Help

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis nearly a year ago. I was told that most of my flare ups could be diet related, however I found that really hard to believe since I consume a high protein diet with plenty of omega fatty acids and eat minimal fatty foods. It just came to me today since I had a horrible flare up that it could be work related stress, my employers behavior towards me has been unfair, threatening to fire me on several occasions and treating me different then fellow co-workers mainly because I'm a strong advocate for my fellow members in my union. I have kept a log of my worse flares to try to pick off why this is happening and my findings are that they usually come after my employer has treated me unfair, so I was thinking could it be due to unwanted work related stress?

I have a family with 2 little ones, I have been employed with my current position for over 6 years with nothing negative in my personal file, I struggle many nights to sleep, and usually end up crying due to the extreme pain, I have a hard time supporting my wife with my children or even spend time with my wife and kids due to the uncertainty of a flare up. I'm exhausted worn out, and need my employer to leave me alone, I have decided to take action by potentially suing my employer through my union which will help with cost, i was wondering from my fellow UC members if stress has also contributed to your flare ups, and if the action I'm taking against my employer worth the possible additional stress and if you believe i have a decent case ? So Confused...

I live in Canada

Mike

Thank-you for your response and support, the medication i take i called MEZAVANT 1.2G. I was thinking of talking to my H.R. person however he has a very close bond with our Executive Director and both are very anti union, we have had several H.R personal in the past but have all been fired prior to the end of their probation and many believe the reason of this is because our ED thought they were to friendly to her staff.

I continue to have incredible bad flare ups, and do not want to end up having surgery, like i said based on my logs I have kept, I strongly believe these flare ups are promoted by the behavior of my employer.

I think talking to my union rep/lawyer is the only approach for me to take.

i think a battle suing your employer would trigger more stress and then the fall out from it is not going to be pleasant! Can you look for another job? change departments? find coping skills to deal with the stress?

Myself, I feel stress has a big effect on my colitis acting up.

Also 1.2 g is nothing with mezavant. I take 2.4 for maintenance and 4.8g when flaring! you may need more meds to deal with your flares. (also in Canada)

canadagal said...
i think a battle suing your employer would trigger more stress and then the fall out from it is not going to be pleasant! Can you look for another job? change departments? find coping skills to deal with the stress?

Myself, I feel stress has a big effect on my colitis acting up.

Also 1.2 g is nothing with mezavant. I take 2.4 for maintenance and 4.8g when flaring! you may need more meds to deal with your flares. (also in Canada)

Thanks for the info, I will address this with my doctor and hopefully I can get something a bit stronger, 1.2 is not working for me. I live in a city which has been hit hard financially and jobs now are minimal unless I'm willing to take a pay cut to work part-time which is not an option considering I have a family to support. I'm thinking the result may not be good, but the other side of it is what do i have to lose, as of it right now my health seems to be the most vulnerable it's ever been.

Personally though I believe my case is strong.

BTW you have all been great and supportive.

It sounds to me like you're not taking enough medication to keep you out of a flare. You're on a dose that is lower than the recommended maintenence dose and it sounds like you're mildly flaring. Like Canadagal mentioned, most of us take around 3g of oral mesalamine a day and many of us use rectal meds as well. Your GI should really have you on a better treatment path. Have you gone in to see him since you've been having issues? that is another important factor in your case having records that you've HAD to see the doctor.

I still think going to HR is the right thing to do. I understand that the HR person is on the side of your employer but if they fire you for going to HR, you have a stronger case. Right now, it is wishy woshy. It is illegal for a company to fire you for going to HR to tell them about the perceived mistreatment. If they fire you, it is considered retilation if they try to handle the problem, it is hard to have a case and the worst part is sitting around uncomfortable while you know they are talking about you everyday hoping you breakdown and quit. You can't quit, no matter how uncomfortable or you have no case. It is hard to have a case now without taking the proper steps. You have to try to rectify the situation, that shows that you're interested in working things out and not just after a settlement. You won't get a lot out of a legal suit, maybe a few months salary. Maybe you could get disability but I don't think so because it doesn't sound like you're not capable of working. Even if you got a settlement for a few months pay, jobs are hard to come by right now so you end up spending the money living and if you don't find a job quickly, your family is in a bad position. Just my opinion and I am no authority on these things. I am not a lawyer or anything of hat sort. You should consult with some lawyers and see what they say. Best of luck.

I am in the US. Things may be slightly different in Canada.