posted
I moved me and my whole family out to CT about six months ago to start a new job. I travel from Sunday to Wednesday with this job which is very high stress. About two months ago I started having leg pain. Then back pain. My Orthopedist took me off travel for two weeks. He did the full blood test and discovered I had Lyme (see previous posting). I just started antibiotics but my fatigue and fogginess is unbearable. Last week my boss called me in to his office and said that I wasn't contributing enough. I know that it is Lyme related but I don't know what to say to him. This is a sports company and everyone in power are macho guys that deal with pain and agony all the time. I need advice as to how to approach him when I need to start infectious disease treatment. My Orthopedist is worried I may have infection in my hardware (I have metal rods in my legs)! I am substituting words for other words and I cry at the drop of a hat. I am a 41 year old man! Any advice?
Posts: 12 | From Spring Valley, NY | Registered: Feb 2010
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This is a tough situation- I would go to HR and explain your situation- Then see if you can take take a disability leave so you continue to get paid and hopfully you will see some improvements real soon so you can go back to work.
Hopefully you caught lyme early so its a bit eaiser to treat. Lyme is pretty tough. Takes people a while to feel better. But if caught early u might have a change of feeling significanly better in a short period. I atleast hope so.
posted
It's really a rough disease. Steelbone is right.. YOU CAN GET WELL!
You DO have an LLMD, right? Are you on treatment?
Hang in there!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Breaking up TVWriter's post for easier reading - and then more people can reply. -----------------
I moved me and my whole family out to CT about six months ago to start a new job. I travel from Sunday to Wednesday with this job which is very high stress.
About two months ago I started having leg pain. Then back pain.
My Orthopedist took me off travel for two weeks. He did the full blood test and discovered I had Lyme (see previous posting). I just started antibiotics but my fatigue and fogginess is unbearable.
Last week my boss called me in to his office and said that I wasn't contributing enough. I know that it is Lyme related but I don't know what to say to him.
This is a sports company and everyone in power are macho guys that deal with pain and agony all the time. I need advice as to how to approach him when I need to start infectious disease treatment.
My Orthopedist is worried I may have infection in my hardware (I have metal rods in my legs)!
I am substituting words for other words and I cry at the drop of a hat. I am a 41 year old man!
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- * The crying at the drop of a hat is from the prednisone (I have SO been there). You should be off that in a day or so, if I recall correctly. Adrenal support suggested in your previous thread should help with that.
Do not tell them you've been dx with lyme. Just say you and your doctors are trying to work this out.
First, I'd find out the law about the ADA. Americans with Disabilities Act. Suggestions below are from when I researched it a long time ago so you need current law.
Can you go to the Human Resources director and officially declare in writing that you have a disability and that you would like to discuss some accommodation.
Now, obviously, they hired you already knowing about your legs. But be sure they know this is a new diagnosis and that you are still consulting with your doctors about it.
Say that you don't have all the details worked out but that it might be a rough patch at the beginning but you'll get through it. If you can give it some thought, and then get back with the HR Supervisor and your boss, there may be some ways for all of you to work through this.
By your going to the HR person FIRST and declaring a disability, if they can, and if reasonable and if the work can still get done, this will offer you a certain level of job protection with accommodation so that you can work. I can't say what those would be but could include:
A place to nap (you would not get paid for that time, but you should be afforded the ability to rest when you need, within reason)
a lamp with a regular bulb on your desk and turning off any tube lights over your desk
Cutting the level of perfumed products
Maybe taking some personal or family time off ?
I'm very concerned with you saying that you are "substituting words for other words" as that is very common with lyme and that may not resolve very fast.
Stress will make that worse. Adrenal support can help but, ultimately, that is from the infection and won't vanish just yet. But, then, we've all learned a few ways to cover that up . . . silence is good. Pointing. Just say "one of those days" or "first day with new teeth" - - -
posted
I asked my boss for reasonable accomodations which they denied, but I was given Long Term Disability benefits through the company.
Posts: 365 | From Sylvania | Registered: Aug 2008
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posted
TVwriter... did you receive a list of LLMD's from over in Seeking a Doctor??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Okay, I know this seems devastating right now, but hold on. Many of us hit bottom before things settled.
While this is likely a cut in your income, it may afford you the time and rest needed to get better.
I know it's a rocky road, so here are a bunch of good wishes so that you and your family can weather this storm, still able to enjoy a few good laughs and hugs along the way.
Take care and Good Luck. I hope you can find an excellent LLMD soon. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
As far as your job, if they're over 50 employees they're subject to all the ADA and FMLA provisions. I used these to get time off when I started treatment. They must preserve your job or provide you an equivalent one when you come back, or make accommodations if you can still work.
I wouldn't talk to your supervisor. Go directly to your HR person and insist you have a confidential conversation. You can go on the record with your problems and they can create a confidential record for you that your boss isn't supposed to see.
If you can't work at all, they would probably allow you to go on disability. It's probably one of those minor benefits you signed up for that you forgot about, so the company has insurance for that.
Don't be afraid to talk to your HR person right away and explain the situation, but DON'T talk to your boss. Let the HR people do that--managing this kind of stuff is their legal mandate.
HTH, Derek
Posts: 27 | From Seattle, WA | Registered: Jan 2010
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