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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> How do we go to work with this?
        
(Message started by: michellemehmet on Feb 27^th, 2006, 7:58am)

Title: How do we go to work with this?
Post by michellemehmet on Feb 27^th, 2006, 7:58am

Hi all any advice on dealing with employers. I am a school teacher and my school is very understanding but I have the worst attendance record inthe school and I hate it. Do any of you work while you are in cycle. How would I cope having an attack in front of 30 14 year olds? How can I have 5 weeks off work every year?
Let me know what you do
Many thanks
love
Michelle
x x x x x x x

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by LeLimey on Feb 27^th, 2006, 8:28am

Hi Michelle,
Its nice to meet you, I'm just sorry it has to be here!
What meds are you currently using? There are treatments that work quite quickly (within 5-10 minutes) so as soon as we know what you are currently using we can see what we can do to help.
Don't worry.. we'll do all we can!
I'm an ex-Londoner and I go back to London pretty frequently, usually about twice a month for a day and we have a lot of meet and greets there so if you ever want to meet up let me know!
Take care for now
Helen

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Redd715 on Feb 27^th, 2006, 8:29am

http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/employer_form.doc

Take this to your Neuro and have him/her fill it out.

Take it to your HR Dept. to be added to your personnell file.

Explain to them how long your cycles usualy last and find out if they can accomidate you somehow. Discuss options with your Doc and bring those to the table when negotiating with them how best to serve the needs of everyone.

Pegg

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by burnt-toast on Feb 27^th, 2006, 8:42am

Communicate with your employer and students. Provide them with information they need to better understand your condition and permit you to deal with it when necessary.

Prove you will work harder and be highly effective despite your condition.

Tom

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by doodles on Feb 27^th, 2006, 8:54am

Speak to you students. The well raised teenagers will come to your aid during an attack and probably even keep the rest in line! Always know that you have support from all of us too! Keep in touch. Janet

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Bob P on Feb 27^th, 2006, 1:19pm

Last cycle, which was 20 weeks long, I took 2 days off work. The rest of the time I take my O2 tank and meds with me. If I feel a hit coming, I take the meds, hit the O2 for about 10 minutes and I'm good to go.

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by chewy on Feb 27^th, 2006, 1:57pm

Quote:

The well raised teenagers will come to your aid during an attack and probably even keep the rest in line!

I'm not sure how appropriate or ethical that would be.

I have worked through cycles for the last 30 years. Shot of imitrex and I keep going.

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by medic1852 on Feb 27^th, 2006, 3:05pm

I am fairly lucky...I work on an Ambulance so I have complete access to all the medical O2 I could want. Also my partner knows about my CH and is sympathetic. Another reason I am lucky is that I may not get hit while on a run and don't always have to function at 100%. Although there has been the instance when I have been mid hit and caught a run. When that happens I suck it up and go, and hope the patient isn't one of the bullsh*t sick lame and lazies.

Rodger

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by E-Double on Feb 27^th, 2006, 5:43pm

Stay as positive as you can and have meds stockpiled and ready for battle if/when needed.

Life goes on ya just need to live it!

Took me a long time to stop questioning the "Beast" and to get motivated to start living.

I'm a Special education teacher/Board Certified Behavior Analyst and run home schools for developmentally disabled toddlers. I also lecture around NY and train teachers entering the field.
I go from house to house all day and have to teach, counsel, and train. It gets hectic but I have learned to never leave home without an abortive regardless how I feel(sometimes feel great....then BAM!)

Keep your chin up and remember... "IT IS WHAT IT IS" so breathe and try to live to the best of your abilities.

Wishing you the best

Eric

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Charlie on Feb 27^th, 2006, 6:01pm

Sorry that you have to deal with this horror but someone post Simon's letter address for Michelle. I seem to have lost the thing.

Charlie

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by nani on Feb 27^th, 2006, 6:06pm

on 02/27/06 at 18:01:54, Charlie wrote:

someone post Simon's letter address for Michelle.

Here ya go:
http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/colleagueletter.htm

I teach also, Michelle, though not full time. Let your principal, students and school nurse know what's going on. If you have oxygen, you can probably keep a travel tank in the classroom. pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by thebbz on Feb 27^th, 2006, 8:15pm

http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/dealwithemp.htm :o
Have to have the drugs, a plan, and some very good timing. With some study,a good doctor, and information you will find a routine that works for you. I do it. So that means anybody can. especially you ;;D
All the best
jb 8)
clusterbusters.com ::)check it out

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by mynm156 on Feb 28^th, 2006, 12:48am

Those papers Redd tried to get you I dont think will work over the Pond. Anyway, I just kept them posted constantly and kept meds in my locker. Thats about all that you can do.

Good Luck!!

your brother in pain.

MYNM156

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Sean_C on Feb 28^th, 2006, 8:21am

Teaching is gonna be tough during a hit, I'm not sure I could do it. I would suggest like the others to use an abortive at the first sign of an attack and hope for the best.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this Michelle, we know its not easy.

Love back at ya,

Sean................................

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Kevin_M on Feb 28^th, 2006, 9:36am

In the past I've been in the same situation but found a quick abortive like Imitrex to be the only solution. It simply wasn't practical to leave a class for the time it took to use oxygen. The occasional tearing I just said would pass quickly as an unknown allergy and was able to maintain in limited capacity for short durations up to Kip 4 while the Imitrex kicked in.
It didn't seem to disrupt the hackysack game going on in the back or the decibel level of disinterested talking going on.

I get no respect.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/1071/th-dangerfield_rodney

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by BlueMeanie on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 6:57pm

Michelle,

Sorry to hear you're going through a tough time right now. Sure hope you're episodic and get breaks. You never mentioned using a Triptan (fast acting). They work for most of us. Check with your doctor if you don't have one that works.

I taught classes for 5 years and know how you feel. Even the slightest twinge of at attack coming on would put me in a panic. Once I found Trex, i'd put the class on break and usually return within 20 minutes as nothing ever happened. Check the 02 info too. A tank stored in the AV room is a good place when you need to hide out for a few.

Good luck and hope you find something that works.

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by vig on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 7:19pm

WOW!

what a great bunch of advice!

what a great team!

Title: Re: How do we go to work with this?
Post by Dragnlance on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 3:58pm

Ok, my advice as a chronic.

First, you are a teacher. Take a day and teach the students about CH.

There is no easy way to deal with a hit at work. I work 2 jobs, so can tell you this from experience.

I can also tell you, that if you explain it to the people around you, they generally dont freak when you get hit, and often try to come to your rescue. Some people are not good to be around when hit, but the thought is nice.
Oxygen is a good safe abort med.
I also recommend Kudzu, which is an herb that helps reduce the strength, duration and number of hits that I have. This is OTC and can be found at most health food stores.

By the way, Welcome home Michelle, I am glad you found us.

Lance