Ulcerative Colitis time off work

[Arena5]

Hi All

i just wondered if anyone else has ulcerative colitis and whether you’ve ever had to take time off due to it?

I was diagnosed last summer after my symptoms appeared in June. Since then I’ve been bleeding roughly 4 times a day and been more tired than usual due to low ferritin/iron. Recently however the amount of time I was bleeding increased to 8 times a day and I was feeling very tired, spaced out and having painfully cramps. I was prescribed new medication and was also signed off for 2 weeks. I am 5 months pregnant with a two year old and working 4 days a week in a fairly demanding job as a litigation solicitor - although I can work from home half the week.

I just feel really guilty about being off from work though as I think my symptoms are mild compared to many, I’ve heard of people who are bleeding 20 times a day or people who only taken time off for bowel surgery. I suppose I’m worried and beating myself up that I’ve made a fuss over nothing and thought I’d gauge if anyone else with the same condition has ever had to take time off work?

Thanks

Hi
I am also currently off work due to being admitted to hospital, then colonoscopy and subsequent diagnosis of UC within the last fortnight.
It has been a very worrying time both for me and my family as my symptoms have been bad.
I work in the NHS myself and do feel incredibly guilty being signed off for a month but my health comes first. I'm not one for taking sick leave but i do want to get better and recovering at home is probably the best way forward for now.
I hope you have a good support network and getting the approriate medications.
Best wishes x

Don't worry about calling in sick. I've been off sick for my ibd and you just have to put your health first. Finding a medication that will work long term can sometimes be difficult, it was for me. I spent so much time on the toilet, I just could not have done my job. I was so tired and had no energy. I have a medication that works for me now, at least it does for now, but getting my energy back has taken a lot of time and it's still not back as it was before I got my ibd diagnosis. It must be so hard having a small child and being pregnant whilst dealing with ulcerative colitis so speak with your doctor if you feel you need time off work and don't feel guilty. You are the priority not your work.

Thanks so much for the replies. It’s helped ease the guilt to know others have had to take time off too and it’s true health is the priority. Even when deep down you know that’s the case, it really helps to hear that from others . @di2004 I hope things improve for you, you must have felt really unwell to be admitted and so can definitely see why you need time off to recover.

I was wondering have either of you found having this condition has affected your mental health? I’ve found myself feeling quite anxious since I flared up, partly about health but just also about other things too. And I wondered if it’s a coincidence

It did affect my mental health but mainly about things relating to my ibd. Wondering how it would affect my work, as I said earlier, I don't feel guilty about taking time off work but I have found that some people at my work, one of them being my boss at the time was very unsympathetic about my condition. I felt like I always had to explain myself as to why I had to take time off work. I worried about if my sick days would affect other job possibilities. My mind went into worst case scenarios and I thought I would end up without a job and not being able to pay my rent.

I struggled for a few years trying new meds that only worked for a short time and it was so hard mentally. Would I find a medication that would work so I could get my energy back and have a social life instead of barely function enough to go to work?

I am single so that worried me too, would I find a man who could accept my condition and everything it entails? Having an illness that's all about poo and blood is embarrassing to talk about. It took me a long time to open up about it to my close friends so how would I be able to talk to a potential boyfriend about it?

I have Crohn’s and have taken short periods of time off work. 2/4 weeks on occasion jjst to get myself back on track. The fatigue and mental health sometimes just drops too much to continue to function. I’m not sure I’d cope being pregnant and having a toddler as well.

@prettybluebell I’m really sorry to hear your boss wasn’t supportive, that must have added so much stress. As you say it’s really hard to talk about, I’ve only told immediate family and my boss. And that conversation was super awkward. Did you find a medication that worked long term?

@FawnFrenchieMum thanks for your reply. Obviously very sorry to hear it caused you to need time off and it affected your mental health too. But it is also reassuring to know I’m not alone on that. I hope things have improved

It's only been a couple of months but so far so good. Fingers crossed it will stay like that. How are you feeling? Is your new medication working?

Hi Arena5
Yes I feel that my mental health has taken a toll, like yourself I’ve been extremely anxious and worried, mainly due to my symptoms since starting Oct 22 then being quite Ill, bleeding and going to loo loads of times over Christmas & New Year.
I’ve lost a shed load of weight too which makes you feel tired and worn out.
I feel scared to eat food because of the consequences but I’m hoping once my steroids and Mesalazine foam get in my system it will settle it down a bit.
I hope you’re getting the right care from your Midwife/ Consultant care and that you are able to speak to an IBD nurse, they are the ones to give you treatment plans and a way forward to get your symptoms under control. It must be very worrying for you being pregnant and having UC , but keep in touch with the medical team and try to stay positive!
Thinking of you and I hope all goes well with your baby. Please keep us updated on how you’re getting on and take care x

@prettybluebell im glad to hear it! I hope this one works long term for you. Yes better than what I was now I have this new medication but still not quite there yet. But I’ve only been on it a week or so and I understand it takes around 3 weeks to work. I suppose it can be quite a bit of trial and error can’t it.

x x

@di2004 sorry you’ve had a really tough time of it too. My flare up became particularly bad over the Christmas period also. I wonder if that's because it’s such a full on time of year and the lead up can be quite stressful. Thanks for sharing you’ve had similar experiences with anxiety. Although I am sorry to hear it, it is also comforting to know others have felt/responded in the same way.

x x

Yep. I got diagnosed with UC in 2016. My first year I had none stop flares and I was off work. Then it settled down till 2021 when it flared up randomly and I was off work for 2 weeks as I was In hospital with it. 2022 I had a couple days off work until December when I got a viral bug which set my UC off and I haven’t been In work since. Honestly with the time off I hate it and it sets my mental health off so much.

but in a sense I’ve been lucky as I’m still on what I call normal meds for it . I haven’t needed operations or biologics for it yet and it’s been 7 years .