Rant

[360]

Been off work fighting Crohn's since July 2011. Doctor has written disability report, STD insurance has rejected it, and employer is on the brink of firing me because they say my doctor's report says it's all caused by anxiety.

I'm about at my wits end here. My employer doesn't give two "beeps" whether or not I am better. Just if and when I will be returning to work. They say it is not reported that I can do my job. My job consists of driving a company vehicle all day visiting customer homes. Company policy is that I cannot use a customer restroom, or I'll be terminated.

I don't know what else to do. I feel like it is me vs. the world.

 

[Jeffer]

Contact the Crohns helpline if you are in the UK. 0845 130 2233 or +44(0)1727 844296

They are very helpful.

 

[360]

Im in the US

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[StarGirrrrl]

Post reported as spam

I'm not in the US so can't offer much help, apart from suggesting finding the main IBD charity in the States and give them a call.

There are disability laws which are designed to protect you in instances like these. The Charity can guide you better.

:ghug:

Have you seen a copy of the Drs report, could you ask your Dr to write it in a better manner?

Is there scope for your employer to redeploy you in a desk job? Not to everyone's liking I know but could be until your CD improves and would give you better bathroom access.

I didn't find a Your Story post, which is good for new memebers to do, so I don't know what your current treatment/prognosis is to better advise you.

 

[David]

If your doctor's report states that your Crohn's Disease is caused by anxiety, please get a new doctor immediately who can then provide you a proper report. Sorry you're having so much trouble

 

[360]

:ywow:

If your doctor's report states that your Crohn's Disease is caused by anxiety, please get a new doctor immediately who can then provide you a proper report. Sorry you're having so much trouble

That is exactly what has happened. I know anxiety is a cause of some of the problem, but not ALL of it. The sore part of it all is that I try to explain things to my GI that I think are good and bad, and the doctor records it ALL. Then the insurance company interprets it the way they WANT to interpret it, which has left me on the short end of the stick. It is worth noting that he is Indian. While he has very good english skills, I think there is a dialect barrier when I communicate with him.

I mentioned that I went on vacation and had little trouble. To the insurance company and employer, that means I have been cured.

It's to the point now where I cannot talk freely to the doctor because of fear his markings will jeopardize my FMLA and STD (which it seems it already has, as I have just recently been rejected on first report, and on appeal.)

The problem with finding another doctor in town is that the doctor I have been seeing for almost the entirety of my disease is reportedly one of the best in the nation. Also, he is in the same office as ALL of the other GI docs in town. I have never had an issue with him until recently.

I can lead a somewhat normal life as long as I am near a facility. However, my job does not allow that. Human Resources is now stating they are going to terminate my employment because I have been off work since the first of July, and the doctors reports say nothing is wrong with me, even though I have documented moderate to severe Crohn's Disease. I had 5 feet of my small bowel removed in 2008, as well as my gall bladder, and a portion of my colon.

Unless I eat 4-6 Immonium AD pills a day, I have to go to the bathroom within 30 minutes of eating ANYTHING. I will do the 2 at minimum 4-6 times a day. I have found out this summer that I am lactose intolerant, which eliminating dairy has done nothing to improve my situation. If I eat that much IAD, I sometimes cannot go to the bathroom for days, then get severe pain from constipation, as well as bleeding when I DO go.

 

[SickofBeingSick]

I have been off work since June2011. I had surgery in July, developed abcesses, had drains put in and developed a fistula from resected area to left side of abdomen. Area reopens every time I go off of the intravenous antibiotics.

 

[David]

I don't have additional advice but definitely feel your pain. I hope it works out for the best.

*hugs*

 

[Lisa]

Is there any way to plot out a route before hand an make sure you nkow where all PUBLIC toilets are? Or do you have to spend periods of time at clients' homes....

I feel your pain - at one point I was a driver for an autoparts company, delivering all over the County (spending 6+ hours a day in a vehicle!)...the plus I had was I could stop while on my route- and trust me I did!.....I also scoped out which of out clients had restrooms that were clean enough for me to use - and since I delivered to many an auto parts store - some were pretty NASTY!

 

[360]

Yeah its significant time in a home. Sometimes up to 6 hours at time.

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[Trysha]

Hi 360,
There will be other GI docs who are just as good, never mind them being in the same building.All patients are entitled to a second opinion. In seeking another doc,just say there has been a difficulty of communication and it would help to have another opinion.
You don't mention if you are taking any drugs to control the Crohns.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[360]

The drugs... Heh... I have opinions of those too.

Currently take:

Humira bi-weekly
Welchol x 3 a day
Lomotil, x 3 a day
Tylenol 3 x 3 a day
1500 mg fish oil
Immodium AD as needed
Centrum Silver



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[360]

Was told this week that I also have IBS.
That's just great.
Might as well get Diverticulitis and colon cancer and go for the grand slam.

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[David]

That sucks

No offense, but I hope you strike out on the others

 

[kllyeve]

I had one of my doctors tell me he wouldn't be recording anything about stress or anxiety in my chart as it only causes trouble with insurance companies. They want documented physical symptoms - pain, bathroom trips, ER visits, etc. Any sort of " fuzzy" symptom just gives them cause to deny the claim. Even if the illness causes stress or is affected by stress - she said it was better to stick to concrete symptoms.

So although they listen, my doctors will not record it as it only gives the insurance company a cause to deny my STD.