Back Injury now Atos are Involved

[redissue]

I've been off work for about two weeks with a back injury.At our office we have been doing P&L since last Oct,i'm on a 5hr delivery.
Since i started this way of working i've had continual bad back and it final came to a head when I woke up on my day off hardly being able to move.
Went to the doctors and it seems i have a Sacrolliac Joint Dysfunction that also spreads to my lower back,very painful and although it's treatable it can be a weakness that can happen again .I'm in my mid 40's and obviously with 20 odd years left i am concernd how much longer i can put my body through this type of work.After a few days i was reffered to ATOS,had a phone call with a consultatnt and they have recommended me for physio.Obviously i can't even do light duties as i can't put any weight on my legs for any length of time and lifting just is'nt an option.
To be honest i would take IHR if it was offered,i don't want to risk my back and future health.What are the possible outcomes and have anyone else gone through this?

[BoltonPostie]

They will eventually offer you IHR....you will think great I'm away from the shithole at last!!
You will either have a cunning plan and start a business or get another job or think i'm so ill i will have to stay off work and claim state benefits which I should be entitled to saying I've paid into the system for xx number of years.
You might think that your too ill to work as afterall Atos have advised you to be IHR,but then atossers will send you for a medical and declare you 100% fit to do `some sort of job`they will then stop you from claiming any disability benefits and expect you to go and find a job...you will then visit the helpful Jobcentreplus building after being given the once over from the security guard (this is to makes you feel even more like a piece of s**t)and then have to explain to some condecending arsehole probably 20 years your junior what type of work you have been looking for since your last visit or he might even `try and be helpful`and ask you to bring in your CV and then moan at you as "The FONT is not one I would have chosen" .
With a bit of luck you might actually find a job to put in that you `might` be able to do...something involving office work says your advisor... forgetting that you have a bad back and been a postman with zero office skills(unless you count flicking rubberbands a skill ) and sitting is a problem...so you then send off your cv or letter and you get offered an interview...you then go to said interview in your best rags and all is going swimmingly well until you either: A.)Mention that you worked for Royal Mail and B.)That you was medically retired.
He shouts next and you go home feeling like your the scum of the earth,you then sit at home and think why the f**k did I give my job up at Royal Fail. Oh and your £20,000 lump sum bribe goes f***ing knowhere as living off £71 a week Jobseekers won't pay off all your bills.

Course if your so ill you can't work at Royal Mail then take the money go with my blessing says the DOM ,just make sure you have something else to fall back on.

[Lateagainpostie]

I was referred to ATOS with a bad back, my own doctor had diagnosed a lower back muscle tear, ordered rest and light exercise.

I was referred to Atos and put on a six week back to work regime working from 4 hrs a day up to full time hours week by week indoor work only. ATOS also gave me some "warm up exercises" to do each morning before I go to work, the ironic thing was the Doctor I saw was too fat to get down on the floor and demonstrate them, he had to do it leaning against a wall.

I've taken my own preventative action, I take out more pouches, making each one a lot lighter, I also chuck out more for the packet man, I take my time, take frequent rests, and work to my time, I reckon thats helped a lot more than a few "warm up exercises".

[redissue]

They will eventually offer you IHR....you will think great I'm away from the shithole at last!!
You will either have a cunning plan and start a business or get another job or think i'm so ill i will have to stay off work and claim state benefits which I should be entitled to saying I've paid into the system for xx number of years.
You might think that your too ill to work as afterall Atos have advised you to be IHR,but then atossers will send you for a medical and declare you 100% fit to do `some sort of job`they will then stop you from claiming any disability benefits and expect you to go and find a job...you will then visit the helpful Jobcentreplus building after being given the once over from the security guard (this is to makes you feel even more like a piece of s**t)and then have to explain to some condecending arsehole probably 20 years your junior what type of work you have been looking for since your last visit or he might even `try and be helpful`and ask you to bring in your CV and then moan at you as "The FONT is not one I would have chosen" .
With a bit of luck you might actually find a job to put in that you `might` be able to do...something involving office work says your advisor... forgetting that you have a bad back and been a postman with zero office skills(unless you count flicking rubberbands a skill ) and sitting is a problem...so you then send off your cv or letter and you get offered an interview...you then go to said interview in your best rags and all is going swimmingly well until you either: A.)Mention that you worked for Royal Mail and B.)That you was medically retired.
He shouts next and you go home feeling like your the scum of the earth,you then sit at home and think why the f**k did I give my job up at Royal Fail. Oh and your £20,000 lump sum bribe goes f***ing knowhere as living off £71 a week Jobseekers won't pay off all your bills.

Course if your so ill you can't work at Royal Mail then take the money go with my blessing says the DOM ,just make sure you have something else to fall back on.

Great response,don't worry i've got plans if i do have to go.The way the job has been going i was already looking at alternatives.
But i can't say too much as you never know who's on the net!

[cliffeyhez]

Bolton postie. Superb response.
You've got it so spot on!

[stupidboy]

I've been off work for about two weeks with a back injury.At our office we have been doing P&L since last Oct,i'm on a 5hr delivery.
Since i started this way of working i've had continual bad back and it final came to a head when I woke up on my day off hardly being able to move.
Went to the doctors and it seems i have a Sacrolliac Joint Dysfunction that also spreads to my lower back,very painful and although it's treatable it can be a weakness that can happen again .I'm in my mid 40's and obviously with 20 odd years left i am concernd how much longer i can put my body through this type of work.After a few days i was reffered to ATOS,had a phone call with a consultatnt and they have recommended me for physio.Obviously i can't even do light duties as i can't put any weight on my legs for any length of time and lifting just is'nt an option.
To be honest i would take IHR if it was offered,i don't want to risk my back and future health.What are the possible outcomes and have anyone else gone through this?

similar situation to myself,i'm a similar age with a back condition. i'm taking IHR and can't wait to leave. i realise it depends on personal circumstances

[terryfortlea]

I recently went to atos about my bad back . They said u can stay on light duties 3-6 months and before report out ,they telling me I got take ill health retirement. Is there any way of refusing or must I just accept it?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I recently went to atos about my bad back . They said u can stay on light duties 3-6 months and before report out ,they telling me I got take ill health retirement. Is there any way of refusing or must I just accept it?

No you can appeal the decision. Read up on the agreement at http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... th#p386532" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[krussel]

to said interview in your best rags and all is going swimmingly well until you either: A.)Mention that you worked for Royal Mail and B.)That you was medically retired.

Thats the problem hit right on the head

A college who med retired two years ago has found that as soon as he mentions the fact the interview is all but over. He recons that he was almost thrown out of one interview for a cleaning job.

People will never understand that not being able to walk for 4hrs carring weight does not mean your finished as MOST people could not even do it in the first place without an injury.

[redissue]

Got a copy of my report from Atos and they've recommended physio and that i should be ok to work within 4 weeks,but the the outcome even with treatment might be not so good with the chance that i would more than likely be off work in the future.
So i'd imagine it would be a management decision if they want to keep me on knowing that i could be back off with a reccuring weakness.

[redissue]

Saw my doctor today,condition no better.Told them what ATOS had said,they just rolled their eyes and said 4 weeks was very optimistic and that it will take as long as it will take.I asked could it happen again and they said bluntly get another job as this type of work would not be suitable in the future and that i would probably have reccuring problems.So i'm waiting for the response from my office managers to this,i'd imagine i'm no use to them as the doctor said even light duties sorting mail or answering the callers office could put my recovery back as i cant stand up for long periods of time .As you can imagine i was a bit shocked when they said this! I can only imagine the RM will want me to see an ATOS doctor now or after i see a physio that they are arranging (which the doctor said may cause more problems!) they would proberly offer IHR.

[Stormproof]

Told them what ATOS had said,they just rolled their eyes and said 4 weeks was very optimistic and that it will take as long as it will take.I asked could it happen again and they said bluntly get another job as this type of work would not be suitable in the future and that i would probably have reccuring problems.

I think we have the same Dr, as every time I see my GP(when I can get an appointment) he tells me to change jobs.

[redissue]

Another two weeks off work.Doctor now has reffered me for physio,ATOS have still not got in touch about that and thats been over 4 weeks!
It look's like the problem could be more serious than first thought,the pain is not getting any better and until this is sorted i can't go back.
The DOM has offered light duties but as we all know light duties are'nt what most jobs would call light! 90% of the time i have to lie on my back so unless they have beds set up at work i cant see me coming back for a while!! Hopefully if i respond to treatment i will return to work,but as my doctor has pointed out long term damage could be a strong posibilty if i go back to walking duties.The DOM has said they will have an ATOS doctor examine me,so i'd imagine they may offer IHR as the chances of me delivering for 4 hrs a day is just not going to happen for at least a couple of months.

[music4essex]

HI I have been through the same thing with DOm & ATOS
I even had physio for a year but found this no good, but I have been going to a chiropractor (though this is out of my own pocket but it has helped and I find that the more moving I do the better rather then sit in one position or stand for too long periods

My dom wanted me out but I have fought it for the time being I am doing a 3hr delivery supposedly though this sometimes at least 3 times a week go to 3.5-3.45 hrs. and this was quoted by atos only to do 3hrs

Good Luck

Essex mum

[venom]

I was referred to ATOS with a bad back, my own doctor had diagnosed a lower back muscle tear, ordered rest and light exercise.

I was referred to Atos and put on a six week back to work regime working from 4 hrs a day up to full time hours week by week indoor work only. ATOS also gave me some "warm up exercises" to do each morning before I go to work, the ironic thing was the Doctor I saw was too fat to get down on the floor and demonstrate them, he had to do it leaning against a wall.

I've taken my own preventative action, I take out more pouches, making each one a lot lighter, I also chuck out more for the packet man, I take my time, take frequent rests, and work to my time, I reckon thats helped a lot more than a few "warm up exercises".

obviously not on p/l then so soon you wil be f****d