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I finished my treatment - surgery, chemorads - in May, last year.
I returned to work in June, and have become more and more tired ever since. It's got to a point where I'm re-thinking my career. It's a physical, fast paced job. I don't enjoy it, but I've never felt so overwhelmed before.
I dread going into work. I'm so tired.
I have spoken to a few specialists. The ones that knows me have suggested I take time off, but my GPs (who I don't know very well) are a bit unsure.
I don't know what to do.
Has any one considered taking extra time off work, despite months passing since treatment finished? If so, how long did you take off? If not, how did you learn to pace yourself after such significant changes?
Hi eliop
I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I finished treatment in September 2018 and probably went back too soon. I like you am feeling very tired at the moment in my job, I have reduced my hours slightly. I can see the positives and negatives of taking time off. In one sense going to work helps in terms of normality and obviously financially whilst time off would give you some recovery time even though I often do find that on days I do less I feel worse then when keeping active. A career change as you mention could be a good solution and it's nice to learn something new and to meet new people.
I agree the tiredness does seem to worsen with time but then I guess winter time always did make me want to curl up and sleep so things may feel better once spring comes along.
Not any help really but I hope you manage to find a balance that works well for you. To manage better with work I try and book Holidays or short breaks away more frequently. My hour adjustments mean some days I do longer hours that I did but get days of in the week as a result and that helps also x
I took 3 months off after treatment and edged myself back in quite slowly. I agree with weeping willow that the winter months do make you feel more tired. I think we throw ourselves back in to normality to try to regain control and also to stop us from thinking about what has happened.
Could you try to reduce your hours?
Thanks! I know it's a bit of a naive question to ask! We're all different. I can access paid leave, and work (NHS) is fairly helpful, so it's not so much a financial decision. It's more to do with - like you say - getting back to a bit of normality. I also worry that it might have negative consequences - despite reasurance and support from my bosses.
I reduced my hours a few months ago, but the fatigue seems to be getting worse. In fact, it's worse now than when I was going through the treatment 9 months ago.
Short, regular breaks are a good idea.
I do feel like I'm going to take the sick leave, though. I need some more time to recover.
sorry to witter on - but thank you for the reply x
Have you tried contacting MacMillan for advice and support about your rights at work? Just a thought!
I finished in June 2018 and I'm still exhausted. I work 27 hours and it is hard. I'm in early menopause like a lot of us and I have pelvic radiation disease so I think the long term side effects impact this too. Keep the conversation open with employer maybe even a temporary further reduction in hours for 2-3 months see how it goes
