What Kind Of Jobs Etc. Does Everyone Have?

[Eli6596]

Amy,

Good thoughts. I don't know. Maybe some of us go into the medical field to help others because we know how it feels to need help ourselves. I initially went into medicine because I was simply fascinated with the science of it all. I thought I would do research with the M.D. However, over the years I have found ever deepening meaning and reason for the career than just scientific curiosity.

Karyn

[morgan617]

I was a nurse for 30 years, and did it because there was never anything else I wanted to do.

My question is, I started in nursing long before we used gloves for everything, we got exposed to so much stuff and did that affect me in any way? Will never know, of course, but when I think back on the things I was doing before the days of being so dang careful, I can't believe I never seemed to get anything, or maybe I did.....the one thing is, I have been pretty unhealthy my whole life and I do believe the wear and tear physically on my body didn't help. You weigh 100 pounds and pull and tug on 200 pound people long enough, it's going to do some damage......

Also we are doing things to and for people that can be life threatening at times. It's not like forgetting to leave the pickles out of a hamburger (I am not in any way saying my job was better or more important, just a bit more dangerous to people at times) so the emotional stress of nursing or any health care position, or any position where a mistake on your part can really hurt someone, can maybe speed up the disease process you already had.

As far as being in the medical profession helping me, it has certainly not worked for me! I have had to do all my own research and struggled as much as anybody in getting any diagnosis. And can't get any specialists to see me. So I'm not sure on that one. It is interesting to see how many people are in health related fields, but then I do think maybe it gives you a little better idea of where to look for things at times. morgan

[carlacat]

I was working as a head teller at a bank when I became sick with pots. Have not been working for 5 yrs but now I'm back working at the same bank full time as a teller. It wears me out but have to survive.

Carlacat

[pearsjon]

i was a cosmetologist. and i ran the salon ans a fine jewelry business. and a landscaping business.

had to quit in january of this year. i still try to help manage salon and jewelry, but a we all know it changes daily.

[masumeh]

I work from home and study from home. I work as an editor, sometimes also tutor. Neither of these is really the field I studied, but I've heard that even healthy individuals seldom work directly related to their degrees.

Good luck finding your professional niche!

[cmtaylor5]

Hi,

I've been an at-home mom for 15 years. Recently, I opened my own practice and am working as a dyslexia specialist. I screen, test, diagnose, and write accommodation and remediation plans for dyslexic kids. I also tutor and remediate dyslexia and dysgraphia. It's a great job, very rewarding, and it doesn't conflict much with my POTS. I was very physcially active and energetic before my diagnosis, so it's great to have something meaningful to do that allows me to expend mental energy, yet isn't physically taxing!

Carolyn

[Kitsakatsa]

I'm the Financial Manager of a Trauma I Hospital Operating Room and when the Clinical Manager isn't around, I'm unfortunately the step up.

This is a great post. I love you guys (no I'm not drunk). I finished the last half of my MBA while having this condition. It can be done- with the right support system.

I agree that knowing physicians personally leads to diagnosis. I used my network to get care and I thought that I had Addison's, which made the right people perk up and listen. I should be getting paid tons more for my education, but I figure that the real benefits for working in a hospital are the ones like this and I wouldn't trade them for more money.

Feet up? I should try that. Do you have an actual ottoman under your desk? I'd like the George Costanza set up with the bed and alarm clock- I'm working towards that.

[sue1234]

I'm new, but would like to add my two cents! I have an RN degree, got it back in 1990. I worked all of 9 months and had to quit because of anxiety/panic issues. If I didn't work, I didn't have problems. I loved my nursing job, and miss it, but not the stress. I think, for me, it was the normal work, then EMERGENCY!, then back to normal patient work, then EMERGENCY! again, that did me in. My body got to the point that sometimes small things in my personal/work life would make my body react like EMERGENCY! again, and has maintained that for the last 17 years. I was not like this before-I was a pretty laid back, do anything fun kind of person.

Anyway, 2 years ago I developed POTS, and it is life-limiting for me. All I have is the diagnosis, but the one b/p med my cardio said to try made me have the energy of a ragdoll. I already have Hashimoto's thyroid and don't tolerate thyroid meds, so no energy, ever. So, my husband is a farmer, and years ago we started moving in an organic nature, and now have a natural product that will hit the shelves in a major national health food store chain, in our state only. My husband does all the farm work and the one-on-one PR work, and I am the producer behind the scenes. I can talk on phones, do all the research for our markets, etc., but DON'T put me face to face with someone, or I'll pass out. But, of course, first I will flush, burn up, feel dizzy, get SOB, and then I'll make a scene. So, I tend to stay home most of the day, and get out occasionally. I miss all the hustle/bustle of ordinary life, but at least I can contribute to our business from the home front.

[ode_to_fantasy]

I'm a purchasing manager for an Audio/Visual company. I get to spend money for a living! :-p I sit at a desk in air conditioning all day, and can work from home if I need to.

[jhjd]

Feet up? I should try that. Do you have an actual ottoman under your desk? I'd like the George Costanza set up with the bed and alarm clock- I'm working towards that.

I do- it's a real, honest to goodness ottoman. Leopard print with fringe! You can't see it, since the front of my desk is closed, but it makes me happy to have it under there.

Another help I've found recently: fingerless gloves from Target. Since my employer insists on keeping our office at arctic temps, they allow me to keep typing without my hands freezing and cramping up.

[DSM3KIDZ]

Been a stay-at-home mom for 9yrs. to 3 kids 9,6 &3. I think I will continue staying at home till things improve right now I couldn't hold down a job and keep up with all the kids stuff.

Dayna

[Eli6596]

I think it is nice for one parent to stay at home anyway. I consider myself lucky that my husband stays at home. Before we had children, he used to fly jets in the Air Force, but diabetes ended his flying career. I count myself fortunate that at least POTS did not end my career in medicine, just dramatically altered it. Not taking call does allow me more time with my kids too.

Karyn

[jj_nycguy]

Hello, everyone!

I am a project manager for a large financial firm in lower Manhattan (Wall Street area). I work 40hrs a week and have a 1.5hr commute (each way). Of course, any problems on the railroad usually extends my commute to 2hrs or more.

POTS has been a challenge... but luckily I still continue to work because I am the sole breadwinner on the family. I practice meditation techniques while commuting, which has helped a lot, but I do have my bad days, too.

[ajw4790]

Hi everyone!

I thought I would bump this up with the fact we have so many new "faces" around here.

Also, I recently have been having my own redirection in my own life due to the wonderful medical rollercoaster and am trying to find a job that I will be able to do. Ideally a work from home job would be best. So any ideas????

What other jobs do others have and how well are you able to function with your symptoms?

Thanks!!!

[ljoeb]

I was in advertising/sales right before I got ill. Before that, I served as an Associate Pastor of 3 local churches for 15 years here in the Fort Worth area.

I have been off work since June '07. I hope to be looking for part-time work here in the next month or so. My doctor wants me to be well acclamated to florinef before he will release me to drive and work.

It's worked out rather well, though. My wife's 85 year old dad lives with us, and I have been able to make sure he eats well and gets his meds on time and to provide company for him while my wife works. I am basicllay the "house husband" and take care of most of the chores around here.

[JaneEyre9]

ajw--

POTS hit me when I was finishing my thesis in grad school, so just graduating was a challenge. I could not work, but desperately wanted something I could do from home. I searched and searched for something that fit my interests and need for flexibility. I found two things that might appeal to you.

One is online tutoring-- PM me if you want more info on this. I do homework help for kids through a company that has a great reputation. I also had a private student for a short time.

The other thing I tried is an online course in medical transcription. Since we have POTS, we know a lot of medical terminology and drug names, so this might be a good fit for some people on here. The company I chose allows me to work at my own pace and my own times, so my sleep disorder doesn't prevent me from moving along in the lessons. I just work when I am at my best and take time off when I'm sick.

For anyone interested in these at-home options, please feel free to PM me for more details.

Kristen

[Troy]

Wow, Im envious and admire everyones motivation to push on with life and actually work after developing such illnesses. Personally Ive been unable to do this and put my whole life on hold due to my condition. I have heard about working from home schemes but have been sceptical and reluctant to take the step, and the search Ive done online has not convinced me of how legit it is, so I would appreciate if anyone could give me some information about working from as I do not know the first thing. By the way I live in Australia so does it make a difference wether the organisation you work for at home is international?

Kristen I will take you up on that offer,

Thanks

[Megan]

I'm almost halfway through college (2 1/2 more weeks til the school year is over!) I'm majoring in Journalism, which seems to concern some of my profs. They don't think I'll be able to keep up with the job and the demands. However, I was diagnosed my senior year of high school, which means when I started college I was just starting meds, coping mechanisms, etc. So I'm hoping that since I'm for the most part stable now, I'll actually be able to work the job I want. Winters are difficult for me, though, so I tend to take lighter class loads then. Works now, and I try not to worry too much yet about what I'll do in the future. With good writing skills (and a german minor) I could probably write brochures or something from home if I absolutely had to. I do have disability help now, through my university, since sometimes I have attacks and miss more than the 2 days of class allowed before your grade drops. (small private college...they actually pay attention to who shows up) Anyway, I figure I'm not gonna give up on what I wanna do just because it "might not" work out. I just know I should have a plan B in mind.

Meg

[tiger]

I was working as a RN in a hospital for 6 yrs, but can no longer work there. I too am looking into work at home options. I tried for several months to look for a step down position but people were rude, wouldn't hire me since they said I was overqualified. Recently things have gotten worse for me, especaily my MG symptoms so I have decided not to work at all. My brain fog is so bad I feel confused all the time anyway.

[lostkendra]

I am currently an elementary special education teacher. I lost my first self-contained room due to 1 major pots episode. This was before I was diagnosised. I had the principal where I student taught, stand up for me and let me move building. That year I spent most afternoons in the nurses office laying down.

The next year, I moved schools again (with the help of my administrator). I taught at this school for 2 1/2 yrs as a resource/inclusion sped teacher. It was a magnet school and one of the biggest schools in my district. Finally this year, with inclusion and the amount of running around the building, my body decided that I couldn't handle it. When the principal started talking medical leave of absence, and I could still do things as long as I was sitting, my sped director took me out of the building to work on a special project for a month.

I have moved schools once again. This time, since the sped director knows I can teach, but I need some accomodations, she found me a school where the principal is understanding. I have a chair in my office that I can take breaks in. I have a 5 min transition built into my schedule between groups, and a 15 min break in both the am and pm. This does not include my breaks. With inclusion, I only have 1 pull out group that I take to my office. The rest of the time, I'm in the classroom. Normally, I help the entire class and not just my sped kiddos. The teachers know that if I'm not feeling too well, I'll just sit beside my sped kiddos and am not as mobile. Everyone is very understanding. I have also had to leave early a few times because my symptoms get so bad that if I were to stay and 'push' through the day, My body would revolt and I think I'd miss another week of school (like I did in Nov).

My current principal does have some concerns but realizes that I am doing the best I can. She's also beginning to actually understand what is going on. She still wants me to come back next year. We are all very cautious about me overdoing it. This is very easy as when I can, I like to do so much. We are even looking at case loads and trying to arrange it so that I'm not stretched very much.

Boy that is a long post for such a simple question. I guess that it is also kindof like an update since I haven't given one in a while.

Kendra

[deucykub]

That's great news, Kendra! How wonderful that your workplace has been so understanding and supportive. It gives me hope about my new job search.

I work, or rather, worked, due to the fact my employer forced me into disability retirement, in contract management. I'm currently looking for a new job, and now that I know I have challenges in the workplace, I will be discussing those with each company right at the start. I've decided that I may not be legally obligated to disclose my disability but better that than to go through another battle trying to get help to work.

My new standard is - how would I react if someone told me this. What kind of people do I really want to be working with, anyway? The answer is I want to be working with understanding, empathetic, and personable people. If they respond negatively to the fact that I have challenges, well, it probably wouldn't have been a great place to work in the first place!

[Maggy]

Hi

For the last ten years i worked full time at my own Pre-school, teaching children aged 2-5yrs,I came down with full blown symptoms two years ago iand found it so difficult to spend time with the children as i was too ill, so i decided to stay at home and catch up on the endless paperwork.

At christmas this year after a decision that was so hard to make, i had to close my business and give up working in a career that i loved, i found that staying at home doing paper work was not the reason i opened my Pre-school, i wanted to be with the children.

This career is the type of work that you have to give a 100% or it's not fair on the children.

I know i made the right decision as my health was declining rapidly, i would say to anyone to keep working (or training ) in the career that you enjoy, it is a lot easier even when your not feeling well, to go to work in the morning in a job that you love rather than something that has no value.

I do find it difficult to adjust to staying at home but i feel that ill most days that i know i would not be able to do justice to any job that i took on.

Good luck to all who are able to continue in their chosen career, i know it can't be easy for you especially when symptoms flair up, but i'm sure you will find it worth it.

Maggy.

[jump]

I teach, but I teach adults so it's a lot easier than children. If I'm having a "bad day" I just have a student volunteer to write on the board, pass out papers, etc, for me and I just sit. I don't have to discipline my students and I certainly don't have to chase them around like early elementary school work requires. It's good, too, because it's a split-shift day, so I can come home in between shifts and rest. The downside is my morning classes are early enough that there are days when I really feel too sick to work. I always go anyway, but I'm thinking of trying to cut back on my morning hours to help with this problem, if they let me.

jump

[darren]

I was a helicopter pilot in the navy before being diagnosed with graves and somewhere after the ablation I came down POTS it took 2 years to get diagnosed and separated from the navy.

I do web development out of the house now. I knew I was in trouble long before my separation from the military so I started training myself.

[iheartcats]

I work in Marketing, but now at a place without trade shows/travel which I just couldn't do...but while I can do my current job, I do get fatigued and all my time off is POTS related so I never get to take a fun day or vacation day. That makes it really, really difficult. And if those run out...then what does one do!

Overall it seems there are very few flexible, understanding work places and those that have found them are very blessed.

I really wish everyone would understand we'd rather not have special accommodation/hours/etc...that we'd be thrilled to be healthy and work away and have a normal life.