[puzzledone]

I have been out of work on medical disability since early Sept for severe leg pain that keeps me up at night and I only gey 3 hours a sleep a night, even taking lunesta and vicodin. I also have anxiety and depression and at the end of the summer found myself in vicious cycle of taking tylenol pm at night to try to hope for sleep, and then OTC caffeine pills to get fully awake before work, I work with children and often transport them, so its important I be fully awake and alert.

My dr released me back to work 2 weeks ago with no restrcitions. My employer sent me home, stating I was stumbling ( due to dizziness), slurring my speech ( dry mouth due to meds) and shaking. They asled me to have my dr take me off again on medical leave, My doc refused saying i needed to work to get back in routine, for self esteem....and said she didnt see a problem with me driving children around on 3 hours sleep. Work kept me out that week and had me retujrn the following week.

I lasted 2 days before top administratorss called me in meeting to tell me they are concened about me but also the liability if something happened to a child in my care. They again sent me to my docs to be asked to be taken out on leave and said if she wouldnt they would find one who would. They were nice and assured me job was not in danger.

Something has changed since that meeting a week ago. One of the administrators called and was rude, stating that she had a note from my doc returning me to worrk and if i couldnt find another doc to take me off on medical leave, then she wasnt sure what to do. She told me if I came back to work and something happened to a child in my care, then i would be held personally liable.

The adminstrator called again today, telling me she wants to talk to my boss before allwoing me to come back, boss isnt in today so I am off at least tomorrow. I am afraid of going back to work, I know I cant function on 3 hours sleep. I will have to take caffeine pills again as I dont like coffee or tea.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[agma]

Does your doc know what is causing your leg pain?

[puzzledone]

Originally Posted by agma

Does your doc know what is causing your leg pain?

She is thinking it is caused by nerve pain from herniated discs. But she hasnt ordered any tests to see what it is caused by.

[agma]

I'm sorry your going through all this. Have you tried meds for nerve pain such as Lyrica or anti seizure meds (some help with nerve pain)? I would suggest talking to your doctor. Would he/she want you driving their child on only 3 hous of sleep? I don't know exactly what you do, but would it be possible to go on light duty and not have to transport kids? I hope you can figure something out. ((((HUGS))))

[puzzledone]

[quote=agma;2632039]I'm sorry your going through all this. Have you tried meds for nerve pain such as Lyrica or anti seizure meds (some help with nerve pain)? I would suggest talking to your doctor. Would he/she want you driving their child on only 3 hous of sleep? I don't know exactly what you do, but would it be possible to go on light duty and not have to transport kids? I hope you can figure something out. ((((HUGS))))[/quote

I am taking lyrica and it doesnt seem to be helping. I have an appt with the pain clinic next month, but work is my main issue now. My employer did assess if there was anything else i couldd do, but I am civil service so they have to stay withing my job title.

Waiting today for a phone call from the administrator ttelling me if i am returning to work tomorrow or what exactly will happen.

Thank you for your support.

[intentionalliving]

Are you not sleeping because of the pain? or maybe you are taking too many caffeine pills during the day?
The pain clinic is the best place to go. I can't imaging functioning on Vicodin; it puts me to sleep and makes my brain fuzzy.
I will pray for you.