Tips for Handling Migraines At Work

I love this share post!!!

 

How often do we "struggle through??" I do all the time!!!

 

Thanks Teri!! Great info yet again! Love it!

 

I'm emailing to my supervisors!!

 

Eileen

Unfortunately, when you have a workplace with fluorescent lighting, strong odors (I work at a high school), and triggers everywhere, struggling through is all that can be done. I have been written up for absences - I am now having my doctor fill out the FMLA paperwork - if for no other reason than to protect myself. I wear sunglasses (polarized) almost all day every day and I keep my meds on hand (don't we all?).

 

I think the doctor thing is my problem right now....but switching AGAIN will be anxiety producing in and of itself...I started with this one in November of last year but am not too sure she's cutting it.

 

Anyway, terrific post - and always good information. Thank you!

I have suffered through migraines the last 15 years of working. I struggled almost daily. I have tried all the above tips recommended. All I can say is there are some things that will help deal with the pain. But, sometimes the migraines get worse, as mine did, and I had a less stressful job, and did all the tips that werer recommended. So I am disabled now, and never know when the migraine will strike, therefore, I can't hold a job. I even went part-time and tried doing that. I had a good paying job, and great benefits, and bonuses. Lots of rewards came with this job. I hate to sound like a negative person, but sometimes, there's nothing that seems to help. 

I can't take triptans, but I take Midrin. This works sometimes. But sometimes it doesn't therefore, it's like russian rulett, and just hoping! I think not working now for 9 months, I'm feeling less stress in my life, and the migraines are more tolerable, and easier to control. Because, I'm not in front of a computer. I'm not in a lighted office, (which I always had my area lights taken out). But there was noise sometimes, that cannot be avoided, and any noise can be a trigger for me. Then just the stress of trying to do your job, with a migraine.   I'd give anything to be able to work, and have my job back, but I was forced to quit, with my absenteism. So, sometimes........you gotta do what you gotta do, and it's tough! Believe me!

I'm in the same situation as Denise. I struggled with my migraines for about fifteen years and eventually burned out. I would push through, fighting the nausea and the pain and stay at work. I found that eventually I just couldn't do it anymore. I was clinically depressed and really lost.

 

I used to have a good job and slowly as I got sicker, I lost the good jobs and ended up in horrible ones. That just made the situation worse. As a manager I could control my day, work from home and take time when I needed to. I would always make up the time I missed on my own time. As a clerk I couldn't do that. I was a slave to someone else's schedule. My boss had migraines as well but she was still 'pushing through' which only made me look worse. In the end I was being disciplined for missing work so I went out sick on disability.

 

I've been on disability for nearly two years and don't know how I will be able to go back to work. I want to but I need to be able to manage my pain a lot better.

After I read the article, I thought, is that it!!! I guess I was looking for something that I haven't tried. I already do all of those things and still find it impossible to stay at work sometimes. It's the phone, the noise, the throbbing...I've been to several doctors but they don't see "migraines" as a big issue, one that could keep you out of work. With it being a disease, it doesn't seem like the best thing to keep pushing through. That only makes it more intense for me. I've been on lots of different preventative medications with side effects as bad as the migraine. The triptans work to stop the pain, but I can't function at work after I take them. I've already been written up for absenteeism, so I feel a lot of pressure to stay.