HELP

[marmite47]

Have been unfit to work with a bad back for 10 weeks now in that time my condition has only slightly improved I get pains in my legs and have spasms sometimes my back locks. will have my first physio in the next 2 days. Dr has now given me a maybe fit to work until the 30/07 and he has ticked the phased return to work, altered hours and amended duties. There were no comments made by the Dr. Have been in contact with Atos a few weeks ago now and they said at the time that they agreed with the Dr that I was unfit to work and that they would ring me in 4 weeks time. What advice can you give me now I have been given the maybe fit to work? Do I wait for Atos to get back to me and what should I expect from them?

[stokes11eg]

Sorry to hear of your back problems. Best to get your physio out of the way first, and see what they have to say, Dr's normally rely on the report from your physio in the first instance,and of course ATOS will have to listen to what they say.

[marmite47]

Sorry to hear of your back problems. Best to get your physio out of the way first, and see what they have to say, Dr's normally rely on the report from your physio in the first instance,and of course ATOS will have to listen to what they say.

Had physio today. I have a muscle problem and a problem with 2 of my disc. Was told the exercises I have been given will make my back worse before it gets better and that I am unfit to work. Got home and my manager rang and said that I can come into work on monday for light duties and reduced hours 3 I think as I only have a maybe fit to work certificate. His plan for me getting back to work is throwing a couple of rounds off. "Thats not what I call light" as I will have to stand and stretch. I thought I my manager and Atos would be involved as to a plan to getting me back to work. Atos wrote to them a few weeks ago saying I should be back in three weeks how can they say that when I hadnt even seen the physio then. Who is meant to be involved with this can I get union help with my plan when I return to work. My managers seem to be a bit off hand with me. Am having to return to the Drs tomorrow to get my certificate changed to unfit as advised by the physio. my manager have now asked Atos to ring me again for a consutation. Getting fed up with it all.

[hantsman]

Sorry to hear of your back problems. Best to get your physio out of the way first, and see what they have to say, Dr's normally rely on the report from your physio in the first instance,and of course ATOS will have to listen to what they say.

Had physio today. I have a muscle problem and a problem with 2 of my disc. Was told the exercises I have been given will make my back worse before it gets better and that I am unfit to work. Got home and my manager rang and said that I can come into work on monday for light duties and reduced hours 3 I think as I only have a maybe fit to work certificate. His plan for me getting back to work is throwing a couple of rounds off. "Thats not what I call light" as I will have to stand and stretch. I thought I my manager and Atos would be involved as to a plan to getting me back to work. Atos wrote to them a few weeks ago saying I should be back in three weeks how can they say that when I hadnt even seen the physio then. Who is meant to be involved with this can I get union help with my plan when I return to work. My managers seem to be a bit off hand with me. Am having to return to the Drs tomorrow to get my certificate changed to unfit as adviced by the physio. my manager have now asked Atos to ring me again for a consutation. Getting fed up with it all.

Deal with Atos by letter only not by phone.

[stokes11eg]

Sorry to hear of your back problems. Best to get your physio out of the way first, and see what they have to say, Dr's normally rely on the report from your physio in the first instance,and of course ATOS will have to listen to what they say.

Had physio today. I have a muscle problem and a problem with 2 of my disc. Was told the exercises I have been given will make my back worse before it gets better and that I am unfit to work. Got home and my manager rang and said that I can come into work on monday for light duties and reduced hours 3 I think as I only have a maybe fit to work certificate. His plan for me getting back to work is throwing a couple of rounds off. "Thats not what I call light" as I will have to stand and stretch. I thought I my manager and Atos would be involved as to a plan to getting me back to work. Atos wrote to them a few weeks ago saying I should be back in three weeks how can they say that when I hadnt even seen the physio then. Who is meant to be involved with this can I get union help with my plan when I return to work. My managers seem to be a bit off hand with me. Am having to return to the Drs tomorrow to get my certificate changed to unfit as adviced by the physio. my manager have now asked Atos to ring me again for a consutation. Getting fed up with it all.

Well, at least your physio has agreed you are NOT fit for work-Doctors actually rely on their reports quite heavily, this should at least be a bargaining tool with ATOS. They will find it hard to argue with a physio's report, and may well, in this instance be favourable in their assessment of you. good luck.

[marmite47]

Atos rang me 3 weeks ago, had a phone call from my manager on monday another from a different manager on wed saying I can start light duties next week got an unfit to work from Dr after having physio. Saw my Dr on friday who is now treating me for anxiety and stress and am now on medication due to the constant pursuit of me. Dr has told me not to get into any confrontations as Im on the edge. On saturday I had a special delivery from C & DSM asking me if I would meet with him on Tue. When is all this harassment going to stop. What can I do HELP

Sorry to hear of your back problems. Best to get your physio out of the way first, and see what they have to say, Dr's normally rely on the report from your physio in the first instance,and of course ATOS will have to listen to what they say.

[fishtank]

Ignore them but document EVERYTHING,phone calls,letters,the lot.
Follow your doctors advice to the letter and speak to your rep if you are feeling up to it,ask him to involve your area rep and get your rep to inform your DOM that your contact must be kept to a minimum otherwise your recovery may be compromised.
Look after yourself,get better and remember your job comes a piss poor second to your health.

[marmite47]

Ignore them but document EVERYTHING,phone calls,letters,the lot.
Follow your doctors advice to the letter and speak to your rep if you are feeling up to it,ask him to involve your area rep and get your rep to inform your DOM that your contact must be kept to a minimum otherwise your recovery may be compromised.
Look after yourself,get better and remember your job comes a piss poor second to your health.

Thanks for the advice. I should also mention that my wife has CANCER and they know this. She is not coping too well at the moment and has noticed the change in me over the last few days. It seems that I am being pushed into the dark depths of depression that she is in.

[andy2007]

Go back to your Doctor and tell him/her what you've just posted. You need to get help for depression ASAP. Not neccessarily for antidepressants, although they're good for stablising your mood until other treatments get your problems under control. But something like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Psychiatrist, etc..

I know that there's still a stigma to these types of treatment. But those are exactly the types of treatment that I've had. And believe me. They work. It's not worth going through that Hell, when there's effective treatments available.

I hope all goes well with your Wife's treatment. And of course your own.

[marmite47]

I have an appointment at the end of the week with the Dr. Posting on here helps as Im able to vent my frustrations and receive much needed advice. Most people "Think that should be managers" dont understand how cancer affects the whole family. You start off in shock and then fear of dying thats just the start. Had to drag my wife to the car the day she had her op. Was the worst day of my life. Presently having chemo. She has put on a lot of weight has lost her hair and lost one boob so no longer feels like a woman. Often she will say she wants to die "Not easy to handle" Sorry for my ranting but it helps

[andy2007]

You've nothing to be sorry for. I was just worried, because of what you said about you getting so depressed. I'm just worried that you might be right about the descent into depression. I was just hoping to encourage you to get help before it got that bad. I've had some pretty serious problems with Depression myself. So if there's anything I can do to help someone in the same position. I'll try to do it.

If it's caught early enough Breast Cancer is treatable. I don't know anyone personally who's had it. But that's why women are encouraged to have themselves checked regularly, so they can catch it in time. Hopefully, this is what happened in your Wife's case, then she'll recover. I just wish I knew more about it, so that I could be of some more help.