Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

My doctor suggested that I file FMLA at work but I won't get paid. How is that supposed to help me? How dovyou manage work and MS pain?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Memphis (Cordova), TN
August 8
 · 
Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

Can you apply for short term disability instead? Tell your doctor that you can’t afford to take time off without being paid . Maybe , there is a way they can help with the paper work. I quit my job because it was too demanding and stressful. I am trying to get a new job preferably work from home.

August 8
A MyMSTeam Member

@A MyMSTeam Member, well the FMLA form is to protect you to conserve your job while you may need a few days when not feeling well. They can’t fire you when you have that letter, it’s like a protection 🤷🏻‍♀️

August 8
MyMSTeam

That's a totally fair frustration — unpaid leave doesn't exactly pay the bills! But FMLA does offer some important protections worth understanding.

Even though it's unpaid, FMLA can:

- Protect your job for up to 12 weeks per year
- Keep your employer-provided health insurance intact during that time
- Prevent your Show Full Answer

That's a totally fair frustration — unpaid leave doesn't exactly pay the bills! But FMLA does offer some important protections worth understanding.

Even though it's unpaid, FMLA can:

- Protect your job for up to 12 weeks per year
- Keep your employer-provided health insurance intact during that time
- Prevent your employer from firing you for taking medically necessary time off

To qualify, you need to have worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and your workplace must have at least 50 employees within 75 miles.

It's essentially a safety net — so that during a flare-up, you can focus on recovery without the added fear of losing your job or health coverage. As for managing work alongside MS, there are several approaches that many people find helpful:

- Requesting workplace accommodations like flexible hours, modified duties, or working from home
- Working with a vocational rehabilitation specialist to conserve energy
- Sticking to your MS treatment plan as prescribed by your neurologist
- Practicing stress management techniques like mindfulness or therapy
- Keeping a balanced diet and regular exercise routine

One MyMSTeam member shared that being open with their employer led to 40 years of supported, accommodated employment — so positive outcomes are possible.

That said, if work becomes unmanageable, exploring options like reduced hours or disability benefits like SSDI is also worth discussing with your healthcare team.

August 8

Related Questions

View All

FMLA

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Westminster, CO
October 11, 2019 (edited)

Disclosing MS at Work

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
New York, NY
March 6, 2019

How I Deal With the Mental Symptoms That Come With MS
How I Learned To Listen to My Body With MS (VIDEO)
How I Embraced MS as My Best Friend — Not My Enemy