I am so close to walking out

[Lady Legira]

So I've been doing ok since I found out my knee is knacked and I'm still getting over the fact I've lost my husband.

Yeah, well work seem to think that I can be psychic, a miracle worker and the talented deli girl that I am.

We ran out of chickens on the hot counter, it happens sometimes, I had been snowed under with a number of other jobs that needed to doing so I could (hopefully) get out on time like the personnel folk would like me too so they don't have to pay me extra. Unfortunately the store manager happened to be in (on his day off no less) checking up on things and decided it was my fault. Got ranted at and asked if I had a excuse. I just held my hands up and said that I hadn't keep a close eye on things and I should have done. Which is all I could say really.

Before I'd even started my shift I'd been called into the office and give a counselling on my sickness (2nd highest in store) for all the surgery I'd had. All of which I'd given notice about and handed in sick notes to provide evidence it was a valid reason.

Plus the fact we have no leeway on anyone being sick. ONE person went off sick this week. Everything is screwed the rota has so much red ink on it that it's had to see what shift you are working.

Yeah, my knee doesn't work so well now after I fell in store. They know about it my line manager told the personnel manager about it. I can't kneel down at all well and some days I'm doing well standing for long periods. Painkillers are my friends lately which I hate. Today after coming in early for two days running because of rota mess I had to stand on a stool to reach a light switch I can usually stretch for. No account has been made for this, I have to be perfect everytime well excuse me for being human.

[Rapscallion]

I'd be leery of having to use painkillers on a regular basis. They tend to mask pain and make you think you can do things you can't.

Can you get a doctor's note to say you should be moved to something without physical exertion to relieve strain and impact on your knee until you're physically recovered? Are you in a union?

Document the arse out of this. You may end up having to go to employment tribunal to get compensation for injury suffered. I'd prefer it if you don't have to do this, but be prepared in case.

Rapscallion

[Darkforge]

Raps has it right on the painkillers thing, please please take care as I've made injuries worse while on painkillers because I simply didn't know that stretching that way hurt the injury. Also as my dad became addicted to painkillers after his back problem I've got a strong opinion about it.

That aside, you take care of yourself and I hope it makes a speedy recovery.

also, have a cookie or two from me, I had to work when I did my knee in so i know how bad it can be.

[Lady Legira]

I'd be leery of having to use painkillers on a regular basis. They tend to mask pain and make you think you can do things you can't.

Can you get a doctor's note to say you should be moved to something without physical exertion to relieve strain and impact on your knee until you're physically recovered? Are you in a union?

Document the arse out of this. You may end up having to go to employment tribunal to get compensation for injury suffered. I'd prefer it if you don't have to do this, but be prepared in case.

Rapscallion

The injury is long standing I had it before I went there (though nowhere near as severe) but it got worse after a episode while I was in America (dancing for 3 hours, Legira meets floor) and then I had the episode at work which led to me being off work for 8 weeks. 4 of which they can't touch me for because of it being because of my Partner dieing officially. So though being at work make it worse I'm not sure I could blame work for it.

I'm not in the union at work, mostly because they are lapdogs to the company. Whatever our company says they pretty much say yes.

And at the moment I'm not even sure if it will get better without surgery or some pretty intensive phiysio and injections to the knee. Cartilage so I'm told doesn't heal (or at least doesn't heal well) and mine is pretty knackered behind the knee cap and I'm missing a piece from the thigh bone as I remember. I doing well when I'm not as work, I don't take painkillers much (if I'm doing any amount of walking and such) but I have to take them before I start work now and sometimes a secondary type midway through my shift which is only 4-5 hours. I'd make an appointment but the specialist I'm seeing in three weeks will know far more then my doctor would.

I like my job itself really I do, it's just some of the stuff around it that's getting to me. Maybe I really do need to take a work break or find something new. At least I do have the option for either.

[Darkforge]

Cartilage so I'm told doesn't heal (or at least doesn't heal well)

Its true that cartilage doesn't really heal very well, but it does get better over time, it just doesn't happen overnight.

My knee injury happened 4 years ago in a cycle/car accident where I was knocked off and the car ran over my knee and I couldn't move it for ages, never mind put any pressure on it. Thankfully no bones broke, but it left some serious cartilage damage. It took a while but my friends were quite supportive (Well, they told me to stop whining and took the mick a bit, but when it came down to it they were more than willing enough to help me with stairs, or heavy objects, or reaching things) and it turned out not too bad. I now very rarely have any problems, though I still can't kneel for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

I know 4 years sounds like a long time, but if you just stick at it you'd be surprised how fast it seems to go by. I even managed to pick up cycling again last year (god thats a nightmare if you're knee isn't right)

[Magpie]

Perhaps you can ask your doctor about straight-up anti-inflammatories. I've never known an knee injury that didn't involve swelling. Back when my knees were still really bad I used to take ibuprofen as my painkiller of choice, because it would reduce the swelling, giving me pain relief after the painkillers wore off too. There are ones available that painkillers, but a lot of places don't let you get them over-the-counter. They can be hard on your stomach, but if it's that or hurting yourself worse because you can't feel the pain...

[Lady Legira]

I take ibuprofen before I start my shift and then if I need it something with paracetamol. I've been down this road before with my kidney, neck and other problems. I just hold off usually on taking them but lately I've needed to when I work. Thank goodness I have my weekend.

I am being "Counselled" for running out of chickens. *sigh*

Aside from that I fell apart at work today. Grief caught up with me again with the whole spammer thing. Ended up with the manager and someone from fish working on our dept to help for a little while. I calmed down upstairs in the personnel office and then spent time in a non-customer facing job (washing up all the stuff we use for the chickens) as some "extra space". Gave them a good hint on how I'm feeling at the moment.