|
||
|
Title: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by sappygirl13 on Jan 5th, 2005, 10:03pm alright let's see how well i can do this...i work for the government so i can't say much about it...however; i am a chronic sufferer and am FMLA (family medical leave act) approved (meaning my attendance doesn't count against me up to 12 weeks absent in a year) I don't get paid for this time. For the 3 years I've had these...I used to work in front of a computer for 8 hrs a day. I am extremely light sensitive so this doesn't work very well for me. When my FMLA got approved I also got approved to switch buildings/jobs for one that doesn't involve a computer (thanks to my Dr. for say'n get me away from those things) Of course this doesn't cure my HA's but it definitely alleviates the degree of them. For some reason I've gotten hit pretty hard the last couple months and have missed alotta work. I try to make up all my time...but for some reason some people I work with are trying to get me in trouble with this. My friend told me they say that they think I use it as an excuse not to come...that I don't have these everyday. I understand that I can't be fired for my attendance...but there's talk that I will be sent back over to do my old job as a punishment. This will cause me to be absent even more (which puts me in quite a financial bind). My friend tells me I should check into disability and just quit. My company is incredibly twisted...and I really need my insurance right now. I dunno if CH sufferers qualify for disability or not...so I was wonder'n if ya'll could help me out. I'm at a loss.... Tina |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by BobG on Jan 6th, 2005, 1:14am Don't know if these will help but maybe there is something in one of these http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html#Part%202 SS disability benefits site. http://clusterheadaches.com./wwwboard/messages/80406.html Carl D (2-2-01, advice on disability benefits http://www.migraines.org/disability/disabcdl.htm Trip 6-30-01 document on current disability laws (from Migraine Awarness Network) http://66.154.42.184/wwwboard/messages2/109659.html Bob Johnson 9-4-01 ADA: job interviews and chronic illness. Your rights.... http://www.clusterheadaches.com/wwwboard/messages2/102349.html discussion string about disability and using a lawyer |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by Gator on Jan 6th, 2005, 1:40am I can tell you from experience that it is very hard to get disability for CH. I've been turned down once and it is in appeal. It takes a very long time to get it if you do. Of course if you do get it, they will pay you back from the day you filed, but the promise of money in the future don't pay the bills now. Be very careful about whipping out the Americans with Disabilities Act on your employer. It does not really protect someone with CH very well - if at all. Again, sadly this is from experience. I went from working to FMLA to unemployed because of this damned disease. Not only did they let me go, they refused to keep me on in a different position at a lower salary and there weren't a thing I could do about it. They had already consulted their attorney and used the term "reasonable accomodation" to their benefit. Make damn sure you have everything VERY WELL documented with your doctor. You say your employer changed your position to accomodate your disorder because of a doctor's statement. That's good. If they get testy about it and try to put you back knowing you can't work there, you may have grounds for legal action. Check out the links Bob gave you. Lots of good stuff there. All in all, it's hard, but not impossible. You've got your work cut out for you. Good luck either way you decide. Gator |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by sappygirl13 on Jan 6th, 2005, 8:54pm thanks bob for your help and gator for your advice....i will definitely check into these sites to see my options. i hate that my employer is even push'n me in this direction. pf wishes tina |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by don on Jan 6th, 2005, 8:58pm Wait a minute here. Your only 23 YO and you want to go on disability after 3 years of CH? Are you seeing a neuro? Are you using a preventative? Are you using an abortive? What meds have you tried? What is your definition of chronic? |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by Jonny on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:07pm Damn!....30 years chronic here and never even thought of disability. I must be King ;;D |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by sappygirl13 on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:25pm I DO NOT wanna go on disability...i'm just feel'n out some options in case i get canned at work. I've given this company 5 1/2 years of my life and i'm scared to death i'll be the next one gone because of these. I am see'n a neurologist....i'm still try'n out all the medications try'n to find one that works for me. I"ve been on prednisone, verapamil, amitriptlyene and relpax as my abortive. As of now I am bein referred to a headache clinic. my definition of chronic is have'n about 5 pf days in the past year. |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by sappygirl13 on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:29pm on 01/06/05 at 21:07:47, Jonny wrote:
so then tell me how you make it thru your job year after year without them gett'n pissed...this is where my trouble is. |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by E-Double on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:33pm on 01/06/05 at 21:29:11, sappygirl13 wrote:
Educate them or........... Self employment ;) or both. you need to find the right cocktail for you and some ways to cope. I don't mean this in any judgemental way for we have all been there. I certainly was. Now I kinda function a hell of a lot better because I've come to grips. I still don't think that I have found my "right" cocktail but I am learning how to go about my business despite the pain. good luck! E. |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by thebbz on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:39pm Really ,disability is a consideration of many years of suffering, after exausting every avenue of alternatives. Thats why almost every request is denied in the first application attempt. Dammit and I've been working all this time. Chronic for two years. :'(11+ months for two years with CH. The neuro said no when I asked about disability then. Now I know why. That was ten years ago. Episodic since. :P Employers take a business look at CH though. >:(Some are more humanistic than others but they are rare. Keep your options open..start looking now. If they don't put up with me then I don't put up with them. Jerks anyway. Gotta keep workin though, just not for them maybe. Works for me. BB |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by Jonny on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:40pm on 01/06/05 at 21:29:11, sappygirl13 wrote:
Ive started two companys in the last 20 years....started both with nothing....first ten years?....well, my CH started when I was 12 years old. |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by thebbz on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:45pm Crap now I read more... You need timing, an abortive, prevent, planning and a lot of study. Also a very understanding and cooperative doctor and insurance helps. You can work and have CH. I am sure I am not the only one..LOL BB |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 6th, 2005, 9:48pm Tread real cautious with disability. It's going to be on your resume for the rest of your life. You'll have to declare it for any future insurance.......for the rest of your life. If you think getting approved for disability is hard, just try getting all traces of it removed once approved......for the rest of your life. Not what you want to hear, doesn't help you make it through the day, but you _Really_ need to consider the long term effects of disability. This step should be the Last and Final Straw, after you've exhausted every other option of treatment, and have resigned yourself to wearing this albatross around your neck for the rest of your days. Tried shrooms? RJ |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by sappygirl13 on Jan 6th, 2005, 10:53pm wow...lemme clear something up. i do not have a problem working. i would go insane without a job. my company is the one that is having a problem with this...i feel i have adapted very well. i have tried educating....i've printed info off and given them to supervisors on many occasions. the problem is is that i do contract work...so if i do find one person in management that tries to understand...i still hafta convince a million more. i wrote this post because i am 23 and ignorant to many things dealing with laws and such. lol. i don't have a problem admitting that...lmao. i was just told that it might be to my benefit to check into disability...that's why i posted...so see this from every angle. thanks everyone |
||
|
Title: Re: sigh...i need some advice....again!! Post by vig on Jan 6th, 2005, 10:58pm randy smart man... listen closely to him |
||
|
Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1! YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved. |