When You Get Sick While On The Job?

I'm starting to have a bad headache, which I feel will blow into a migraine within the next hour, because I'm starting to feel nauseous. So the question came to me as to how you handle gettin real sick while on the road and you're alone, wit no one to take care of you?

For example, I get migraines from out of this world, from time to time. They get so bad, any source of bright light hurts me, I get so nauseous that I start throwing up and let's not even mention the pain that overtake my head, my neck, etc. I have prescription meds for it, but it's a hit or miss; it either makes it better, or worse. When I get into that state, I cannot function at all. I can't concentrate, the pain is too much. Sometimes it hurts so much that I'm afraid it will kill me, and that's when it's somewhat reassuring if I'm not alone at home.

What do you do if you get so sick that you cannot keep driving? Do you get penalized/fired, etc. by your employer or are they pretty good at realizing you're human....granted I don't get sick like that very often, but it happens.

I completely empathize with you. I've had migraines since I was seven. My great-grandfather committed suicide during a migraine attack, and my mother died from a brain tumor when she was 41. I'm 51 now and I get one about once a month. I've learned that some things trigger them...like too much sleep, not enough to water, etc. do you have a scrip for Imitrex? Helps. I'm not on the road yet, but in my present profession if I get one on the job, my colleagues step up to the plate for me. I can imagine that if you're on the road and have an attack, pull over somewhere and ride it out. Hopefully, your company will understand. If they don't, you know what it's like...don't worry about it until the fever breaks.

I completely empathize with you. I've had migraines since I was seven. My great-grandfather committed suicide during a migraine attack, and my mother died from a brain tumor when she was 41. I'm 51 now and I get one about once a month. I've learned that some things trigger them...like too much sleep, not enough to water, etc. do you have a scrip for Imitrex? Helps. I'm not on the road yet, but in my present profession if I get one on the job, my colleagues step up to the plate for me. I can imagine that if you're on the road and have an attack, pull over somewhere and ride it out. Hopefully, your company will understand. If they don't, you know what it's like...don't worry about it until the fever breaks.

Ya...Imitrex is the meds I was talking about in my previous post. Doesn't always work, sometimes it makes it worse. I'm sorry about your parents...that is so sad... :( I was hospitalized for nearly a month 2 years ago for a massive blood clot and hemmorhaging on the brain. While in the hospital, I had the worse migraine I've ever had....the pain took my breath away and I really thought it would take my life. And yes, I noticed not drinking enough water can cause bad headaches, so I try to drink up!

If I ever got really sick while out on the road, to the point that it would be impossible or unsafe for me to continue driving, I would immediately inform my DM that I was very sick and could not accept any more loads until I start feeling better. Hopefully I'd have felt it coming on and would at least complete my last load before it was too late, but if I was still under load and it came on suddenly, where I knew I couldn't deliver my current load, then I would ask for a repower (someone else to come hook to my load and deliver it) due to my illness. Drivers are still human beings, things happen and we do get really sick once in a while. Any company that can't understand that is a company I wouldn't want to work for.

Forgot to add, I would also immediately seek out the nearest doctor or urgent care facility after informing my DM , and get a doctor's note so I could have verifiable proof of my illness.

Ya...Imitrex is the meds I was talking about in my previous post. Doesn't always work, sometimes it makes it worse. I'm sorry about your parents...that is so sad... :( I was hospitalized for nearly a month 2 years ago for a massive blood clot and hemmorhaging on the brain. While in the hospital, I had the worse migraine I've ever had....the pain took my breath away and I really thought it would take my life. And yes, I noticed not drinking enough water can cause bad headaches, so I try to drink up!

Imitrex didn't work for me either, I now take Zolmitriptan at onset, and then 1 more after 2 hours if needed (I have never needed the second one) , and Propranolol(80mg once a day)

Before that, I would average 2 or 3 migraines a month, now I have one only every 4 or 5

At thge risk sounding like a commercial, you may want to ask your Doctor about it.

In a pinch you can throw back a few Benadryl. Will put you out of commission for several hours, but makes the torment tolerable.

I completely empathize with you. I've had migraines since I was seven. My great-grandfather committed suicide during a migraine attack, and my mother died from a brain tumor when she was 41. I'm 51 now and I get one about once a month. I've learned that some things trigger them...like too much sleep, not enough to water, etc. do you have a scrip for Imitrex? Helps. I'm not on the road yet, but in my present profession if I get one on the job, my colleagues step up to the plate for me. I can imagine that if you're on the road and have an attack, pull over somewhere and ride it out. Hopefully, your company will understand. If they don't, you know what it's like...don't worry about it until the fever breaks.

Ya...Imitrex is the meds I was talking about in my previous post. Doesn't always work, sometimes it makes it worse. I'm sorry about your parents...that is so sad... :( I was hospitalized for nearly a month 2 years ago for a massive blood clot and hemmorhaging on the brain. While in the hospital, I had the worse migraine I've ever had....the pain took my breath away and I really thought it would take my life. And yes, I noticed not drinking enough water can cause bad headaches, so I try to drink up!

I hit submit by accident before I typed the message. That's a phone for you. I wanted to say my wife has had good luck withFuerocet, and zofran. She also gets Botox injects in her forehand and top of her scalp. It somehow helps with constriction. She said she feels the aura of feeling sick but no pain. Ends up taking Zofran and feels better.

Never heard of Botox injections for migraines....does it hurt?

Rebellious... I am sorry about the migraines. How quickly does it start? I hope you have some warning.

Your future in trucking does not look good if you can not delay it by taking medicine. I would think you would have to delay the onset for a minimum of an hour, in order to find a safe place to park.

My 32 yr old daughter had migraines, also sinus infection. She recently had surgery on her sinus cavities- I think in the facial area. This was to remove polyps and inflammation in the cavities. Her sense of smell has greatly improved and she was hoping this would eliminate the migraines.