Medical retirement

Vaper · Aug 8, 2017

DCUKMod said:
With respect, your co-workers could consider that you forcing a change in their shift pattern is exactly the same; one staff member holding all the power.

Perhaps the co-worker who is unable to accommodate you has a very valid reason for his stance. He will have himself and his family to consider in decisions he makes.

I have never worked shifts, and I know I would find it a horrible challenge, so I do feel for you in that regard.

I think Noblehead is suggesting that whilst your bloods might always rise when working nights, by utilising a pump and giving yourself a a different insulin delivery mechanism, you could see an improvement in the management of your bloods.

Would your clinic be able go give you a pump trial? Arranging and working with that would probably allow you more time to make your mind up and maybe even find another roles within the same company?

Thank you for your further reply, I know a few lines on here makes it difficult for anyone to fully understand the whole picture. The company worker is just digging their heels in, as I said previously 2 of the others are happy to accommodate, what I hadn't mentioned as yet due to staffing shortages we have not worked a proper roster in over 2 years and other than myself with the medical restrictions we have not done day turns for over 2 years. Myself and another company worker put together 2 rosters that would allow every one to do some days but my shifts would never include a night turn as previously explained. So I have been sympathetic to all the teams needs and we worked hard at finding a roster that worked and kept the 24/7 level of cover. I appreciate people have things in life they need to do but reasonable efforts from them would be common courtesy to expect.

I have just finished a 6 week course a derivative of the Desmond course in order to qualify for either a pump trial or libre trial, both my senior diabetic specialist and consultant agreed with me that the libre would be the best option in my case. The ideal is both but the funding will not allow that at this time. The main reason they feel the need for the libre is the added dangers with safety critical work in a 750v Dc environment. The hectic nature of the role does not allow suitable time to constantly carry out finger pricking tests and I can be required to be trackside at a seconds notice ie a radio call.
It's a difficult situation I know and just need advice on how I move forward and what my rights are.
All your comments are valued and I appreciate everyone's replies

Fleegle · Aug 8, 2017

Vaper said:
Thank you for your further reply, I know a few lines on here makes it difficult for anyone to fully understand the whole picture. The company worker is just digging their heels in, as I said previously 2 of the others are happy to accommodate, what I hadn't mentioned as yet due to staffing shortages we have not worked a proper roster in over 2 years and other than myself with the medical restrictions we have not done day turns for over 2 years. Myself and another company worker put together 2 rosters that would allow every one to do some days but my shifts would never include a night turn as previously explained. So I have been sympathetic to all the teams needs and we worked hard at finding a roster that worked and kept the 24/7 level of cover. I appreciate people have things in life they need to do but reasonable efforts from them would be common courtesy to expect.

I have just finished a 6 week course a derivative of the Desmond course in order to qualify for either a pump trial or libre trial, both my senior diabetic specialist and consultant agreed with me that the libre would be the best option in my case. The ideal is both but the funding will not allow that at this time. The main reason they feel the need for the libre is the added dangers with safety critical work in a 750v Dc environment. The hectic nature of the role does not allow suitable time to constantly carry out finger pricking tests and I can be required to be trackside at a seconds notice ie a radio call.
It's a difficult situation I know and just need advice on how I move forward and what my rights are.
All your comments are valued and I appreciate everyone's replies

I have a little experience on these things and I would suggest you contact an employment lawyer privately. In my experience most good ones (I don't know where you are based but if in London I could recommend) are often prepared to take one phone call or email to see whether they think they can help - or arrange a flat fee for a short consultation. If that is affordable I would go for that - if might not be but it is an investment. I would be interested how long this has been going on (the adjustments) and whether they could now be classified as custom and practice.

It does strengthen your position as long as you don't use it as a weapon. You will know what your points of negotiation are - if any. Remember the people on the other side of the table do this every day and you are here once a career so you need some help in my opinion.

Finally - I expect you are finding this all very stressful on top of your medical situation and if you do feel this way then there is no harm letting them know that very politely because stress will impact your BG and will cause sickness! At the very least they need to accommodate your medical situation when dealing with you.

noblehead · Aug 8, 2017

Vaper said:
Hi my insulin intake is not the issue, I opted for the libre as a pose the pump this is about not doing nights as this affects my levels. Even with a pump you have to adjust your insulin intake. It's about quality of life verses complications by adjusting doses constantly to be able to work it's not the type of environment that facilitates the time to constantly adjust because your on a different shift pattern. Thanks for your reply

As far as I can gather from your opening post your employer and specialists concerns are around you working nights due to your unstable bg levels, what I'm saying is a pump would help you manage your bg levels better over injections and could possibly allow you to work nights again.

You see on a pump you can manually adjust your basal rate to allow for shift work, so you can increase/decrease the rate according to the activity, this in itself reduces the likelihood of hypo's & hypo's. You can also have different basal programs for when your at work and for when you are off, these can be pre-programmed so there's no adjustments before or during your time at work, there's multiple choices with a pump to adjust your insulin that is much easier to do over MDI.

Appreciate basal rates/programs won't make much sense with you not being on a pump, however if you Google the terms you will see how much flexibility a pump can give in times of increased and decreased activity such as work and recreational pursuits.

btw, with a pump your not constantly making adjustments, I can't imagine any work environment (within reason) where a pump would be a problem, I've done many shifts over the years including working 12 hour days/nights and although I've not had too many issues at times keeping stable bg levels has been quite demanding, I'm quite new to pumping insulin only being on a pump for two & half years but now realise how easier life would have been had I started on a pump sooner.

Anyway best wishes and hope all works out well.

DBolding · Feb 15, 2018

I can completely understand where you are coming from. I am a tube driver doing multiple shifts which can be really hard on mdi. I was at the point where I was going throw it all in due to poor control and feeling like **** all the time!

I switched to an insulin pump and now have a early shift, middle, late and rest day profiles set up. When I change shift I just select the correct profile. It uses just fast acting insulin so the change is almost instant compared to using a basal insulin. It’s worth looking into it may seriously be able to help you

Medical retirement

Vaper

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Fleegle

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noblehead

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DBolding

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Medical retirement

Vaper

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Fleegle

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noblehead

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DBolding

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