Hi Sonja   This is more of a legal question than not and I am afraid I am not qualified to answer but these are the steps I would suggest taking in my opinion:   1.  Go to your human resource department and inquire about what circumstances would allow you to have paid leave from work.   2.  Go to your doctor and get in writing...that your condition is chronic and requires either an adaptation to your schedule or that you are unable to work at all if this is the case.   Here is an on-line forum where you could possibly get more answers on this.   Good luck to you...I hope things go well.