Hello. I'm a Cluster sufferer just like the rest of you.  I have found myself reading and re-reading all your symptoms and matching them to my own. What i really want to know is how I can carry on working with these headaches.
I am a teacher of 26 years, and last year secured a new job in a prestigious school. One year on and I have not been able to start the new school year due to my headaches which began at the start of the summer break.
I worry about being a liability - I am trying to set lessons, but I know that this is not enough for a school. They really need to ensure continuity for the children, and must be beginning to regret employing me?  Will I get back to work? Should I ask to go part-time? What can I do to re-gain their confidence? Obviously, my health comes first, and I wish I had the resources to quit teaching, but I live on my own and need to pay the mortgage!!!
Best wishes to you all.

Nope, don't let this shortcircuit the hard won work you've been practicing, especially getting to earshot of a thirty years.  Participating in a teacher-student bonding is also aweighing. 

A doctor diagnosis with a headache specialist is important getting started, other options then come into the picture.  It's a courageous proactive undertaking not unfamiliar for a teacher of your experience, within abilities.  Some learning involved.    ;) 


Welcome       :)

Hi Eslpeth and Welcome! 

Keep working and don't let the beast win!  To help your employer be a bit more understanding print this out START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE and have them read it, in front of you if need be so that you can answer any questions.

Getting a proper abortive is key to keeping your job so make sure to ask your Doc about O2 and Imitrex shots.  Pills of imitrex are not effective for CH and the nasal is slower acting but does eventually work.  All that would be needed with a proper abortive is a quick trip to the loo for a shot and about 5 min. of peace for you to get back to things.  Your thinking may be a bit messed up for a bit before, during and after a CH hit so having a lesson plan in place for that time period would be of help to you.

Sending PF Vibes your way!
Ging...

You have 2 options. The standard medical route which is where I went. You develop a proactive plan that attacks the beast instead of always being rocked back on your heels by the beast....my 2 pronged attack:

1: A good prevent. A prevent is a med you take daily, while in cycle, to reduce your hits. The headaches have started, you know you're on cycle. I start a 2 week prednisone taper, while I start ramping up my lithium. At 1200 mg a day, after I've been on it about 2 weeks, lithium will block 60-70% of my attacks. Verapamil is a common first line prevent, Topomax also has a loyal following but it's side effects might not work as well for a teacher as it can make you a little loopy.

2: A good abortive. An attack starts, now what. Oxygen should be your first line abortive. I went from 90 minute attacks to 6-10 minute aborts by huffing pure 02. For daytime attacks, while you;re teaching, look into imitrex injectables. A little pricey and I don't like how they make me feel, but will stop an attack in less then 5 minutes. Imitrex nasal spray works for many, I have never tried it.

Energy drinks. Red Bull, Rock Star, the combo of caffeine and taurine is the key, power these down at the first sign of a hit. (Warning...if you end up taking verapamil go easy on the energy drinks as they can cause heart issues when combined)

Your other option is    clusterbusters.com      Go there, watch the video, see if it would be suitable for you. Wishing you luck, whichever route you go.

Joe

I work as an engineering manager in a fabrications and assembly company, I have had attacks at work and when it becomes impossible to continue I take myself off to the loo and sit there until I feel able to continue. I am lucky that I can do this without to much hassle, I am also lucky I have never had an attack during a meeting or presentation.
My attacks tend to happen when I am resting or sleeping, this tends to affect my work life more than the occasional attack at work because after three or four nights with no sleep I cannot fucntion to well, when this happens I phone work and tell them I am coming in late, get a few hours morning sleep and then go to work. This does not happen to often because I don't need to much sleep anyway
Obviously as a teacher you cannot do this, but I would be honest with your employer, backed up with a notification from your doctor so they do not think you are just taking time off for no reason. I would also take the advice of the previous people and find an abortive that works for you, so you can reduce the time it takes for you to get rid of your headache, if you have to go to the toilet or your car for 5 or 10 minutes this is just like a normal toilet break but if you have to go out for an hour it is different matter.
I wish you the best of luck, working with CH is a challenge but with a bit of planning I genuinely believe you can do it.
I hope you are not an English teacher, my spelling and grammar are awful. Feel free to correct  :)

Greetings, this work issue is a toughie, but once you figure it out, you can work with this beast.  Being a teacher where you have to interact with students at all times certainly makes it difficult.  You'll see Ginger gave you a copy of the colleague letter.  I suggest you give that to your boss to make them aware of your condition.  My boss has it in my employee file.  Secondly, like Joe said, you'll need a good abortive and the #1 choice you'll see is oxygen.
I keep a small "E" tank in my car while in cycle.  When I feel a shadow coming on, I simply leave my desk, go out to my car for 10-15 minutes, suck on the O2 and return to work.  I may do this 2-3 times a day while at work.  I use to inject Imitrex right at my desk, but you'll see after reading that O2 takes the cake in the abortive department.  If there is anyway you can be excused while you abort when teaching, that would be your best bet.  Also Joe stated about getting on a good preventative.  This will help keep the beast down so the attacks that do get through can be managed easily with the abortive of your choose..hint, hint, OXYGEN!  There are so many options here that I don't want to get into it because it can be confusing.  You'll be reading a lot on here.

You need to discuss all of this with your neuro or pain management specialists.  We are all here to answer questions and help because we truly know how you feel.

All the best!

Chad

Ginger,

Thanks for the link to the colleague letter.  Perfect!  Very much needed during this especially horrific cycle.  Blesssings to you!   Hope you are well.

his wife wrote on Sep 8^th, 2010 at 2:36pm:

Ginger, Thanks for the link to the colleague letter.  Perfect!  Very much needed during this especially horrific cycle.  Blesssings to you!   Hope you are well.

You are quite welcome I hope it helps Elspeth too.  ;)

Elspeth, I am also a teacher. I have figured this out for the most part, but as was mentioned by others, teaching poses a few unique issues for cluster headaches that generally are avoided in private work places. For example, leaving your class for 10-15 minutes while you abort an attack. I have solved this by having the teacher in the room nextdoor to me watch my class while they do some form of quiet work. This leaves me the 10-15 minutes I need, and I've never had anotther teacher be unwilling to help like this. It usually just means they'll ask the same of you when they need a bathroom break.  :)

Here is my approach:

• When I ask another teacher to cover my room for a few minutes, I run to the bathroom and give myself a shot. Personally, I use DHE-45 injections so they take a minute to set up, but most here have had success with Imitrex which comes in a statdose pen with less setup.
  
• Oxygen - This is part of my plan for this school year after it is delivered in a day or two! I plan on keeping my little o2 tank in the car and being able to run out there, instead of the bathroom, to abort the headache.
  
• Basically, get the support of another teacher who can cover your room for a few minutes.
  

I do not currently use a preventative. I recently stopped using topamax because I didn't feel it was helping. I have yet to decide whether I will use a different one for this cycle as it is just beginning. This can block some of the attacks and help you get through the day in conjunction with abortives.

The way I look at it: I don't know what grade you teach - I teach 5th now, but we have a hard enough job without CHs. Because we get these, we need to be proactive about our treatment. Most teachers are passionate about what they do, and I bet you are too. I would encourage you to try to stay in this rewarding profession and remind yourself that you are still SO great for the kids, even with the cluster headaches, who may or may not have the support at home they get at school.

Great post, Kate. In all my years as an 8th grade teacher, I never once ran into a situation good planning and preparedness couldn't handle. And the kids were great-except for the few who weren't great all the time-and like you, I encourage all teachers to not let this thing prevent them from pursuing a wonderful calling. Good luck on your classes this year, and God bless! lance

A momentary step out into the hall with a nasal spray suffices ok, too.  If needed, easy to mention allergies ya know.    ;

Not a teacher - but I often manage large groups of people. I am going to repeat a lot of what was already said - with a few variations. I always let my workplace know and they are always positive in response --- and they usually help me find a quiet room for me to use O2. If I am getting attacks during the day I keep a large tank at work, otherwise I bring a small tank in a special carrying case (no one would think twice about it) and keep it with me.

As for preventatives - you probably already know this but each cycle is different. My first diagnosed cycle I tried verapamil and it did not work well...this time it is working like a charm with livable side-effects. So I had a few weeks of sneaking into a quiet room to suck in some O2 and then the meds kicked in and I saved the O2 for emergencies only.

Good luck!

Hello,

I think we all can relate to this issue. This is how I'm able to fight through my cycle, When I'm Getting my normal 3-4 a night wake up hits, I always seem to get one about 2 minutes before my alarm goes off.

after the normal huff and puff for 10 minutes or so and I'm turning off my 02, my lovely wife of 16 years says in her tender supporting voice " honey you ok?".
After hearing me say yes or seeing me nod. She says,
"now get up and go to work, if you need me just call".

That's how i do it. Great post... Coach Bill 8-)