Started a new job two weeks ago and now can't work due to pain

[LittleMissedTheSunshine]

I started a new job not even two weeks ago, all gone ok so far.

On Friday i began to feel a painful sensation in my back like I'd pulled a muscle, I ignored it and kept working. Got home ok. Later that evening, it got progressively worse to the point it was excruciating - worse than labour or toothache - and I rang 111 who said to go to A and E.

A and E doctor said I had a compressed nerve in my neck and gave me high dose cocodamol.

I'm in constant pain even with the painkillers which are also making me nauseous.

How the hell am I going to work tomorrow? Panicking now as I really didn't want to take off any time sick in probation (3 months) and I won't get paid if I do.

Not sure whether to try and brave it through gritted teeth, or just take some time off and take the financial hit.

if i do take the painkillers even if I don't feel sick they are making me drowsy so they will probably think I am on drugs/drunk or something.

If I don't I will have more mental clarify but the pain will stop me being able to concentrate on anything anyway.

I really don't want to make a fuss or for my new manager to think I'm a 'bad hire' but not sure what options I have. This is sods law as I've never had a problem like this before and haven't been off sick in the last year.

See how you are tomorrow. Spend today taking the medication and resting. You might be okay tomorrow. If not, then you need to be honest, say you had to go to hospital and you are on painkillers and might need a day or two. Then work your socks off when you get back to work and impress them. If you have a doctor's note / presciption note as evidence, even better. You can't help being sick.

It's probably also worth searching YouTube for stretching exercises. A compressed nerve needs to be uncompressed to recover! Alternating heat and cold packs also helps reduce the inflammation. I'd suggest, if you can, go into work - but absolutely do not if it's too hard! - and explain what has happened and "show willing". It's often better, when managers don't know you well, to be obviously struggling than not being there at all. If you have to you can go home earlier, or they may even send you home. Better than them thinking you have a Monday morning hangover!

Thank you. Awake in the night right now with pain and just had a little cry realising this isn't something I can hide from work now. Strange how we take our bodies for granted then boom suddenly they let us down.

I was given cocodamol at the hospital which makes me feel like a zombie, but I'm gonna try and get to see my GP this morning to get something else to take away the pain that I can still work on.

Bugger bugger bugger this is just such bad timing!