To speak to my boss about this?

[FeckingYawn]

As you may be able to glean from my username I am having a really difficult issue at work. I've recently upped my antidepressant dose (venlafaxine) and as such I cannot stop yawning.

The yawning spells last about 20 mins and I cannot stop yawning when it starts, it is a recognised weird symptom of my antidepressant and as the dose is increased it is very noticeable. I work in a team of 3, I sadly have to answer the phone and I am managing to stifle my yawning whilst on the phone but my colleague keeps asking why I'm constantly yawning and asking what time do I go to bed and should I be getting more sleep and how unprofessional it is to come to work after a heavy night.

I don't drink, I am getting 10 hours of sleep q night, it should settle down in 2/3 weeks. i get its annoying but the me off antidepressants is hugely suicidal.

aibu to ask my boss to have a word? or do i need to consider getting a sick note whilst the dose adjusts?

surely you simply say “it’s a side effect of my med”

What are you trying to achieve by your boss having a word? They might stop the comments but they’ll resent the fact you’ve essentially told on them. It’s up to you which you’d prefer. I’d personally just say, I’m having some health problems but hopefully it’ll get sorted soon.

Have you said you’re not tired and it’s a side effect? You don’t need to explain what you’re taking or why.

Just say it's a side effect of meds and if they persist maybe raise as an issue. It depends on how much you're happy sharing with colleagues. When we moved offices we were all told we would lose our under desk drawers which some staff were unhappy about. I self cathiterise due to a medical condition so was allocated some to keep equipment in. One colleague asked me why I was allowed to have some when everyone else wasn't and how unfair it was. There was a very awkward silence from her when I pointed out why. She's likely to feel more embarrassed and awkward than you.

Hope the side effects ease soon and you feel the benefits

I'm on venlafaxine and it's brilliant but lots of random side effects. I'd recommend changing the time you take your dose. Also, can you ask for the slow release version? I find I have severe sweating after an hour or so after taking it so I take it as soon as I wake up and I take the slow release version which spreads the reaction so isn't so severe. The constipation though! Found no solution to that!

I wouldn't involve the boss when you can just say what you said here essentially. 'It's a health issue, it's not due to drinking or lack of sleep and you do not wish to discuss it.'

If it is just your colleague, ignore. No need to say anything.

Im with them either ignore or say its a side effect of my meds and if they ask more you could say sorry id rather not say more about it. Snitching to boss to referee isnt great.

I yawn all the time between 2 and 3. My body always wants a nap but it never gets it! I just say I'm sorry I'm yawning I always do at this time of day, or something like that.

In the first instance, inform your colleague that it is a side effect of medication. If the comments persist, it is absolutely appropriate to make your boss aware (if only to protect yourself if the colleague decides to make a complaint)

i find yawning, especially big breathy ones… pretty gross. So explain a side effect and can’t be helped

Honestly I'd just keep it simple and the next time they make a comment about getting more sleep I'd reply with something like "if only it was that easy. It's a side effect of some meds I'm on so I just have to live with it" and then move on. They don't need to know details but it should be enough to get them to stop.

Dried apple slices from Tesco.

I am baffled as to why you can explain this to your boss but yet cannot provide a very simple explanation to your colleague. It is literally five words and I am sure would put an end to it. Sounds like you want to tell tales when to be honest a colleague yawning all day is likely to be annoying and enough for somebody to comment upon.