Knees, hips and feet

[dwsurquhart]

Hi all,

Just had an appt with an orthopaedic surgeon. He says my knees are not that bad so is unwilling to look at the possibility of tkr. I am in considerable pain all day every day for 4 years now, been labeled as RA but that has changed to unexplained seronegative negative poly inflammatory arthropothy. Huge mouthful. I have been on tocilizumab for 2 years now and getting a little depressed that the Dr's have not figured this out yet. I have defects on the medial condyle of both femurs which cause stiction of both knees. My range of motion has decreased over the last year, I walk more like a penguin as it is less painful than using my knees. I get my bloodwork done every 3-4 weeks as I get the tocilizumab infusion monthly.

This drug has been keeping my crp nice and low, however I am still super fatigued, and now my platelet count is way down again.

Have another infusion tomorrow morning and an appt with the rheumatologist as well. Hopefully there will be some answers.

To top it all off, my disability insurance company is trying to get me off their payroll. Too much stress when one is trying everything to get healthy and get back to work. My employer has a duty to accommodate yet they seem scared to implement anything. I have made many buisness cases of what I am capable of doing and they all seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

Any advice from you folk on how to persuade an employer to make accommodations would be well received.

Cheers

Scott in Canada

[nablur]

Hey Scott, this is Jill in California but also from Toronto. And out here

I’ve had a lot of grief with my Ltd.

Very long story, but it got 100% better when I got an Atty that specializes in Disability. They work on a %age after settlement or reinstatement and it’s worth every cent, or should I say

Loony?

[dwsurquhart in reply to nablur]

Thank you Jill. I never thought of that. I will do some research in the morning. Cheers and all the best.

Scott

[helixhelix]

Yes, i think Nablur is right. Time to stop being MrNice Guy. You have equality laws in Canada, so isn't their something in that about makimg accomodations for employees in your position?

Here's a link to post from Suzanne (in Canada) about winning her grievance .

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos....

[dwsurquhart in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for that. I just contacted my union steward, and will be filing a grievance against the employer on Monday.

[Beachgirl]

Hi Scott I think it’s disgraceful that employers are still not making things easy for people with disabilities, but probably think it’s only arthritis.I can sympathise with the constant pain I have similar problem with my knees, and hobble about, thankfully I’m retired, but pain everyday gets you down at times, but I truly hope you get something sorted at work ect

[dwsurquhart in reply to Beachgirl]

Thank you for that Beachgirl. I was looking through legislation this evening and our collective agreement. Duty to accommodate is not only in the collective agreement but also in our provincial legislation. I am thinking about making an appointment with my MLA and bring it up on the governmental side as well.

[Beachgirl]

Just don’t put up with it you must have rights, stand your ground so to speak👌

[popsmith1874]

Your doing the right thing going through the union workers have rights especially ones with a disability good luck xxx