Re: Disability (long post)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am on disability (temporary) for my FMS. I work(ed) at a call

center making appointments for the HMO that I am covered with. You

think they'd be sympathetic, but noooooooooooooo.

My MD is quite arrogant (sp) and condescending when he speaks to me.

My DH came to my last appointment and LIT HIM UP. I'm no shrinking

violet myself, but sometimes I just don't have the energy, physically

or mentally to fight.

Anyway, I was missing at least one day of week at work. I was out of

my sick time and the only way I wasn't fired was due to FMLA. I told

the MD that I CAN'T work. My job was very, very sedentary, my calls

were timed and recorded and I had to be on the phone and in front of a

computer for a certain percentage of the time. I was having migraines

at least two to three days a week. When I took my meds, I was falling

asleep at my computer and inputting " gibberish " . I couldn't follow my

train of thought and had to keep asking the patients to repeat

themselves. I was also making a ton of mistakes, and this is so not

like my " A " type personality. LOL

I was so frustrated after my diagnosis, that on my return visit, I

explained to him my " quality of life " or lack thereof. The effect

this syndrome has had on my two children, ages 3 and 5, and how they

have to suffer because they have a 39 year old mom, who after working

five hours a day, has no strength or energy or is in too much pain, to

do much more than rest. I was working mornings and my husband works

swings, so we don't have to rely on day care and save some $$, plus

it's best for our kids.

List the simple things that you can no longer do. I can't remember

when I've had a pain free day, but I try to control this syndrome,

rather than have it control me. I'm able to do a little bit around

the house each day, and take a nap with my three year old while the

five year old is at school, so I have the strength and energy to care

for them the rest of the night. I was just so frustrated with this

arrogant *&^%, that I started crying and also made a report with the

" customer service " portion of the HMO. I am in the process of getting

another MD. I do have a great behavioral med. MD, neuro and PCP, but

this " chronic pain " doc, has become one of MY chronic pains. LOL

I asked for the time off work to implement and schedule exercise and

meds that will make managing this syndrome easier.

Good luck to you. I sure hope this helps and don't take no for an

answer. Ask them how they would feel if they couldn't pick up their

three year child after she has fallen from a swing, etc. I think if

you give them specific situations, it might help.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer or help you

with.

Take good care,

Lynette