affecting work

The past few months have been very difficult. The process to get a new CPAP and gear is taking much longer than I thought it would, so originally I did not apply. I do, however, have a note form my dr. I have been coming in late, missing days, and know it's going to affect my review (even though I've always had good to great ones)...I am worried about my job,...can I lose my l job because of this? I am really a scared....older than 60, have always been a good worker, .....am at the edge of tears

I was 63 when I started. My boss commented on how much better my performance was.
It's the very best "smart pill" for me.

boy can I relate. i don't have much encouragement, i am afraid, as I am your age, had positive reviews before, started missing work and coming in late due to undiagnosed apnea, and i DID lose my job of 11 years. (of course it was also due to a new boss who was a real b#@@tch). I didn't know what was causing the problem and thought i was having a nervous breakdown. I would have your doctor write a lengthier letter instead of just a note, and have it put in your personnel file. meanwhile, is there anything that can be done to speed up your situation with getting treatment? or have you just started treatment? not clear on that.

I know that the bigger companies are usually better at accepting that you have a medical problem and will work with you.
But it might be worth ringing one of the government departments and see if it is classified as a disability and read your company's policies on medical issues.
One of my co-workers (at a large company) bought a doctors note in to our manager because of sleep problems (did not know if it was OSA) and our manager was very helpful.
So I would do a little research first before you speak to your manager. Because you have had good reviews in the past they will be more accepting of the problem.

Dave

feeling crummy wrote:The past few months have been very difficult. The process to get a new CPAP and gear is taking much longer than I thought it would, so originally I did not apply. I do, however, have a note form my dr. I have been coming in late, missing days, and know it's going to affect my review (even though I've always had good to great ones)...I am worried about my job,...can I lose my l job because of this? I am really a scared....older than 60, have always been a good worker, .....am at the edge of tears

Do you have a question???

She asked "Can I lose my job because of this?"

feeling crummy, I hear your fear and sympathize, though I don't think any of us can answer this question for you. Laws pertaining to employment, discrimination and disability are complicated. I found this resource page on the American Sleep Apnea Association website, should you need to do more research down the road:

http://www.sleepapnea.org/support/legal ... -work.html

But first, can we help you with your efforts to get your treatment going sooner rather than later?

I encourage you to join the forum and hang around, as you may also want some help and advice once you do start on treatment. And you'll find support here too, as many of us have had our work significantly affected by sleep apnea, especially prior to diagnosis and treatment.

You can lose your job if you don't do it. Many of us have sleep apnea for more than 10 years, and kept working. Responsible people do what's necessary to provide forthemselver and their families. Nowdays it's common to blame others or anything but yourself for your actions.

Drop out, latch on the government still has room under the sow, just remember when the sow goes dry and dies it falls and crushes all the pigs underneath it. Jim

Goofproof wrote:You can lose your job if you don't do it. Many of us have sleep apnea for more than 10 years, and kept working. Responsible people do what's necessary to provide forthemselver and their families. Nowdays it's common to blame others or anything but yourself for your actions.

Drop out, latch on the government still has room under the sow, just remember when the sow goes dry and dies it falls and crushes all the pigs underneath it. Jim

What a cruel heartless response.

I guess Jim it has never occurred to you that apnea affects people very differently and it has nothing to do with blaming others. You're not the only one who has worked while having sleep apnea. Many people have also worked with other issues in addition to sleep apnea that has made work a huge struggle.

The issue is if you start having problems due to sleep apnea or other issues no matter what you do and yest Jim, that does happen as it isn't a liberal plot to live off of the government, your employer doesn't usually give a darn as they want employees who solve problems, not add to them. And if you are older than 50, it will be more fun to find another job. That is reality and is not someone asking for pity.

49er

It is hard to know how long a company will be patient if a worker is not able to meet their needs. Fortunately my employer hung in there with me longer than I would have even hoped, and it was mostly because of the good track record I had with them. I told my boss once that if I was any kind of a manager I'd have fired myself long ago. All you can do is the best you can do. Get treated as soon as possible and hopefully avoid the scenario you are dreading. While you're waiting for treatment, be reading on here so you'll know what to accept or refuse in a machine, etc. In the meantime, maybe side or tummy sleeping and sleeping on an slight incline will help a little bit. I rolled up a comforter and placed it across the head of the bed between the mattress and box springs to get a little elevation. If you can improve your sleep just a little bit it may be enough to keep you going until you begin treatment.

You seem very interested in keeping your job so I'm sure you're not interested in just giving up. If you can keep your attendance up as much as you can find within yourself to do so at this time, it could hellp alleviate your concerns about your job. One thought that helped me make it to work as long as I did was that I was going to feel just as miserable if I stayed home, so I might as be getting paid to feel bad. I did however reach a point where I simply could not do it any longer. Had nothing to do with my attitude or my desire, and at that point it did not matter what my financial needs were, my responsibilities, or how dire the consequences would certainly be. I simply could not do it. Hopefully you are in time to avoid all that. Best wishes.

Goofproof wrote:You can lose your job if you don't do it. Many of us have sleep apnea for more than 10 years, and kept working. Responsible people do what's necessary to provide forthemselver and their families. Nowdays it's common to blame others or anything but yourself for your actions.

Drop out, latch on the government still has room under the sow, just remember when the sow goes dry and dies it falls and crushes all the pigs underneath it. Jim

Wow Jim, how did you get THERE from someone on the verge of tears afraid they might lose their job?
EDIT: And maybe they've already worked 40 years with undiagnosed OSA and deserve an award.

Thank you for the helpful comments. I look forward to getting my new machine on Wednesday. Up until last week when I had to take one day off related to my OSA, and another day to take my husband to the hospital for a medication imbalance...it wasn't so bad, but last week crumbled, no matter that I have worked extra in the past, taken on every project that they handed me...I was told that I had better get this all together before the new boss is here....I am feeling really sick and sad inside.

goofproof your comments on various posts speak volumes.

Goofproof wrote:....

Ah yes, the "let them eat cake" support system. It has been ineffective in the past except for causing social unrest. Heads roll....

I'd block Goofy's posts due to his sheer stupidity, except his cleavage makes me blow milk out my nose!

feeling crummy wrote:Thank you for the helpful comments. I look forward to getting my new machine on Wednesday. Up until last week when I had to take one day off related to my OSA, and another day to take my husband to the hospital for a medication imbalance...it wasn't so bad, but last week crumbled, no matter that I have worked extra in the past, taken on every project that they handed me...I was told that I had better get this all together before the new boss is here....I am feeling really sick and sad inside.

I'm glad you didn't let one grossly insensitive comment stop you from joining. Welcome.
Wednesday will come and you will be getting started on treatment. As far as coping with how you're feeling right now, just know that many of us understand and can relate to your predicament and your sadness. There was a thread last year about the very thing you're dealing with, not being able to function at full capacity and how it's affected people. If I can find it I'll send the link to you.

If you're not up to reading all the "newbie" material on this site right now, just take a look at this page (link below) to make sure they don't give you a machine that will not allow you to monitor your therapy. We call these machines "bricks." They show only how many hours the machine is being used, and they won't help you to see if your apnea is being effectively controlled, if mask leaks are excessive, and other things that are important to evaluating treatment. http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/ Making sure you only accept a data capable machine up front will give you the best start.

Hang in there, let us know whatever questions you have, and continue asking for support.