Sick Days

are you in a union, or what kind of work place?
Your work contract should outline the number of sick days you are entitled to. You should never have consequences for taking legitimate sick days.
A doctor's note isn't usually required, but if it makes you feel better submit one anyway once in awhile. Or, if it feels safe, disclose what is going on. But only if it is comfortable.
It is really hard for me to take time off of work too - and even harder when people see you around and your illness is invisible to them!
Take good care, and TAKE THE TIME when you need it. Sick days are for when you are sick - and you are!

I have always been honest with my bosses about the CD and everything else that has come up since but have been with same company since I was 16yo. When I'm off my boss and I send texts to each other and she will call just to check how I'm doing. Luckily I have full pay for 9 months and half pay for another 9 months if off sick. Longest I've been off for is 4 1/2 months for worst flare I have ever had late last year/earlier this year. Just sent my boss a text after appt with GP yesterday and can go back next week for 3 1/2 hours per day for next 2 weeks as still upping pain and nerve block meds since latest problem with bad joint pain. I would always say to be honest about medical condition but know in US medical and sick leave is different and can cause problems with the cover you get. How long have you been with company, also do you have HR dept that you can discuss this with, if so your manager has to abide by their rules and also are you in a union as they can help as well.

Thank you everyone! I am in Sales (prob not the best for Crohn's :) I had such a bad experience when I was first diagnosed years ago and was at a different company - I literally had my sales manager calling my cell while i was in a hospital bed asking when I "thought I might be back at work". I finally had to call the HR dept and THEY had to call him to tell him to leave me alone. I was on medical leave at the time. I'm at a different company now but that experience scarred me for life and I end up going to work even when I am not feeling well because I figure that kind of comes with the territory when you have Crohn's. But the reality is that not everyone cares you have Crohn's. I was hospitalized especially since I am on the Humira and am feeling better but am still sick. I got out of the hospital yesterday and had to go back to the dr today and they put me on a nebulizer to open my chest.

I am going to have to take the rest of the week off unless I make a miraculous recovery and I just get nervous since it's a full week. I can't worry about this stuff but it's hard not to. It's also hard not to worry what's going to happen with my Crohn's symptoms a few weeks after I am done with a course of antibiotics, so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free. I'm trying to take in as many probiotics as I can but other than that have unfortunately experienced a flare a little while after taking antibiotics, especially this time of year.

Thanks Clonehead, I haven't said anything to them - only one of my good friends at work knows - but I work for a huge company - is there a specific reason I shouldn't tell them? Or wait until I need to because my Crohn's is acting up?