How to ask doc to leave work?

[cali1892]

This may sound like a dumb question. But how do you tell your Nero that you think it's time to stop working?  I have always candy coated my ability to work and function regardless of what he finds on physical exam. I just keep saying it's fine. I tend to think if I say it's fine I can make it fine. Well it's not. I can't take much more.    I have always been the type to push through and work. And thought that people that didn't work just did not have the will power or were lazy. Well, I know better now. And God, please forgive me for all the times I thought of people in that way.
But how do I convey to my doc that I have been lying or I guess denying all this time.  I have a vey stressful, fast, high pace job. And I just can't keep up.

Thanks guys.

[drsdonthelp]

I worked for 16 yrs. as a Human Service Practitioner. I ran a classroom of 9 mentally retarded and physically challenged individuals.. I LOVED MY JOB!! Anyway, I would go to work and PUSH MYSELF through my days. I struggled during Graves Disease, RAI treatment, then Thyroid Eye Disease. I would leave work and go for radiation to both eyes on my lunch break for two weeks.

My eyes teared constantly , I couldn't keep the classroom lights on because it was too bright, and I was told how tired and sick I looked every single day!! I cried at work daily because the stress of work, being very sickly and being a new mom was just too much.

It wasn't until I had my eye surgery for orbital decompression when I was out of work. I thought I would be back 3 weeks later, but that didn't happen. Complications, slow healing, and my unknown neurological problems, kept me from returning.

I was told by 3 of my drs. that I could not go back to  work. I was soooooo upset, I begged my employers to put me on light duty somehow, somewhere.... but they couldn't.
Even with my drs. agreeing that I stopped working and I had all of the necessary paperwork turned into SSD, it still took 2 yrs to get it!!!
I didn't want to stop working..., but knew it was time to give up on trying so hard to keep working, (if that makes any sense)
Now I know its for the best! YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR LIMIT!
Sorry about going on and on, I just felt like I needed to share alittle.

GOOD LUCK AND BE WELL,
Pamela

[RedFlame]

I'm with Sumanadevii,  I think he/she knows that you are in denial and is waiting for you to tell him.  It's a humbling thing for me, but you have your own feelings and reasons.  He will be able to help you with your application for SSDI.

Take care

Red

[Sumanadevii]

I have this feeling...and usually I am right...that your doctor already knows you were pushing it and sat waiting for the crash.  I would just be honest with him.  He has to admire your guts and determination.  I bet you will receive his full support.  He knows when you tell him you "can't", ya damn well "can't"!!!

[figuerpa]

Where is the like button? I really like "Denial is a great thing, but it only lasts so long" So we really need a like button lol. Just had to share lol I know I am a dork.

Paula

[wiggles94]

When I was first dx, my doc told me to take some time off from work, as each time I met with him I had told him how much harder it was getting for me.  I teach first-grade, so you can't take a break as needed.  You're on 150% all the time!

Once my first med leave was up, I have asked for more leave, as I still can't go back and have lots of sick time I had accumulated over the years.  But now, each time I ask for more leave, I feel like I am kind of wimpy.  MY attitude is like yours - just push through - you can do it.  But when I think of the realities of my job, and how I feel, I know I can't  It wouldn't be fair to me or the kids.

I think leaving my job has been the most difficult thing for me.  In a way, I felt like it was giving up - but now I 'm trying to look at is as starting a new chapter in my life - and doing what I need to do for myself.

I'm sure when you explain to your doc, he/she will totally get it.  Denial is a great thing, but it only lasts so long.  

Good luck.

[figuerpa]

Just explain to him that you have done it for as long as you can and that you can no longer perform your duties at work. If he has mentioned it to you before and you have told him that you are fine then he will completley understand.

LOL I stopped working as soon as he told me not too. I had contemplated quiting sooner but I was like you and decided to push through it. When he finally told me to quit I then sat down and figured things out for myself. I was a restaraunt manager, delegating more and more onto my assistants because I just couldn't do it anymore and that wasn't fair to them either because they were doing my job and I was getting paid for it.

I know that doesn't sound too bad but I jut couldn't think straight any more and my boss noticed it and asked me what was going on and I told him I wasn't sure cause at that point I hadn't even been to a doctor. Anyway quitting was the better choice for me, between the leg pain and numbness and the lack of concentration I just couldn't function in my job.

Just be open with your neuro and let him know that you can't do it anymore, that you have pushed yourself to the limits and those limits have been stretched to the max. He or she will listen and do what is right.

Mind you I am still struggling finacially, still fighting the fight with SSDI so that is something you want to work out as well. Also get all your affairs in order, life insurance, medical insurance and things so that when you do stop working and get SSDI it won't be so hard to get or cost you a bloomin fortune.

I hope I have answered your question, I kinda went off into a rant about myself lol sorry!!

Take Care,
Paula