Wwyd? Extend sick note or buck up?

[Ducky1900]

I'm 11+2, I've been off the last week with a sick note as I've just been feeling so rough.
Doctor put me on cyclizine, but tbh I'm trying not to take it as I can manage this feeling at home because I can rest when I need to.

It's like a constant hangover. Nausea is there pretty much all the time, I seem to have an OK day, and then a bad day and repeat.
Yesterday was OK, and managed to get out to get my sons feet measured, today I can't get out of bed, I'm so nauseous, dizzy, washed out, exhausted.

I have to let work know tomorrow, and I'm not sure whether I should just buck up and get on with it, or extend my sick note another week.
I work for the NHS and new rules, we have to wear masks all shift, not just patient contact, it makes me feel 10 X worse in a mask, before was OK, as we had a break between patient contact, but I can't imagine I'll cope wearing a mask all day either while I feel like this.
Feel Mega guilty letting work down (but tbh, it's not a very nice environment and the people arent great either)
Sorry I'm rambling... But wwyd?

Take the anti sickness tablets! The days I thought I could manage it I just couldn't. There is no harm in taking them and you're not going to achieve anything by not. Only then you'll know once back at work if you can handle it!

Extend and take the pills.

I’ve been signed off since 5 weeks with sickness and nausea and taking Ondansteron, which is stronger than cyclizine. I’m now turning 20 weeks and going back to work next week.

Nausea can be debilitating and I couldn’t imagine wearing a mask all day. Stop the guilt, I’m sure you don’t want to be feeling so unwell.

It's not the nausea that's bothering me The most..
It's the exhaustion. I cannot keep my eyes open this afternoon.

That’s horrible that you’re feeling so rough with it. I had bad nausea at the start and I was constantly try to lie down during the day when I wasn’t busy (I worked from home before the pandemic so could fortunately do this) I think if you’re feeling that rough then definitely extend and have some more time

Take the meds as prescribed and take all the time you need off.

I soldier on and took only the odd day off when I was completely bed bound. I shouldn't have, there were days when I got to work and then felt to nauseous and sick to get home again so ended up struggling on until the worst passed. I have a desk job so at least I could sit quietly nibbling rice crackers sipping lemonade trying not to draw attention to myself. No way I could have managed a job with any moving/walking or wearing a mask.

I'm now working from home and am much more proactive in taking days off that I need or having a lie down whilst the meds kick in. I wish I had done it more earlier

Prioritise your own needs and don't worry about work. Going back for 2 days figuring you can't cope then going back off sick would be more disruptive

I'd extend the sick note (and I never take sick leave usually!). You are pregnant, it is a short period of time and you have to look after yourself and the baby. There is no prize awarded for powering through and soon enough you will feel well enough to go back hopefully.

Hope you feel better soon!

I know the answer to this one! Extend the sick leave! This was me earlier in pregnancy and I took odd days off sick, in hindsight I wish I’d just taken a decent chunk of time off until I felt truly better ( around 16 weeks)
honestly it’s easier for work to plan if you take chunks of time off, I’m also an NHS nurse. Also has others have said take the cyclizine.
Just reading your post brings back the queasy feeling 🤢 it’s awful but it does get better

Extend the sick leave! No question. The first trimester can be brutal, and a with job like yours it would be awful. Just go to easy on yourself.

I always found the cyclizine made my exhaustion 10x worse, but still preferred that to the constant vomiting. If you feel you COULD manage at work I think it's important to at least try to go, you can always get signed off if you needed to. But if you really do feel far too unwell then it's not worth it and i'd extend the sick note

Will you do your job WELL if you go in? If not, extend the sick note. A nurse that is ill could be a nurse that makes mistakes - always better to be off if you can't do your job properly in a health care situation.

I would take the cyclizine though. I'm on it at the moment. I find it makes the exhaustion much worse, but then that means I manage the odd nap, and I do feel better when I wake up, instead of dragging myself through the day vomitting everywhere AND being tired.

With a bit of luck you'll be feeling better in a week or two.

I work for the NHS too and am in the middle of my first week off (I’m 8+1), I’m taking promethazine which is really helping the nausea but leaving me completely exhausted. I know I couldn’t do my 12 hour shifts in a mask and be safe at the moment. My manager told me to stay off sick if I need to rather than go back to work and end up having to be signed off again. Look after yourself, You’re growing a whole new person!xx

Thanks for all your replies. I Spoke to the doctor today and he said he didn't think I was up to work, given me 2 weeks note.
Doesn't mean I have to use the 2 weeks, I can go back if I feel better before that. Fingers crossed I'll be on the up very soon!