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Daily exposure to second hand smoke

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What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I don't really have one question I guess. I just don't know where to post this online for help and advice. Please bear with me and my lengthy message. Please, if anyone can offer any help, I would be very grateful.

About a year and a half ago, I was moved to a different location for work. My office is enclosed. I am in the I.T. department and my office is restricted. I also have 3 air conditioners blowing into my office to keep the systems cool.

Right above me is the smoking area. Next to my office are cubicles. When I am out working on those PC's, I can smell the cigarette smoke from above and after 10-15 minutes it starts to bother me. My eyes burn and my throat hurts are the main symptoms. I also have to go to a network closet that is located IN one of the smoking rooms. On average, I have to go in there daily. I am thinking this daily exposure to second hand smoke is causing major health issues for me and I just don't know what to do.

It hit me just the other day that the AC units are constantly blowing that second hand smoke into my office. They are blowing in from the cubicle side of the office. Which is where I know for a fact that the smoke gets to that area. I am in my office a lot. Sometimes all day.

Since I have been in this office, I just can't stay healthy. Every sick day or vacation day has been used for sickness. And my symptoms never really go away. I've basically been sick for a year and a half now and am so very tired of it. I have spoken to others that worked out of this office and they too could not stay healthy. Everyone who has worked out of this office was always sick.

My symptoms include: fatigue , weight problems, cold intolerance, depression, irritability, slight memory loss, trouble concentrating, decreased libido, constant post nasal drip, my nose is always plugged up, headaches, need I say more?

Before I go any further, I do have a nasty case of sinusitis. I had a CT scan and I guess I'm completely plugged up now. I am seeing a doctor for this and it looks like I'll need surgery to clear it all up.

I am also having some stomach issues that are looking like an ulcer. I just had some tests this past weekend, so I should know more once I talk to my other doctor.

To elaborate on my symptoms; I know for a fact that smoke is causing my fatigue. I went to the casino this past weekend with my brother. We were only there for about an hour or so, but that smoke was just killing me. It bothered my eyes and throat, but the main thing is it made me so tired. For nearly two days, I just could not fully wake up. I just couldn't stay awake.

I know my office is cold becuase of the AC units. But even when I turn one off and wear my jacket plus wear long sleeves, I'm still cold.

I hate to say I have depression, but I'm realizing more and more that I do. I just don't care anymore. I have no drive right now. No drive at work to do work. No drive at home. Hell, I've even lost my sexual drive.

I have been noticing more and more that I'm getting more irritable and less patient.

Memory loss is a hard one to describe. I do forget simple things. And I'm also having problems concentrating at times.

Been popping Advil like they are M&M's at times it seems. I know I shouldn't take them too much and I try not to. But on average I need to take two Advil on a daily basis at the very least to help.

I have a doctor's appointment Monday and will be speaking to him about all this. I just can't take it anymore. Something needs to change. I did some research and found that smoke can cause "hypothyroidism", and I seem to have a lot of it's symptoms. The more I think about this, the more scared I get.

I do believe that it is my workplace that causing most if not all of my health issues. I'm not a "sue happy" person. And I don't know if I really want to go that far. But if my employer IS responsible, then I do feel they should be held responsible.

It would be nice to find a new job, but I can't. There are no jobs here right now. I can't just quit my job. The job market sucks. I have a mortgage. I just need help! I don't know what to do anymore. But something needs to change.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
 


xylene

Senior Member
You sound depressed.

That is not caused by second hand smoke.

Second hand smoke exposure is not actionable at the levels you describe.

Memory loss and decline in sexual desire - not symptoms of second hand smoke exposure.
 
You sound depressed.

That is not caused by second hand smoke.

Second hand smoke exposure is not actionable at the levels you describe.

Memory loss and decline in sexual desire - not symptoms of second hand smoke exposure.
But many of my symptoms are from health issues that can occur from second hand smoke such as hypothyroidism.

All I know is that I NEVER had any of these problems before I started working out of this office. They have been slowly getting worse and worse since being here. I can't believe that second hand smoke blowing into my office 24x7 is a good thing and would be healthy or helpful.
 

xylene

Senior Member
Look you have hitched your wagon to this notion that second hand smoke is doing 'it' to you.

You have no case for lawsuit based on the fact that you can smell the smoking break room.

Consider seeing a psychiatrist for your depressed feelings. Unexplained pains, memory loss, fatigue, sexual issues.... these are not from second hand smoke.
 
Look you have hitched your wagon to this notion that second hand smoke is doing 'it' to you.

You have no case for lawsuit based on the fact that you can smell the smoking break room.

Consider seeing a psychiatrist for your depressed feelings. Unexplained pains, memory loss, fatigue, sexual issues.... these are not from second hand smoke.
If second hand smoke is not causing my symptoms then please explain why I was so damn tired after going to the casino Thursday night? I was only there for an hour or so, but when I got home I was exhausted. I slept about 11 hours, woke up for an hour or so and fell back asleep for another 3 hours. Friday and Saturday were both like that. I was a walking zombie.

I don't lead a busy lifestyle. I'm not sleep deprived. There is NO explanation as to what could be causing my extreme fatigue after being exposed to second hand cigarette smoke other than that. And it's ONLY like that after being exposed to smoke. No other times have I been so wiped out.

Explain that.
 

xylene

Senior Member
Psycho-somatic conditioning would be my guess.

What does your doctor say?

Besides this is a law forum.

Let us say for a second - that your medical problems are from second hand smoke.

You still have no action to take against the company in michigan.

If you really get diagnosed as being hyper-sensitive to cigarette smoke... then you need to move to a state with more aggressive anti- tobacco laws.

For example in NY - virtually all indoor smoking is banned. And workers have some recourse against employers who allow it anyway.
 
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Psycho-somatic conditioning would be my guess.

What does your doctor say?

Besides this is a law forum.

Let us say for a second - that your medical problems are from second hand smoke.

You still have no action to take against the company in michigan.

If you really get diagnosed as being hyper-sensitive to cigarette smoke... then you need to move to a state with more aggressive anti- tobacco laws.

For example in NY - virtually all indoor smoking is banned.
I'm not trying to be combative or mean, but it couldn't be Psycho-somatic conditioning. I would have had to look up symptoms/causes before having my problems. I've had these problems for nearly a year and a half now; but it's only been in the last couple months that I've been researching my problems to find answers.

Yes, I know...Michigan sucks. On a plus, I work for a multi-national company. The division that I actually work for is homed out of California. Not like that would really help with anything though probably.
 

UndercovrAngel

Junior Member
Second hand Smoke


You can try and say that all of your illnesses are caused by second hand smoke. However, in order for it to be a workers comp claim that is accepted, you must see a Work Comp Dr that will say without a reasonable doubt everything that is wrong with you can be connected to that 2nd hand smoke.

In any work place that has several work areas, as well as many many employees, all kinds of germs, infections and illnesses are present. There is no way to prove that everything you are claiming you suffer from came from the smoke. More than likely, you picked it up from the regular air in the building or by touching a handle, desk, writing utensil .. anything someone carrying a virus might have touched and that is where many of your illnesses have come from.

I can tell you right now, that you are better off using personal insurance and paying co-pays to your PCP than you are getting mixed up with workers compensation. I am on my 3rd injury, the other 2 were in another state, this one is in TX, and I have been fighting since March 13,2008 to get treatment for my right arm, from fingers to shoulder. I have over 1900 worth of travel pay owed to me at this point, and by Friday, it will be over 2000. I haven't seen a dime as of yet from the insurance carrier for my employer's work compensation. I have till March of 2010 to get this taken care of, before I am automatically declared MMI by the state.

So make an appointment with your PCP, an ear/throat/nose Dr and even a psychiatrist to help you with your depression. I bet that not one Dr will even say that there is a chance that everything you say you are suffering from is caused by 2nd hand smoke.

Sorry, but that is the way that I see it.

Angel ^j^



 

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