Seeking guidance - return to work.

[AnxiousAndy]

So I started a new job and within the week I was having horrible panic attacks and feeling depressed. I had taken myself off my medication about 6 weeks prior to this episode. The doctor puts me back on the meds and gives me one month sick leave. In this time I have been found to be anaemic and am being investigated for reasons for this. I also have contracted another cold despite being (mainly) away from society and having spent all of January battling a nasty reoccurring sinus infection.

Now I am approaching the end of my sick leave and I am still suffering fatigue and have a poor immune system. Furthermore, a big side effect of the medication for me is insomnia. Anxiety and depression still having 'those days' but generally under control. I spoke with my manager and my options are to come back to work in a week and I was warned I would need to hit the ground running, or have another month off and come back when it is less busy and I could potentially ease back into it. I got the idea they would prefer I come back 100% - no fatigue/issues with my immune system, however the con is that I continue to miss work and fall further behind.

I do not want to let the team down if I come back to work and am not performing well/need to take further sick leave, however I am feeling ready to return to work. Just a little lost and am wondering if anyone has some wisdom...?

[Croix]

Dear AnxiousAndy~

Welcome and thanks for your post. It sounds a bit of a problem to sort out, but not that bad. Also it's pretty good the meds are having at least some effect on the anxiety.

First off it sounds like you have a pretty good boss who is able to look at the situation and see the whole picture - and of course there is the fact that you do have a job - excellent.

Now you say:

I am still suffering fatigue and have a poor immune system. Furthermore, a big side effect of the medication for me is insomnia.

Your boss said:

back to work in a week and I was warned I would need to hit the ground running

or

have another month off and come back when it is less busy and I could potentially ease back into it

In view of your assessment of your health, despite your saying I am feeling ready to return to work do you think it might be prudent to return when your physical ailments have had a chance to be sorted? There is still the anemia to diagnose.

Feeling 'ready for work' when tired and with a sinus infection and cold does not sound like it would be easy to give your very best.While one is always anxious to do well at work and make permanent place there, easing in might be the best long-term course.

Not only does this give more time for your meds to further stabilize your anxiety but gives a chance for your respiratory problems and anemia to be settled.

What do you think?

Croix

[BballJ]

Hi AnxiousAndy,

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

Sounds like you have a good understanding boss, most of us feel somewhat bad when we have extended time off work, letting the team down etc those feelings are very normal but if you have good colleagues I am sure they just want to best for you and for you to be 100% healthy when you return to work. The insomnia won't help your day to day job either. They fact they are giving you extra time off to look after yourself is great and remember you are the #1 priority in your life. I understand you will fall further behind but you can always catch up on work when you are better. My boss always says to me when I try to work through being sick when I have a cold or flu that I need to be getting better and most of all you don't want to make anyone else sick in the office if you have a cold or flu, please take the time and get better, it will be much better for you in the long term.

My best for you,

Jay

[geoff]

hi Andy, if you are anaemic then you will be prone to many diseases and thyroid maybe the cause, but I can't say because I'm not a doctor, but because your immune system is down then you could catch any disease, and it maybe the cause for your depression, but please let us know.
Has your doctor put you on the same medication as before, and if so it shouldn't take long for it to have it's affect, but may take longer if your immune system is still down.
You have to decide whether you go back to work not feeling 100% and then needing more time off or whether you get better so that you will be able to cope with the work load, someone else would be catching up with your work, the important part is that you get well first. Geoff.

[AnxiousAndy]

Thank-you everyone for your advice. Meant the world. The answer was abundantly clear when I had an episode on Friday regarding returning to work. Saw my doctor and she also agreed that it was best to return at a later time.

[BballJ]

Hi AnxiousAndy,

That's good the GP advised you that, your health is your number 1 priority.

Feel free to respond if you ever want to talk.

My best,

Jay