Help with ill-health and time off work

I’ve suffered with anaemia for 20 years, but in April 2022, I was taken off my iron supplements by my GP as recent blood tests had come back with more positive results. When I came off the supplements, things began to change. I’d always felt tired, but I started having additional symptoms. However, I pushed through and still went into work, as best as I could. In February 2023, I had a call from the GP stating that because my latest blood results I needed to go to hospital immediately, for a blood transfusion. After the transfusion, there were issues and things got worse – I began having palpitations and breathless, with body pains and confusion and doctors explained that my body was actually going into shut down which was the reason I felt so tired.

Mentally, I was feeling very low and became very frustrated, because I couldn’t do anything, which really upset me, I felt useless. I work in a school and going into work and not feeling 100% made it worse. I always felt like I needed to sleep and if I didn’t rest then my symptoms would get worse. But even when I did go to sleep, I’d wake up feeling like an elephant had been sitting on me and more tired than I did before. The only way I can describe it, it was like doing a couple of hours in the gym, without going to the gym. I had to stop working in early July 2023 on sick leave. In the September, I had a phased returned back to work, but was not able to cope well with my symptoms and was experiencing dizziness, headaches, brain fog and severe IBS. I had to go off sick again and I haven’t been able to return to work since.

When I went off sick again, I didn’t know what to do. I’ve worked at the school for 12 years and not had any time off, until now. So, I wanted to find out what I needed to do and how to do it, which, included getting my union rep involved. I had spoken to friends and family about what was going on with me and then I spoke to Charlene at Life in Community, who told me about the advocacy support that they offered. I needed help with going through all the jargon and my rights, especially around what was happening at work and what other support I could be offered based upon my circumstances. They have helped me when I completed a PIP form and I’ve been given advice on other benefits I can access, as well as guidance around the processes of Sickness/Absence within my workplace.

Thanks to Life in Community, I feel more confident about what’s been happening. I was really worried, but now I know where I can get help. It’s also helped to take the pressure off with feeling like I needed to go to back into work, even though I couldn’t manage it. Health wise, work was proving to be detrimental, but I felt that I needed to go in. That in itself was taking an emotional toll on me, it has been such a relief. Knowing that I have someone to go to, I’m feeling less stressed, and confused and it makes me feel more confident in dealing with not only the school, but also with medical professionals. I’ve started asking the right questions. I’ve been recently diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, and they are now looking at Fibromyalgia. However, I just want to get back to my old self.

I feel more confident about what’s been happening. Knowing that I have someone to go to, I’m feeling less stressed, and confused and it makes me feel more confident in dealing with not only the school, but also with medical professionals.