Navigating a Tough Work Condition
I recently got diagnosed this spring and it seems like I’m constantly having symptoms. Was also told I had fibromyalgia so they said the pain is probably a lot worse due to having both conditions.
I’ve been noticing it’s been very hard to find a way to balance work with symptoms. I commute about an hour each way everyday and can’t remote as often as I would like. They are supposedly bringing on HR next month (yes a company that hasn’t had HR for many years, but I needed the job) and wasn’t sure if it’s worth getting a doctor’s note to help my case and protect me, but I’ve seen other people not get accommodated and end up “quitting”. It also seems like all of my health issues (had a hospital stay that started this health journey and diagnosis) became common knowledge / talk of the office, especially when I’ve been asked personal questions or told their opinion on MY health & what I should be doing in front of others, meetings, etc. So there’s also a level of uneasiness and just uncomfortable being in office four days a week now. We also don’t have any sick time so I’m constantly forced to work when having severe flare symptoms or due unpaid PTO since I’ve exhausted PTO from my hospital stay.
I’ve been looking for other jobs closer to home and more of a true hybrid, but the market is terrible. Thanks to the diagnosis and multiple visits I’ve also maxed out on out of pocket medical costs so I also want to leg out this job a bit more simply due to that. My new primary care has been starting to get symptoms controlled with different prescriptions but I know that is also taking a toll on me too.
Would love to hear thoughts on what I should do with work besides finding a new job or you think I should even looking into short term disability for my body to recover.