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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> those of you who work
        
(Message started by: taraann on Oct 20^th, 2004, 12:36am)

Title: those of you who work
Post by taraann on Oct 20^th, 2004, 12:36am

How in the hell do you do it?!?!?! I pretty much was a stay at home mom for the past 4 yrs (hard work too but atleast in pain in the comfort and PRIVACY of my own home) I just starting working pt a little over a month ago doing private inhome nursing. My CH's (unfortunately chronic for over a year now) haven't been too bad (last couple weeks weren't bad at all) until this past week. Going from one or two mild hits in a day/night. To bam many high kip hits a day/night and of course the really bad middle of the night ones resulting in little or no sleep! I really have to be mentally with it and physically with it at work.....using a lift to get my client out of bed, wheeling him in the lift around tight corners to his wheelchair and lowering him into his wheel chair have been esp hard lately cause when I am so tired I seem tohave a huge lack of balance. This guy weighs 240lbs EASY. I only work weds sat and sun but I'm so afraid I'm gonna tip him over in the lift! There is nooooo way I can quit because #1 the guy loves me to death and would be heartbroken if I did (he asks me all the time if I gonna quit or anything cause he'd hate to lose me and is always asking me to take on more hours) #2 I enjoy making my own money and contributing finacially a little bit. I'm also deathly afraid of getting Hit hard at work. When I'm off cleaning or anything he is constantly hollering for me to fix his pillow, to go pee, to talk, etc. So I definately can't hide out till the CH passes. So far I've only had low kips at work (knock on wood). Well just needed to unload some of my worries on ya'll. Thanks for hearing my vent. ::)

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by notseinfeld on Oct 20^th, 2004, 1:22am

Indeed Tara-Ann, work is a bear. Sometimes even life is a bear with these things but like everything else, you'll find a way to cope and persevere. Sounds like you're doing it already since you list the enjoyment of contributing financially and are caring for a guy who A. loves you and B. understands. It's actually a pretty good scenario and I commend your efforts, fortitude.

nots

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Superpain on Oct 20^th, 2004, 3:08am

When in cycle my time at work is the only time I don't get hit.

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by sandie99 on Oct 20^th, 2004, 5:47am

Tarann,

I study and CH comes when it wants to. All I can do is bare it. And keep maxalts ready!

Good luck to you...

Best wishes & lots of PFdays,
sandie99

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Renee on Oct 20^th, 2004, 6:41am

I have o2 at work with me. If I feel one coming on I hit the o2 ASAP to attempt to stop it.

I'm like Superpain, less hits at work unless of course the weather changes, then I hide in my office for awhile.

We are tough people and many manage to get thru with kip 4's and 5's and still function during the week. I sometimes wish I worked 7 days a week so I would not get hit on the weekends so much. ;)

The only advice I can offer is stay busy and pour in the coffee on work days as you have a patient that really wants and needs you there. That is a very rewarding position in itself.

Good Luck,
Renee

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Rock_Lobster on Oct 20^th, 2004, 8:18am

As Renee indicated, we abort them.

I am seeing more and more posts regarding 'how do you deal with them?'
We do not. o2, Trex, Zomig... name your poison.

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by taraann on Oct 20^th, 2004, 8:30am

no abortive so far that works for me and right now im without insurance. Spent an hour at the ER cause i was dealing with a 4 day migraine along with more CH hits. Now I'm off to work on ZERO sleep and dopey. WISH ME LUCK! Hopefully after I tell my boss about my night they'll send me home but that is very very doubtful.

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Karla on Oct 20^th, 2004, 8:40am

When I was chronic I would get hit roughly 5x a day at work. Everyday. At first oxygen worked to abort and my boss was cool with me having it around. Then the o2 quit working. So I started taking imitrix by the nosefull along with pain killers. I spent plenty of times hiding out in the bathroom, canceling meetings, and going home early. Fact was I couldn't function at work. I applied for SSDI and was approved first try within 6 months. My boss never complained to my face about my health being a problem but it didn't take a rock to figure out that I wasn't productive and getting things done.

Now I am eposodic and am planning on going back to work as soon as I finish my semester of refresher classes at a local college. Since I have been on disability for 5 years no one wants to hire me without any current work experience.
You will find a way to adapt one way or another. good luck!

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 20^th, 2004, 8:43am

I got the ammo to stop'em at work, but you are right about no sleep. It saps the tolerance a lot and makes the day seem longer and harder, which is never good at work.

vibes to ya taraann

Kevin M

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Tom K on Oct 20^th, 2004, 8:48am

I have O2 and insta-icepacks in the Jeep. Take a shot of Trex, run to the Jeep and do the O2 and ice for about 10 mins and then back to work. For night hits, before I got 'Tonin, I would inject, O2 and ice then go back to bed as soon as possible. Mostly, I wasn't really awake after getting hit, so falling back to sleep wasn't a problem. You do what you have to do. I am one of 4 people in my kitchen at work, so I can't be off a full day at any time. If needed, I would go in and do the necessary things and then head back home, if I couldn't, I didn't. Even the head of maintenance here, who gets CH asked me how I do it. I've been dealing for 21 years, I don't know how I deal, I just do.

Hope you get some relief soon!

T

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by E-Double on Oct 20^th, 2004, 9:10am

You're doing great!!!

The best thing you can do is to try to be as positive about the situation as possible and to be prepared for the inevitable. Also be honest and educate those around you to the best of your abilities.

Going back to work will help you feel better mentally and will eventually help you get your mind off these things. It's the coping skills or strategies that are also necessary for battle.

Do what you have to do....

also: I completely agree with Tom's mention of the use of Melatonin. Of course not being a doctor, I do however know my own body. The fact that I have eliminated 99% of my night visits since I started taking it has helped me at least be a more functional individual. I am rested so the days no matter how bad it gets (CH wise) are not as bad because i am not so completely drained. IT helps when you need to have both your physical and mental capacities @ 100% to be effective.

Wishing you the best!!

Eric

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Prense on Oct 20^th, 2004, 9:23am

I save my injections for work. I'll get all the sleep I need when I am dead. Otherwise, I've been working 60-70 hours a week...OT rocks! ;;D

Chris

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Jimmy_B on Oct 20^th, 2004, 1:04pm

on 10/20/04 at 00:36:19, taraann wrote:

How in the hell do you do it?!?!?! . ::)

I got no choice!

I work two Full-time jobs...My "regular" job is 7 days on & 2 days off...day work & second job is Mon-Fri 4-12am. So I see one day off a month :P

I'll hide in the bathroom, excuse myself for an hour...whatever has to be done. Until this economy turns around...it's either continue doing this or begging change from the commuters from my cardboard house.

Jimmy

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by netniet on Oct 20^th, 2004, 1:53pm

the most hits come at night, but when i get hit at work I take a imitrexnaselspray.

I really like my job it keeps me going and sometimes I need to stay in the real world instead of my clusterbuble.

ninet

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Charlie on Oct 20^th, 2004, 2:53pm

I was lucky. I sold collectibles and whatnot for friends whom I taught all about CH. I guess I worked cheap enough for them to put up with me. Mine were also almost never more than 20 minutes, and only one and somethings two during working hours.

I think it's best to tell them the whole story and use a printout of Simon's letter.

Charlie

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Tiannia on Oct 20^th, 2004, 3:00pm

on 10/20/04 at 13:04:15, Jimmy_B wrote:

I got no choice!

I work two Full-time jobs...My "regular" job is 7 days on & 2 days off...day work & second job is Mon-Fri 4-12am. So I see one day off a month :P

I have to agree... I have no choice. My "regular" job is minimum 8-5 M-F. Right now I am actually working 50+ hours a week. Then my "other" job is mom of 2 and wife (make that mom of 3 ;)). So I dont know what the hell a day off is.

Hun, if you like your work and want to keep it, you figure out a way to do it. There is no secret formula for anyone. I get hit anywhere from usually 1-4 big hits at work everyday. I have kicked my boss out of his office, when I dont have anything to abort it and just have to fight through it.

And this does not count the night hits. My first CH attack was when my son was 10 months old, so I really have not slept since he was born. ::)

Sorry, I dont really have any advise for you... but be strong and do what you can.

PF Wishes to you, Taraann
-Tia

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by don on Oct 20^th, 2004, 4:26pm

Got my first job when i was 12. (No I wasn't picking lettuce with a migrant farm family) Got my first CH when I was 19. I'm 46 years old now and have not stopped working or stopped the CH.

You work around it.

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by Jonny on Oct 20^th, 2004, 4:39pm

on 10/20/04 at 16:26:48, don wrote:

Got my first job when i was 12.

Midnight Cowboy.....(The younger years ;;D )

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by alleyoop on Oct 20^th, 2004, 6:15pm

How'd you know? Musta been there, huh Ratso.

...................alley ;;D

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by taraann on Oct 20^th, 2004, 6:37pm

Thanks for the advice and nice comments. I'm defintely not planning on quitting. Just needed a good vent and some support. I NEED this job to have a life outside of home and ch. Just having a little bit of panic over what to do if I get a high kip while at work. There is nowhere to hide and I can't just take a break. I barely get to pee without him hollering for me to fix a pillow or get him up or feed him etc. He was very nice and patient with me today though after I explained my night to him. He told me he'd sleep in so I could nap on the couch, he only hollered for me a couple times so i got some power zzzz's in this morning. Hopefully that is a good indication of future patience from him......thanks again everyone

Title: Re: those of you who work
Post by don on Oct 20^th, 2004, 7:25pm

Quote:

him hollering for me to fix a pillow

Tell the fat bastard you'll fix that pillow right over his fat head if he dont start treating you with a little respect.