Can people with Cluster Headaches work? What kind of work can they perform?

Yes some people can work and others can't. You have to have an understanding employer that is willing to work with you. I have a very high pain tolerance which helps. You have to know your triggers and stay away from work that would expose you to these.

2/21/17 by Lucas 1152

If not in an episode working is no problem. In an episode it is impossible to work. If chronic, working is a real challenge.

3/3/17 by Yoda 4292

I have been fortunate enough to be able to work through my cluster headache attacks - however I have been fortunate enough to read the shadows as soon as they emerge. I often take a couple of Advil and if there is no change I go straight for the Maxalt. This hasn't always worked and on occasions I have locked myself in a toilet cubicle and rode it out for however long it takes - sometimes up to an hour. My advice to anyone who suffers from this hideous pain is to notify all workmates and people withon your workplace that you suffer from cluster headaches - describe the pain, get them to Google it so they can get their head around what you are going through and if you get a shadow lay low for a while. I have had attacks at my desk where people around me thought that I was reading something really sad with watering eyes and runny nose - in actual fact I had my eyes closed and was grimacing in pain - keep your back to all.

3/4/17 by Donna 1005

I work as a pensions adviser and my employers have been very helpful allowing me time away from my desk to treat myself and recover

4/26/17 by Scott Wright 401

They can if they have an understanding employer. Unfortunately 99% of people can relate to the word 'headache' , so they think it's as simple as having a pain killer and ' get on with it'. It's much harder for people that are 'chronic' as they have to live with this everyday all year round.

4/27/17 by Matthew Bcfc 1000

Normally yes. Only the episodic type can. The chronics find it difficult to keep any job.

5/21/17 by Pepe922 2000

Some people can. I cannot. A lot of people have lost their jobs

6/3/17 by Maria 2001

Not while suffering with a CH

6/4/17 by Tim 2150

I cannot work through a headache the pain is too intense. I am a caregiver and I have clients were very understanding and allow me to either leave or deal with pain until it goes away those who have not been understanding I no longer work for

6/9/17 by Melissa 400

During a attack you can not function period

6/11/17 by Jeff D 2000

Not during a chrisis. At all. And that can last for several months.

9/14/17 by João Pedro Graça 500

Depends on whether they are episodic or chronic.

9/14/17 by Tracie 515

Difficult question......I still work...but it is a challenge at times. I have had these for only 5 weeks now. As this typically affects working age people I would guess that a large % try to work.

9/23/17 by stan 1000

I work but not all the time and cluster headaches are so debilitating that many people cannot function normally. With attacks coming at night, I'm tired a lot and taking an afternoon naps triggers another attack -- this is common. When depression sets in it is hard to get up in the morning and during an attack one loses all focus on the task at hand.

10/26/17 by Lee-Alison 2000

People with episodic cluster headache who experience 1-2 limited cycles per year may be able to work if they have the proper accommodations for time off through FMLA and other flexible work scheduling during their active cycles. Those with chronic cluster headache may have a greater difficulty maintaining employment because of the frequency of attacks, sleep deprivation, and comorbid depression and anxiety.

1/29/18 by Tammy 1150

It is clear that it is possible to work. It is necessary to study the disease, the frequency of the attacks, and adjust your life Usually, the attack is very painful and very short, with the right treatment you can live with it Most seizures come once a year at the same time they will usually be for a period of one to two months in the best case scenario It is better not to work near hot steam fuels or anything that triggers a trigger

2/1/18 by Danny 3050

During the cluster period my experience says it is impossible to work in any field. Out of the cluster period , since studies blame it on circadian cycles, I think there are some jobs which might increase the risks to make the cluster period more frequent such as: any job involving night shifts or frequent shift changes, long and frequent travels.

8/29/18 by Nandarq 500

Engineer consulting in office

10/20/18 by Michael Trapp 1600

there should be no discrimination yes can work but maybe have to adapt schedule

11/7/18 by Oliver 3000

Its very disabling in life but you can work if you have the Episodic version. Best is work that you can do where you have the opportunity to work arround your agenda. Or be your own boss. If you have the chronich version then it is impossible to work! either both ways it is very difficult because at night you have an attack or more and during the day you re so tired. but when you are free of attacks you can do everything

11/7/18 by MC 2500

It is difficult. They must stop during the pain

5/16/19 by vasilis 2500

I work at a desk job as an engineer technician and I volunteer as a firefighter and medic, sometimes accepting paid medic jobs on the weekend. Most of the time, I do not know what my triggers are, but while I'm in an episode, smoke and fumes and sunlight trigger my clusters. Yes you can work, but you need protections like FMLA, and I would stay away from all types of smoke like food service, firefighting, cigarettes, any burning anything, especially during a cluster period.

5/20/19 by Kendra 4550

Depends on the person, because everyone's Cluster Headaches are different. Symptoms can also change over time, so that you might have to change or stop working for a period of time. Some can never hold a job and receive government disability, some can do any job just fine. Ultimately best is a job with some flexibility to leave if you have an attack or need to take some time off, so probably not a customer-facing job and not teaching.

8/22/19 by Judy 1600

Generally speaking, you cannot work during a cluster episode.

4/13/20 by Larry 5050

Yes, many people with cluster headaches work I myself work for the emergency services on the front line Everyone is different and how ch affects them will vary person to person

7/27/20 by Stėph 3000

Cluster headache sufferers can work, I am chronic cluster sufferer and I work full time for the emergency services on the front line. Working is possible for many people and we can do any of the jobs that non cluster sufferers can do! This is entirely person to person dependent though, just because someone can manage to work full time doesn't mean another person can.

7/27/20 by Stephanie 4650

In my own world, I work regardless of my clusters. I just excuse myself to take an abortive and come back to finish after. I would not suggest a driving job m, especially during an attack or a customer facing job during them. I assume every person with episode luster works to some degree.

8/3/21 by Hali 900

I’ve had two careers in my 66 years. Bus driver in San Jose, Ca. (10 years) and R.N. (Surgery 20years).

5/20/22 by randalnowack@aol.com 2500

Translated from spanish Improve translation

In my case if I work I am SubAdministradores of a module criminal, but in times of crisis in impossible not even you can look at the computer, I have already had problems with work for not filing reports on time, it complicates a lot.

5/9/17 by Nélida. Translated

Translated from spanish Improve translation

My son is 24 years old and had to leave the university, this year received of a graphic designer. At work, this crippled. Any suggestion? It is convenient to queca your age ask for a retirement place disability?

9/7/17 by Sandra Viviana. Translated