Pain killers

Hi,

I had surgery in Feb and am 6 weeks post treatment so I’ve been off 4 and a half months.  I’m actually only officially employed for one day as a teacher and run (ran) my own business on the others which I’ll have to start up again from pretty much scratch. Anyway, at the moment, I am not considering going back to work but have a little while until it decreases to half pay. In your case, if you need to go back for financial reasons, you should discuss a phased return. When your GP issues a FIT note, they can put on there amendments that should be made. Perhaps speak to your employer about part time, reduced hours, shorter days, reduced workload/ responsibilities until you feel ready to increase. I actually went in to my school yesterday to discuss arrangements for next term but for me I had a very different response because I clearly look unwell having lost 3 stone. It’s as though for if people can see the difference on the outside they are more understanding and immediately get the fact that you’ve clearly had a tough time  (not everyone of course- some are full of empathy regardless) In your case, you could write down all the side effects you are still experiencing and talk to your employer so they actually know - spell it out for them as so few people can relate to the complexities of head and neck cancer treatment and recovery. Ask for a meeting and explain how you feel, what your concerns are etc. you might walk away feeling reassured. 
Clare x 

Hi Elaine

I am ex NHS and I recall that you are currently a nurse??   

Occy Health are the people to see to discuss how you are felling regarding your return to work.  They will then advise your line manage as to the best way forward.  This is only advice and the line manager can ignore it, but woe betide them if they do!

Many people do not understand the medium and long term effects of having cancer and its treatment.  If you do return to work it may be best to sit down with your colleagues and take them through what has happened and what is still happening to help them understand how you can best fit back into the workforce.

You do need professional advice on the pension situation, but I suspect if you retire due to ill health and then take a similar job to what you retired from there would be some questions relating to the ill health retirement with possible reappraisal.  Possibly if the roles were totally dissimilar then that may be more flexibility (e.g. nurse moving into an admin role).

You are (or at least were) totally free to retire at the earliest possible date to take your pension.  Depending on the scheme you are on and the role you fulfil that could be as early as 50.  You then wait the required time (a few weeks) and return to work.  Again you need to take proper advice as the rules may have changed since I retired.  Your finance department should have a pensions adviser or you could always contact the NHS Pension people at the Business Services Authority.

Hi Elaine

So sorry you are feeling this pressure towards work so very soon into your recovery. I and many others here on this forum will understand how it takes time for us to recover from head and neck cancer treatments  - let alone the worry of returning to work.  Just because you look good outwardly does not mean or to be assumed by anyone you are ready for work.  Some of us can be living with hidden problems unseen by others and things  we need to be helped with further. You are not taking the mickey - no way. Just because you can clean the house and go for walks does not make you fit for work yet. You are likely to be doing these things at your own pace and with no pressure and can stop for breaks and do your self care when you need to.  You know what you are going through and what it is taking you to recover through your own personal circumstance.  What you're left with at the mo, and the challenges to be dealing with both physical and psychological effects will take time, support and understanding by your employers is important. You may need help with adjustments in your workplace when it is time for you to go back even starting as a phased return. 

You are protected by law on employment after a cancer diagnosis for good reason. We can be living with things differently and need time to plan on how to manage these new normals. How you are feeling now will likely change and improve and given more time you are going to feel a lot better. My advice would be to tell your  GP  you need more time and explain your present difficulties.

I think Elaine what you have been through you just need more time and to go from there.

The very best 

NIcky

• Thank you Nicky, Peter and clare. 
  i work in a GP practice and my GP is my employer. To be honest they have been very understanding. I am hoping to do phased return. Id love to go part time but cant afford to tbh. However if i could claim my pension due to ill heslth (im 52) then maybe i could go part time? However I know thats its difficult as id have to prove i was permanently incapable of doing my current job which is full time. Maybe i just need more time?? 
  Gosh clare, 3 stone weight loss is a lot! Have you plateaued now?? Hope you start to soon feel better. Ive started a list if side effects as there are do many !! Like you say Peter, occy health i think is tge way forward, we have to buy in those services but it needed isnt it to protect me and my employer. 
  thanks again everyone 
• Elaine x

Hu Elaine write everythjng down outwardly we look fine but the damage is internally our mouths are the most sensitive areas. 
read the Dr Peter Harvey article ir better still give it to bgo to read Just because you oook fine doesn’t mean you arexhttps://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hazelx

Thanks Hazel, yes im listing my side effects-its a ling list!! 
How long did you need painkillers for?? Im still on painkillers and still get pain, wondering whether i need them, are they actually working?? Or need more (although recently had gabapentin increased but feel increasingly tired)?? Not keen on taking so many pills xx

Hi Elaine I started a slow withdrawal plan around week 8/9 and reduced slowly over the next 4  weeks. I was i on 8;x30 mg co codomol and 40 mil oramorph @ day and slowly got  down to paracetamol only. I started firstly reducing the oRamorph then the cincodom down tom15 mg then 8 mg.  

Hazelx

Thanks Hazel, 

im k I’mn Zomorph gabapentin and paracetamol, I’ll probably ask the GP as i still have neck pain but not convinced painkillers are what i need, think it’s exercises and physio as im all stiff and sore. thanks again x

I feel so drugged up, dizzy, fed up of always having something wrong. Cant stop yawning and falling asleep. Despite all this, im still in pain. No i have bad headache as im crying writing this. It’s Saturday evening and literally, cant go iut for a meal or drinks, too tired to socialise yet you look as social media and see my friends going out enjoying themselves. Its sunner, my favourite time of the year but im bored to death of same old stuff, mainly tv. I do get out and wall every day with the dog. 
i stopped this morning morphine dose as im so drugged up?was ok until 3pm then the pain kicked in. Im deaf in one ear since my op and have bad tinnitus and all i fel now is throbbing in my head and ear. 
Sorry to moan, any ideas about dealing with pain whilst avoiding drowsiness and dizziness?? 
im in zomorph 10mg twice a day, gabapentin 300mgs three times a day (recently increased this week) and paracetamol 

many thanks

Elaine 

Hi Elaine . For a lot of us socialising in the months after recovery is a dream. Mine finished 31 August  2 November hubbys 60th  we went out for first time for a light lunch I spat the soup out in front if everyone. Ok we were in Spain but i was   still on co codomol and oramorph it was   around week 13 before I had reduced my pain relief just to paracetamol.. You said you’ve stopped morphine How quickly did you stop  did yiubreduce it gradually? It could be withdrawal symptoms ? I Reduced  mine every 3  days by a few mil. I was in 40 mil at its height and 20 mil when I decided to reduce it lThe drowsiness could well  be radiation fatigue as well that hits you like a wave. I know you don’t think it’s early days but honestly it is early days for you. I could lie and say it will be over soon but in some people it can take longer we are all different. For radiation fatigue all you can  do is listen to your body you can’t fight it otherwise you will be in a vicious circle. I was very good at 20 min power naps , even friends used to say  when we visited did I want to use their bedroom for a nap. I often did 20 min got me through the day. 
Hazel