Hi,

I have PTS. Are you wearing compression stockings every day? Is the issue at work specific to your leg or your overall issues from the PE and the DVT?



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Since you received leave for VTE then that proves that FMLA recognized VTE.

Does FMLA 'recognize' PTS as a condition?

If it's not on FMLA's list of conditions then you may not get leave. And from what little I know about FMLA I do know that they have pretty tough restrictions.

Also, although FMLA is Federal sometimes an individual state might have slightly different conditions.

I'm guessing that getting disability for PTS might also be difficult since, as far as I know, it's not 'recognized---- yet. And getting recognition is a steep uphill struggle.

I hope you can resolve this in your favor. Do you think that you might get reduced hours?

I do wear a thigh-high compression stocking, and hardly ever miss a day. (I did skip it for my son's wedding earlier this month; I wanted to appear and act like I was feeling well). I'm not sure if they help, but I don't mind wearing them, and have done so to reduce the chance of PTS. I seem to feel the same whether I wear it or not, and swelling is rarely an issue. I know I'm lucky with that part. The leg/DVT is the root of the pain, nearly constant, from achy ankle to cramped calf to painful upper leg and groin; the PE makes me easily winded and feels "heavy." Like wearing a couple of those dentist office lead aprons. I'm not sure what pain med options are available, but I'm certain that continuing with Vicodin is not the way I want to go, especially as the pain appears to be settling in for the long run. Working fewer hours would help but I'm not yet clear of the impact that would have on my health insurance coverage. My boss is willing to work with whatever ADA or FMLA is available to accommodate me, but without the formal HR approach, she's said there's little she can do; that the work/output expectations would be, of course, the same as any expectations held for my full-time colleagues. At most I might get the option of working from home a couple hours a day (where I can write while reclining). In a perfect world, I would work 4 hours a day for a few months, and have some time and energy each day to focus on building up my strength and improving my health. Yeah, I know I can do some of that now, but it's so frustratingly little-by-little, and I would really relish a few weeks of rest, exercise and recreation (the last of which I've damn near forgotten how to do). There's no vacay time available and I use sick time on a weekly basis. Thanks so much for responding. I rarely vent on here. It feels good. I freaked out my poor husband yesterday by having a rare meltdown, whimpering, "I'm never going to feel better!!!" He was flummoxed. Usually my attitude and humor are pretty good. I mean, it's life, isn't it. It's not easy for so many of us, but it's life, still full of good things.