Work accomodations.

[alwayslateforwork]

I was recently diagnosed with apnea and PLMD. I am chronicly late for work and have been admistratively disiplined for it - day off work w/out pay. I am trying to work out work place accommodations under the ADA. I want a flexible start/end time. They want me to start at 10 am and to make up for the lost pay with sick and vacation time.

I am not scheduled for a CPAP titration test until the end of February. My doctor has also started me on Klonopin for the PLMD which seems to make me more tired all of the time and makes getting up in the morning even harder.

Can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with all this and my job?

[<John>]

Get off the pills your doc prescribed. My doctor tried to get me on Mirapex before my titration study because of PLMS. I refused--the side effects are much like waking up with a hangover I was told, but eventually my body would get "used to it" (seems to defeat the purpose of being treated for sleep apnea). The only reason to have you on this drug is to make titration easier. However, for most people (not all) PLMS resolves with proper CPAP treatment, anyway.

Some doctors love to prescribe drugs--maybe they get big-time perks from their pharma reps?

By the way, I did not have PLMS symptoms during my titration study.

Klonopin, Mirapex, etc. are powerful drugs generally used to treat people in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. Messes with your brain, man. . .


(I am not a doctor. All statements above merely represent my opinion.)


-John

[<nawchem>]

I sure could relate to your post! I want to offer my encouragement to you to hang in there, hopefully the time will pass by quickly to your titration.

Try to make getting to work on time a high priority. Keep your gas tank always half full. Lay out your clothes, shower, make lunch and plan breakfast the night before. I used to even sleep in my clothes at times, because I had to stay in bed until the very last minute. Get breakfast stuff you can eat on the commute.

I know your tired but things are going to get better for you in the very near future!

[Tarren]

quote:

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Originally posted by late again:
I was recently diagnosed with apnea and PLMD. I am chronicly late for work and have been admistratively disiplined for it - day off work w/out pay. I am trying to work out work place accommodations under the ADA. I want a flexible start/end time. They want me to start at 10 am and to make up for the lost pay with sick and vacation time.

I am not scheduled for a CPAP titration test until the end of February. My doctor has also started me on Klonopin for the PLMD which seems to make me more tired all of the time and makes getting up in the morning even harder.

Can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with all this and my job?

---

I found a link that may be helpful. The pages have been moved but click on the second link it provides and it will take you to the info you are looking for. Hope this helps!
http://www.scoop0901.net/Journalism/links/apnea.htm

I hope this helps. I'll keep looking for more info for you too.

[ February 01, 2005: Message edited by: Tarren ]

[gkudasz]

First, if you have short term disability consider taking it until after you've been on CPAP for a week.

Second, have you seen the raw sleep report from the first study? There were a lot of hints as to how to help me sleep that my MD didn't bother passing on to me. If your Dr. balks at letting you see the report, go direct to the service that did the study. They can't withhold test results to you. You may have to fill out a release form.

Things that helped me included pinning a sock with a tennis ball on to the back of a night shirt. My report said that my apneas were far greater when I slept on my back. With the tennis ball you will move to your side so this might help if you have similar issues with back sleeping. There were also recommendations for a specific nose spray.

Three, ask your MD about doing a titration at home in the mean time with an auto-pap.

Good luck. I think I would have lost my job if I didn't read my report before the titration study.

[quietstorm4]

I was having trouble getting to work on time also. Have you explained to your boss what your problem is? Luckily my boss was somewhat understanding after I told him what was going on. It seemed to get worse as the weeks went on before I got my CPAP, but things are much better now.

[alwayslateforwork]

Thanks for all of the support!

I talked to my doctor and she said to quit taking the Klonopin!

The sleep center called, they had a cancelation and I get to do my CPAP titration tonight!

As for talking to the boss - Scrooge was a more understanding employer. I already have been talking to them about the problem. So far it has helped prevent them from taking more disciplinary measures, but they are very impatiant.