Hello All,

Things have been crazy at my house so I haven't been around lately. My mother-in-law leaves Wednesday so that will bring things back to normal some. I will be starting a new job this week so lets see if that is any better than the last one when I worked with Napoleon. She was aweful!! Here we go....

I am not back at my retail job because they want information from me that I don't feel I need to give them. (forgive me if this has been said before) They want me to bring in a doctors note telling them my diagnosis, my long term outlook, what meds I am on, how many miligrams and how often per day, what type of seizures I have, and what is the prediction of when this will be under control. OH MY!! I don't think they have the right to do that. I am not allowed back to work until they get that exact information from my doc. I brought them a work release form from the hospital when I had my VEEG done and they said that wasn't good enough and gave me a list of things they wanted from me before they would let me back. So do any of you think that this is wrong and a violation of my rights?? Some say I should go to **** (can't remember where)and tell them that they (my work) are doing this to me and see what they say. I don't want to work for them anylonger...not after this anyway...but if I did they wouldn't even let me back. I think they are embarrased by me. I think that they want to fire me but can't because it would be discriminative(sp?) because of my "E". They know I would sue the pants off of them and they have already been sued once by an employee and lost. This is a major retail establishment in the south and southwest. Please give me feedback...I need it!!

I went to the doc on Saturday and he had my results from the VEEG. He wants to increase my Nurontin to 2400mg per day (600mg 4xdaily) and if that doesn't stop them then he wants to start me on one of the following: Depakote(sp?), Zinegran(sp?), Dilantin, or the VNS. NO WAY FOR THE VNS!!! I will NOT do it!! What if it doesn't work?? Anyway, I am going to research all of these meds and see the different side effects but I wanted some input from any of you who have tried these meds...even the VNS. Please help!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif

My memory is BAD!! He said it is from the meds and just a tad from the seizures. I didn't mention the depression. I am shaking it now so I didn't feel the need. Hmmmmm, lets hope so right? ha ha ha

Ok ok, enought with me blabbering on and on. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif Please give me feed back on any one of the questions I have. PLEASE!! I will soon be back on here in full force. I miss coming here and having the time to read all of the messages and responding to my "family in 'E'".

God Bless you all,
KittyMom

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Mother of 3 beautiful kids and wife to a Great husband! I love helping others...it helps me grow!

KittyMom

That is a HUGE violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act!!!! When i had my seizure on my first day of work where I am now, our HR department made it a point to call me into their office and explain my rights to me. Unless there is an issue related with safety (ie your job requires you to operate heavy machinery or drive)- they have absolutely no right to ask for your medical history. It seems like they are trying to make a case for "letting you go".

I would ask your doctor if it is appropriate for an employer to ask for this much information, and also possibly consult with an attorney. You should find out if your state is a "right to work state" and contact your state's department of labor.

Good Luck!!!

Hey kitty....

I haven't forgotten everyone, I have just not felt good at ALL lately....The Topamax has knocked me down pretty good....The doctor changed my meds yet again today....I haven't been able to post much because I don't have energy to do much of ANYTHING anymore...HOPEFULLY I will be completely off of this "demon drug" (haha!) by Wednesday and will feel like posting more. I know different people have different results, this one is just NOT a good one for me. I have the constant "pins and needles" in my hands, and my mood swings, don't even ASK!

Talk to you soon, and big hugs to you,
Amy

Besides the ADA, you should also check out the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunities Council, I think.) There are some heavy duty rules that an employer must follow, or they can be fined etc. My husband is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and he said you should try to find the EEOC website, because they are the best advocacy group. Good luck....remember, stress is not good for "E". Let EEOC do the dirty work. Kathy

If your doctor gives you a release to go back to work, i don't think the employer can demand anything else... and I agree with checking out what the EEOC says... this doesn't sound like your rights are being adhered to. I don't blame you for not wanting to work for them, but maybe 'make' them fire you so you're eligible for unemployment?????? At least you could file for benefits until you found something else. I'm not a big advocate for getting fired http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif, but sometimes it might pay off in the long run. AND, they'd have to give you a reason..... if you've given them a release from the doc that you're ok to work, I can't see how anything else is any of their business.

Thank you all for your advice. I am going to see what I can do about getting them written up and a letter sent to the corporate offices to let them know that this guy is a jerk...unless they (corporate)are the same way as this jerk I am working for....Hmmmmmm. This could be interesting.

Anyway, thank you all for your time and encouragement. I will let you know how this goes....

Oh yeah, where would I go for all of this if I don't live in a big city?? County courts offices??

God Bless and thank you,
KittyMom

Kittymom - you could google the Americans With Disability Act and the EEOC. I'm sure that the EEOC has an 800 number or online contact information. I agree with the others that this appears to be a blatant violation of the ADA.

Hey Kitty!

Have you tried going on the EEOC.gov website??? I would DEFINITELY check that out, as well as some sort of "american's with disabilities" websites, I absolutely cannot BELIEVE that they would want to know the extent of your medications down to the milligrams!!! As if taking the medications and having epilepsy was not bad enough, this is a slap in the face for you not to mention harrassment!! I just can't believe the NERVE of people, that is absolutely ridiculous!

How are you feeling today, any better at all??? Please let me know!

Sending big hugs your way!

Amy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Very Depressed. I can't find a job because I have seizures so often that I need to tell them. The only job I have been able to do is housecleaning and that is wearing me out. Money is looking bad with gas increases and now my electricity has gone up 22%.

Very Very Depressed! Thanks for asking.

KittyMom

Hi Kitty,
I understand how your feeling...to a degree i should say. I tried to see if I qualified for disability because there is no way i could find a job. Not only can i not drive but the day care alone would kill us. The disability wont work because they say our income is too high...what a joke. There are 6 in my family on one income and we are considered "low income" on the governement scale but yet to high of an income to recieve help. Go figure. I also live in a sub city of Orlando and employers will always find a reason to not hire because there are so many others out there that they can get to work and dont have E. This just sucks and im sitting here depressed right beside you. All these copays and medications are draining us and some of our bills are a month behind. There has to be a break soon. Thats what im holding on too. Just hang in there, i know its hard. I understand the electric bill increase...to top off all else our central A/C went and we had to use the little extra money we had to buy 3 window units because we cant afford to replace the central one, and living here in humid hot state of Florida, the air was a must....im still waiting for that break i mentioned....I wish the best of luck to you and that your "break" comes soon.
God Bless

Good morning Kitty!

I read something the other day, and I will research it and I know I can find it again!! It was talking about epileptics can get disability IF they meet certain qualifications and one was if they are on medications BUT the medication is not working and keeping them from doing their job.

Let me see what I can find again and I will send it to you. PLEASE don't give up hope yet!

Amy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thank You Everyone for Your Support!!

I have been doing some research and found out some very interesting things. Before I tell you I must tell you a little something about me...

See, when I get down it is usually short lived before I get so upset that I am determined to turn this all around. I got down yesterday and wanted to crawl under a rock and see how that worked because nothing else would. Since I couldn't find a rock big enough and if I did I wouldn't be able to move it, I went online and found some information that gave me the added drive I needed. Once I added it to all of the advice and info. you all gave me I had everything I needed for success over the depression.

My job at the retail store is now going to be secure. I called the human resources dept. and explained my situation and they assured me that this was not their policy and I should be allowed to return to work. If my manager had a problem with this that I should have him contact this man at HR and he would explain everything. This is GREAT!! I really don't want to work there with all of those snobby people but I will have an income while I look for another job. It won't be easy finding one but I looked in the ADA website and it said that under the federal law, I do not have to state my disability to my employer upon getting a job. I should however tell them what I have so in the event of an emergency I will be taken care of properly but that is not a reason to fire me. This retail HR said that they would make all reasonable accomidations and I should be just fine to return to work!! So There!! HA HA YOU JERK FACED MANAGER!! PUT THAT ON YOUR FORK AND STUFF IT!! (Sorry! I needed a little emotional let go)

I am going to go there today and see what he has to say about this. I would love to shove this ADA policy in his face!! It would be my shining moment and give me enough 'get up and go' to last some time...I hope!

Thank you everyone!! You all are the greatest!! I can't tell you how many times you all have given me the boost I need to get myself going again. You have been behind me and helping me even when I sounded like a whining spoiled brat!! THANK YOU!! This is just one of the many reasons why I love this board and would reccomend it to anyone! I am in debt to you all.

Thanks for your support and priceless help. You are all in my prayers. Keep writing, I still need you!!

God Bless you all,
KittyMom

[This message has been edited by KittyMom (edited 08-27-2003).]

I'm Just Soooooooo Happy that I have to say thanks again....


THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!

I'll let you all know what the JERK FACE had to say later...

This is going to be a good day.

God Bless!!

I had a very similar situation. All I had to do was mention ADA and EEOC. The situation was resolved immediately. STAND UP "E"ers.....WE DO MATTER!!!!!!Be well, Kathy

WU HOO! Everyone do the Happy Dance with Ms. Kitty!!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif

That's what we do in our home when someone gets something they have worked long and hard at!!

HUGS and Love - please keep us posted!!

L