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Posted 10/5/2008 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

So happy I found this Forum.  I was diganosed with UC in March of 07. 

My UC seems to be under control and feel good in that area.  In the last two weeks, 3 times I have been EXTREMELY exhausted (like bring hit by a transport truck)..to the point were I can not get out of bed and literally sleep 15 hours.

A week and half ago, I went to my family doctor because of it.  She did some blood tests, for anmimic as well as other things.  I can not get into my specialist until April.

In the last 2 weeks I have missed 3 days of work.  I love my job and am parnoid of getting let go.

Anyone have any advice they could give me..if my sick days is brought up at work?

Thanks,

Pancake1

 

Posted 10/5/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)

Anyone??? Please.  Someone has to have the concerns?

Thanks

Posted 10/5/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Pancake, are you in the US? If so, you need to get documentation of your conditon and request Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave throught your HR department or supervisor. Under US law, if you work for an employer of any size, you are eligible for 12 weeks leave per year for a serious ongoing medical condition. It doesn't have to be taken all at once, it can be taken in days or even blocks of hours. Most employers will let you use any accummulated leave time as "Sick FMLA" or "Vacation FMLA" before you have to go on unpaid leave. Here is the web site that explains this law:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

If you're not in the US, check to see if there is a similar entitlement in your area.

Welcome to HealingWell!

Posted 10/5/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
You should get a doctors note, or some form of paperwork so that they know you are legitimately ill. Hopefully this covers you otherwise you're just taking a gamble with your employer
Posted 10/5/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
why can't you see a specialist until April? I am so sorry you are going through this.
Posted 10/5/2008 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies,

I live in Canada.  The first time I got a doctors note, when I went to my family doctor.  I have missed yesterday (Sat) and today.  My family doctor is closed on weekends.  The only thing open is the Walk-In Clinics.  They charge $30 for a doctor's note.  I refuse to pay $30 for a doctors note.  I find that absured.

I have recently had to find a new specalist.  My specialist (who was the best) moved to another city(a few hours away)  I found my new specalist back in August.  When I called to set up an appointment I was told that the earlist they had was in April.  I know nuts eh...sheesh.

Thanks guys.

Posted 10/5/2008 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
For anyone who thinks other country's health care systems are better than ours, well, no country is perfect. I couldn't imagine having to wait six months to see a GI while suffering UC. At least for those fortunate enough to be able to afford insurance here or who are fortunate enough to work for a company with affordable insurance available we don't have to wait and our needs are covered. I do feel blessed to have good insurance right now. Hope my situation doesn't change. I am sorry you're having such difficulties Pancake1.
Meesh
Posted 10/5/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
     I'm with you Meesh. Socialized medicince sucks!
Posted 10/5/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)

Meesh said...
For anyone who thinks other country's health care systems are better than ours, well, no country is perfect. I couldn't imagine having to wait six months to see a GI while suffering UC. At least for those fortunate enough to be able to afford insurance here or who are fortunate enough to work for a company with affordable insurance available we don't have to wait and our needs are covered. I do feel blessed to have good insurance right now. Hope my situation doesn't change. I am sorry you're having such difficulties Pancake1.
Meesh

I don't know if my UC has anything to do with me being exhausted latetly?  My stools are normal, no cramping, etc.  I just have a touch of the flu.  I mean I sound sick as hell.

My work does know that I have UC though.

Posted 10/5/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
You can possibly be anemic, if so you'll know when the results of your blood test are in. You'll probably need iron injections if that's the case. UC makes it difficult to absorb iron through oral means.
Posted 10/5/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pancake, So sorry your fatigue has got you down. I hope you can get some help with what's causing it. I was diagnosed with mild UC in 2005 and I'm in and out of remission based on how stressful my life is. I have to say though that fatigue is always an issue with me. Even when I'm not flaring, I feel weaker than before the UC. I have had A-Z blood tests most technicians have never heard of, vascular tests, ultrasounds, MRIs etc. etc, and my physicians have yet to come up with any reason (anemia or other deficiency). Conclusion: it's a complex condition that they havent really figured out and you have to find out what works for you. It doesnt seem fair that you have to worry about losing your job on top of feeling like a truck ran you over.
Posted 10/5/2008 10:37 PM (GMT 0)

Meesh said...
I couldn't imagine having to wait six months to see a GI while suffering UC. At least for those fortunate enough to be able to afford insurance here or who are fortunate enough to work for a company with affordable insurance available we don't have to wait and our needs are covered.

This is not universally accurate. I have fantastic insurance; the wait to see my GI (at a highly-ranked university hospital) is still more than six months.

Pancake, I think it would make sense for you to find out more about what laws/rules prevail in Canada, and possibly to initiate the conversation with your employer instead of waiting for him/her to bring it up with you.
Posted 10/5/2008 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Meesh - I think the wait varies from doctor to doctor in both the US and in places w/ socialized medicine. I had severe headaches awhile back that my doc thought could be something serious. It was going to be 6 months before I could see a neurologist - in the US, with great insurance. But, I can always get into my primary the same day.

Pancake - I don't know what to say about the exhaustion. I have never experienced the type where I can't just push through it, even though it really sucks. What if you start telling yourself that no matter how tired you are you will get up, get dressed, and go to work. If you still feel horrable after being at work a couple hours you will go home sick. I know I feel my worst before I get up and adjusted.

Can you handle caffeine? How is your B12 level? Try some organic energy sources like ginsing and guarena. I think it would be really hard to explain to an employer that you missed work because of fatigue. They get diarrhea lol. Good luck!
Posted 10/5/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
UC makes you more susceptible to being fatigued when other illness get you down. I feel the effects of colds and flu more than my "normal" family members. It also takes me longer to recover.

Are you taking a multivitamin? A probiotic? Listen to your body when it says to sleep. (I know this is hard to do and ignore my own advice at times.)

Feel better soon!

BTW - welcome to HealingWell! Sorry you had to find us - but glad you did :)
Posted 10/6/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I had the same problem trying to see a specialist.  Someone in the office suggested I go to the ER of the university hospital the doctor is at.  I spent a couple days in the hospital while they got my symptoms under control BUT I was an instant patient of the UC doctor.  It's worth a try! Good luck!
Posted 10/6/2008 2:07 AM (GMT 0)

Meesh said...
For anyone who thinks other country's health care systems are better than ours, well, no country is perfect. I couldn't imagine having to wait six months to see a GI while suffering UC. At least for those fortunate enough to be able to afford insurance here or who are fortunate enough to work for a company with affordable insurance available we don't have to wait and our needs are covered. I do feel blessed to have good insurance right now. Hope my situation doesn't change. I am sorry you're having such difficulties Pancake1.
Meesh

The Canadian health care system may not be perfect but based on what I have heard on this forum I prefer ours over the US. I live in Toronto Ontario Canada and Have never herd of waiting 6 months for an appointment. The longest I have waited was 2 months and the doctor was very apologetic. That only happened once in the summer when he was on vacation. Smaller cities and rural areas have longer waits. That was for a first visit to a specialist. After that I can usually get in within a week or two. My family doctor I can usually see in a day or 2.  There is always the walk-in clinics and Hospital emergency.
Posted 10/6/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
gotta mention my health care provider..... I'm with Kaiser here in the U.S. and I have a personal line to my Dr's assistant, and I can also email my doctor whenever with questions or get refills on my meds. He gets me in the next day if needed, and this is my GI doc. So, I guess it depends on the provider. I've even dropped in when my Doctor and I were working on the right meds for me to take to put me in remission. I know some people complain about Kaiser, I have a friend who literally hates Kaiser cuz of bad doctors, but I haven't had a bad experience.
Posted 10/6/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

dakotagirl said...
UC makes you more susceptible to being fatigued when other illness get you down. I feel the effects of colds and flu more than my "normal" family members. It also takes me longer to recover.

Are you taking a multivitamin? A probiotic? Listen to your body when it says to sleep. (I know this is hard to do and ignore my own advice at times.)

Feel better soon!

BTW - welcome to HealingWell! Sorry you had to find us - but glad you did :)

I believe in what you are saying about UC, other diseases and taking longer to recover.  When I am sick, I am sick..usually for days.  Something that might only last 1-2 days for a "normal" family member, it will take me 3-5 days to recover.  Leaving family members frustated because you have taken many days off.  It just hits me harder then most.

I just got back from my family doctor and it happens that I have a chest infection.  She even had me xrayed to be sure that it was not anything else.  She also have me meds.

I emailed my supervisor, just to let him know that I went to see my doctor, have a chest infection and have gotten a doctors note.  And also for thanking him for being understanding.

He wrote me back saying that he hopes that I feel better, that chest infections are the worse.  He seemed to be supportive and understanding.  A good thing:)

Thanks guys for your replies.

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