To take the day off? (Back pain)

[teacrumpetsandcake]

I have a horrendously bad back.

I feel it's my own fault (I'm overweight, haven't exercised for a couple of weeks which normally keeps it at bay but I've been too busy) I also have hypermobility which makes everything harder. Still, I'm beating myself up for letting it get this bad.

I feel like I can't spend the day in work sitting at a desk and seeing clients, I am just completely distracted by the pain and can't concentrate. I have slept about an hour.

It feels like such a lame reason to call in sick but I feel like I need to stay home, do some yoga, book a GP appointment to discuss my weight and a physio appointment for my back.

I'm still in probation so worried about making a bad impression.

YABU - It's a lame reason - take some ibuprofen and get to work
YANBU - Stay home, do some yoga and recover

Back pain the worst and needs sorting so it doesn't get worse. Take the day off!

Have you tried pain killers? Also, it may ease once you're warmed up and stretched. I would go in to work and book annual leave and then use AL time off to do yoga and physio instead.

Take the day off. Get some sleep, do what you need to get better.

@Scottishshortbread11877 Yes I take ibuprofen which sort of works for about half an hour and then the pain is back. And tbh it doesn't completely take the pain away even when it's working.

Thanks @BugsyDrakeTableScape @Suzi9989

It's funny, I know back pain is one of the most common causes of sick leave in the UK, but I still feel very guilty about it!

You aren't well enough to work so take the time off as sick leave. Tell your employer that you are seeing the doctor/physio to get some pain relief but don't mention the yoga and the issues about your weight.

yanbu

you sound like you are not well enough to work.

do your exercises that make it better today and make an appointment with a physio to get you back on track.

Day off OP

I'm confused that the vote is standing at 59% saying I'm being unreasonable but 5 out of 6 people who've commented are saying I should have the day off.

Anyone who thinks I'm being unreasonable, please can you comment?

No this isn't unreasonable.

Personally, if you know the pain is going to distract you from clients then you are better off not making the mistake at work and just taking the day.

Book a GP appointment and physio so work knows you are doing something to resolve the issue and relax at home.

What's more important to you...your health or your work? Take the day off!

I'm 30 years on from my original back injury and its no bloody fun. I can hardly walk now and am writing this in bed wondering when I'll be able to get up. Do not put your employers before your health. Do everything you can to fix the problem. Don't leave it too late, nobody will thank you for that.

I would never be in work if I took the day off with back pain. Been in severe pain since 25 now in 50’s. Not missed a day off. I had major spinal surgery five weeks ago only took the time off I was in hospital 🤷‍♀️. That’s what being self employed does now. If you have a long term problem what are you going to do OP? If this day off can prevent a longer term issue stay home. If not you need to get a pain management plan in place or you will become like me.

Well I have chronic back pain which I live with and I would also never be in work if I took the day off every time I experienced back pain (which is daily).

But today I have been awake all night because I could not find a comfortable position in bed, up and down just trying to relieve the pressure and pain. Nothing worked. There are worse days and it has not been this bad that I can remember.

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, too. That sounds horrendous.

I understand what you are experiencing, you need to get your gp to look at the source of the pain in your back. So trapped nerve bulging disc etc. ln this case you may need something that can deal with nerve pain.Good luck.