On Thursday, my boss came out pretty much to observe me at work and then to have a big "serious discussion" with me about my job. While some of you would disagree with this decision - I decided to supply him and HR with TONS of medical information. I buried them in documents about everything that has happened.

Now they know how serious this is.

The big "serious discussion" was a mixed bag. He had read the documents and was concerned about my health, and wants me to get better. But we also had to talk about the job. He was really fishing as to whether or not I should just quit now. And he insinuated a few times about how I don't belong there, and made "his team" weak. He also couldn't help but bring up how much he dislikes the way I look. He really doesn't like my hair, beard, or that I wear so much black.

However, I'm pre-approved to go on this internal medical leave thingy - I just need a doctor to sign off that I need five weeks away from work. Right now, my general practitioner (Dr. Barbie) and my internal specialist both want the other person to give the recommendation. They are both gun shy to give any kind of "disability" recommendation even though I have explained to them multiple times that this isn't disability. It's an internal thing. It's temporary to give me some breathing room to try new medications and put some weight back on.

And the new medications haven't gone super well. The one that was supposed to help the most has a "rare" side effect of paralyzing people's faces or giving them seizures.

I woke up today, and my face is numb. I have to immediately go off it.

Dr. Barbie gave me a 15 page overall health questionnaire that I see her about on Monday. I filled it out the other night, and it's quite hideous reading. I also had to keep a "food diary" for a few days.

It took me both lunch and dinner on Thursday to finish a small bowl of soup. I ate better on Friday. It took me both lunch and dinner to eat a "gyro pita" from the Pita Pit. I have also learned a useful skill where after I eat something that freaks my stomach out, I can dry heave instead of loosing any food.

I don't know how I do it, but my body thinks that it has puked and leaves me alone. Also, the food stays down. It just really hurts.

I'm hoping that the questionnaire and the food diary will help Dr. Barbie get off her perfectly sculpted ass and write this simple note for me. Although I know that she'll purse her full, pouty lips in disapproval when she looks at the food journal and under "snacks" on Friday I put "Whiskey."

It was a real shit week, ok? Plus, Kratos needed my help murdering those sadistic, manipulative Furies - and I wasn't about to do that sober.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2013 12:26PM by Raptor Jesus.

I'm sorry RJ. I hope things start working out better for you.

Can you do FMLA? Sometimes the company will even grant you the leave on days when you need it instead of big chunks.

I support your decision...I think it was a good one.

I hope you get better soon. Thanks for the earworm btw, that damn song is going to be in my head all day now

RJ, I think you made a good decision to dazzle your company with medical documentation. HR knows what's up. They know labor laws/employment rules, and probably have The Americans With Disabilities Act memorized. HR won't let some renegade middle manager screw up and invite a lawsuit against the entire company.

You are doing a spectacular job of CYAing. I'd document your entire exchange with your boss for future reference as well - you may need it.

Hopefully, Dr. Barbie will get off her high horse and sign on the dotted line. Good luck and feel better.

;o)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2013 01:57PM by shannon.

I hope you're able to get the time off you need to figure things out and start to heal. Sending good thoughts.

Librarykim2

Hi Raptor Jesus. It sounds like you're close to getting the time off you need to heal, and that you did the negotiation you needed to do with HR even though you're still very ill. That's really impressive.

I have had to keep food diaries in the past. They trigger my ed, so it's tricky for me, and not fun. I think everybody who has to do them should knock back some whiskey first, though in my case it would need to be vodka.

I'm sending you good thoughts and wishing you all the best.

It will help you come to realize possible trigger foods. I have a suggestion as well...I know this sounds revolting, but you might want to keep a BM diary too.

I know what you were saying.

That sounds much worse than a BM diary.

Question- Do you take any kind of OTC stomach medications like MyLanta or Pepto? I know it sounds odd, but those can cause you to stop digesting food and exacerbate digestive issues.

I only ask because some are worse than others. I can take omeprazole for heartburn and occasionally Tums, but Rolaids and Mylanta completely neutralize my stomach acid and force vomiting. I know, TMI, but it's suprising how the little things cause big problems.

When I have had liver or gall disease (not saying that is what you have, RJ), my best therapy and treatment has been to drink green juices, rich with chlorophyll. When able to eat, I also would eat complex raw vegan salads, and probiotics, and some apple. I also would take some liver supporting supplements and herbs. Sometimes nausea will prevent eating much of even these foods, but the eventual result for me has been a detoxification of the bowel and liver, that provides relief and eventually restores appetite and nutrition.

I've also used ozone therapy, IV and insufflation, with good effect.

YMMV. I really hope you find out more about your situation, and find an appropriate therapy. Get well soon, RJ!

Totally agree with Shannon.

I'm so sorry man. This has got to suck. You must have really pissed off ole Elohim with your sweet delicious blasphemy.

I hate chime in as a sofa doc, but have you had the test for gluten intolerance? My husband was diagnosed with celiac disease.

The quacks say gluten causes mental health problems and I didn't believe it until I saw it. My husband's mood improved 100%. No more cutting remarks, mood swings, verbally lashing out.

I know you are struggling, and I want you to get all the help you need. You deserve peace and rest.

That sucks big time! Hope they can get things figured out pronto!

I have been following your severe health and work problems and would like you to know that even though its so easy to think you alone have gastroparesis-you are not alone. I have had spent the last 2 years with gastroparesis trying to get 1. a diagnois 2. good medical care and 3. keep my sanity. The best help I gotten have been from an internet support group and a good hospital. You have done well to have gotten a diagnosis already. Many of us spend years trying to find out what's wrong with us only to be told we are crazy. You are more than welcome to email me for any help and support in dealing with this terrible disease. Best wishes,
delayn1@yahoo.com

Do not quit your job. Your boss is not advising you to quit because he thinks you will be happier. He doesn't care. He is trying to protect the bottom line. You need their crappy little health insurance right now.

Don't go expecting to get onto the public plan, because its not as simple as it should be to do so. You could spend months without insurance as you file endless appeals as you try to get onto medicaid.

Just a few notes,
1) try taking "align" it is an excellent over the counter probiotic that replaces the good bacteria that have been killed because of an excess of stomach acid, this is one of the few products that actually works.
2) eliminate all dairy foods and replace them with lactose free dairy milk, and lactose free ice cream. Once your stomach is damaged it may have lost the ability to digest certain proteins in dairy products, go lactose free, it can make a big difference.
3) eliminate gluten products, that is the wheat based products like bread, roles and donuts, gluten can cause inflammation and make you vomit.
4) go to the gastroenterologist and get an "endoscopy", chances are you have ulcers that have caused scar tissue that can create blockages and make you vomit. Ask you doc to dialate the gastric opening to your stomach during the endoscopy, to make it easier for food to go down.
5) stop smoking, it increases the acidity of your stomach acid by 200 percent which burns even deeper ulcers in your stomach.
So Captain, hope this gets you moving in the right direction.
6) get yourself tested for h-pylori bacterial infection, which is often the cause of more than half of the ulcers out there.
7) become a BRAT for a few days, that is fall in love with bananas, rice, apple sauce, and just maybe gluten free toast.
Do this when you cannot keep food down, as these may be the only foods your stomach can tolerate, you do need food.
8) lastly, baked or grilled fish and grilled chicken is much easier to digest beef or pork, so try to avoid beef, lamb (gyro) and pork.
9) forget liquor, like whisky as your stomach cannot handle it any more.
JJ

When my niece was in her early teens, she dialed that number. It was in our local mountains. I bet that guy never got any sleep.


All the best to you RJ


I will be singing that song all day now...