Guilty being off sick

[Rubyrhi123]

I woke up this morning with the most EXCRUCIATING neck pain I have ever experienced. I was crying in pain. I could barely move, my head was stuck in one position and I was locked in bed for an hour.

I managed to get out of bed and get a heating pad on it which instantly relieved me a lot. I was able to move my head a little more within a few minutes so I felt positive about it improving in time for work. I'm a teaching assistant.

It was about 8am at this time and I was starting work at 12:00. I decided to just lay down with heat on my neck doing some small stretches until I needed to get ready for work. Whilst in the shower I turned my head sharply and reached up to get my shampoo and everything went backwards. The excruciating pain came back and I was back to square one but also soaking wet this time lol.

It was about an hour before I was due to work at this point and I immediately called the headteacher and explained. She was really angry with me for not getting in touch sooner and leaving them short staffed.

I feel so bad and so silly. I should've just got in touch first thing in the morning.
I think I just wanted to write my feelings out somewhere.

I'm still in bed now and have fashioned a neck brace out of a towel to give me some relief as my movement's still really restricted. Not as bad as this morning but nowhere near full mobility. I feel so bad I want to go to work tomorrow but I'm worried it's not going to improve.

Has anyone else experienced this? What helped you?
I've tried deep heat, heating pads, stretches, massage, taken anti-inflammatories; anything else?

Firstly, I am so sorry you are in so much pain 💔 I have spinal issues and completely understand what you are going through.

Can you ring the school tonight? Failing that, ring as early as you can tomorrow.

I would suggest heat, very gentle movement and an over the counter painkiller like Co codomol.

However, I would also strongly suggest a physio appointment- if you can, go for a private one, it will be far quicker- Google in your area and/or ask for Facebook recommendations.

It could be something and nothing but could also be a bulging/herniated disc.

Hope you feel better soon!

Take time off & recover. You will be no good to anyone like this.

You sound like someone who isn’t off sick often, hence the feeling guilty. I would give yourself a few days, likelyhood is you will be feeling better but if no improvement, call your GP surgery to see if they have an in house physio you could be referred to.

Sounds like it could be a trapped nerve. It may resolve itself in time, or you might need physiotherapy. In the meantime, if OTC painkillers are insufficient, make an appointment with your GP to see if they can prescribe an alternative.

I’m sorry your boss was ill-tempered with you. It’s absolutely not your fault that you were in pain, but had still been hoping to come in to work. Your commitment is to be commended. And now you know if you’ve pain in the morning, you should call first thing to say you won’t be in.

Hope you have a reasonably comfortable night.

Get a foam neck support & take ibuprofen & book to see an osteopath.

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I can see why she was a bit annoyed if you don't start until 12 as she could have found cover or worked the day out differently had you told her.

I dud thankfully ut was loads better the next day plenty if painkillers just a nerve pain

If you work for a local authority school, they often provide rapid, free access to a physiotherapist as a perk of the job (and a way to get you back to work asap). Don't waste time feeling guilty and I hope you feel better soon.

You really should have called in in the morning so they could have arranged cover. Go see your gp or to urgent care for some painkillers to tide you over. Then book a massage and a physio. Massage can be good if your muscles are in spasm to relax you enough so the physio can help you

I've had a trapped nerve before and it sounds very similar, it was so painful and I could barely do a thing! I'm sorry you're in so much pain but I would have let the Headteacher know first thing. Saying that, she has no right to be angry with you - it's just one of those things! If you're off again today make sure you contact the school first thing, mine took around 5 days to go

please dont feel guilty, your head teacher is in the wrong for being angry
i am not sure a neck brace is good
do you know why this happened?
movement is the best cure i believe

It’s good you are taking it slowly. Don’t worry about the poor reaction when you called in. I also get a guilty feeling doing that when genuinely unwell. You just have to somehow put it out of your mind and focus on recovery. You are entitled to sick days and you can make things worse pushing through the day.

I have done similar to my neck and it was temporary. ‘Wry neck’ seemed to fit the symptoms. Does take 1-3 days to clear maybe, better each day. A consult with a doctor may be an idea.

I hope you feel better soon!

Sounds like a muscle spasm. It's excruciating. You need some diazepam. But you really should have phones in earlier. Even just to give them a heads up.