Back to work!!

[Waynester]

After 5 months off work due to major spinal surgery, i'm back tomorrow!!

Tbh i have been trying to get back for the last 3/4 weeks as being at home isn't what it's cracked up to be. My employers have been 'understandbly' cautious as they need assurances that i am fit to return.
An added problem for me has been an inability to drive, physically & legally, so it's not as if i could go out for a drive.

Anyway, there have been changes at work...apparently, new boss etc... so this all adds to my apprehension at returning.

Anyone else had similar & been off longterm?

[s3fella]

Waynester said:

After 5 months off work due to major spinal surgery, i'm back tomorrow!!

Tbh i have been trying to get back for the last 3/4 weeks as being at home isn't what it's cracked up to be. My employers have been 'understandbly' cautious as they need assurances that i am fit to return.
An added problem for me has been an inability to drive, physically & legally, so it's not as if i could go out for a drive.

Anyway, there have been changes at work...apparently, new boss etc... so this all adds to my apprehension at returning.

Anyone else had similar & been off longterm?

been off a month with a bust knee. Still on crutches but went back Thurs as I getting real bored!

[oldbanger]

Been off 8 months with statutory adoption leave. Go back 1st week of April. Not quite the same, I know...

Edited by oldbanger on Sunday 29th March 16:26

[CCM]

I was off for several weeks when I broke my heel (as obviously I couldn't drive). When I did return I realised that I hated the job and promptly walked out (well hobbled as still on crutches)

[Nolar Dog]

I was off for 7 months once and didn't enjoy the attention I got when I returned.

It was like being some kind of Prodigal Son.
Everyone wanted to know how I was, what I'd been up to, Etc.

My immediate department manager was an absolute weapon though. He got me in the office on my first day back and told me he had been instrumental in [quote]"keeping my job open" and I owed him a lot of favours.

He hadn't even been employed by the company when I started my "leave" and he was sacked 2 days after I returned. What a jockey he was!

[Waynester]

Nolar Dog said:

It was like being some kind of Prodigal Son.
Everyone wanted to know how I was, what I'd been up to, Etc.

I guess tomorrow will be the same for me, and that's fine from those who are genuine, but i know some who will have a trace of 'sarcasm' about them.. as of course it was only a back thing.

[Craphouserat]

What you get done? I was off for 7 months due to back surgery, still get grief with it now. Hope your all better now mate.

[Waynester]

Craphouserat said:

What you get done? I was off for 7 months due to back surgery, still get grief with it now. Hope your all better now mate.

Sorry to hear you suffer the same.

I've had previous surgery (Discectomy) on my back 5 years ago, but unfortunately my back deteriorated to the point i clearly needed more.

I had an L5/S1 fusion, and an L4/5 ADR (Artificial Disc Replacement).
This was done through the abdomen..as it was easier to access the spine! Apparently.

It wasn't a pleasant Op, and not something i'd ever want to repeat.
I still have pain, but as the Op was 13 weeks ago i'm hoping this is just post operative pain. I'll just have to see.

What did you have?

[martinmac]

I have been off for a few monhs with back and kidney problems. Just been back to work recently. Unfortunately I have to climb ladders to get to work so I was a little concerned.

Anyone who thinks its fun been "off work" with back problems doesnt know what they are talking about. It no fun sitting around the house in pain all day.

Hope all is well for you.

[Craphouserat]

Waynester said:

Craphouserat said:

What you get done? I was off for 7 months due to back surgery, still get grief with it now. Hope your all better now mate.

Sorry to hear you suffer the same.

I've had previous surgery (Discectomy) on my back 5 years ago, but unfortunately my back deteriorated to the point i clearly needed more.

I had an L5/S1 fusion, and an L4/5 ADR (Artificial Disc Replacement).
This was done through the abdomen..as it was easier to access the spine! Apparently.

It wasn't a pleasant Op, and not something i'd ever want to repeat.
I still have pain, but as the Op was 13 weeks ago i'm hoping this is just post operative pain. I'll just have to see.

What did you have?

Not as much as you mate ! Always had bother with bulging discs - a house move 2 years ago was the straw that done it - 2 went pop. Double microdiscectomy, they only shaved some of the 2nd one. L4 L5 I think, still get grief now. I'd heard another pateint on my ward had to have something similar to you, they had to break some ribs to operate on his ! I hope I don't get worse, but I still get grief and had some more time off. keep the exercises up is the best advice I can give - I stopped and my doc reckons thats my problem. Good core stability is essential. i was desperate to get back to work, but don't do what I did and rush it - take it easy. You will be knackered first few weeks probably.

All the best mate.

[Craphouserat]

martinmac said:

I have been off for a few monhs with back and kidney problems. Just been back to work recently. Unfortunately I have to climb ladders to get to work so I was a little concerned.

Anyone who thinks its fun been "off work" with back problems doesnt know what they are talking about. It no fun sitting around the house in pain all day.

Hope all is well for you.

You are not wrong - sitting all day in pain and stoned on Dihydrocodine is no fun. Early days I was on that,diazepam,gabapentine,amtriptaline and a few others for the pain. Still have a stock of dihydro's. No-body knows how bad it is till happens.

[Waynester]

Craphouserat said:

Waynester said:

Craphouserat said:

What you get done? I was off for 7 months due to back surgery, still get grief with it now. Hope your all better now mate.

Sorry to hear you suffer the same.

I've had previous surgery (Discectomy) on my back 5 years ago, but unfortunately my back deteriorated to the point i clearly needed more.

I had an L5/S1 fusion, and an L4/5 ADR (Artificial Disc Replacement).
This was done through the abdomen..as it was easier to access the spine! Apparently.

It wasn't a pleasant Op, and not something i'd ever want to repeat.
I still have pain, but as the Op was 13 weeks ago i'm hoping this is just post operative pain. I'll just have to see.

What did you have?

Not as much as you mate ! Always had bother with bulging discs - a house move 2 years ago was the straw that done it - 2 went pop. Double microdiscectomy, they only shaved some of the 2nd one. L4 L5 I think, still get grief now. I'd heard another pateint on my ward had to have something similar to you, they had to break some ribs to operate on his ! I hope I don't get worse, but I still get grief and had some more time off. keep the exercises up is the best advice I can give - I stopped and my doc reckons thats my problem. Good core stability is essential. i was desperate to get back to work, but don't do what I did and rush it - take it easy. You will be knackered first few weeks probably.

All the best mate.

No rib breaking thank God! but i do have 7" scar across my lower abdomen, which of course makes a nice addition to the scar on my lower back from the discectomy Op!

I'll be taking it easy, i have to as it's all to easy to hurt myself, or cause problems to the fused vertabrae OR the ADR!

Listen to your back as well, any additional pain etc.. get yourself checked out! Seriously not worth gambling when the alternative is what i had.

Cheers

[Waynester]

martinmac said:

I have been off for a few monhs with back and kidney problems. Just been back to work recently. Unfortunately I have to climb ladders to get to work so I was a little concerned.

Anyone who thinks its fun been "off work" with back problems doesnt know what they are talking about. It no fun sitting around the house in pain all day.

Hope all is well for you.

Thanks, you too.

[mattviatura]

Sounds grim

Best of luck

[Brown and Boris]

As a self employed bloke all this talk of months off work is scaring me a bit. checking eyes for spots, and worrying every ache could spell financial disater.

[Pferdestarke]

Ask to have ten minutes with the new boss and acknowledge that it is strange for both of you and that you hope they can work together in a productive manner.

Then you'll feel better.

[Waynester]

Pferdestarke said:

Ask to have ten minutes with the new boss and acknowledge that it is strange for both of you and that you hope they can work together in a productive manner.

Then you'll feel better.

Already done..sort of, i couldn't stand the thought of going into work..cold, if you know what i mean? so I called him & we had a chat.
Certainly felt a bit better after, now i just need to get in and get on with the rest of it!

[Waynester]

mattviatura said:

Sounds grim

Best of luck

Tis grim..unfortunately.

Thanks though.

[entwisi]

was off for 6 months when I smashed my L1 in a Bike accident. went back part time to start with. 2 days a week for a fortnight, 3 days for a fortnight etc

It worked well in my favour as I'd been trying to geta move within the company and had always been a "Key Man Dependancy". When I went back and asked and was told teh same I laughed and poinbted out I couldn't be that Key if you'd coped without me for 6 and a bit months....

look at it as an opportunity to change a few things you didn't like. a lot of people will have completely forgotton about you and you can make that 1st impression again.

don't worr, chill out and take your time.

In my case I needed a decent chair as an IT geek I approached HR about it and they sorted a bloke from teh chair company to come and talk about my needs. Took 3 weeks to come but I've had it ~ 6 years now and its is simply superb. when I am off I believe there is a fight for who gets to sit in it whilst I'm away... )

[m4tt]

Go back tommorrow after 2 weeks paternity leave, which will be a welcome break from nappy changing, etc!

Although did have 4 months between jobs in the summer, and went back about 6 months ago to a new job, was fine. You get into the swing of things quickly.

Best of luck.