May lose job, brain fog, depression.

[Idrankwhat]

Help! Just was told my performance was lacking and have a month to get up to speed. I'm having a hard time keeping things organised and am falling behind (I process health insurance claims). My supervisor knows how depressed and anxious I've been and that I have ms. What can I do? Who can I talk to. I will lose family health insurance if I get the axe. I live in northern Illinois.

[Scott1]

Hi,

Get a lawyer. If your workplace is making work difficult for you then they may be guilty of constructive dismissal. At least get an opinion.

Regards,

[ElliotB]

There are many laws that protect you so you won't loose your job, certainly not for the reason you give.

Ultimately, the company you work for needs to 'make reasonable accommodations' for you so you can handle your position. If you can handle the work but not the volume, the fix should be an easy one.

[Idrankwhat]

Thanks for the info. The company is small and needs everyone at full throttle all the time. I enjoy my co-workers, but the position is becoming unbearable. How can I even ask for accommodations if they need me to stay at this extreme level? I don't think the managers know how MS can affect people.

[ElliotB]

"How can I even ask for accommodations if they need me to stay at this extreme level?"

I suggest you become familiar with the ADA (American with Disabilities Act):

http://www.ada.gov/2010_regs.htm

And then have a meeting with your employer. Bring a copy of the ADA with you in case they are not familiar with it. They will likely be very, very accommodating to you, willingly. Since all it appears you need is a slightly reduced work load, this should not even be an issue with them. Most employers are willing to assist an employee in need, especially a trained, qualified one. You can be assured that the alternative, a lawsuit, is the last thing they will want anyway.

In any case, since you cannot continue to work at the current level, you have nothing to loose. Have you considered applying for SSDI?

[Idrankwhat]

I don't think I am high enough on disability scale. Does brain fog and cognitive issues count? I really have no clue about applying but it may be an idea. Thanks for the replies.

[CureOrBust]

Help! Just was told my performance was lacking and have a month to get up to speed. I'm having a hard time keeping things organised and am falling behind (I process health insurance claims). My supervisor knows how depressed and anxious I've been and that I have ms. What can I do? Who can I talk to. I will lose family health insurance if I get the axe.

Get a lawyer. If your workplace is making work difficult for you then they may be guilty of constructive dismissal. At least get an opinion.

I know nothing about health insurance, but, isnt health insurance all about covering you in medical driven work issues? ie if someone tries to sack you because you are sick? not necessarily stop it, but cover you financially? But, maybe its the issue that your family loses health insurance from that point, not sure.

As for your performance, have you tried Provigil (modafinil)? An interesting fact/hearsay I once read was that it is abused by chess masters in competition. I have used a number of medications, mainly to improve my physical performance and ability to exercise. Ritalin (start at the lowest dose you can, tolerance builds quickly), but it definitely puts a kick in my step.

Also Nootrpics are commonly cheap and do not need a prescription (at least not in USA/Australia/UK but Russia yes). A couple I have tried that you may wish to look into are Pheylpiracitam, Sunifram, Noopept and Colouracitam.

And don't forget to check if caffeine helps your brain fog. I have used it in combinatrion with Nootropics; as a pre-woorkout (which is what many commercial pre-workouts also do)

[ElliotB]

"I don't think I am high enough on disability scale"

It is not for you to make that decision. And to be clear you don't need to be high on the disability scale to get SSDI. There are attorneys that will take the case for you without any cost to you.

You may find this article informative:

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/question16.html

I suggest you apply or at the least speak with an SSDI attorney immediately.