b*gger, think I'm going to have to give up work. wtf can i do!

[queenoftheslatterns]

I have tietzes, the cartilige between my ribs and my breastbone gets inflammed and it pushes my ribs out, i end up with massive lumps all down my chest (which never go down) severe pain and it affects my shoulders too. my right side (which has had the worst flare ups) is a mess, my shoulder is folded in on itself, i have limited movement (especially for about a month after a flare up) and reduced grip. i get flare ups about 2 every 3 months. it fucking hurts, the last time the pain made me vomit and i thought my shoulder had dislocated. i have been taking painkillers every day since. was over 2w ago.

i had phsyio yesterday and the therapist said he has never seen such an advanced case (its quite rare anyway)and that in all honesty it would probably get worse. I am not to lift anything heavier than 1 shopping bag (shoulders already under too much strain) my ribs are close to cracking, i need regular xrays etc,, etc. all v depressing.

i work for iceland. my job is now stock admin but still involves a lot of lifting, moving around stock etc. not to mention busy times when they need me on home deliveries. we are a small store and dont have staff to do these things, everyone mucks in.

i have no experience in offices etc pre-ds i was a restaurant manager, every job i have done has been very manual with lots of lifting, i have always worked. my stepdad was on long term sick (although there was nowt wrong with him) and i swore that i would always work, now it looks like i cant. what can i do? im in a lot of pain now from just carrying the weekly shop from the front door to the kitchen!

Is it possible to talk to your employer about moving you to a non-lifting role?

talk to your employer, you may not have experience of office related work, but I'm sure you're not adverse to being trained no?

unfortunately the company isnt big enough to employ people specifically for admin, the managers normally do the admin, the only reason he created this role for me was because i was going to leave after my last flare up. the type of admin i do is making sure stock is within date, food and safety standards are met etc.

Firstly I think you need to look posting in employment topic re what your rights are as an employee.

After this is established it would be possible to advice re money and benefits.,

Also what is the sick pay policy? Is it basic SSP or is there any addition of company pay too.

do you have a partner,mortgage or children?

ive just been in tears talking to dh about it, ive only been with company for 9m so not eligable for ssp, only do 8hrs a week anyway. im married with one ds. dh has an ongoing temp job that pays well, but it coould end tomorrow. i like having that £50 per week. i earnt it.

Sounds like you're in a very difficult situation.

I know it's not medical advice you've asked for but my dh has tietzes and steroid injections have helped his flare ups.

You need to speak with your boss to see what he or she suggests.

thanks, how often does your dh have flare ups?

The last one was about 2 years ago now so we're touching wood (so to speak) but they used to be every couple of months and had one that lasted 6 months.

I hope yours calms down soon.

blimey, thank you. tbh i find the way that my ribs anbd shoulders look really hard to deal with, my ribs are all bumpy which rules out anything strapless or not high necked, my shoulderblades are v prominent too. i look really deformed now, to the point that my future sil has had to change the bridesmaid dresses to accomodate me.

well, i go back to work tomorrow after a week off to recover from last flare up and have had another today. all i did was move a wash basket from the table to the tumble dryer.

Are you eligible for ESA?

i think instead i would be eligible for incapacity benefit due to a previous claim when my depression was too bad to work, its just the idea of being dependant on benefits again.