The subject says it all. For those of who are episodic sufferers, what do you all do about your jobs when your headaches start? With mine, I'm at work for 24 hours, so my juggle is no fun at all. The CHs aren't new to me, but getting to talk to other suffers is, so I'm just curious how others manage the two.

I used to drag an O2 tank in to work.....and my Zomig. Understanding coworkers let me deal and covered until I could return.

Racer1_NC wrote on Sep 30^th, 2014 at 11:20pm:

I used to drag an O2 tank in to work.....and my Zomig. Understanding coworkers let me deal and covered until I could return.

Very similar, but oxygen / sumatriptan injections for me.

From your name I take it that you probably have O2 available on the J.O.B. Will the masks deliver above 15 lpm? Keep some energy drinks, Red Bull, Monster, 5 Hour, at work. Swallow one quickly at the first sign of attack. Talk to your co-workers about your attacks now. Don't wait until you're in the middle of an attack. Do you have an abortive such as Imitrex?
You might look at the vitamin D3 treatment. There is a good chance of stopping clusters all together.

Racer1_NC wrote on Sep 30^th, 2014 at 11:20pm:

I used to drag an O2 tank in to work.....and my Zomig. Understanding coworkers let me deal and covered until I could return.

Are you still having the headaches? Still employed?


BobG wrote on Oct 1^st, 2014 at 9:30am:

From your name I take it that you probably have O2 available on the J.O.B. Will the masks deliver above 15 lpm? Keep some energy drinks, Red Bull, Monster, 5 Hour, at work. Swallow one quickly at the first sign of attack. Talk to your co-workers about your attacks now. Don't wait until you're in the middle of an attack. Do you have an abortive such as Imitrex? You might look at the vitamin D3 treatment. There is a good chance of stopping clusters all together.

Yes, I do has access to high flow O2, but it doesn't help with my headaches unfortunately. Same with Imitrex, after hearing all of the positive results and hearing of the positive outcomes from my physician I would have swore I got the placebo sugar tablet test  :) As far as the RedBull....that is a new one to me. I have been seeing posts about it on here lately, so I will be trying that very soon as I am currently in the peak of my yearly episode  [smiley=bomb.gif]

I have been having CHs for the past 9 years, and 8 of those have been with my current job, so telling someone was pretty much unavoidable as you know. Working with these guys for 24 hours straight, your flaws are bound to shine through at some point or another. I haven't told many though, but the guys I work with on a regular basis and those that I call "friends" are fully aware and they help out however they can to cover me, on or off shift.

Are you currently working and still having CHs?

I am 67 now and been retired for 8 years. Yes, I am still having clusters. They started when I was 27.

I'm in my 40s and am still working in a very full time role.

Life with CH and migraines can be complicated, but with the right combination of preventives and abortives it can work pretty well.

With technology today, if I am stuck at home, I still can carry out parts of my job but obviously not all of it. If I am at work, I have a 'safe' spot to go were I can ride it out in private. It is all organized in advanced. Luckily I've only had to use it once.

Firemedic82 wrote on Oct 1^st, 2014 at 12:09pm:

Racer1_NC wrote on Sep 30th, 2014 at 11:20pm: I used to drag an O2 tank in to work.....and my Zomig. Understanding coworkers let me deal and covered until I could return. Are you still having the headaches? Still employed?

They appear to be controlled at the moment.....

I "retired" at the end of 2013. Planning on a second career but some family issue have put that on hold for a few months.

Firemedic82 wrote on Oct 1^st, 2014 at 12:09pm:

Racer1_NC wrote on Sep 30th, 2014 at 11:20pm: I used to drag an O2 tank in to work.....and my Zomig. Understanding coworkers let me deal and covered until I could return. Are you still having the headaches? Still employed? BobG wrote on Oct 1st, 2014 at 9:30am: From your name I take it that you probably have O2 available on the J.O.B. Will the masks deliver above 15 lpm? Keep some energy drinks, Red Bull, Monster, 5 Hour, at work. Swallow one quickly at the first sign of attack. Talk to your co-workers about your attacks now. Don't wait until you're in the middle of an attack. Do you have an abortive such as Imitrex? You might look at the vitamin D3 treatment. There is a good chance of stopping clusters all together. Yes, I do has access to high flow O2, but it doesn't help with my headaches unfortunately. Same with Imitrex, after hearing all of the positive results and hearing of the positive outcomes from my physician I would have swore I got the placebo sugar tablet test  :) As far as the RedBull....that is a new one to me. I have been seeing posts about it on here lately, so I will be trying that very soon as I am currently in the peak of my yearly episode  [smiley=bomb.gif] I have been having CHs for the past 9 years, and 8 of those have been with my current job, so telling someone was pretty much unavoidable as you know. Working with these guys for 24 hours straight, your flaws are bound to shine through at some point or another. I haven't told many though, but the guys I work with on a regular basis and those that I call "friends" are fully aware and they help out however they can to cover me, on or off shift. Are you currently working and still having CHs?

O2 doesn't work for you and Imitrex doesn't work for you. I will venture a guess that you aren't hitting the tank, or the Imitrex needle at the first hint of an attack coming on.

For about 8 years, my 25 liters per minute regulator caused me to believe that O2 is worthless for my Cluster Headaches. Once I went to 40+ lpm, the freakish agony stopped and I got my life back.

After 14+ years of writhing in pain daily, I get an occasional low level neck twister - which I kill by slamming a Monster energy drink, and suck some O2 fast and furious between gulps. If it isn't gone by 30 deep breaths, I will resort to a Zomig NS.

Haven't had anything like what I lived in fear of for all of those years, since I jumped firmly on the Vitamin D3 program. Currently taking 15,000 IU daily, with a 30K-40K boost now and then I start getting the little hits.

Marc