to manage that. It could be a virus but I do have episodes that feel very much like this quite often which leads me to wonder if its something else.

Well done.

Does your GP do on the day appointments? Mine does if you call first thing at 8am or straight after they reopen after lunch. I'd try to get one of you can.

Unfortunately they dont do on the day here but I have an appointment booked for Monday so I will raise it with my doctor then I think.

Well done on getting an appointment. Take it really easy today. Don't go in tomorrow if you are still so poorly.

Workers fought so you could have a right to sick leave, so take it when you need it!

And please join a union so you are properly protected against discrimination at work and don't need to worry and second guess like this.

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

I'd rather my colleague take a rest day than to come in feeling like poop and not putting 100% into the work and make silly mistakes.

Thank you for all the advice. I am so glad I called in sick. I am in bed now. There is just no way I would have coped at work today.

Hope you manage to get a GP appointment

Good work taking the day off.

Last week I had to take a day off sick as I was completely exhausted due to stress and related insomnia. I felt like a bit of a fraud but the truth is I was too tired to drive or even watch TV so would have been worse than useless if I’d gone in.

Press the GP for a diagnosis - you sound similar to me and I have Fibromyalgia and awaiting assessment for CFS

I had today off too. Still so achy and exhausted. I have either been in bed or on the sofa again all day. There is no way I would have coped with work on either day.