I have had my pacemaker for 5 years and I don't fell any better than I did 5 years ago. Every 2 to 3 weeks I have a migraine headace and vomiting for 2 days . when I get tired this happens and I miss 2 days of work. I have been to 3 different dr. & no one knows what is wrong with me. My family thinks that I should try to get on disability. I like my job very much and don't want to give it up. I am a custodian at the high school and I love being around the kids. I have had this job for 14 years. But my family thanks that it is to much for me. I also work in the lunch room at noon serving icecream to the kids so I don't get to have a lunch break. Does any one else have this problem or some thing like it. Tired of being sick all the time.

 

 

One thing to keep in mind is that that pacemaker can only help your heart. Migraines are a whole different condition and are difficult to manage. They can be related to stress. Is there any way you could arrange to have a lunch break rather than quitting completely?

I can understand your loving being around kids. My grandfather was a custodian years ago. He felt the same way..the kids kept him young! He was the head custodian at the elementary school where I attended. In those days things were a lot more demanding. He shoveled coal into a boiler to heat the building and in his "spare time" shoveled the snow off the sidewalks. He had one assistant (other than me and my little shovel).

I think you would feel worse just sitting around home. How do things seem during summer break?

best,

frank

 

I've had migraines for a very long time. In fact, I'm just getting over a 24 hr killer now. Have you consulted a neurologist? Migraines can be related to number of things unrelated to stress or your PM. They can also suck the life out of you! Over time, I've learned a lot about migraines and there are many different types. In my case, I was originally given typical migraine meds like Imitrex. One day, long before we knew there was something wrong with my heart, I thought I was having a stroke and had left side paralysis. The ER admitted me and ran a battery of tests all of which were normal. I requested a neurologist ASAP... Turns out, I was having what was called a "complicated migraine" which is painless and mimicks a stroke... triggered by the migraine meds LOL. Needless to say I have a list of migraine meds I CAN take now and I do not let Er doctors and such give me anything else. The painful migraines were from hormones! I've had my PM 5 weeks and have had 2 migraines since I got it. Making an appt. with the neurologist tomorrow. They were controlled until the PM so we need to make some adjustments to get them back under control.

As for disability, since no one could figure out what was wrong with me for a year, I had to use my disability. I was so sick I wasn't capable of doing my job. I am still on disability since the PM. I had a very, very high stress job my body just couldn't handle. At one point I tried to go back to work, but it pushed me further in a hole. It wsa considered a failed attemped to return to work. It has allowed me to adjust to things at my own pace. So far I've done well with my PM, but it will take me awhile to build my stamina back up.

I have private disability insurance so I didn't have to go through the waiting periods, etc. that you must go through on regular disability. I get a reduced percentage of my income. It's very hard at times because there's just not enough money to support everything. Christmas was very tough, but I have 2 children to support also. However, it has alllowed me to do things I would have never been able to do before, like homeschooling my children. It's a trade off, not as much money, but happier with family and less stress.

For me, getting the PM was the final task in order to not be sick anymore. My body needed the rest. It took my mind months before I finally understood that and allowed myself the rest needed.

You need to weigh your options and decide what's best for you. Talk with your doctors. Tell them what is happening and how you feel. Weigh your options.

 

Migraines are not related to the heart. They can be caused by diet or neurological causes or sometimes they don't know why we get them. There are new migraine meds that work very quickly, and if you get them too often there are meds you can take to prevent them. It can't hurt to see a neurologist. You also might want to keep a food diary, it could be something you eat is triggering it, or lack of sleep or skipping meals. Write it down and see if you find a trend.

I know people have mixed opinions, but I got migraine relief from a chiropractor. I used to spend two days a week in bed with migraines. I have not had one in ten years now. Two of the vertebrae in my neck get out of alignment sometimes and it pinches the nerves, triggering the migraine. He moves the vertebrae- pressure gone, migraine gone. I don't even keep a prescription anymore for emergencies.

Skipping meals may be part of the problem. Can you rearrange your schedule so you have a quick break and can get a bite to eat? Keep a stash of protein bars, at least get some protein and sugar in you for a boost until you can get a decent meal.

 

To love your job is the greatest medicine you could have. Being around young adults not only keeps you young, but keeps you in the "groove" of what is "in" and what is "out" within their lives. You may never know, but in working at the high school, you have helped and mentored children in your own way. You have given each young adult a piece of your life, with your smile and kindness. I know, I was an administrative secretary for a high school for over 27 years, and loved every minute with every student before I retired in 2001. Sometimes I wanted to "wring" a parent's neck, but God Love those young adults in school. Now, if those same students see me years later out in public, they come running to give me a big hug ~ that is the best gift in life and what continues to keep me young.

By looking at your profile, you are too young in age to "put up" with migraines or any other physical pain.
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist who can help you with your other health difficulties.

God Bless You,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS GO UT LONGHORNS 1/7/10

 

Dr. office called today and said they had read my halter monotor. The nurse said that they had found and abnormal heart rythum problem and they were going to refer me to a heart rythum dr. I am so relieved to find out that they have finely decided to dig a little deeper and see if they can find what is wrong with me I have had this problem for along time. I've been praying that god would help the dr.s find out what was wrong with me. The nurse ask me if I had been sick a lot because my heart rythum was so bad. I told her yes I have been sick for about 5 years with migraine headaces and sick at my stomach and so week all I want to do is sleep.
she said maybe that this doctor will help me find the problem. I am so excided. I told her now my husband and everyone I work with will know that I am really sick not just whinning.

 

You have gone thru a lot. I've been sick for the past 5 yrs too. It was a long journey, but I think I'm finally in the hands of some doctors who care.

Please let us know what your results are!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember once, about 4 yrs ago, (I"ve had my pacer for 5 yrs) that while in the ER, a doctor handed me some papers that were entitled Pacemaker Syndrome. It was because I was complaining of headaches and my heart was thumping and pounding.

So...I am very glad that you are going to finally get some answers, please share though as it just might help someone else on this site that is going thru the same thing, eh?

thanks
Pookie

 

I know how you feel. I loved my job. With budget cuts and the personnel cuts, when I was diagnosd, I kept it a secret because they were literally "the weak ones out of the herd." My doctor had told me to apply for disability retirement but I couldn't face not working at my job. Months later, after my EF went DOWN on the meds, my doctor said I just couldn't continue. I needed to prioritize. I had told only my boss and my boss was the one that finally set me down and said that it was obvious I was getting worse. She didn't know about my doctor suggesting disability retirement. While I suffered a financial loss that is stressful, I can already tell a difference. I can rest and I can take a nap. I don't have to prop up against something so that no one notices I'm dizzy. I don't have to ask someone on the phone to "hold on just a minute, I have another call" to get enough breath to answer their question. It was quite a shock for my co-workers to find out what I had been going through. I had been taking vacation days to have procedures done, rather than my sick time. They have been very supportive and worry about me but have told me I need to do whatever it is to get better. My daughters were the ones who put their foot down and asked if I loved the job more than them. I was hanging by a thread by the tme I left and I really don't think I would have lasted much longer...and I didn't have a physically challenging job. I worked at an office. I was constantly in fear I was going to fall asleep at the desk. By the time I got from the parking lot to the elevator my knees were shaking. The final straw was that my voice had gotten so weak that it sounded shaky like someone in a nursing home. The answer is different for everyone, I guess, but my body was trying to tell me what to do and I was just not willing to listen until I almost waited too late. I'm still trying to recover from my "pushing through the pain." Please listen to your body.
CC