Posted by Jackie M. on January 30, 1999 at 21:21:38:
In Reply to: I need your help, friends. posted by Jackie M. on January 28, 1999 at 16:28:51:
Thank you for the advice. I've been through a rough couple of days with the cluster attacks. The oxygen didn't work this time, and they've been coming about 15 to 20 attacks per day, lasting about an hour each, so needless to say not much reprieve or breather inbetween. No sleep, no break, just leaves you so demoralized. I have decided that I'll do the best I can. I don't know if I'll tell my employer; I've done this before and it usually brings an ignorant response. And this is a brand new job, I'd hate to start out like this. I'm close to the "giving up" stage once again. I hope to pull through by Monday.
To Harley: thanks for the Imitrex tip. Unfortunatly I can not take it as I have a heart condition.
To Mike: There are a plethora of triggers to my clusters, and I have no way of controling them. I do understand though, how you'd be willing to trigger them just to be able to work around them.
To Linda B., You must understand best what it is I'm going through. Just trying to maintain a household with these monsters is difficult enough.
We are just in such a financial bind right now that I feel I must at least try to work. The work is in customer service, which may be mentally trying, but I had to find something that was not physically demanding as I also suffer from fibromyalgia which has become very painful. I have come to feel worthless as a mom, housekeeper and financial provider. I have to give this a try. Thanks for your support and understanding.
To Carl: I had not heard of Ritalin being used, but I'm restricted with regard to medications I can try due to other health problems from which I suffer. Aside from the medical restrictions though, I'm just very weary of the 25 year long revolving door of unsuccessful medications. I do appreciate and thank you for your advice all the same.
To Barbara D.: Your advice is one I have considered myself. I thought if I could find some kind of home based business that I might be able to work around them. I may end up focusing my efforts on this way of earning money in the end. I can certainly identify with the way in which you suffer from the clusters. They affect me in the same way. I may be fooling myself here, trying to work, but I'll give it my best shot.
To Linda: I too had a home cleaning business that really worked well with the cluster h/a's. I had to give it up after I suffered a very bad surgical accident, and can not return to it because of the fibromyalgia. I know all too well about the rebound effect of pain killers. I will take one only when I get to the point of wanting to shoot my head off. I'm just afraid I may get back to using them too often if I have to use them to get through work. Also, you mentioned taking the oxygen with you; do you have portable tanks? I was told that I can't take my big tanks with me in the car. Thanks so much for your help dear friends.