I got an ear infection in February and both of my eardrums burst. Thats when my dizzyness started. Since then I got Cellulitis in my left leg from a cut in my left foot. The tablets for this put me in hospital as I was passing blood. The Tablets they changed me onto put me back into hospital where I was injected with adrenaline. This was put straight into my vein in error and I woke up some time later in Resussitation (sp?) My Labyrinthitis has progressivley got worse and the headaches are getting really bad. I have found a lump on my head behind my right ear and right in line with where the headaches settle. The ENT specialist says that the lump is on the boundry of normal parameters but I'm Petrified.

To Cap this off I am now being referred by work to the company doctor and they sound like they don't believe me. I'm also going into hospital to have both my big toe nails removed in august and they know this.

Has anyone on here been sent to the company doctor or similar over this. I'm terrified that they are just looking for a way to sack me. I only work in a ruddy call center but my journey into work takes over an hour and I have to change busses. I've tried taking the bus and it really screws me up.

I am sorry to come on here all manic depressive but I'm hoping for some advice, anything would be good.

Rob.

Hi Rob

I saw the Occupational Health doctor several times for my work and it was really ok. So don't worry. They just asked all about my symptoms and any medication. My advise would be to take a list of all your symptoms. dates, doctors, medication etc. as it's easy to forget when you are nervous - I have a few things wrong with me and have even been known to forget to say I am dizzy on occasion!!!

I got some good advice from the lady doctor I saw - part of their role is to help to see if there are any changes that could be made at work to help you return to your job - do you think there is anything that would make it possible for you? Remember to stress how the problems you have now are making it difficult for you to do things and how this is stopping you from returning to your job, tell them about your mobility problems and problems you have travelling. It was a completely different experience to when I had a DSS medical assessment - nightmare!!


Hope that helps a bit - don't worry as it probably won't be as bad as you think and I hope you are feeling a lot better soon.

Good luck

Lynn

Rob

Welcome to the Dizzy Family! From now on, you're not alone xxx

Lynn's right. A company appointed doctor is there to try and understand your problems from an occupational basis, with a view to recommending possible adaptations which may assist you.

When my former employer said they were intending sending me to a company appointed doctor, I freaked. I was assured it was all just following procedure laid down in the company rules, and nothing to worry about. I was still freaked, so I went and saw the Occupational Health Advisors who offer appointments at my GP Surgery. Adele and Keiran were great. They assured me the company appointed doctor wasn't the bogeyman and it would be to my benefit rather than detrimental to see them.

Have a chat with your GP about the referral to the company appointed doctor. See if they can refer you on to an Occupational Health Advisor. If not, ring your local advice centre and see if they're able to offer you an appointment to see someone for reassurance and advice. They can guide you as to how to put across your symptoms and difficulties. My local Advice Centre have been gems whilst assisting me in appealing the JobCentre's decision to fail me on my DSS Medical Assessment.

There are other Members on here who have experience of seeing company appointed doctors as I didn't see one in the end. I attempted a phased return to work before I'd even started treatment for my condition, and the exhaustion and "brain fog" nailed me. In the end, I came to a mutual decision with my employer and I was dismissed on medical grounds. It helped me as it reduced my stress levels considerably.

Try not to wig too much, hun, there are people and organisations out there whose job it is to provide people like us with guidance and information. If you have to complete any official forms or documents relating to your medical condition, I'd recommend seeing someone at the local Advice Centre for guidance, as they're invaluable in that regard.

Good luck and keep us posted on how things progress, but anytime you need support, advice or just to vent, come here, because we understand.

__________________
We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

Thanks guys, It helps to know that other people are coping and that you aren't the only one.

The company doctors surgery rang me today. I live and work in Sunderland. The Company doctor is in Newcastle. Now they know I dont/cant drive, and one of the reasons I'm not at work is the hour long bus journey. Now they want me to go to see a doctor further away.

I've made the appointment anyway and said I'll see what I can do. I suppose it could be a good thing for them to see the state I'm in after the trip.

Thanks again guys and I'll keep you updated.

Rob

I'm not saying that this is the case at all, just my suspicious mind at work......what if they've deliberately made the appointment far afield to see if you'll attend? My depression's really quite bad at the moment due to outside influences (unfortunately I can't go into detail but involves me being a witness in court next Wednesday), so I do tend to think at extremes, so it may just be my paranoia kicking in......

I'd update your GP and if you have time, speak to an Occupational Health Advisor or someone from your local Advice Centre for recommendations on how to put across your medical condition, as I found out to my detriment, wording can be all important....

Good luck!

__________________
We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

Hiya Rob,
You've been through a bit of the wars! A v big welcome to the site

I think that your work probably has just not thought about the fact that travelling to the work docs is such a diffecult thing for you to do, it's something we all take so much for granted until we have diffeculties with mobility. I was speaking to the job centre where I live and explained I couldn't walk etc and they said to just pop into have a chat! They had no comprehension that that was physically impossible even though I said I couldn't walk!!! [Don't get me started on job centres LOL!].

I had to go and see my occupational health doc for my work. It's quite a way from where I live so I took a taxi there and back as I couldn't make it on public transport. Is it possible for you to do this and claim expenses back? They're sending you there so travel expenses should be re-embursed and it's not unreasonable that someone who's ill and needs to travel a long way like you to see the OH doc should take a taxi rather than a v convoluted public transport journey. It may be worth inquiring about.

As others have said, seeing the OH doc does several things. Firstly it helps the company know when you are likely to come back to work. Secondly it's because the company has a duty of care towards you. So they need to know any special adaptions you need or if there's any part of your job that isn't suitable for you e.g. I've been banned from climbing ladders at work til I'm non dizzy!! The OH doc can also help plan a return to work for you if you've been off for a while, or if you need to drop down your hours.

My OH doc sent a wee report to my work after I'd seen him, but I asked to be copied into the email incase there was anything I disagreed with so I could raise that.

Hope this helps and the apt. goes well and things start getting sorted out for you soon.
Clare xxx

__________________
We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

Looks like My stepdad is going to come through on this one, He's the only person in my family who can drive and I think he's taking me through. If not my kid brother has said he'll come through with me incase I have problems on the train. He's getting quite good at this, He caught me before I fell down an escallator in a shop.

I don't know what the OH can do for me as my biggest problem is the hour trip into work on 2, sometimes 3 busses depending on shift times. If they have connections maybe they can speed a scan up but thats about it. At the end of the day I work in a call center and I find trouble having a face to face conversation at the moment, the brain fog would screw me on a complexed complaint.

Oh well, the appointment isn't for another 3 weeks so there's no sense in worrying too much over it.