Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> CH on job
        
(Message started by: Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 5:18pm)

Title: CH on job
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 5:18pm

How do you deal with co-workers, boss and job? I mean, they see you suffer the attacks, they see you taking some unusual medicines, like O2, injectable stuff...

I have a side effect of verapamil that causes me a bit of trembling, as i could see. My co-workers and friends are having fun of that, of course. :) Unfortunatly, that's not the ideal life i wanna have.

I dont had any problem here, but im victim of some jokes. I dont think thats too much different to some people here. Am i wrong?

That kind of disease can make lots of differences, as i can see clearly now:

1. On work, at least with me, my boss know about my headaches and let me go to home when i have CH on work, but its a bit rare.

2. Your social life is modifyed, as you cant drink anymore (at least me). Many of friends of mine thinks thats strange, causa i always drunk a bit of beer.

3. Your private life is modifyed too. I have a big O2 tube in my room. I have to explain to everyone what the f**k is that thing and listen all the thoughs about it, like "do you tried another doctor?".

4. When i have crisis, im always tired. I have lots of bad humor and THAT affects a lot to me. I cant control myself sometimes.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by davidj35 on Feb 10^th, 2005, 7:08pm

I try to educate them. I have shown anybody at work who questions me about my O2 tank this web site. I ask them to read the opening and then ask questions. It has helped a bit but they still don't totaly get it. My friends do tease me about the tank but I take it as just that. Good luck.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by vig on Feb 10^th, 2005, 7:49pm

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

You can print this one out and give it to friends and colleagues. It's from the Ouch UK site.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 10:20pm

on 02/10/05 at 19:49:14, vig wrote:

Very interesting text. Some of the stuff related there happens with me, like avoid people seeing me on crisis. Its a shame, but i cant agree with that. I hate people who asks me what they can do, as i know they can do nothing about it...

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by sandie99 on Feb 11^th, 2005, 10:57am

It's good that your boss knows. That's important. As much as your boss and colleagues know about how CH operates and how much impact it has on you when you're at work, the better.
It's true that CH causes some changes in your life, but don't let it control it complitely. Do things INSPITE of it. I've tried that and most of the time it works.

Good luck!

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Frank_W on Feb 11^th, 2005, 11:36am

I either seduce then blackmail the women, shove the men down the stairs, or else decide to get REALLY mean, and come up with more devious means of.... er.... What was the question? [smiley=laugh.gif]

Two of the people I work with have wives who have migraines, so they are both quite sympathetic to the fact that I have severe headaches.

-Frank

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:58pm

Hey, you mentioned that the verapimil give you tremors? Is that normal?
I am only on 180mg of verapimil and have noticed lately that I have the shakes pretty bad. Sometimes, I tremble so bad that I cant read from a paper that I am holding. Is that normal when on verapimil?
thanks for any help
PF wishes to all
BMonee

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Frank_W on Feb 11^th, 2005, 11:06pm

I noticed, last cycle, that the Verapamil totally SCREWED my fine motor coordination. I play piano, type over 100 wpm, and do a lot of work with my hands that requires a sure, steady hand. (Get your minds out of the gutter: I work as a machinist at times, among other things. [smiley=laugh.gif]) I also noticed my short-term memory being worse than usual.

-Frank

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Wendy1 on Feb 11^th, 2005, 11:27pm

When I worked full time (6 yrs ago) I was lucky (oxymoron) enough to only have them during the night, so my worst effect at work would be a Demerol hangover, which wasn't all that bad.

My sincere sympathies to everyone who has to deal with these on the job! I have a job now that if I had a h/a, I would be able to just get up and leave. I just don't know what I would have done if I had to explain it all to my former coworkers.

Hang in there.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by BarbaraD on Feb 12^th, 2005, 9:05am

E,
This is an ongoing problem with CHers. Our lives are changed by the darn things, but you just have to build up a sense of humor, let everyone know to get the hell out your way when you get hit and do the best you can.

But the sad part is that you're not alone. We all go thru (or have gone thru) exactly what you described. When I was episodic, I never got used to it, but after I went chronic (in 97) I've just built up a shell that says - this is how I am - I can't do a damn thing about it so accept it or go away!

I get violent if anyone touches me during an attack. Not intentionally, but just don't touch me. People who are around me a lot KNOW this and stay out of my way. Anyone who doesn't is warned (in a loud voice most of the time) and heaven help them if they don't pay heed to the warning. We make jokes about this at the office and new employees are warned that if my eye starts swelling shut to close my door and DO NOT get near me.

It's just something we live with and have to accept. Our social lives are curtailed to a certain extent and that we live with that too.

The hard part is learning to live with our disability and do the best we can. I think we go thru the 5 stages (you know, anger, ........ acceptance) and when we reach the acceptance stage we do a lot better.

Anyhow that's just my 2 cents on the subject. Good luck at work....

Hugs BD

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 14^th, 2005, 11:22am

Barbara,you could describle almost exactly what i desire here on my job.

I can go away from here if i got a hit, but its pretty boring to me to have a hit and just leave my work here and go home. I dont accept this stuff.

What im trying here is to let people know what i have (the disease) and know that is a f****ing pain. I think they will understand correctly when they see my face, with my right eye almost on bloody red.

A coworker here usually do boring jokes about my trembling problem, propably due to the use of verapamil. I dont like it, but im simply trying to ignore that idiot.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Wendy1 on Feb 15^th, 2005, 11:17pm

My closest friends and family know I have clusters, and know I have pain, bad enough to go to ER, however, seeing me in action with one is a whole different ball game. Scares the shit out of them.

I would prefer to run as fast as I can to ER or home or O2. GOSH I HATE THESE THINGS!!!!

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by De_Minimis on Apr 8^th, 2005, 12:18am

I printed out the OUCH information and gave it to my boss. My only concern is that I'll be in a jury trial and I'll get hit. If I don't have a pinch-hitter to come take over for me, game over. I'll have to walk away. Then I worry that if that happens, for example, that person I was prosecuting then goes out, gets drunk again and runs over some kid because he/she got a pass before because of this stupid condition. Other than that, I've told those around me that if I close my door, to just stay away as I don't want them to see me going through this and there is nothing they can do, but I apreciate their concern.

Other hassle is I go to school half-time at night (because undergrad and law school weren't enough I guess). Haven't made a single class this quarter yet because of this. I just ain't got noth'n left.

So, in a nutshell, educate those that you need to. They will either understand and, in turn, will earn your respect. If they don't, then f 'em as they're self-centered jerks.

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by bigAl on Apr 8^th, 2005, 7:00am

on 02/11/05 at 11:36:26, Frank_W wrote:

I either seduce then blackmail the women, shove the men down the stairs, or else decide to get REALLY mean-Frank

Have you tried voodoo dolls?

http://modernrock.com/uploads/omen63/voodoo_doll.jpg

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by sandie99 on Apr 9^th, 2005, 3:01am

Al, I'm trying to decide whether that voodoo doll is cute or just plain scary... ;;D

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by De_Minimis on Apr 9^th, 2005, 4:53pm

You mentioned the beer thing too. Today, my old college is in the NCAA Hockey finals against the weak and lame Denver. Friends are coming over to watch the game (slaughter) in a couple of hours. They will be enjoying the finest hops to be found. Me, unless I want to be screaming in uncontrollable pain within 45 minutes, will be drinking water and Diet Coke. Oh god, why do you torment me so?? (you have to picture me shaking my clenched firsts towards the sky for the full effect). The pain, the placing my life on hold for approx eight weeks, the embarrassment and isolation would all be a little more manageable if only there was beer. Sweet golden nectar, oh how I miss thee..

Title: Re: CH on job
Post by Langa on Apr 9^th, 2005, 5:21pm

on 04/09/05 at 03:01:09, sandie99 wrote:

Al, I'm trying to decide whether that voodoo doll is cute or just plain scary... ;;D

Exactly...it's almost both at the same time...LOL

Edu, I printed the information on the link Vig posted and handed it out to friends, co-workers and even relatives a while back. It works. I'm blessed that I have a very understanding boss. He'll either lemme go to my car to use the 02 or trex when I needed it. Sometimes it's really hard to get back into work mode after a hit (sometimes I just can't and go home), but you learn to plug through.

CH is a part of our lives and we have to learn to live around it, not stop living...I had to learn that the hard way...

I have a huge tank of 02 in my bedroom too...I know THAT feeling of having to explain.

I can't drink either, and after all these months I don't even miss it...

It's all a matter of adjusting and doing the best you can with what you have.

Hey, at least you know we can all relate to what you're going through.

Hugs,
Langa