My co-workers are making feel like I'm starring in High School Migraine

By Migraine Chick Saturday, April 05, 2008

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The other morning I came into work after calling in sick the previous day due to migraine pain. The moment I got into my building, I had to run to the bathroom to throw up because my head was hurting so bad. Maybe I should have stayed home, but I decided to tough it out.

Ten minutes later, I staggered into my office. As I was taking off my coat, I heard a co-worker say that she really needed a day off work this month, but she had no idea how to get one when all the days off were already scheduled.

"I know. Let's ask her," she said, pointing at me. "How do you scam a day off work?"

At first, it didn't sink in what she was asking me. She really caught me off guard. I was still in brain fog land from my trip to the bathroom. Therefore, I stood there looking like an idiot. Everyone around us laughed and went back to work, including her.

Dazed and confused, I headed to my desk where I sat down and it finally sank in what she had asked. Did they really think I was scamming time off work with my migraines? Maybe I was being too sensitive. Maybe I was taking it the wrong way, but it really hurt my feelings. I'm going through hell and they are thinking who knows what about me.

I know this isn't a very nice, but I suddenly wished my migraine saint "Migrainelupe" was real and I could ask her to smite them with a super bad migraine, just for one day, just so they could see what it was like. I hate how my co-workers make me feel like I'm back in high school, but it's just so hard to cope.

Comments (8) | Add comment

Cindy

4/ 5/08 8:34am

I have sometimes too felt "if they just had this one time to understand what it was like". But the reality is, I would never wish migraine pain on anyone. In the forums one women took one of the educational articles and posted it in her work area and I believe in a common break room. While her goal was to educate one specific person, it did help to educate a number of people. Something like that might help.

But let's face it, some people just don't get it. As long as your boss does, that's really all you can ask.

Take care. It's been awhile since I've seen a post of yours. I had a wonderful massage last night, on doctor's orders!! I love my neurlogist.

Cindy

mcmurraychick

4/ 8/08 8:38am

there are times when the group i work with doesn't understand, but i am blessed enough to work with some who know it's real.... they have watched me struggle through my shift, with tears running because i hurt so bad, yet i refuse to leave work ( i figure if i must suffer, i might as well get paid for it) usually one of the girls drive me home, while another follows to pick them up. and they won't even let me pay for gas ( and as high as it is, they really should).

so while i know the dispair of nasty co-workers, i also want to let you know that there are some really good one. i know... i'm blessed enough to have a couple of them

Katinthecorner

4/ 8/08 12:57pm

First, I know it isn't nice, but anyone who says that DESERVES a migraine. Sometimes I wish the same thing for my boss b/c she thinks I am scamming too.... As for the girl who asked, once my head cleared I would have said something like this "I know, don't I have the best scam? I PURPOSELY devoloped a debilitating neurological condition that causes me to be in near constant pain, just so I can take a day off to lie in bed and throw up. Great idea, right?" Sorry, I am a pretty vindictive person sometimes. But, the letter in the breakroom isn't a bad idea=).

Diane

4/10/08 1:39pm

Hi,

I always feel really guilty when I stay off or have to go home! Some of my co workers are really sympathetic, but others look and always have some kind of smirk on their face. If only they knew how painful Migraines are! Just look at your co workers and think how ignorant they are! If these co workers have email adresses send them some information with regards to this dibilitating illness, or better still leave some information on their desk's, they would be so embarrassed and would probably feel extremley stupid!

I'm so glad I have been with my company for 15 years and they know I would do anything to stop them, luckily both my line managers suffer too, so i'm lucky!!

I'm just so glad I have found this site, it's just a shame I live in the UK, as the USA seem to have more in the way of medication and support.

Take care and try not to think too much about her comments! Cheesy

Migraine Chick

4/12/08 7:37am

Thank you so much for your comments and your support. I think I will consider trying to educate my co-workers about migraines.

Machelle

4/12/08 3:13pm

Hi,

I am sorry you are having to deal with this at work. I don't have any advice for you. I now work at home. I used to work at a factory and I had this woman I worked with. She would say "I get migraines to, I just take a BC powder and it goes away" I once told her then you can't dont have migraines. My nine year old daughter gets migraines. She started this past summer getting them that last for 9 or more days. The secretary at her school would send her back to class a lot of times when she came to the office with one, instead of giving her medicine. I got the neurologist to write a letter explaining everything to them and it did help. It also helped that she threw up in the office right in front of the principal. She did not even look sick that day. That would be what the secretary would tell me a lot of times. That she looks good. I think she just wants to come home. She has been out of school for the whole week and the neuro said if it doesn't go away with the 5 day dose of predisone he will put her in the hospital for an IV.

Machelle

4/12/08 3:15pm

Oh, and don't feel bad. I have wished a migraine on a few people. I figure it would only take one to make them see things in a different way.

Machelle

GidgetCommando

4/17/08 9:50am

Migraine Chick, honey, sweetie...unfortunately, we must make peace with the fact that some people will always suck. We might even be stuck working with them. However, I find that employing a devious Ms.-Manners-type campaign can be satisfying and effective. One can always employ guilt to shame the wretched few while educating the vast majority of coworkers who mean you no malice.

Perhaps an FAQ from this website or one of its allied sites posted on the bulletin board would be a good place to start--giving your malady street cred, as it were. Maybe comments in Sports Illustrated or some major newspaper from that NFL star who had to take a migraine treatment in the middle of a Super Bowl game a few years back. And if you're feeling really snarky, we could always help you research the applicability of the Americans With Disabilities Act in your situation--it doesn't give blanket coverage to migraine, as I understand it, but the mere casual mention of it in a conversation might frighten the higher-ups enough to make them strongly encourage your wretched colleagues to grow the (*&%)$ up :-).

My co-workers are making feel like I'm starring in High School Migraine

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