Pelvic Girdle Pain & work

[mum2bemay22]

I’ve just been diagnosed with PGP, at first my MW said it was sciatica but the problem has escalated and it’s now definitely PGP! Anyway my post is about work really and PGP and just seeing if anyone else has the same problem or has any advise. I was signed off for two weeks over Xmas due to being really dizzy and I passed out at work, my dr wanted to sign me off for a month but I didn’t want to be so he agreed two weeks and he would review me. The whole time I was off I got nothing from my manager not even asking how I was after passing out in the work place!! Anyway, I went back into work and I got the silent treatment and I have been isolated ever since. I have now been diagnosed with PGP and it’s agony by the end of the day at work and the drive home. I saw my dr again who wanted to sign me off but I argued it would only make me work life hell and ended up getting really tearful and told him what had happened on my recent return to work. He has given me a note for my manager to alter my hours so I can cope more with the pain but I just know it’s not going to go down well. My dr said if my manager does not agree to help me or the bullying continues then he will sign me off until my maternity leave (I’m 22 weeks at the moment) but I’m worried that will massively impact my SMP. Has anyone else had this treatment at work? If so what is your advise, I’m so miserable!!

Sending a big hug - I've got a similarly awful manager who is making my life a nightmare! If you've got a doctor's note for shorter hours then definitely use it, he can't prevent that no matter how much he may not like it. If you are in pain, then there's no question about it - yes it's lonely and horrid in the office but not worth doing yourself permanent damage by staggering on.

Nightmare is an understatement it’s living hell, I got told that ‘no one gets signed off for a month’ and I’d fabricated the truth (which I absolutely had not)!! I’m the assistant manager and there had been new staff hired while I was off but on my return I didn’t even get informed about that, the other staff told me. Worst part is my manager is a woman who has two kids and has had a previous miscarriage!!! You’d think she’d be the most understanding but she definitely is not!

Sorry you're going through this. No idea about the work situation unfortunately as my work has been incredibly supportive (not needed any time off with pregnancy, but I had a mc before this and took a month off and it was like it never happened and everyone was happy I did whatever I needed to do).

But in terms of the PGP, there really is no reason to suffer and you can do things to make it better. I had it horribly with my first. I could hardly walk at all by 30 weeks. I started to see an osteopath who adjusted my pelvis (saw her 2 appts) and then took up swimming about 30 minutes 3 times a week. I felt like a new person. It was completely gone by about 34 weeks. This time around, I also had some sciatica (have it anyway, due to SI joint dysfunction, it's not specifically related to pregnancy, but it is aggrevated by it). I started to see the osteopath earlier in 2nd tri before the PGP developed (but was in horrible pain from the sciatica). I've seen her for 3 treatments and again tried to swim as often as I could (which frankly is usually only 1-2 days a week). I've not gotten it at all this pregnancy and the sciatica has gone away. I'm 35 weeks now and feel great.

So it can get better and there is no reason to suffer. You'll have to pay privately for osteopathy, but it's not much and very worth it and you only need a couple appts. There's no reason your work should be treating you like this, but if you truly don't want to be signed off, then I'd try and see if something else might work so you feel better. It's miserable, I know.

Thanks for your reply that’s been really helpful, I will definitely try swimming if it helps!! Don’t get me wrong I haven’t just sat on my backside moaning and not actually doing haha!! I’ve tried pregnancy yoga (made it worse), I have hot baths, hot water bottles, pregnancy pillow, paracetamol and even booked in for a massage! Going insane and I know I still have 4 months to go 😭!!

Ok, so working in Payroll it won't or shouldn't affect your pay. Normally if a woman is off sick with pregnancy related illness then the maternity will automatically commence at 36 weeks. You will have to check what your company maternity pay is though. If it's standard SMP then you will get 90% of you monthly salary (this is calculated from the HMRC website if you want to take a look) then after that it's £140.98 per week for 33 weeks if I remember rightly. If you check on the HMRC website and your company policy for pay then you will get all the information. Honestly though, if your manager is being a dick about this then I think a trip to HR is in order and just bypass the cow bag!!! Big hugs darling. Xxx

That was meant to say 90% of your salary for 3 months and 33 weeks at £140.98 but can't remember if the 33 weeks includes the first 3 months. Better check on the website. Xxx

Thanks!! My company pays full pay for the first 3 months rather than the 90%. I’m not sure if being off sick then affects that. It’s a tough one because reducing my hours may have a bigger financial impact than being off sick