What kind of work do you guys who work do? I am interested in finding out what kinds of work / jobs are manageable while having TN. Do any of you have jobs that you do at home when you are able? Do you have jobs that you do via computer networking?
Hi,
I am a Nurse Practitioner and work 20 hours night shift in Emergency Care. Not coping too well at the moment.
At the moment I am pretty much full-time care taker to my ill husband (was in hospital 2 1/2 year, leg amputated, kidney failure,). However, when I can I do what I did before. Dog Training, showing and by word of mouth computer work, mostly admin and or graphic type things. Got a DBA and while I have not had much time to devote to it the past few years, you can make income. I found networking with friends and getting the word out as far as computer things worked well, I am just what most companies are looking for, don't demand any certain amount of hours or time, don't require benefits (although darn I need em!). Of course dog training is something you need to know or learn, but it is flexible and I am upfront that there may be a day I need to reschedule if TN is bad. So a bit scary not to have that check you can count on, but also much benefit from controlling your schedule and working from home. I hope one day to have the time to write a dog training/handeling book, but for now trying to get hubby better and deal with my own TN, but things just always work out! Start with a DBA, getting the word out and I made my own business cards.
I have an online shop where I sell vintage and depression glassware and a few other vintage things. At the moment my inventory is kinda low due to being on the start of the 3rd month of a flareup. When things get REALLY bad, I simply put the store in vacation mode so I don't have to deal with it while I am feeling really bad. I worked fulltime right up until this last attack where it was enough to where I could not work outside the home anymore. (SSD app is pending). The online shop doesn't make me rich, but certainly brings in a little money to buy more inventory and pay some of the bills.
Great idea! Hope you feel better soon.
maudie1979 said:
I have an online shop where I sell vintage and depression glassware and a few other vintage things. At the moment my inventory is kinda low due to being on the start of the 3rd month of a flareup. When things get REALLY bad, I simply put the store in vacation mode so I don’t have to deal with it while I am feeling really bad. I worked fulltime right up until this last attack where it was enough to where I could not work outside the home anymore. (SSD app is pending). The online shop doesn’t make me rich, but certainly brings in a little money to buy more inventory and pay some of the bills.
Hi I’m a teacher but having my 2nd long term sick. I don’t really cope well with all the meds flare ups and working. I’m going into special needs this year where numbers are lower to help my coping with work but its awful really. X
Really feel for you. Working steady in a job like you have is a stress hothouse. My sister is a teacher and I go in to help her at times, so I cannot imagine doing all she does full time with a condition like TN. You are doing the best you can. Your brain is learning coping skills to deal with your situation. I am going to read your profile after I add this reply. Hugs, Laurel
Helen said:
Hi I’m a teacher but having my 2nd long term sick. I don’t really cope well with all the meds flare ups and working. I’m going into special needs this year where numbers are lower to help my coping with work but its awful really. X
Staying busy is one way to keep ahead of the game. It doesn’t work for me to do that though. I can’t tolerate strong narcotics and the more I try to keep steady at something I’m responsible for, the worse my pain is. You are younger than me. I believe that the brain has unique ways of dealing with challenges. Guess for me, life’s challenges so far have been enough for my brain to last the rest of my life. So now, staying positive through both good times and bad, always being on the lookout for something to draw humor, admiration, wisdom, etc. is what I try to focus on. You have a very good profession. Be kind to yourself.
shindig said:
I’m working 2 jobs, but only because they’re fun. I had an MVD back in April and was hired the week before having it. I had tons of energy after the MVD, it worked 100% for 8 weeks before the pain came back.
A couple months ago I had an offer from another company to work on some projects nights/weekends. I figured it was a great opportunity/experience so agreed.
The MVD was a much needed jump start, as short as it was. Prior to it I was looking at SSI and paying co-pays was a struggle. Right now I’m so full of drugs I’m pushing forward blindly, but it’s hard. I have 2 extra oxycontin prescriptions in my wallet for refills, as well as percocet, and I’m on the max dose of nortriptyline and cymbalta. And it still hurts along with no real “cause” or potential solution.
I work for a mutual fund transfer agency basically we handle all of the shareholders investments and redemptions. I am lucky because my boss understands and I can rest my head on my desk if the pain gets too bad. I handle a lot of money so at times it is rough because my medications make my head foggy. I use a TON of post it's and write everything down so I don't forget anything. If my boss wasn't so understanding I don't know if I could handle the job!
I groom dogs. It is quite work, as I just bath, and then can sit for most of the rest of the groom (thanks to electric grooming tables that go up an down, so I don't have to)
If I get out and about, and walk, or drive a lot, I am pretty miserable.
In year 7 of my 8 yr battle with TN I was promoted to a District Sales Manager in charge of 75+ people in the Financial Services field. Also had to move my family of 4 at the time to a different state. To say that was a trying period is putting it lightly. I still had no idea of what my problem was , and since my pain wasnt visible, or caused by a known disease, noone but my wife had a clue as to what I was going through.(THIS WAS 30 Years AGO). 11 months later I found a neurologist who knew exactly what my problem was and schedule my MVD for New Years Eve which was 30 days after I saw himr. That month I went on disability, and it was the only time I missed work due to TN. Had my surgery on New Years Eve 30 years ago and was back to work 6 weeks later(my wife wouldnt let me go back sooner because of my half shaved head and my visible scar). I was very very fortunate and have been pain free since...I am.now retired and a grandfather of 4 with #5 on the way.
I am a police officer. I have just started with this mess, though it took three years for someone to finally put a name to it. I really want to finish another year and a half if I can and then retire. That will give me over 23 years before I call it a day. I'm only 48 years old so I need to make 50 before I get to call it a day.
As far as work goes, somedays are tough, others are livable, and a few are good right now. I live for the good, deal with the livable, and hate the tough days. On the tough days I either get off early or just take the whole day off. I have a lot of time right now to play with so I can get away with that. I know not everyone can do this so I'm thankful. I am thinking of asking for the MVD surgery while I have access to healthcare and my Aflac plan.
Good idea.
houston man said:
I am a police officer. I have just started with this mess, though it took three years for someone to finally put a name to it. I really want to finish another year and a half if I can and then retire. That will give me over 23 years before I call it a day. I’m only 48 years old so I need to make 50 before I get to call it a day.
As far as work goes, somedays are tough, others are livable, and a few are good right now. I live for the good, deal with the livable, and hate the tough days. On the tough days I either get off early or just take the whole day off. I have a lot of time right now to play with so I can get away with that. I know not everyone can do this so I’m thankful. I am thinking of asking for the MVD surgery while I have access to healthcare and my Aflac plan.
Wow, you guys are a wonderful group of encouragers. You are making your occupations work as well as possible despite unlimited challenges. I’m proud of you. I also hope you each find a way to pain free living. In the meantime, thank you for sharing and caring. Hopefully, more people will add what they do here at this site.
I would never have imagined that grooming dogs would be a quiet job. It must relax you. Neat.
redbird2448 said:
I groom dogs. It is quite work, as I just bath, and then can sit for most of the rest of the groom (thanks to electric grooming tables that go up an down, so I don’t have to)
If I get out and about, and walk, or drive a lot, I am pretty miserable.
Pain free - ah, it dreams like billows in a sail on a gentle warm slightly breezy day. Yes! Thanks for sharing. Always good to hear a story of pain free dimensions.
Ed said:
In year 7 of my 8 yr battle with TN I was promoted to a District Sales Manager in charge of 75+ people in the Financial Services field. Also had to move my family of 4 at the time to a different state. To say that was a trying period is putting it lightly. I still had no idea of what my problem was , and since my pain wasnt visible, or caused by a known disease, noone but my wife had a clue as to what I was going through.(THIS WAS 30 Years AGO). 11 months later I found a neurologist who knew exactly what my problem was and schedule my MVD for New Years Eve which was 30 days after I saw himr. That month I went on disability, and it was the only time I missed work due to TN. Had my surgery on New Years Eve 30 years ago and was back to work 6 weeks later(my wife wouldnt let me go back sooner because of my half shaved head and my visible scar). I was very very fortunate and have been pain free since…I am.now retired and a grandfather of 4 with #5 on the way.
Lucky you to have such an understanding boss. Luck? Or is is providence? We each get to decide which. I’ll choose providence over luck any day.
SaraM29 said:
I work for a mutual fund transfer agency basically we handle all of the shareholders investments and redemptions. I am lucky because my boss understands and I can rest my head on my desk if the pain gets too bad. I handle a lot of money so at times it is rough because my medications make my head foggy. I use a TON of post it’s and write everything down so I don’t forget anything. If my boss wasn’t so understanding I don’t know if I could handle the job!
I am currently a Contact Representative with my job on the line. Right now I am working on a project that thankfully does not require me to be on the phone, but once January hit I am not sure what will happen seeing that is when our calls pick up. I have applied for reasonable accommodation but if they are not able to find me a position that works with my condition and I am not able to perform my essential job duties I could be terminated (this is what I got from the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator). So yeah....
I had to deal with that Reasonable Accomodation business too. I was so thankful to be working for the State with all the sick leave that was given to me when mine ran out.
more2loooove said:
I am currently a Contact Representative with my job on the line. Right now I am working on a project that thankfully does not require me to be on the phone, but once January hit I am not sure what will happen seeing that is when our calls pick up. I have applied for reasonable accommodation but if they are not able to find me a position that works with my condition and I am not able to perform my essential job duties I could be terminated (this is what I got from the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator). So yeah…
I am a pharmacist try to take night shifts to avoid talking & a I’m really scared of the time that the pain will make me quit !