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...