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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> Hit At Work... Damn!
        
(Message started by: Frank on Feb 28^th, 2003, 11:58pm)

Title: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by Frank on Feb 28^th, 2003, 11:58pm

I started another cycle in early December... started out as 3-4 per week. This time I got my Dr. to prescribe O2 paid for by my crappy HMO... and got free samples of Maxalt MLT. Then for the past month the attacks have been especially brutal... two per day, EVERY DAY... perhaps 5-6 Kip 10's per week. I have a Neuro appointment Monday the 3rd... but ran out of Maxalt MLT again... fortunately my regular Dr. found 10 more free samples. So far, I was managing... until I got hit today at work (first time in several years).
I had called a meeting to discuss design of some computer based test equipment. Seven people there... including my boss. So I was running this meeting... answering questions.... presenting ideas for what the test equipment should do... trying to maintain (now up to Kip 7 or 8)... and I just walked out... no explanation or anything... and headed straight for my office where I have an "E" tank of O2.
A little while later, I sent an e-mail to all those who were there explaining why I rudely left my own meeting without saying a word (I suffer CHs, what they are, why there is an O2 tank sitting on my desk, etc).
A while later I was talking with my boss who mentioned that his brother has MIGRAINES too. So I explained the difference between them and CHs (Ever had the dentist put fillings in your teeth with no anesthetic? How about if the dentist did that every day? How about a hot electric drill through your eyeball? Every day?) I don't think he got it... but said he would definitely tell his brother about O2. Damn I was embarassed... called a meeting and then walked out of my own meeting.

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by jmorgan52 on Mar 1^st, 2003, 7:30am

You have my sympathy on this one mate. Been there myself many times. When I am in cycle and have a meeting to attend or run, I alway have my imigran injection in my pocket. When I feel the CH shadow start coming on, and I am an expert at knowing when they are going to strike by now, I make an excuse for a short "body break" and rush to the toilet stall, shoot up, wait the 7-12 minutes it takes to work and then return to the meeting and say I have an upset tummy or something like that. People tend to just think you are weak if you complain about headaches and it is so hard to explain the CH that I find it better to not tell them.

John

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by ShariRae on Mar 1^st, 2003, 9:27am

Damn.. been there done that..it sucks. When it happened to me, I sent all the involved parties a link to the Clusterheadaches page..along with a brief explanation. Surprisingly enough, EVERYONE that I sent the link to came & asked questions & were more than supportive from then on. Dont be embarrassed, give them the benefit of the doubt & send them the link!
Best to you
Shari

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by 2late on Mar 1^st, 2003, 9:43am

that suck's Frank, i'm lucky, 90% of the time i'm on the road by myself, not sure how i'd do in an office & i hope i never find out. good luck to ya! .........2late

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by das on Mar 1^st, 2003, 9:54am

What else could you do!

Who gives F$%K is others don't understand.. All you can do is try and help them to understand and if they still don't get it, screw em...

Here's an idea... tell them you have deformity in your brain that causes tremendous pain at random times and the only thing you can do is suck on O2...

Or ask them to drink a freezing glass of water, or eat a popsicle as fast as they can ..you get the picture.. As soon as they get the brain freeze, tell them imagine that 10 times stronger and for 1 hour, 3-5 times a day... Sound like fun???
IT'S NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by Roxy on Mar 1^st, 2003, 11:07am

Frank....that really sucks.....sorry it happened to you that way. The SOB always seems to have some kind of twisted, bent timing. It seems to always happen at the worst possible times.

I do like John....at times like that....sneak that shot in. It's faster and more subtle than the 02.....and, I KNOW, that it will work (at least for awhile).

Sorry you're having it rough right now....hope it gives you a break soon,

PFDAN,
Tracey

Title: Re: Hit At Work... Damn!
Post by JDH on Mar 1^st, 2003, 12:10pm

Hi Frank, Sorry about the painfest...hope you get some relief soon.
I know what you mean about getting hit at work, it really sucks. It's the one place where you'd like to keep a little dignity, eh? I've had to run to the bathroom a few times myself and break out the Imitrex.
Sure it's strange for people who've never been there to see someone "doing the dance" but whaddaya gonna do? we gotta work, right?
Maybe the link below can help your situation.
And there's also another excellent letter explaining CH's to family and co-workers (that I can't find right now) that Charlie sent me a while back. I printed out copies for my co-workers and I think it helped them understand what I was going through and why I was coming in every morning looking like hell.
Charlie or anyone else, do you know the letter I'm talking about?
pfdan's to you Frank,
Jim

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/emp.htm