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This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive
Work & Multiple Sclerosis
How to handle workplace issues when you have multiple sclerosis.
Elissa Levy, a 37-year-old with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), is living proof of the unpredictability of this progressive neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.
Soon after being diagnosed in January 2002, her physical status plummeted quickly. The former fitness buff who regularly skied and jogged describes the overwhelming MS-induced fatigue that plagued her almost daily. "Sometimes my eyes hurt too much to watch TV," Levy tells WebMD.
During that period, she traded her running shoes for a cane, broke off a relationship with someone she had once considered marrying, and relinquished a long-sought full-time position as director of a new charter school, taking up part-time work instead.
Then, just as quickly as the symptoms struck, they abated. "I had tried all the drugs on the market for MS. As a last resort, I even did chemotherapy." She found relief through an experimental drug (not yet approved by the FDA for MS).
Now, for the second time in three years, she's had to evaluate her future. "I still dream about going for a jog. But now I can walk home from a movie 20 blocks, instead of taking a cab," Levy says. She is back to work full time, sometimes pulling 12-hour days. And she's re-established a relationship with her old boyfriend.
Through the ups and downs of the disease, people with MS must go on with their lives. Very often, that means making long-range decisions about how to live, from employment to recreation -- and being open to re-evaluating them as needed. In addition to these "big picture" decisions, practicing seemingly small lifestyle strategies can make the disease more manageable.
Working With MS
Like many others with MS, Levy was forced to make decisions about her professional life. Among the questions she faced: Do I tell my employer and, if so, when? Can I continue working? What accommodations will I need?
New laws, ever-increasing resources, and improved attitudes are making these decisions easier. Currently, 43% of adults who have had MS for 12 years retain employment, according to an ongoing nationwide study sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).
But some experts believe that percentage could be higher. "Employers may have preconceived ideas about what a person with disabilities can do. It takes time to change attitudinal barriers. There's still work to be done," says Steve Nissen, director of employment programs at the NMSS.
That's why, for now, it's generally up to the employee with MS to initiate any discussions involving disclosure or accommodation requests in the workplace.
Nissen considers disclosure -- the whens, whos, and hows of it -- one of the most difficult aspects of working with MS, or any disability.
Before disclosing, Nissen suggests the following: "Ask yourself: 'What's going on to make you think it's time to disclose? Are you having new or different symptoms that's posing a challenge at work? Are you having trouble meeting deadlines, or missing time?'"
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Multiple Sclerosis Guide
ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENBLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENBALEX affects you.
Yoga’s healing powers are now helping MS patients lead happier, healthier lives.
