Panic attacks, IBS and work

LegacyUser

Hey,
Having a really rough time at work lately and was wondering if ye guys might be able to help.

Basically I suffer from Panic attacks mainly while travelling but recently my bowels have been really sore with cramps day and night.

I m on my way to see the doc today but my company is telling me to go to our disaster recovery site all next week which means a small bit of travel but for me this is a night mare.

I would normally do my best to go but with my bowels actin the way they are all I can think of is been stuck on the side f the road in terrible pain.

I have told my prevoius superior about it and never had to travel and I did inform my new superior but he doesnt seem to have gotten the message so now I m down to go.

My question is what sort of back do I have if I tell them I m not going.
Can they demand I do. I dont remember anythingin my contract about going outside the building.

And for work in general is it possible to take a long time off for something like.

Usually I would just do it and get through it but I ve felt so sick lately thet I thin goin would maike matters worse

matt-dublin

They can't force you to do anything you can't physically do, get a doctors note to say you can't travel due to these illnesses,

you've been there longer than your probation period i assume?

if so there's nothing they can do.

You have rights that they have to abide by, if you tell them you can't travel and they make working uncofortable for you and you have to quit you can sue them for constructive dismissal...

if they plain fire you for not being able to travel you can sue for unfair dismissal.

tbh

check out the Long Term Illness forum - link in my sig. You can post anon there if you want.

Marksie

Go to your doctors, explain the situation and ask his advice. He may put something in writing for you to take to your employer at the very least.

Also have a look at ways of managing the ibs, again he will or should be able to help there. I know there have been threads in the long term illness forum whihc have discussed IBS and crohn's

Edit: Ah TBH saw that after my post :-)

LegacyUser

'Get it checked out - there are some good ways of dealing with it.
Try relaxation, get your GP to suggest someone who could help in that regard - lots of psychologically-based therapies out there that may help you to relax and deal with stress and panic.

Also, make sure it really is IBS, I myself had what I thought was IBS for a few years. It turned out to be a really serious wheat allergy which, if ignored could have caused long term damage.

So, definitely speak to your doctor and make sure you explore the possibility that it could be a medical or dietary problem too.

There's an unusually high % of people in Ireland who can't tolerate wheat, so it is an avenue worth exploring with your GP.

Also, don't rely on quack allergy tests - consult with your GP or a genuine pharmacist.'