So happy to be a part of this amazing group! I was dxd w/ RRMS in June 04. I currently take Copaxone to help manage the disease.
I'm a General Manager for a major clothing retailer. Overall I've been able to handle working but have had a few times that I've needed STD. The last couple of years in the spring I seem to have an exacerbation. I know that the stress of the holiday season (Oct-Jan) is the main culprit. Needless to say, by the time Feb/March rolls around my body is a mess! I was out this past April-June & had 3 Solu-medrol treatments to help w/ extreme Vertigo. Upon returning to work with an Medical Certificate Of Disability, I did my best to resume my duties. I just never felt 100%. So here I am on STD again. My doctor has me out from the end of September - the end of December. I've dealt w/ a lot of guilt over this b/c it's the WORST possible time of year & I know it's a hardship on the store. I honestly feel like it may be time to go on LTD as the demands of the job are just too overwhelming. I do have both STD & LTD Plus insurance. My STD has been approved (thank the Lord!). My question to y'all is when do I go forward w/ LTD? Should I see how I feel closer to the end of December? How long will I keep my medical benefits?
I'm nervous & torn. I've worked for this company for 16 1/2 years. Any help, support is appreciated.
Thanks,
Katie
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meowmix915
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Hi meowmix915 welcome to our chat. And support is something we are not short on here. Unfortunately lm not from Texas so lm not sure how there LT and ST work and l have been out of the work force for so long... But did want to welcome you to the chat.
Welcome to the group, Great people here. Years ago, I was put on temporary disability because of a bad back. After a few injections it became obvious that I was not going to be able to return to my work, so both my rheumatologist and personal doctor wanted to put me on permanent disability. I worked for a large well known insurance company. Your company being large, probably has a human resource department that will help you determine the answers to your questions. Please keep in mind though they are looking to the best interest of the company while still trying to be legally and emotionally fair to you. It's tough to walk away from a company you have been loyal to for many years I worked for mine for over 20 and still miss my buddies, but you have to think about what's best for you. Lynn
Read your insurance policies carefully. They will tell your lengths of time. Usually STD will be 3 months and LTD will be until your qualify for Medicare disability. Or you might get a reduced LTD with Medicare disability until you get Medicare 65 (66 or whatever yours will be).
AngieRowe Can my company fire me while I'm out on approved disability? I'm freaking out a bit concerning this & I know it's pretty much defeating the reason I'm out on disability on the 1st place. Thanks for the advice.
meowmix915 Just checking back to see how you are doing. In answer to your question, you may have already found the answer, but I would suggest thoroughly reading your Employee Handbook if you have one and check with Human Resources Dept. if you have one available. When I was working, almost 20 yrs ago, our company could let you go, WITH THE CONDITION THAT IF YOU WERE ABLE TO COME BACK TO WORK AT THE SAME LEVEL OR CLOSE TO IT, that they had to find you a place within the company. Mind you, this was a national insurance company with many offices generally with in 20-40 miles of the office you worked in, so you might have to travel a bit more for returning to work. They would have to give you back your seniority, but some of your other benefits would have to be rebuilt.
Can you tell? I passed the state and National Management courses as the were back in the 1990's. Lynn
CalfeeChick It is hard to think about not working there after over 16 yrs. but I feel like I disappoint my team by not staying a full shift (much less working anything over 8 hours) or not being able to do what is needed in my role. It's almost palpable in the store when certain people are there how they feel put upon by me. I was dxd in 04 so 12 1/2 years of keeping @ it isn't too bad of run.
When I was having really bad back problems, I worked through many days of pain, legs going numb from herniated disk. Didn't use sick time because as a supervisor, I always felt it was important to set the good example.. Haha.. Joke on me, when I applied for permanent SSDI, they used that against me.. that I hadn't used sick time. Grrrr..
I'm with CalfeeChick , You've put in your time for your company. It is now your time to take care of yourself. You don't owe your company anything, they paid you for your service and they will try to protect themselves and minimize any "losses" they believe you will cost them. You did not ask for these health issues and it is NOT fair. We've all been there or know someone who has. I lost my LTD and could not fight it. I was alone back then. Welcome to a wonderful group hear. We are great listeners. Get a good disability attorney and talk to them, they are worth the money. Be careful who you "talk" to at the old workplace and remember they were coworkers first, maybe friends second. Be good to yourself always, ~ terry
Good luck to you Katie! I've had this crap (MS) for 27 years. There's up and downs every year. When I worked it seemed like every time I was doing well then I'd have an exacerbation. I wouldn't worry about your company unless you have a pension or something like that. Your company will go on, your health is more important than some company. If you want to know more about my adventures with MS go to scooterjon58.com.
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And support is something we are not short on here. Unfortunately lm not from Texas so lm not sure how there LT and ST work and l have been out of the work force for so long... But did want to welcome you to the chat. 
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