Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Migraine Headaches Support Group

Is missing work a problem for anyone else??

deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a crappy day at work today. I got called into the bosses office and scolded for calling in sick. I said that I was under the impression that sick days were there for us to use when sick. He then says to me, "Well, sometimes people are sick of work and not really sick." I asked him if he would actually think that I would lie to him. We have worked together for 6 years and he should know me better than that. I get migraines so severe that it is not safe for me to drive and there is no way that I can function at work even if I got there. He is a doctor so I would think that he would understand. He said that if I didn't improve this that we would have to talk again. But what I can't understand is how do I improve something that I have had for the last 11 years with no real relief. I asked him then if he wants me to go to work when I am too dizzy to drive safely and endanger my life as well as others on the road. He said of course not. But then what is the sollution? I think it all boils down to him not believing me. I think that even though he is a doctor sometimes people just don't know what it is like unless they have experienced it. I am so upset about it because he and I have always gotten along so well. And I really do not call in that often...and when I do I use my sick time. I still have sick time available and it is almost the end of the year so that tells me that I couldn't have called in that often. I can't shake my bad mood...

Has this type of thing happened to anyone else? How do you overcome it?
deleted_user
deleted_user
look into the ADA, americans with disabilaties act, it is supposed to protect you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
This sounds totally familiar. I myself don't have migraines but my mom does. Hers are frequent enough where she can't have a job. Were lucky to have my dad as our source of income. Even some of her own doctors don't seem to understand how bad things get. It really boils down to if people have experienced it or live with someone who is experiencing it or not. I'm sorry to hear that your Dr. Boss is not understanding your condition. I know it hurts and sometimes it feels almost like youre just screwed. But hopefully he will begin to understand soon. Try giving him hard facts from a website or some reading material.
deleted_user
deleted_user
That has never happened to me, but it is not surprising for an American work culture. Most people in order to show how hard working they are would come to work in awful conditions. When I lived in Moscow that was unacceptable to come at work sneezing and coughing because we could infect other people, but I see it everyday in US. It is not said but is implied that as long as you can MOVE you should come to work and if you do not, you love yourself more than you love your JOB and that is NOT acceptable. It is ludicrous but it happens most of the time. Especially in medical industry.
If you like the place, try to explain to your boss how frustrating headaches are to you and how much you wish you could do if you did not have them. Do it during regular conversations at work so he could see that you do not see your headaches as a way to escape work. People like your boss obviously have to be spoon fed those emotions.
deleted_user
deleted_user
He may very well believe you. But many doctors simply don't think of migraine treatment today in terms of anything more than "take an Imitrex - and you'll be okay." It is the new aspirin. As is Topamax. Both work extremely well, for some people. For others - they are not enough. Some docs don't get that.

And they TRULY don't understand the many various and disabling symptoms that come along with migraine. Not just visual changes, but driving while gagging isn't exactly safe either.

Maybe your boss wants to give you a ride to work the next time. And then he can see how you are at work, and then he can pay for the taxi ride home.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thank you all for your comments. It really helps to hear from others who experienced similar problems. It makes me feel better to know that you understand me where so many others just don't get it. The kicker with my problem is that I am not even able to take my drugs anymore. Since my divorce I don't have health insurance and my boss doesn't offer it. So since going off of Topamax they have seemed to be more frequent than they were.
deleted_user
deleted_user
....that situation is just about the worst I've ever heard. He expects you to "fix the situation" but without health insurance? Yeah, right. With triptans at $20+ a pill.

This guy needs a kick in the pants.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yeah I know it is crazy
deleted_user
deleted_user
go to your doctor and see if he can get you samples
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had the same problem when I was working. My Dr filled out the Family Medical Leave Act paper for me, so I would not get in trouble when I called in. Migraines are so hard to live with!! People who have never had one don't know how bad they can get. They say just take your meds and you'll be fine. SOO not true. I just with that they could have one for once to see just how bad they are.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am also on Topamax and was able to get the company that makes to give it to me for free for one yr. Go to there website and they have a phone # and a form you can take to your DR. They were very helpful to me as I also have no insurance. Good luck to you.
Your boss, DR or not, sounds like so many others,
Deb
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I am going to try them all and see what happens.
HUGS to you all!!
Marlene
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was in your situation many years ago. The migraine attacks were so severe and so often that I had to leave work early too many times. My girlfriend also was going through the same thing. I had to use a microscope in my work, and moving the stage made me so nauseous I had to stop. I don't think I would have had a job for long, but neuro tried me on elavil and I finally got relief.
If they are that bad maybe you, too, should go on permanent disability.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was put in the hospital for a week with what I thought was just a migraine but come to find out it is fibromyalgia also so I have been out on short term disability and I just found out they are going to let me go if I dont get back to work by Thurs. They wasn't even going to tell me so now I am screwed!! DH and I are trying to figure this out, he doesn't see the dr letting me go back but I dont want to have DH work and not me. Right around the freaking holiday also!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
As a Dr. Maybe he has access to free sample medications. Trivial answer, but it's how my Dr got me started on Amerge. He gave me all kinds of samples until I found ones that worked. And then he gave me more samples of them to make sure they worked.

I was not able to maintain a job for years because of these horrible headaches.

My Dr's wife gets migraines so he was understanding. I know now that I'm working again how horrible I feel when I have to phone in because I'm in so much pain I'm not functional. We have real pressures to be committed to our jobs.

Sometimes you need to care more about yourself than about other people. Migraines can actually cause death so I've been told. Don't let Dr. guilt trip guilt you into killing yourself for your job. Maybe you actually need to go on permanent disablility while you have the coverage and get help with your migraines. They REALLY are debilitating, and NO it's not just you!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just read your story. I'm so sorry!! I was actually fired from a job for calling in too much with migraines. People don't believe you. It is just so sad that no one trusts anyone anymore. Not everyone is out to screw someone over!!

I got my revenge though!! because they just fired for me with no cause, because you CAN use your sick time!, I was able to get unemployment. Even after they appealed it 2 times, the unemployment office thought they were crazy!!

Hang in there!! There are people that no how you feel and believe you when you say you have a migraine!

Who in their right mind would ever make up that!!!??? Someone who's never had one!!
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