Well, what to make of this????

[nikki861]

My job needed me to have my neuro fill out paperwork for my Personal leave of absence. Soon to be short term medical leave. I dropped it off last week and pled with the nurse to get to it ASAP. Office called yesterday for me to go pick up my packet. I thanked them for getting it done so quickly for me and before I left, I sat in the waiting room and read over the papers to make sure I could read everything in case HR called questioned anything.
So, I'm reading and where it says comdition for which the employee seeks leave, such as medical facts, including symptoms, diagnosis, etc............His answer.......HISTORY OF MS. Ok follow me here......how do I have a history if I have not been diagnosed??!! This is unacceptable and I am going to demand answers!!

Probable duration of  condition.....UNDETERMINED

Is employee unable to perform any of her job functions due to the conditon......YES

Will employee be incapaciated for a songle continuous period of time due to her medical conditon, including any time for treatment and recovery..........YES

Will condition cause episodic flare-ups periodically preventing employee from performing her job functions...........YES

Is it medically necessary for employee to be absent from work during the flare-up......YES, if flare up is SEVERE

Estimated treatment schedule........MONTHLY VISITS

Then a bunch of other YES answers to routine questions.

Really, so I must assume I have MS.......not like I have not waited 10 years to dx. Just really pissed me off that he said HISTORY OF MS. Makes it sound like I've been dx.

I see him on Friday for offical dx.................
I have a question though.................
When you first begin treatment is it normally a steriod IV? Just wondering, because I have seen that newly dx, note that they were socked with steriods and then DMD.

FUSTRATED AND MIXED EMOTIONS,
Beth

[twopack]

I can see why you are full of questions and wanting some answers from this doctor.  You certainly deserve every explanation you can wring out of him on Friday.  I do hope you leave the office with a plan for treatment and a renewed ability to put your faith in this doc (or determination to move on).

The real thing I'm having trouble wrapping my head around is the details your employer feels free to ask for concerning details of your health status.  Why do they get to ask about your health history for a personal LOA?  And then, even if this does become a short term medical leave, how do they believe they are within their rights to be in your health care records?  They want to know your diagnosis?

I suppose some of the stuff might be pertinent if you are applying for FMLA job protection and are thinking you may need to report off from work frequently for a day or two at a time.  (We have people who do that during a high risk pregnancy or for conditions like hard to control diabetes.)  I'm real unsure why an employer gets to see this info before you know about it yourself!

I was recently on a medical LOA.  When I applied for it I filled out the form stating it was for my personal health needs.  All they asked for from the physician was a statement that he recommended I not work until a specified date (which could be ammended at any time).  He wrote it on a script.  NO diagnosis.  NO reason given to my employer about WHY he recommended this.  The only thing they need to know is the doctor says I can't work now and he will let them know when he believes I can return to work with no restrictions (we have to come back @ 100%--right, as if I was ever 100%).

I can understand some of the questions on your employers form might need to be asked by an insurer.  Perhaps I'm unduly suspicious but I'd be wondering just what kind of plans HR has for the information they gather from questions that ask how 'disabling' this disease will be making you.  

Just saying -- I'd proceed with caution regarding your doctor and your employer.

Mary

[Lulu54]

Using IVSM and a DMD are two totally separate needs - and they can be done at the same time if needed.

The IVSM is to help reduce inflammation.  The DMD is to redirect the destructive nature of MS on our immune system.

I would be having a whole list of quesitons to ask this doctor - don't leave without answers about your supposed dx of MS.

[Sumanadevii]

Beth, if you are in a big flair the first line is IVSM.  However, it should be followed up with a DMD as soon as the paperwork for it is finished.  Just using steroids is not enough.  If it is all he is offering, find another neuro.

[Sailorsong]

I think you might be putting more into the words than are intended by your doctor.

Even if he just decided that you do indeed have MS he would say a HISTORY of MS as it includes all of the time from your first symptoms until today.  It is like when I first got my DX ( just this year ) my records now state that I had RRMS since 1989 and it has now become SPMS. So therefore I also have a HISTORY of MS.

Dennis

[nikki861]

bump

[nikki861]

Oh yes he has some splaining to do!!

Thanks for your good thoughts!

Beth

[beachcomber13]

Beth,

I can't imagine how frustrating and confusing it would be to read that after so many years of trying to get a dx.

I wonder if he said it just to get you out of work? No dx=no time off work? Just a thought.

He has some 'splaining to do, but I would be happy that he did put something unequivocal that will get you off work when you need it.

I had a steroid IV when I began treatment for a flare. It does seem to be the first-line treatment.

Good luck, I hope you get answers on Friday!