Ita been a year since i was diagnosed with chiari and a syrinx, the dr recommended decompression surgery but I opted not to because im still torn that surgery will help me or not. My problem right now is I have a physically demanding job and have been struggling to push on and do my day to day tasks. A few weeks ago I started getting really fuzzy headed and dizzy and the problem wont go away. Called the neurologist and they said it could be up to three weeks before I could get an appointment to go to the emergency room and they would see me there. I did that because i had no other option. They didnt di anything but prescribe me a motion sickness med and told me they would make me an appt to see a neurologist but it may take up to 3 weeks to see him. I cant perform my job at the moment so how do I get time off from work without getting fired?
If you have a primary care provider, I would go to see them. Take all your info with you, explain your situation and advocate for a short term leave until you are seen by your neurologist. Depending on your job situation you may be eligible for Family Medical Leave. Best Wishes and good luck. Navigating this is stressful.
You have more rights than you realize when it comes to work. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can request reasonable accommodations to your job to allow you to continue working. You also can take up to 12 weeks leave per calendar year for an approved medical condition As the previous poster mentioned. I would start with your HR department to see what the first step should be. I’m sorry you are having problems, the last thing you need to be worrying about right now is your job!
here is information about FMLA and who is eligible:
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/1421.htm
also, I get dizzines and nausea sort of things from stenosis and found out by accident that zofran/odansetron medication really helps me--not just with feeling less of that but helps energy and pain, its a pretty beneign med too,not many side effects
Ask you employer for FMLA (family medical leave). They should have forms or go to the site listed in the other post. You’ll need to have your primary care doctor fill it out for you and turn it in to your employer (HR if you have it). If you have HR there go through them. You don’t need to show your supervisor but can go directly through HR.
I have dizziness also so I understand how disabling it is.
I also was diagnosed with a syrinx and because I was having issues with tingling and numbness in my hands and legs, the surgeon told me that if I didn’t have surgery I would end up in a wheelchair as the syrinx would continue to grow and damage the spine.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success.
I pray that you will be able to be seen by someone who understands Chiari challenges and can help you. It is a very difficult journey, but with proper medical help and support things can get better.
I am a nurse. I too am having the same problem. My insurance has lapsed because of finances because I cant work I had to go to part time and the other night I almost made a terrible mistake because of the pain and fuzzy thought. I have decided to just be honest with my boss, If they fire me I will sue. Its in gods hands. I can not risk putting someone in danger because of me. I hope this helps. I know you feel you are between a rock and a hard place.
I am going to tell u if u put it off it gets worse. Mine is so bad now I can’t feel my fingers anymore sometimes I have trouble walking and talking. Thinking clearly is getting hard. I had a decompression chiari surgery but the doctor didn’t fix the syrinx that has caused a lot of my problems now. I hope your surgery go well and y’all do great I am going to have another surgery to fix my syrinx I hope it helps what hurts so bad now.
I wouldn't let this situation push you to any big decisions. I like everyone else here has no clue what your situation is in regards to your chiari or syrinx.
If your symptoms came on suddenly and sounds as if they did, its really more likely that they are a vestibular problem. Did the motion sickness meds help at all? Are you better in one position than another? Commonly overlooked with women in a stressful and demanding job is a very common disorder called Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is easily treated with a series of exercises. A PT can run you through it or there are a bajillion Youtube video. Its worth a try and takes several sessions. It is not uncommon with Chiari.
In regards to FMLA, I'm guessing the folks that immediately jump to it don't all have a lot of experience with it. Its not an automatic, and can be a career killer. Keep in mind IF you have to take the next step towards surgery, you will need every minute of it. Do NOT discuss any of this with your immediate supervisor or chain. DO NOT share any medical information with your fellow employees. (They WILL throw you under the bus either accidentally or on purpose) Deal strictly with your HR department if you have one. Try some other options such as "borrowing" somebody elses banked sick leave (allowable in many companies) Start a "file early" make sure you do not miss one minutes work without a Dr.s note. Consider a leave if possible
I would still advocate using FMLA. The whole point of FMLA is to have time off from your job for a severe medical issue and have job protection at the same time. I was an HR manager for 20 years and I have never seen anyone lose their job by taking FMLA. If your company would term you for using it you could sue for retaliation, but most companies are very knowledgeable about it now a days. Hopefully you have a good manager or HR department who can explain the different leaves available to you.
If she requires surgery everyday of FMLA she takes now is one less day she can take post operativley. It would be pretty easy to exhaust it quickly.