HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Need some advice....

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/30/2010 12:15 PM (GMT -5)
So I live in MA but I see Dr. R in NYC...  I haven't been able to see him or do a phone consult due to money problems. I am still on the IM Bicillin Injections that he last prescribed me.

Well yesterday I recieved a written warning at work due to my tardiness and days I call in sick. I have worked here for 9 years. I have called in sick 12 times this year and when I am late it's usually only by 1 min - 5 mins. My warning says that if this continues over the next 90 days they may lay me off. At this point I have no idea what to do. I can't talk to Dr. R because I have zero money. The other thing is Dr. R has given my work at least 3 notes which stated I am not to lift heavy objects or stand for long periods of time. My work never listened to any of that and I have been lifting and standing all the time. I tried to explain to my boss that I can't help when I don't feel well. Basically I might be able to work more if they actually listened to my doctor's advice. I can't just file for disability right now because I have too many bills that can't wait until I get approved to get paid. 

I'm lost on what to do.....  cry

Posted 7/30/2010 1:12 PM (GMT -5)
You might try filling out the paperwork for the Family & Medical Leave Act and see if your days off/tardiness can count towards your time off under FMLA... See http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm

Also, you might look up the Americans with Disabilities Act - http://www.ada.gov Your employer has an obligation to reasonably accommodate you because your illness is an "invisible disability." I don't know if there is some way to contact someone associated with the ADA who can help you with this issue or not...

I hope this helps - take care,
Posted 7/30/2010 6:54 PM (GMT -5)
Definitely pursue FMLA and see if your company is large enough that you're covered under the Act.  There are provisions for intermittent leave so you could take days off as needed.  You will need a Dr's support as he/she would need to fill out whatever form they have.
Posted 7/30/2010 7:05 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Mike,

One of the doctor's I was seeing before I was actually diagnosed with lyme wrote a letter because I was so very sick and because of that letter, I was able to take 3 months off from work under the FMLA.    He wrote that I had abnormal fevers which I did..  The rest did me good and I went back to work.

Let us know what happens okay?

Denise

Posted 8/2/2010 12:42 PM (GMT -5)
I wonder if I already used that time up... I was out for a year with my PICC line. Not sure if it was just short term work disability I was on or not.....

Thanks for the replies!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply