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Loosing Job due to PM/Defibrillator
Is anyone else out losing their job due the PM/Defibrillator being implanted. As a telephone, video and data installer, the doctor told me that I can no longer climb telephones, climb ladders and walk beams in attics for the PM/Defibrillator could shock my heart at any given moment possibly causing me to loose my balance, thereby causing me to have an accident. The company I work for said that since I can no longer perform some of my job duties, that they will have to let me go. That I could took possibly take a lower paying job if there were one.
BroBill worried....
10 Comments
pacemakers/ICDs
by Pookie - 2008-05-16 02:05:04
I couldn't even get life insurance on our mortgage because of my pacemaker!!
If I die first, my husband still has a mortgage, if he dies first, the house is paid for.
I think most companies are (understandly) trying to cover their butts from a legal point of view.
It sucks.
Pookie
Loosing job
by SMITTY - 2008-05-16 03:05:36
Hello BroBill,
I can understand your company saying you can no longer do that type work because of what your doctor said. That D-Fib unit could certainly knock you on your rump if it were to fire, but frankly I think that doctor dumped a load of crap on you by saying that.
From where I sit your risk of being incapacitated by the defibrillator going off and shocking you is exactly the same as your risk of your heart going into V-Fib and you becoming unconscious before you got the D-Fib. If your going into ventricular fibrillation and becoming incapacitated was not a cause for concern then, then why should it be after you get the D-Fib unit.
As for the pacemaker part, it should in not way impair your working ability. In fact by giving you a more stable heart rhythm it should enhance your working capability.
If it is not too late, I would suggest a second opinion on the defibrillator as doctors have been known to implant defibrillators and/or pacemakers when they were not absolutely necessary. Once we get the things it is a mark against us for many things, even if we did not need one.
As for your question about others losing their job because they got a D-Fib unit, I have not heard of that, but I have not communicated with anyone that got one and doing the type work you do. However, I have heard of some people losing their driving privileges because their doctor said it was now too dangerous.
Good luck,
Smitty
tell me about it
by verger - 2008-05-16 03:05:46
it's not so much i lost the job, just the ability. i'm a woodworker and no longer dare to lift heavy items which is basically required all the time. i fake it as much as possible, and get away with it more often than not, but i'm very restricted to certain areas of work.framing is now off limits.
it's more the time i have to take off for recuperations, operations, implants, hospital stays and seeing doctors all of the time that hurts the most.
and as pookie, i've must've tried at least 60 different times for life insurance. no way jose.
yeah it sucks
verger
Commiseratioin
by joy1 - 2008-05-16 07:05:12
Hey Bro Bill,
I have an ICD also. I didn't want mine but there ya go, I've got it. Mine is turned off and hopefully will be coming out soon...that aside. I was told by my EP, I was not to drive for atleast 6 mo. After some research, I found out, atleast in my state, a doctor CAN have your license revoked. I continued driving even though it's uncomfortable, even after more than 2 years. It's an independence thing. I am less concerned about potentially causing an accident now though because I have always been able to feel my arythmias come on. Getting zapped and causing an accident from that was more scary all the way around for me.
I can appreciate your employer's position as I'm sure you can also. Your doing alot of high up stuff and from the sounds of it working around electrical lines. In my state, a company doesn't have to give you any explanation for why they let you go. So atleast yours is being up front with you. Talk to a lawyer or your union reps if you belong to one. They maybe able to give you some direction and possible options.
Good luck,
Bonnie
ADA
by cqmccann - 2008-05-16 08:05:13
Make sure you look into any ADA issues within your State and with your employer before giving up your job. Also research on-line and see if any other people in your line of work have one for precedence. Just a thought. Good luck!
cqmccann
Loosing job
by Smart Redd - 2008-05-16 12:05:08
I would look into a second opinion before being forced from a job. Perhaps calling the manufacturer for clarification would be a good idea.
It is my understanding that having the PM will protect you from sudden heart-health emergencies that could have resulted in accident or death P-R-I-O-R to getting your device. The only considerations I know of are electric/magnetic fields that can affect your PM, but climbing and walking shouldn't cause a problem.
I know of an over-the-road trucker who has two PMs and still works full time. I would think the risk would be greater there, if any risk were associated with a job, and he's gotten his renewed license several times.
Redd
Smitty's right!
by auntiesamm - 2008-05-17 02:05:51
As always, Smitty is right on the money with his response to you. I second the motion of getting another opinion and being sure your ADA rights are not being violated. Don't let them push you into leaving your job as there is a good chance they are wrong. I would see another doc ASAP, get an opinion in writing and use the info Smitty provided to present your case. I am assuming another doc will not agree with your current guy. Frankly, I think you are less a danger now that you have your device implanted. These docs do not fully understand these devices they implant. I like the suggestion that you check with the manufacturer. Please keep us posted as to how you proceed and what the outcome is. I'll be praying for you to be able to keep your job, or for your employer per ADA, make reasonable accomodations for you at the same pay rate. You might do your homework on ADA and gather that info as well. Take care and God bless you.
Sharon
LOST A FORTUNE
by peter - 2008-05-17 07:05:19
Dont tell me about it. I lost my 65000 dollar job. My companies health insurance was supposed to pay me 1/2 pay until I was 65 that is another 9 years. They paid it for 3 months and then stopped paying. Dont take out health insurance they will find any goddam excuse not to pay up. I was forced to draw on my pensions. But I intend to have the last laugh by surviving a long time. Cheers Peter
Second class
by hotform - 2008-05-18 09:05:08
We are all treated like second class citizens once we are implanted.
Insurance doesn't want us because of a pre-existing conditions. For crying out loud, they are morons. Every person on the planet has a pre-existing condition. "Yeah, if that piano hadn't fallen on Bill's head, he would have lived forever" I am hearing the song from the South Park Mormon episode again. Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb.
As far as your job goes Bill, do like Smitty says and get another opinion. Don't let them hold you back. I didn't. I eventually moved on to another job, but one that I wanted to do, not one I was forced to do. I just picked up a 150 lb. object in front of co-workers the other day and tossed it into a machine. I was training a young buck to do the job. No one at my current job even knows I am implanted and I am going to keep it that way. The current laws give me some rights to my privacy and I am exercising them.
I think the best thing I can tell anyone is what I did and it was this. I didn't let anyone tell me what I could or couldn't do and that is not going to change. It is my life and I am going to live it, use it, and enjoy it as best I can. Anyone who opposes me can basically eat sh*t and die. Rick
You know you're wired when...
You have an excuse for being a couch potato.
Member Quotes
Yesterday was my first day mountain biking after my implant. I wiped out several times and everything is fine. There are sports after pacemakers!
lost mine too
by fred in Seattle - 2008-05-16 01:05:34
I am a commerical truck driver. You can drive with a pace maker. You can not drive with an icd. Federal motor carrier act will not let me pass a dot phycial. Such is life. [we still have ours by the way] Do check on it. I am 62 so I just took an early retirement and social soc. But if you have any questions this is a good place to ask. I have seen a lot of good support and Infomation. I check this site ever day and I have enjoyed It very much.