To ask to be signed off work with back/hip pain

[Mamabear256]

Evening everyone

Just looking for some advice really. I’ve suffered with SI joint dysfunction since 2020 after the birth of my first child. I’m now technically classed as disabled. Whilst I can walk, I walk in pain most of the time. I struggle to bend over, twist, turn etc. I can’t lift things off the floor either, need help cooking and cleaning as lifting heavy pans and things like hoovering can cause a flare up.

I am only 29. This all started at 25, I’ve seen multiple therapists, physios, scans etc. and there is no specific injury or anything. It is caused by my hyper mobility which was ‘triggered’ after the birth of my first son. Anyway, I’ve been on long term pain meds (Amitriptiline) which help take majority of the daily pain away but not the flare ups.

It has taken a lot out of me mentally to come to terms with the fact that this is a disability and that I struggle with so much whilst still young. My mental health isn’t the best, and currently I’m in a flare up. I feel like I’m just worn out physically and emotionally and just need a break and to rest.

Has anyone been signed off work for something similar? Even sitting down on a chair for a certain amount of times causes me great pain so work isn’t the easiest (desk job). I feel bad for considering this as it doesn’t feel like my work would take it seriously. But I’m in so much pain daily and emotionally struggling with this.

If anyone suffers with the same/similar - did you ever get signed off work for it? WIBU for asking to be signed off work for this?

I don’t want my manager to think I’m taking the mick with it but I feel I need this

Yes of course many people are signed off for this kind of reason. It sounds like you could do with some time off so I’d go and see the GP yes

Yanbu. You need a couple of weeks to lay on your bed if possible. Do you wear a support belt during flareups? I need to use one plus use a rollator walker, or I cannot really get around during a flare up. Good luck.

And yes, that pain does seem to drag the strength right out of me after a while. But much better since I got the belt.

I got signed off work for knee pain when my manager seemed dismissive when I was telling her how much pain I was in but didn’t make any changes to help. It was a wake up call that I did need some help day to day.

Yes, you can call in sick if you are in too much pain to do your job but I guess you have to think about what your plan is moving forward when you return to work.

Can you hold a meeting with your boss to explain your struggles and ask if you can have some sort of Reasonable Adjustment plan in place to help you manage when you have flare ups? What would work best for you…a few days wfh or being able to get up and move around every so often?

In the meantime speak to your GP for advice.

Yanbu

Thanks all.

Yes I do have a belt that I wear during flare ups. Currently wearing it now.

I do have a plan in place as my manager is aware of this disability, I only go into the office once a week and work the rest from home and am able to take micro breaks throughout the day also so my joints do not stiffen up, as sometimes sitting for too long can cause a flare up too (as does doing too much physically - I can’t win!)

Right now I am in a flare up. I’ve managed before but this time I think im struggling mentally with the fact that this is my body now for the rest of my life, and being young I just didn’t expect to end up like this after having children. I think mentally I’m just struggling loads with it and need to come away from everything