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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> having clusters on the job.
        
(Message started by: survivor13 on Nov 15^th, 2004, 10:35am)

Title: having clusters on the job.
Post by survivor13 on Nov 15^th, 2004, 10:35am

this is to people who have expeirenced having attacks while working. after several years of trying to hide it and continously getting worse (starting missing alot of work). finally broke down and went to talk to personell manager, human relations manager and health svse. manager. to make a long story short i was given a series of forms and had to go to family dr., my nuro. and a nuro. that the co. picked. they all agrred that i suffered w/ chronic clusters. i qualified for protection under THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT. when i have series and have to miss work it is not counted against me. it has caused some of my co-workers to resent me (they just don't understand the pain we endure). it would'nt take anyone but one level 6 up attack to changer how they fill.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by LeLimey on Nov 15^th, 2004, 11:05am

I'm glad something is finally being done to help you out. Aren't people funny? [smiley=huh.gif] I know what you mean, some people actually envy you your misfortune as they see it as bucking the system.. if only they knew eh? Print off some of the articles here and show them to them, education beats ignorance any day of the week!
I'm really glad you are half way there, if they are decent they will come around to supporting you and if not.. well.. who gives a shit about the opinion of trolls like that anyway?!! :)

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by nani on Nov 15^th, 2004, 11:11am

I am so glad that you have the ability to take the time you need... forget what your co-workers think. We have all had to deal with folks who think we're just having a headache and are wimps. You need to take care of yourself. I am also blessed, I have the ability to work only when I feel up to it. I'm a substitute teacher. I'm also a chronic and have picked up jobs when I thought I'd be fine, only to be hit w/ a "bad" one at work. It's hard when I work with the little kids and try to explain what is going to happen. It's scary for them. From what I've heard not everyone can qualify for family leave and/or ADA. I'm glad you did.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by survivor13 on Nov 15^th, 2004, 11:16am

there were several factors they took into consideration: 1. rareness of disorder. 2. very dibilitating disorder. 3. no safe proven preventive care. 4. never know when it may occur.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by don on Nov 15^th, 2004, 11:30am

A lesson to be learned.

Get all the documentation of file with Human Resources before you need an accomodation.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by Charlie on Nov 15^th, 2004, 3:18pm

Just a thought that maybe Simon's description/letter may be of help:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org.uk/home/index.cfm?address=../clusters/note_colleagues.cfm&added=04/01/04&code=CB

Charlie

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by Longhaired Redneck on Nov 15^th, 2004, 6:41pm

Really great you got support from HR. I had/have headaches at work but I have always been extremely lucky. My first supervisor had no problem with me crouched over my desk holding my head, and the 3 other people in the department covered for me. The second supervisor was as good as the first. My supervisor now is the regional medical director and pretty well understands clusters. She has never begruged me time off for them or time to go to my doctor for them. Guess I just never really realized how lucky I have been.

Hang in there. Co-workers can be difficult. Some you may be able to educate, some you can't. Good luck.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by john_d on Nov 15^th, 2004, 7:31pm

I used to work 12 hour days as an airplane captain and was getting them. You know the guy with the flashlights on the runway who leads the aircraft. I would just try to hide out when I got one, at the time I never told anyone anything about what was going on with me. No one had any idea about the agony I was going through. But I did finally go to the flight surgeon and he gave me fricken lidocaine, that was a lame-ass treatment that barely worked. :-/ Glad those days are over, nobody ever understood what these things were like. If I was getting them at work with that kind of job now I would print out some information from here and give it to my boss.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by cschick on Nov 15^th, 2004, 9:21pm

I have FMLA for migraines - it saved my job. I tried to explain Clusters to my boss, but she didn't get it, so when I have a horrible couple nights I just call in and say I have a migraine. I tried to educate them on it but they didn't really get it. I haven't used it a whole lot - about 20 hours since I was approved for it almost a year ago.

Title: Re: having clusters on the job.
Post by survivor13 on Nov 16^th, 2004, 4:00am

i've had 9 managers in the last 13 years. two of them actually seen me have them and beleive me i made sure they heard noise, and curse word said. they were real sweaters too! word was passed around (he's not faking).