I need some advice
 

So I'm back at work now and as of this week I'm supposed to be back to full time hours. Last week I worked Tuesday for just over 6 hours and Friday and Saturday for right around the full 8 both days. I almost didn't make it through Saturday without passing out from exhaustion. I'm by myself at a retail job where I'm on my feet a lot and by the end of the night I was shaking I was so tired. Spent all day yesterday in bed. Got here today and still shaking when I stand. I don't know how I'm going to make it through 40 hours this week. I don't have any sick or vacation time left and I really don't want to go on FMLA if I don't have to because I have a titled position which could be replaced while I'm gone. But I'm just so exhausted and I'm not sure what to do. I don't know if my doctor will take me back off just for this. And I need my insurance.

It's a tough spot. No doubt.

My best advice would be to try to get your doctor to take you back off work, or at least back your hours way down.

You have to listen to your brain and your body. This isn't something you can just "tough out" and get through it.

I was in a similar situation many years ago and it took me more than three months to get back to full time hours and that was after being off work for over three months.

Good luck.

With FMLA your job is secure as is for 12 weeks... after that is when they can replace you... this is what FMLA is for... you can not tough this out... I tried... my accident was in Jan. I tried to go back in Feb twice... and then was forced out due to not making sense to customers... I am STILL out... please be careful!

Socks,

I am concerned over whether you are getting adequate REM sleep. Poor sleep can be a big detriment to you ability to make it through the work day.

I don't have a solution. Just a question.

I was told by my HR that with FMLA a job is secured for me but not necessarily my titled position. I'm Area Supervisor. My understanding is they could potentially hire a new Supervisor if it gets to that point and I'd come back to some other (in this case) lower position in title and pay. I'm not interested in that. I've worked for this company for 17 years. I can't go backwards. Additionally I was told that if I'm on FMLA I have to pay for my insurance. I can't afford that. But I have a call into my doctor and my boss is going to talk to our GM today and see how, if at all, they can help me.

I don't know how my sleep is. I'm sleeping a lot, no less than 8 hours a night but more like 10 or 11 hours a night plus a nap most days. I know of an app that... measures isn't the word but I can't think of the right one your quality of sleep. You put your phone next to you on the mattress and it indicates when you're in REM, deep sleep, etc. It's designed to put you on a better path towards proper sleep by helping you learn your patterns and when you should start getting ready for sleep, when you start waking up, things like that. I'll re download that and start monitoring myself.

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Do you have short term disability? If so, that will pay for your insurance... it is a reduced pay.. mine is at 40% of my pay but it is something... and look up the exact FMLA ruling... I do not think that they can take your actual position until FMLA is exhausted..

Hope your boss and doc have some suggests...

Would that I could. Evidently I needed to sign up for disability and I never did. Never even occurred to me as someone who was young and healthy. So I don't have that as an option. It was a crappy day when I discovered that let me tell you.

I'll have to check that out. Wouldn't be the first time corporate got something wrong. :)

Hmm. I just looked at the Department of Labor website and it seems you guys are correct. They have to return me to the exact or an equivalent position at the identical rate of pay. The only thing I'm still not clear on is whether they still pay my insurance or not. It kinda sounded like yes in one spot but was more vague in another.

Guess I'll cross that road if I come to it.

If someone else is curious http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm

From personal experience, no... the do not pay your insurance...

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with my doctor, which is upsetting because normally she's a fantastic doc. I called yesterday to let them know what was going on and they said they'd let me know what she said. I had to call them back myself today (not her fault) and when I talked to the nurse he said she wanted to know why I'm so tired. Am I depressed? No! I told her that at my last appointment when I said I was tired. I'm not depressed I just have a job where I work by myself all day, often on my feet for hours, and I don't really get breaks. It's hard to get through a full shift of that. I'm sleeping fine, I don't want to hurt myself or others, I'm just ****ing tired. Ugh.

Sorry. Needed to vent.

Sounds like you need to ease yourself back into fulltime work, maybe do half a day then a full day if you can. Otherwise stay part time a bit longer? It's not worth risking your health.

I have to agree with everyone else, you need to back off your hours. I have a really hard time giving in to my brain. However, when I worry that I may be putting others at risk due to my stubbornness, that's when I cave.

For example, I'm supposed to go to an event for my BF's sister tonight. She lives 45 minutes away. This would require me to drive for 45 minutes, being in a very over stimulating environment for a few hours and then a 45 minute drive home. As I'd be driving myself, I have decided not to go. I know that when I'm this tired, I am putting other people at risk if I drive. (Like driving while drunk).

It really sucks. She is probably going to be annoyed by it, but I wouldn't want to live the rest of my life knowing I hurt someone driving when I know I shouldn't be when this tired.

it seems like the same applies with your job right now. I was 2 weeks shy of FMLA prior to my accident, so I don't know anything about that. But I do know, the longer you fight your fatigue and brain, the chances of relapse increases. I've done this a few times and ended up in bed for almost a month each time.

If you were able to handle less hours, can you start there again and do that for a longer period of time to see if you can work up to the full time over a longer period?

My doctor came through yesterday and okay'd half-days. So I'm back to working 9:30-1:30 then coming home and sleeping for anywhere from 2 or 3 to 5 or 6 hours. I managed to successfully go swimming the other day and only have a mild headache and pressure afterwards so I'll gradually add that in.

I'm just glad my doctor okay'd it. Unfortunately this isn't a great time at work, my assistant manager is leaving and we're working on getting a new one in and trained. But my boss has made it clear that my health is more important. So that's nice. But I know eventually they're going to expect me to start pulling my weight again. And I want that too.

Happy your boss is more concerned about your health!

Some related threads so I copied and pasted my response from another. I don't know if this will help. I hope so

In Indiana I received 12 weeks of FMLA. During that time I still paid for my insurance but at my normal cost. Job secure, position or equal status kept.

After FMLA I had to pay my portion and the school corporations portion for my insurance. Very expensive. Switched to husbands insurance. After that year was up I lost grade level position but was guaranteed a teaching position.

After 90 days off work my LTD kicked in and is 66 2/3% for 5 yrs and then it's 90%. My Dr said I should file for Social Security. Whatever the difference if I get SS then my LTD will pick up to 66 2/3% until 5 yrs and then make up the difference to bring me to 90% after that.

I'm am not sure if I am clear in describing for you.

I dont know anyone that makes it through this unscaythd. It has the unfairness feeling about it all. They check from my MVA lawsuit will not pay for all my medical. We will be left with hefty bills. But my insuance is being reimbursed and my doctors are getting a lot of money too. Yay them

Jace