I work with people who lie about being sick. Sometimes they are already in work, seem fine then go home ill. My manager told me theres nothing you can do about it. There is in the UK a maximum time you can be off even with a sick note, I think 6 months. Odd days wont help you reputation wise but as I completely understand your problem and sympathise, just do it anyway. They are not allowed to sack you for being randomly sick but check your contract for their terms and conds about it. You may only be allowed so many non doctor authorised days off per year. Or coud you arrange holiday time?Im sorry you feel so bad, theres alot of posts lately on the same lines, me included. Im at the end of my rope with my employers and Im consdiering using all my excess holiday up working half weeks and taking holiday for the other half of each week to give me a break. I can do this for 6 weeks as I have a lot of hol time...good idea for you?