How to call in sick with endometriosis?
5 Hacks to Help You Get Through the Workday When You Have Endometriosis.
While the typical workday might only last eight hours, when you are dealing with a flare-up of symptoms from endometriosis, eight hours can feel like an eternity. Nausea, diarrhea, cramps, heavy bleeding… the list of symptoms and the degree to which they are debilitating go on and on. Some days going to work just isn’t feasible, and the last thing I want to do here is to shame anyone for needing to take a day off when you are experiencing a flare-up. But if the symptoms are within the range of potentially tolerable and you need to get to the office, here are a few hacks to help you manage endometriosis at work.
1. Have an emergency stash of meds to treat symptoms of endometriosis at work.
I always had anti-nausea pills and some kind of anti-gas medication with me to deal with the extreme bloating I would get, which would distend my stomach and make it uncomfortable to sit at a desk for extended periods of time. I also made sure to carry some anti-diarrheal aid, particularly the week prior to my menstrual cycle when I’d inevitably experience a severe bout of diarrhea which would make leaving the bathroom precarious. And it goes without saying that I never ran out of pain medicine, particularly during my cycle when my cramps could land me in the emergency room if untreated.
2. Always have a heating pad on hand to combat pain from endometriosis at work.
Sometimes the only thing that would help abate my endometriosis pain even a tiny bit was a heating pad on my abdomen. Carrying one with you or keeping one at your place of employment for emergency use is crucial.
3. Bring backups to work: menstrual products and an extra pair of bottoms, particularly underwear.
My periods used to be so heavy that I’d bleed through the thickest pad that existed in under an hour, often soiling my underwear and my pants or skirt. I always made sure I brought enough backup pads that I could change frequently. I also carried a sweater for emergencies, to wrap around my waist just in case of a leak if a meeting ran long or if I happened to get distracted and bled through my clothes.
4. Take advantage of remote work options. If your hours can be flexible, don’t be afraid to request a schedule change.
Obviously, this doesn’t work for every workplace, but if there’s anything we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that many jobs that didn’t seem possible to do remotely can actually be easily done from home. Having the option to work from home where you can wear loose-fitting clothes, take frequent breaks, or draw yourself a soothing Epsom salt bath to soak in during your lunch break can be life-altering. And if you don’t have an urgent deadline, asking to switch days off or work longer hours on another day to make up for time off could help you get through the worst part of an endometriosis flare without having to call in sick or use up vacation days.
5. Be honest with your employer about your endometriosis.
I understand that it can feel really uncomfortable to discuss things like periods and diarrhea with your boss. But I know from personal experience that doing so can be a game-changer. Discussing my endometriosis enabled me to keep an open dialog going with them so that I could adjust my schedule and get the accommodations I needed to continue being a productive and valued employee without fear of being disciplined for calling in or spending a lot of time in the bathroom on any given day. It can help to write out your situation with a note from your medical practitioner to hand to them to get the conversation started.
One of the most frustrating aspects of endometriosis is the lack of knowledge the layperson (and the medical community) has about the condition. It’s not considered a chronic illness by many, which creates a stigma surrounding the degree to which it impacts an individual affected by it. It’s also frustrating that it presents so differently in each person. This causes a lot of “comparative suffering” which can do everyone a disservice in terms of getting the help and understanding they deserve. The bottom line: You know your body best and it’s your right to advocate for yourself, especially in the context of making your work environment hospitable and conducive to your quality of life, which will increase your productivity. That’s a win for both employees and employers.
Just Diagnosed With Endometriosis? Here's a 5-Step Plan to Help.
So you just received an endometriosis diagnosis. First of all, I’m so relieved for you. I know full well how long you have been in pain, how often you have been dismissed, and how frequently you have been disbelieved to get here. I know how many pain charts you had to look at and how they never accurately represented what you were experiencing. I know how many different specialists you have likely seen to rule out a million other possible diagnoses. I know how many different medications you have had thrown at you to manage your symptoms, which probably didn’t help and came with a host of side effects to exacerbate an already untenable lifestyle. I know how many days you’ve probably had to call in sick to work or tell your friends you couldn’t hang with them. And I know the sheer frustration and desperation you experienced alone, in the silence of your thoughts, wondering if you were ever going to get any relief from your condition.
Now you have a label for what you are experiencing and probably a more complete visual of what parts of your body have been impacted by the endometrial lesions. But what’s next? What do you do with this newfound information? Here are five things to consider as your next steps.
1. Ask your doctor questions about endometriosis — lots of them.
It’s important that you understand your diagnosis thoroughly. Ask your doctor for details about exactly what they found that led them to your diagnosis. Find out how well educated they are on the condition and how current they are on the latest treatment options. You want to be armed with as much good information as you can get and know that your medical team knows what they are doing. If they are not willing to have this discussion or give you the information you request, consider finding another doctor who will. As the patient, it’s your right to advocate for yourself and the doctor works for you.
2. Do some homework to learn more about endometriosis.
If you are anything like me, I want to know everything about anything relating to a diagnosis. I want to know if it’s genetic, what causes it and how it spreads. I want to know what things can potentially exacerbate the symptoms. I want to know what the typical treatments are. I want to know if there are lifestyle changes I need to make or if any non-medical supplements or strategies can help me manage my symptoms safely. And most of all I want to know what to expect. Uncertainty is an instant anxiety trigger for me. Having answers at my fingertips helps me feel less helpless and hopeless about my condition and gives me some confidence in being able to have more nuanced, fruitful conversations with my medical team.
3. Join an endometriosis support group.
One benefit to social media that has really been helpful to me has been the connections I’ve made with online communities of individuals who are living with the same conditions as I am. It’s a place to go for advice, information, and most of all, the empathy of others who fully understand what you are experiencing. There’s really nothing else like it. Friends and family can support you in a lot of ways, but if they haven’t been through the myriad symptoms that come with a condition like endometriosis, they simply can’t relate.
You can join our Endometriosis Support Group right here on The Mighty to connect with others who understand.
4. Educate your friends, family, and anyone else who needs to be informed about living with endometriosis.
This is controversial because I understand that not everyone deserves details about your medical condition. I’m not saying divulge private information, but it may be useful to all parties involved to know that you have this condition and how it may impact your relationships. It is also an opportunity to build stronger connections with your loved ones, and it gives both you and them a chance to articulate your needs so that they can support you when you might not be able to ask clearly.
5. Grieve and process your feelings about your new endometriosis diagnosis.
While finally getting an endometriosis diagnosis can be a huge relief, it can also come with some grief. Grief over the time and quality of life you have lost while trying to get the diagnosis and anticipatory grief over the ways in which the condition will inevitably affect your future. It can be really helpful to find a therapist to work with who is trained in counseling those with chronic illnesses or other medical trauma. If nothing else, it’s a safe place to vent any pent-up frustration and anger and to have those feelings validated and normalized.