Should I tell work how sick I am?

[SicklyWorker]

NC for this.

Started a new job about 2 months ago. It's a hybrid contact mainly wfh with travel to the office as and when needed.

Before I started I developed bad stomach issues. Feeling constantly nauseous, stomach pains and diarrhoea that wakes me in the night. Sometimes I need the loo 10 times + in the day. I've had it on and off since June. Definitely not pregnant.

I've had a bad flare up this week, the last 3 nights I've been up most of the night with terrible diarrhoea. Blood tests have come back normal, just waiting on a coeliac test. I'm exhausted.

It is been manageable wfh but I'm terrified to commute to the office (1.5 hour trip) in case my symptoms flare up.

My manager is keen for me to come in next week. He has given me good feedback and wants me to apply for a more senior position in the company but I feel like I can't do my current job IRL with these symptoms, let alone a more senior one.

Should I tell work the truth? Should I make up an excuse why I can't come to the office just yet? Should I approach HR or my manager? Any advice appreciated.

I'm sorry you're going through this, op.
I do think you should let work know tbh. You don't need to tell them you're not fit for promotion, just that you would struggle with the commute and being in an office at present.

Thank you, sometimes I think I'll be okay but this week has been so bad I can't really hide it much longer.

Should I approach HR? Never had to deal with anything like this before.

I would approach the manager first personally, if you feel comfortable. I’m sorry about your health it sounds horrendous. I hope it clears up for you, I’d just be honest and tell them. They obviously think highly of you.

Just a note op, if your tests for coeliac disease come back negative I would hope the next step would be a colonoscopy. Even severe IBD, for example, isn't always reflected conclusively in blood tests.

Best of luck

So sorry you are going through this. I can't advise you on the work situation, but please ask your GP for a colonoscopy. It sounds extremely like you have either Colitis or Crohns. Its an auto-immune disease, I have got first hand experience of it, and will need long term medication and/or steriods.

All the best whatever you do. Take care.

@TaraR2020

Just a note op, if your tests for coeliac disease come back negative I would hope the next step would be a colonoscopy. Even severe IBD, for example, isn't always reflected conclusively in blood tests.

Best of luck

Yes I agree. Please insist on all the tests.

I'm sorry, it sounds absolutely miserable.

P.s. if you're not already, start keeping a symptom diary for your doctor. Really important.

Thanks for the advice. I have asked my GP for a colonoscopy but she said no she didn't think they would find anything as I go through stages of feeling better. Sometimes I do feel fine and wonder if it's persistent tummy bugs. At least 7 or 8 since June seems excessive though.

I will insist at my next appointment or go private.

Please do insist. Your GP is being negligent to dismiss the necessity of a camera test.

If gp won’t refer for colonoscopy ask for faecal calprotectin test as that might help rule out IBD

Refer yourself to occ health for advice

@SicklyWorker

Thanks for the advice. I have asked my GP for a colonoscopy but she said no she didn't think they would find anything as I go through stages of feeling better. Sometimes I do feel fine and wonder if it's persistent tummy bugs. At least 7 or 8 since June seems excessive though.

I will insist at my next appointment or go private.

Oh I hate to say this but a family member had similar symptoms, was repeatedly fobbed off by GP and then died of bowel cancer at only 24. Please please do whatever it takes to get the colonoscopy.

My niece went through years of on/off bowl problems, progressively worsening before they eventually have her the tests that diagnosed ulcertive colitis.

An early diagnosis can help with employment as it is classed as a disability instead of just regularly being off sick. Before diagnosis she nearly lost her job due to her sickness record (she works in retail so cannot WFH).

Unfortunately you need to keep pushing your gp. I would tell your boss, tell him it is an ongoing problem that you are seeing the gp for and trying to get a referral. Are you able to afford private, might be worth seeing what the cost would be.

Have they not even asked fir a stool sample to check calprotectin levels? That should be the first step then if elevated refer for colonoscopy.
Sounds very much like my symptoms before I was diagnosed with colitis.

What type of organisation is it? I would have thought you start with occ health or hr to see if you can get a working from home adjustment until symptoms are resolved.

That's really bad management, IMO. I had bowel problems and the Dr did a fecal calprotectin test and it came back 'unrecordably high' (>6000). I was referred to have a colonoscopy under the 2 week wait. For me, it was proctitis. I'm largely stable, but take mesalazine during flares.

@SicklyWorker

Thanks for the advice. I have asked my GP for a colonoscopy but she said no she didn't think they would find anything as I go through stages of feeling better. Sometimes I do feel fine and wonder if it's persistent tummy bugs. At least 7 or 8 since June seems excessive though.

I will insist at my next appointment or go private.

Your GP sounds nuts. Minimising your illness by saying oh it's fine because your symptoms fluctuate is a very lazy way to diagnose a problem. If I were you I wouldn't talk in terms of feeling better some of the time, talk about it affecting your whole life and jeopardising your employment. Sometimes you have to be a bit forceful.

I would advise you to let your manager you are currently undergoing some tests and you can work from home but it will be helpful if you can wait for your diagnosis before you come into the office due to your commute, You don't need to go into detail at this stage.

If it does turn out to be a condition that requires ongoing medication, this could become classed for the purposes of employment as a disability which means they'd have to consider a Reasonable Adjustment, such as wfh, with the occasional working in office, rather than it being every week. This would take the pressure off you and you may then be able to do more time in the office if your condition improves.