Work Issues

I am on my second round of treatment in 4 years. I had horrible sides with my pegintron treatment but completed the 48 weeks without missing work ( a different job than I have now). I am on Pegasys this time. I work 12 hour shifts doing a high stress, physically demanding job, that involves peoples lives. I went out of work per my physician due to severe headaches, anxiety type panic episodes, and other typical treatment symptoms for a month. I am to return to work soon. My supervisor states he will not be able to accommodate any job restrictions stated by my physician. He stated he is only required per FMLA to give me the exact type job I had when I left. He states any deviation in hours, job requirements, responsibility, etc. will result in me having to find another job. He also states he has given my position in line for better hours to someone else. He is new in his position and does have some power issues. I have been a model employee with good job reviews before I went out.  Is he legally able to deny my physicians instructions?

[fretboard]

It depends on what kind of job it is, if it's a civil service position with the county or state,  he can't do that.  If it's private industry and non-union most likely he can.  If you don't want to divulge anything more about your job, I totally understand.  You need to know how long you can use your annual FMLA for, is it only one month?  There are certain laws even private industry needs to follow, you can google the labor code and learn alot.  Or post more about your job, and see if someone on this forum can help you.  
Good Luck  

[kespr]

Don't know how long you have been on your second round of treatment with Pegasy but having done both treatments before I had a terrible time on Pegintron ( Fever 40 of 48 wks) but little or no problems with Pegasy. I worked all through treatment both times and was able to use FMLA days when needed luckly my work was there to help me through this, not all companys will do this for their employes but mine did. Best of luck and hang in there

[Gladitsnotworse]

I am a nightshift nurse on a busy hospital floor. I worked two jobs during my pegintron treatment 3 years ago. They were both physically and mentally more laid back positions. I had horrible sides with the pegintron such as terrible headaches, hairloss, weightloss, fever, my skin hurt if the sun touched it, etc. But I was able to concentrate for short periods of time and was able to not miss work. I have never used FMLA before. I am entitled to 12 weeks with this job.
Unfortunately, this time between the 3rd shift, 12+ hour shifts it is totally different. I am in a constant state of fight or flight. I can't remember things, have trouble catching my breath, drip in sweat, have a low grade fever. I can't get to sleep due to my heart pounding, before I know it I have to get up for work again. The healthy other nurses have trouble keeping up and sometimes are crying when the shift is over. I tried to find info online last night but with no luck. I will try again tonight. Thank you both for your info and good wishes.

[fretboard]

Wow!!  Very sorry to hear you are feeling so bad, maybe you should use the rest of your 12 weeks.  You know, you were off a month so you can go off for another two months, right?  Are you saying you dojn't have that option?  You may feel very hellish for the first 90 days but then maybe afterwards be ready to work.  Isn't there ndi or any type of disability that you qualify for, this is two treatments, I didn't catch that on my first read, that's like double trouble I would imagine. Doesn't that tick with a D know what you're going through, I know if that happened to me I would want to call Tony Soprano on his a$$.  Do you really have to work?  When I was in rehab, one of the times I took off work for a year and got unemployment.  It was unbelievable, that's when I was in a 12 step program that promoted focusing on your recovery.  You could think of it as focusing on your health.  That's a tough one, I can't imagine any hospital system that could be so cold.  Aren't there disability codes somewhere that protect your job from people like that?  I thought that is what the FMLA law is all about.  
God Bless  

[sldb]

Sorry to here you are having so many sides with tx. I too am an RN, I worked 12 hr shifts in a very busy ER  during 96 wks of tx (svr 18mths ).  During  tx i spaced my days so i would not have to work no more than 2 days in a row , i did not have the cognitive problems you seem to be having, but i did have headaches.  Your boss does not have to accomadate your restrictions,maybe you could take an easier position in the hospital until tx is complete.  NO OVERTIME!!!!!!.  Best Wishes.......