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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Jobs?
        
(Message started by: flavin on Feb 20^th, 2004, 10:17am)

Title: Jobs?
Post by flavin on Feb 20^th, 2004, 10:17am

How has having these headaches affected your job?

My last job I had Called out about 18 times in one year.

Has anyone lost thier job b/c of this?

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 20^th, 2004, 11:31am

Flavin...sorry to hear about your pain. I think you'll find many here have lost jobs, girlfriends, wives, homes and more because of this beast. Read all you can on this site and listen to the people here...there the best! All I can add is hang tuff and play the hand your dealt.

Major

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Tiannia on Feb 20^th, 2004, 2:45pm

I've had the "well when you are here and focused you are great" speech more times then I care to think about. So yes it has effected my job. I cant really call in that much, so I have to work as well as I can with a HA. Good thing I am in an office my myself. I am sure that I scare people if they saw me all the time. Althrough it is still funny when I climb under my desk to try and get some rest during lunch and people come in to find me. Usually scares the hell out of them as they dont expect a 33 yr old woman crawling around on the floor.

Tia

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by justasound on Feb 20^th, 2004, 3:06pm

I'm fortunate enough to be self employed.. I really hate it for you guys who have to deal with this nightmare on someone elses terms..

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Karla on Feb 20^th, 2004, 5:31pm

I was constantly in pain every day since I am chronic. Everyday I would have a headache and everyday my boss would say if you have a ha you should go home. I said if I go home for a headache I will never be here. She just didn't understand. I missed alot of work and time away from my desk due to ch. I would blow up at my coworkers because I was under so much tension and pain. I just couldn't focus or concentrate or get anything done. I finally went on disability 4 years ago. It has been a blessing to me not to have to work.

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Prense on Feb 20^th, 2004, 6:45pm

on 02/20/04 at 15:06:10, justasound wrote:

I'm fortunate enough to be self employed.. I really hate it for you guys who have to deal with this nightmare on someone elses terms..

I'm in the military, and my supervisor through commander are all very compassionate with this. I bust my ass when I am not "hiding" in stall #2! ;;D

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Kevin_M on Feb 20^th, 2004, 11:31pm

Get diagnosed properly, get the right preventives in your system and carry abortive ammo, everyday.
Survival is the name of this game, surviving takes a job and, with CH, insurance. I would do nothing to put those in jeapordy. Without the proper meds, yes, you can lose your job. Don't let CH win THAT battle.

Kevin M

Title: If you lose your job....
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 21^st, 2004, 8:46am

***** AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. An outline of your rights to refuse to give information about health issues during a job interview. See in archives, 8/5/01, message, "ADA:job interviews and chronic illness. Your rights...."

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Retta34 on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 8:03pm

I've wondered the same about my job also since being a newly diagnosed CH sufferer. Since I've had migraines in the past and have called in for those, when I started getting CHs last week --i just called in and told my boss I was having another migraine. But now, I'm wondering how much time am I going to be using. I certainly can't afford to call in everyday. The two days that I was at work, I know my coworkers must have thought I'd lost my mind. When I wasn't tapping my fingers all around my eye, I was walking around with a wet paper towel against my eye. And of course that led to my makeup being wiped off and looking like I'd been crying (a few times I was) and lots of stares. I've told a few a my coworkers what my diagnosis was, they are familiar with the term because we do work in the medical field. But they have never known anyone to be a sufferer. So how am I supposed to make these people understand. What about my boss?

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by jzakhar on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 8:12pm

Retta this might help: http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/employer_form.doc

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Retta34 on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 8:42pm

Thanks, I've printed it. Any feedback on employees who have given this to their boss?

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Janice on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 9:52pm

One thing I did when I noticed my boss getting a little upset with me when I could not work was to print out all I could find on CH and give it to him to read. That on top of the fact he witnessed an attack a few days later proved to him that I was not faking it.

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by denisebyrd on Feb 27^th, 2004, 6:24pm

Hi, I am so glad to have someone address this issue. I always wondered how other people work like this It is nearly impossible. I teach 7th grade and when I need to run out to the bathroom and sit in the dark for a while with my imitrex, I have to get someone to cover. I have tried to explain and they look at me like I have two heads. I have had alot of headaches at school this year and also lost some time. I am so frustrated that I don't know how to keep going. I am just living for the summer break DEnise

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by renny on Feb 27^th, 2004, 10:40pm

Hi Retta..I did indeed print that link...maybe 10 times...and gave it to co.workers as well as my sups (I have multitude of bosses, they just can't figure out who's really in charge...lol)...anyway I anxiously awaited results...EVERY SINGLE one of them came to me with appreciation, understanding and perhaps horror at this issue...no understatement, I was shocked by the reception...for your and my eyes, it is easy read because we know all about it...for outsiders I guess it is shocking eye-opener...at least that's how it went down with me. I bet it'll go similiar with you. BTW I've recieved more help and support from this brd than I ever imagined possible. Just so you know......Karen

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by FZfan on Feb 28^th, 2004, 12:34am

I don't know how it would be possible to work a job while these things are attacking. I have been very fortunate in that I'm episodic, and I always get them between 8:30p and 6a. My remission periods are long, 6-18 months. Even though I don't get them at work, though, it's very hard to go to work the next day after getting them at nite. I usually use at least half of my vacation days each year because of this. Again, I am fortunate in that I can take a vacation day at the drop of a hat because I did talk to my boss about it. After reading the information I gave her, she didn't require a note from my Dr. and has been understanding.

I'm sure that is not the case with most jobs. I really feel for all you folks who catch shit at work because of this horrible affliction.

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by BobG on Feb 28^th, 2004, 12:57am

Here's some links that may fit in this string.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html#Part%202
SS disability benefits site.

http://clusterheadaches.com./wwwboard/messages/80406.html
Carl D (2-2-01, advice on disability benefits

http://www.migraines.org/disability/disabcdl.htm
Trip 6-30-01 document on current disability laws

http://www.chhelp.org/index.html
Links to information to get help

http://66.154.42.184/wwwboard/messages2/109659.html
Bob Johnson 9-4-01 ADA: job interviews and chronic illness. Your rights....

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/wwwboard/messages2/102349.html
discussion string about disability and using a lawyer July 24, 2001

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by thebbz on Feb 28^th, 2004, 11:26pm

Ill have say myself I have worked through them. But not without abortives and a plan, timing . I give my employer the form and received no further say one way or the other. My personal opinion is GOD first, the beast comes and you have to deal with it and ifany employer gives me any crap concerning the demon, then they wouldnt have to get rid of me,I dont want to work for them!!!!! Work hard when you can and that helps when you cant. At least that way I have control.
thebbz John and Joan Bebee Keep fighting

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Tiannia on Mar 1^st, 2004, 3:08pm

Thebbz, I agree with you. I work and bust my butt when I am not getting hit so it I need to take a longer lunch because my head is not cooperating then I do it. They have the hours that they get from me when I am not getting hit and that makes up for the time that I lose. They also know that I have come in due to deadlines when I really should have been home. So my see it. I have been upfront with them about it because mine started since I have come to this job. So they have been addressed of everything since the git go. There is also a letter if someone can post the link that you can give to your co-workers that helps them to understand this as well. So that they aren't so freaked out by the physical changes that happen while you are being hit.

Tiannia

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by amen on Mar 1^st, 2004, 6:02pm

Quote:

I know my coworkers must have thought I'd lost my mind. When I wasn't tapping my fingers all around my eye, I was walking around with a wet paper towel against my eye. And of course that led to my makeup being wiped off and looking like I'd been crying (a few times I was) and lots of stares.

[smiley=laugh.gif]I know it's not really funny but I had to laugh, because I have done the exact same thing. And looking back on it, (when I am not in pain) I musta looked like a crazy person. :o
Just thought I would lighten the topic up a bit.
Andrea 8)

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Belle on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:51pm

I lost my last job because of these darn things. Was off for a month and a half and they wouldn't take me back. My job before that I had for almost 10 years and they were like a family to me and I could come and go as I pleased. I left them to take care of my kids for a few years and have wormed my way back in to working Sat's only (in a cycle now)to make some cash. Don't think I'll ever find a place like that again seemings I'm moving and all. It never ends does it?

Belle
::)

Title: Re: Jobs?
Post by Wifeofchman on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 10:48pm

I work in surgery, doing surgery; so the attacks can be devastating. I hate it when I have to talk to patients or families, even with a shadow but lot's of lithium and verapamil seem to help. We all feel your pain in many ways. The Man.