How to Protect Myself from a less than Sympathetic Employer

[Justrum]

I have an employer that is questioning the validity of my illness.  Since I just started trying to find out what's wrong and only have a preliminary diagnoses that it may be MS, I am reluctant to say that at work.  I tried to obtain some sort of letter from my family doctor stating that I am in the process of having test to better identify abnormalities found in earlier tests, but I was unable to get that done today thanks to his guard dog he refers to as his assistant.

His assistant said that I could have a prescription stating I am under doctors care, but a letter wouldn't be available until sometime next week.  I got po'd and hung up on her.

So, my question is, how best to protect myself from a less than understanding and ethical employer.  I keep being told to fill out an FMLA form, but from what I've read, that is for unpaid leave and that is not what I am looking for.

Since the two most serious symptoms are dizziness (I drive 80 miles a day) and confusion or understanding of simple and less than simple conversation, at this time my job is impacted.  I work in a highly stressful position that is in an extremely stressful environment.  Obviously that does not help the situation and locating another job at this point is not an option.

I have Long Term Disability Insurance, however I really don't want to stop working, but I cannot survive where I am at.

I realize what I've stated is vague, but does anyone have any suggestions, or questions that might help you provide a suggestion or two?

[Lulu54]

Absolutely - this is important information that is so hard to decipher!

Laura

[monotreme]

My sister in law's brother was a victim of lowering his work hours before going on LTD.  So now his LTD is based on part time income.  

Yes, a Health Page is a great idea.

Elaine

[sllowe]

I vote yes for health page.  Maybe Magoo would want to contribute to it too.  

[Deb61]

Absolutely!  I was just about to suggest that.  It takes a lot of fear out of working with a disability and problems that diseases like MS tosses your way.  

Deb

[Tahiri_Veila]

Yes
Tahiri

[Quixotic1]

Should the advice we collected in this thread be a Health Page?

Quix