Today comes a question regarding Sarcoidosis, I particularly like this question because, as you may have read in news recently, it is becoming more and more of an issue. TV and Movie Start Bernie Mac recently died as a result of struggling with Sarcoidosis. Wikipedia defines Sarcoidosis as: “an immune system disorder characterized by non-caseating granulomas (small inflammatory nodules) that most commonly arises in young adults.”
In respect to his anonymity request, we will refer to the questioner as Martin. Here is his question :
I work for a small food processing company. In 2007, I became Ill. I was partially diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. The worst being lung and breathing problems. However, I missed 6 months of work and the problems arising from my illness were wide spread and evidently impossible to diagnose completely. To this day I have many ailments remaining from my episode. Luckily, for me, my company gave me a new position to accommodate my return to work. Before this, I worked in the processing plant for over twenty years. Two or three times I inhaled direct vapor from washing compounds. These range from caustic soda, phosphoric acid, Iodine and nitric acid compounds. Every day, these chemicals are used with extremely hot water to clean the machinery in our establishment. This process creates steam, the steam is filled with chemical breathed in in excess of 15 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes per session. I reported this to my respirologist and after reading all of the MSDS sheets on all of our chemicals, I was laughed at and basically told they (the chemicals) couldn’t have caused breathing or any other problems. How do you go about addressing Doctors like this when trying to explain absences from work to your superiors?
Martin,
Doctors have become very reluctant to answer direct questions. If you ask them for a prescription though, they will respond immediately. (They have become the promoters of pharmaceutical companies’ profits.)
True story: My father had been feeling run down for the last couple of years. He was losing his balance and walking was difficult. Doctors ran tests on him every few months. He saw specialists. Finally, one day he passed out in a restaurant while paying his bill. The hospital found a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his colon. It took two years to find a tumor!
Addressing doctors who do not show professionalism is a challenge. First, you need to do some research on your own. Gather documents. Look up the most current information on your sickness. Put together everything you did from the time you began working for the company until you were diagnosed. Put all the treatments you have received into this file. Write down all your current symptoms and problems. Do this daily for two weeks. Present them to the doctor. Paperwork speaks volumes over speech.
Now, one problem I see is that if you are made to go to a company doctor, you are going to have to know more about what is going on with you physically than he does. He may be outdated and not have the research you do.
After you have presented your information break out your pen and paper and write down his response. This will get his attention. Doctors are not used to inquisitive patients who are intelligent and know what their body is telling them. Tell him you need a written diagnosis to present to your supervisor.
Present this information to your boss. Do not to forget to address the mental agony of your sickness. Far too often we forget about the pain and suffering the brain goes through when the body is working overtime to heal.
Good luck and let me know how everything turns out. Remember, positive thinking turns obstacles into opportunities! Also remember that Federal Law is on your side, with regards to Workplace Safety Concerns, you can learn more about the Federal Whistleblower Protection Program by clicking Here.
To learn more about Sarcoidosis and how you can have a safer workplace, contact a safety consultant at Safety Services Company by clicking Here.
