The Long and Short of It.... - Epilepsy Message Board

KittyMom · 08-25-2003, 10:31 AM

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!!

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.

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!

Moot · 08-25-2003, 01:01 PM

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!!!

amydianne1 · 08-25-2003, 03:41 PM

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

Krazykcio · 08-25-2003, 09:12 PM

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

neuronz-on-the-fritz · 08-25-2003, 09:25 PM

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

, 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.