off work with HG...boss coming at 1pm to do sick absence home visit...

[helsi]

how shall behave? what do I say? I am still quite sick and extremely exhausted. HG is not very well understood and I am worried that he will think I am just being a hypocondriac and taking the mickey because I m pg. I am only 15 weeks and this is my third week off sick.

Do you have a doctors note or whatever it is? In which case, why is your boss coming?

Keep a basin close to hand. Nibble something right before he visits, then run to the loo, basin in hand, whilst he is there.

yes I have had a sick note since week one - didn't self cert for first week as doctor gave me one right away. Our company policy is that all managers should "keep in touch" and do a home visit at 14 days!

I did refer him to a website that explained it as I knew he wouldn't have the foggiest what it was.

Message withdrawn

Because the tiredness and sickness in am and night are still no better do you think I shouldn't wait until end of this week ad ring doctors for advice? I have lost 6lbs in the last 10 days (according to my scales)

Helsi. I have had the same. I was off work for 6 weeks till weeek 16, back to work this evening unfortunately. Write down the condition for him so he has the spelling and refer him to the net too look it up. I'm sure there will be no question of him believing you as you have a doctors note. It is probably just protocol to do a home visit. With regards to your employment you are totally safe during pregnancy so they cant bring any disciplinary measures against you while pregnant and absent with a pregnancy related illness like hg.

Don't worry about what he thinks and do all you can to rest and get better. I'm 16 1/2 weeks now and have just started to feel better this last week so it may happen for you too. Do go back to your doctors if you are losing too much weight. They can do blood tests to see if the hg is being made worse by any underlying illnesses and they can also see how dehydrated and/or anaemic you are through these tests too. Don't worry about bothering the doctor, the most important thing as they keep checking you over and that they keep accurate records of your health during this pregnancy.

Good luck, hope it goes ok for you this afternoon xx

Helsi, I wouldn't worry too much if it is just company protocol. You probably don't look great (sorry!) and if you have lost that much weight it will probably be noticable. So you may just get some sympathy! If you are worried that you may be seen as malingering, try saying (in a weak and feeble voice if possible) that you would love to be doing something at home when you aren't being sick. That usually convinces me (this is usually the point when I say "no - rest! and don't come back until you are really better")

Message withdrawn

it went really well actually. I needn't have bene so worried. He said himself it was just policy and he asked how I was. We then just spoke about things going on at work and he asked me my opinions on a couple of things that only I could talk about (my staff etc).

weel I went back to doctor today as sick note expired and he has signed me off for a further 2 WEEKS!! I am now worried as things are taking longer to settle down than I thought. Although the sickness has improved slightly I am still extemely tired and lethargic. My blood pressure was up too.

I have just emailed my boss (couldn't ring as I'm a bit upset) but I feel dreadful about being off work for now 5 weeks.

I am too upset to ring him but there is a message on my answer phone from him asking for an update - he onviously hasn't had email. Don't feel like talking at the mo what shall I do?

if you think you are well enough to go to work, go in and see how it goes?

I would ring him - you being upset will actually help your case.

Really hope you start to feel better soon, I don't know anything about 'HG' either but you sound like you're suffering! chin up

Dh is going to ring him as I am like a blubbing baby.

did you ask the gp to sign you off?

no he recommended that I am still not fit and they want to keep their eyes on me. Might have to go for more blood tests and SPD is posisble strating agin.

If you have a sick note then you cannot legally go into work, can't remeber why but I think its to do with insurance

Hope it gets better soon Helsy. I was off for 3 months with HG and tried lots of times to go back but I think that only made it worse. You have to go with it - my GP was adamant that stressing made it worse.

that's correct re. insurance. We send anybody home that comes into work whilst covered by sicknote.

Oops - called you me. Sorry

oh I didn't know that about not being able to work when covered by a sicknote. would I not be able to do anything at home either?

Helsi

I'll be honest OK? My sickness went at 20 weeks, 16 is common but I know of cases where it went on for the entire pregnancy. But that is rare. The lady who had this was the case study / designer of the website so don't go thinking there's loads like that if you have read it.

I had I think 7 or so weeks off, plus others here and there. It was the medication that got me back strong enough. The vast likelihood is that you'll be abck soon, but TBH I think you're better taking it one day at a time and looking after you. Consider it as practice for maternity leave, and for goodness sake don't go haring around preparing for Christmas etc! you're off to rest.

Sorry for being dim, but what is HG?
So sorry you're feeling so ill though Helsi.