Coping with being signed off work

[Flip Martian]

9 months on full pay?! Wow, I thought my employer was generous - I'm about to go on half pay from next month. A friend with fibromyalgia and now CFS too has been off 2 months and is on zero pay with no real sign she will be fit any time soon.

As far as the time off goes, I've stayed positive, I don't know how. The opposite of 4 years ago when I was off. I share your trepidation though - going back to work after such a break is quite daunting. But I'm sure your employer will be supportive if they've kept paying you all this time. Knowing that will hopefully be a help.

[ChocolateFrog]

Working in the public sector (Army) has some benefits, there are people in a much worse state than me, missing limbs, gunshot wounds etc that I'm doing physio/rehab with, puts things into perspective. And unlike most of those guys I'll actually be going back to my job.

[Flip Martian]

ChocolateFrog said:

Working in the public sector (Army) has some benefits, there are people in a much worse state than me, missing limbs, gunshot wounds etc that I'm doing physio/rehab with, puts things into perspective. And unlike most of those guys I'll actually be going back to my job.

Totally understand that. Public sector too - NHS, 6 months full, 6 months half pay. From day 1 I've taken the view that while my condition is debilitating enough, there are those worse off, so I don't feel sorry for myself; I've read of cases far worse than mine. I'm not ignoring the severity of it either but I'm thankful I still have everything working, even if I can't get around and do as much as I once could (very little at all, some days). And its amazing how many people seem nicer to people walking slowly with a walking stick... Although if I ever get back to commuting, I'm sure that impression will change soon enough!