I am wondering how many of you out there with Type II, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia are either working or in school.
After leaving a wonderful job for another which paid better, have it fold out from under it’s employees, I was the new kid on the block everywhere I went. The market was in decline, so I was laid off from a couple of jobs. Then, I found myself needed to care for my Dad’s ailing parents. I cared for both my Grandfather and Step-Grandmother until their deaths. They were precious people, and I am glad that the girls and I got to spend time with them before they left us.
After they passed, I have taken some time off to raise my children at very crucial stages of development the last few years.
Previously, I was a Mortgage Loan Specialist, a career which was both lucrative, challenging and enjoyable. However, in 2007, the market became unstable in the U.S. I am certain you’ve probably heard about it on the news.
However, I did work for years after I had become symptomatic with ATN.
Now, I would really like to pursue a degree.
If you are a student, I would appreciate hearing about your area of study, your career goals, and how you feel that your ATN affects your work. Likewise, if you are already in the workforce. I would like to hear about your skills that pay the bills and how you also feel that your ATN affects your performance.
I was laid off last november due to my tn. At the time it was thought to be. Tmj. I had also went through two wisdom teeth extractions one of which left the left side of my tougne numb, which it still is, and also a root canal procedure that ended up with an overfill. My boss told me he could no longer work me being in pain. I was training to be a facility manager 90,000 a year after training. Although, when I was. Let go he gave me some dignity and said it was due to a bad qauarter, but we both knew better. I have been scared to go for a good job again untill hopefully I can get this under control. I have recentley started taking tegredol with a little morphine doc says it should take at least two weeks to take effect (fingers crossed). I still have the overfill in there. I’m scared to take it out and still have the same pain, after all it was a $2000 procedure.any suggestions on that? Anyways that’s my exxperience this year so far. Good luck to all of you hope you have some pain free days ahead
Would you comsider teaching? I think you have the compassion and drive. Also think about handicapped students. Its hard but so rewarding. The benefits would help.
Have you thought about some type of nursing? It seems to me you are a very caring person for other people, and anyone in that field should also have a little understanding about tn
I'm a teacher and have struggled greatly to work full-time the past two years. After my MVD surgery my immune system seemed shot. I came down with epstein bar virus and some other problems. This year I'm working half days. I'm hoping this will give me the chance to rest, have less stress, and still earn money by doing what I love to do. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back full-time. I'm hoping for a miracle of course!
Why arent you on disability, even though its not very supporting.
Idea-go to the library look at the job market in the furure, then consider what difficulties tn represents. there are jobs that are per diem, offering you reccoup time.
also is there anything from the facial support groups that pays income.
my concern is your full time mommy job, an unperdictable illness, and your activity in the org.
i have disability, so i do ebay. it on my time, im not listed for social security.
i purchase in thrift stores and then sell on ebay. i cant do much else. Things are too unpredictable.
Ebay works because I dont have a very set schedule. i dont make very much. Look into jobs online.
Jerry, I am really touched by what you went thru with work. I too, had a pretty good career going when TN got in the way. I also have tongue numbness on the right side and taste loss too. I work part time now as a server, this is what I did before I worked at the bank for 8 years. So far it works. Warmest wishes. Min
jerry said:
I was laid off last november due to my tn. At the time it was thought to be. Tmj. I had also went through two wisdom teeth extractions one of which left the left side of my tougne numb, which it still is, and also a root canal procedure that ended up with an overfill. My boss told me he could no longer work me being in pain. I was training to be a facility manager 90,000 a year after training. Although, when I was. Let go he gave me some dignity and said it was due to a bad qauarter, but we both knew better. I have been scared to go for a good job again untill hopefully I can get this under control. I have recentley started taking tegredol with a little morphine doc says it should take at least two weeks to take effect (fingers crossed). I still have the overfill in there. I'm scared to take it out and still have the same pain, after all it was a $2000 procedure.any suggestions on that? Anyways that's my exxperience this year so far. Good luck to all of you hope you have some pain free days ahead
I am a 4th grade teacher, and have previously taught second and 4/5 Science and Math.
When my neuralgia kicked in badly, and the pain was constant, it was quite unbearable at school. Luckily I had a T.A. who was a certified teacher and could take over when I needed him to. After I was diagnosed, I was the in the guinea pig stage, trying all kinds of medicines...and they all made me unable to teach. Tegretol, Gabapentin, etc. I had to miss two months of school because of the side effects. Once I had my pain under control, (narcotics) I was able to return to work. Little things bother me: touching chalk (weird) kids squeaking chairs, having to read aloud, etc. but for the most part, I am okay at work. Setting up my classroom this summer was quite difficult, but I was also recovering from surgery. (MVD) I need meds every 4/6 hours, but I can still keep my job. Some days are better than others, but it hasn't gotten me yet.
I say go for it. You seem to have progressed through the mess of diagnoses and trial with meds.
The people I have worked with since being diagnosed have been so supportive. I hope you find the same.
I hate that I am already losing so much of my life to this disease.
I am a 4th grade teacher, and have previously taught second and 4/5 Science and Math.
When my neuralgia kicked in badly, and the pain was constant, it was quite unbearable at school. Luckily I had a T.A. who was a certified teacher and could take over when I needed him to. After I was diagnosed, I was the in the guinea pig stage, trying all kinds of medicines...and they all made me unable to teach. Tegretol, Gabapentin, etc. I had to miss two months of school because of the side effects. Once I had my pain under control, (narcotics) I was able to return to work. Little things bother me: touching chalk (weird) kids squeaking chairs, having to read aloud, etc. but for the most part, I am okay at work. Setting up my classroom this summer was quite difficult, but I was also recovering from surgery. (MVD) I need meds every 4/6 hours, but I can still keep my job. Some days are better than others, but it hasn't gotten me yet.
I say go for it. You seem to have progressed through the mess of diagnoses and trial with meds.
The people I have worked with since being diagnosed have been so supportive. I hope you find the same.
I hate that I am already losing so much of my life to this disease.
I too feel that I have lost months of my life to this ATN. Most people have never tried to play badminton with their son while gritting their teeth in pain and crying when no one is looking. I was a tutor but have had to let my students go as I tutor at night and that is when the pain is the most horrendous....and as we all know....tylenol 3 does not work!!
Valerie said:
misstammie said:
Hi Stef,
I am a 4th grade teacher, and have previously taught second and 4/5 Science and Math.
When my neuralgia kicked in badly, and the pain was constant, it was quite unbearable at school. Luckily I had a T.A. who was a certified teacher and could take over when I needed him to. After I was diagnosed, I was the in the guinea pig stage, trying all kinds of medicines...and they all made me unable to teach. Tegretol, Gabapentin, etc. I had to miss two months of school because of the side effects. Once I had my pain under control, (narcotics) I was able to return to work. Little things bother me: touching chalk (weird) kids squeaking chairs, having to read aloud, etc. but for the most part, I am okay at work. Setting up my classroom this summer was quite difficult, but I was also recovering from surgery. (MVD) I need meds every 4/6 hours, but I can still keep my job. Some days are better than others, but it hasn't gotten me yet.
I say go for it. You seem to have progressed through the mess of diagnoses and trial with meds.
The people I have worked with since being diagnosed have been so supportive. I hope you find the same.
I hate that I am already losing so much of my life to this disease.
I TRIED TO RETURN TO TEACHING IN 2004 BUT I COULDNT DO IT. THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF PAIN ATTACKS MADE ME BECOME UNRELIABLE AS A TEACHER AND NY EMOTIONAL STATUS WAS NOT UNDER CONTOL. I FAILED FOR DISABILITY. i WAS ALOT CLOSER TO RETIREMENT AGE. iT JUST WASNT WORKING AND MY STRESS LEVEL WAS NOT HELPING.
you have a family to raise while i was done. It is not easy to be in pain, work, and take care of a family. You need 4 years of college and another 4 for a masters agree. So think this over very carefully and take baby steps if you need to. Teaching can also be very draining.
You are a people persom and a part time job may be a good starting point. Dont overburden yourself but do start looking into different areas. I hope you realize how hard you work already! lots of hugs!
I am a Senior Network Analyst for a large health care authority, I have been an technical analyst for twenty years. Sept 1 was my two year anniversary of the surgery to remove a rare cancerous skullbase tumor. As y0u know TN lead to finding this and did save my life. Now after being diagnosed with TN, Chondrosarcoma and Ollier disease I am on LTD. I feel TN has robbed me of my life. I am not able to work and am still in constant pain . . . the contstant I can bare but the sporatic mega pains keep me from functioning as does the medication that helps. I would love to return the the work I found so challenging and rewarding but I have changed and I am no longer able to remember what I would need to without making huge errors. In my line of work there is not much room for error and being top level support I didn't have much of a backup and it took a large toll on the company.
I pray one day things may change but for now my job is to be the best mother I can be and hope to continue to be here as each day is a blessing. Some days life sure gets me down. I miss the old life I had. I wish you the best in whatever you choose to do, I love your determination and spirit and keep on being couragous and strong!