I don't know how many have went through this besides me, but I was forced to quit my job in july of last year. I was missing work, and with FMLA papers signed, they couldn't fire me. However, after missing hours, and being taken down to part time, I had a boss who expected full time work from me. So......I was written up, and I confided in her about trying for disability. I had been having to lie my head down, and miss work, leave early, or show up late. I decided after a lot of thought, it's time to try for disability. Little did I know how hard this would be. I figured, since I had tried to work, and did work so many years with these migraines, that I would be able to get this. Wrong! I have to wait 2 and 1/2 years for a hearing date. Then I will go before a judge to present my case. I have an attorney, and hope to get this. I've worked since I was in my teens. I'm 41. I've got a college education which makes the state think, I can still work. NOT FAIR. If they could only have my migraines for one week, they would know.
I was also denied a Medicaid card through the county.
I looked on line and found that the reason, it takes so long to get a hearing date, is because of the many frivilous claims out there. There are women who actually try and get disability because they are pregnant! Yes. Pregnant! I couldn't believe that this is one thing holding up the system in helping the truly disabled and fianancially suffering people as myself. Also, I learned from the Social Security website, that Parents file for disability for their children with ADD. Well, ADD is not a diability. It's a disorder. My Fiance and his son have this. My boyfriend has had this all his life and is 35. Yes, it is very frustrating to live with. ........but there's medicaitions for it. And, I know they work for most that I've talked to. Why would people think they could get this for their child? Well, there are no Medications made for "just" migraines, so it ticks me off that these people are what's holding up our system. But, then again.......I can't say much for our government as far as truly helping people today! I won't go there. I'm on a role now. Thanks for whoever reads this. I truly hope the best for all of us who are suffering with this disease!
Denise
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Dear Denise,
I'm a bit older than you, a woman, and have been suffering from migraines for 15 yrs. So.............believe me..... I HEAR YOU!.....i was actually looking for a different anti-depressant that might be helpful as a preventative for migraineswhen i came across your blog...I'm taking celexa at the present time (only 30 mgs) when i read your blog about you taking celexa and feeling worse, i remained with my mouth opened, because my headaches have gotten worse in last six mos. I also just started going for cortizone/lytacaine shots, my mri shows i have facet jt arthritis. fused c5&c6, herniated disc and more..i couldn't believe the similarities. What i want to tell you is that i have been on disability for over six yrs now, mainly due to the chronic migraines. I had lots of documentation (medical records) and hired a disabilty lawyer (he only took a small percentage of my settlement) make surer you have a disability lawyer and dont give up ...make sure you have as much documentation as possible..go back to all of yr drs. I dont know what part of the country you live in. I'm in n.j....my lawyer works in Phila., Pa., and n.j...if your interested I could give you his name if your not satisfied with yours...dont give up
Sincerely,
Linda G.
Yes. WE do have a lot in common. I did win my case in January this year. Praise God! I'd also had lots of documentation. I had a good attorney though, so with my age, I think that helped me. I've since then had my Celexa rasised to 40 mg. I've had no change in migraines. Except some days are less painful, and like today, I had one, took a Vicodin, and It was done! Amazing. However, that doesn't usually happen. I usualy try Midrin a few times. Then a Vicodin. Then I just go get a shot at Urgent care if that doesn't work.
I've started taking vitamins daily, and I also take one with Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. I'm not sure if this will help, but I hope it does. I also do better staying away from junk food. Chocolate!
I've recently had other pain in my back, as well as my neck. I have "sciatica", and hurts like Heck! I limp around a lot. So when I see the pain management doctor, I have to tell him something is wrong, and the shots are not getting it!
I'm so releived that I got my disability. I had worked very hard for years, and felt I did deserve this. I did try to work and worked up until I couldn't anymore. I feel bad for anyone who has to deal with these and work. It's so hard to prove your pain. I try to stay positive. It's very hard. But glad I'm at least contributin to my house now.
Good luck to you.
Denise,
So glad to hear that you were accepted for disability. I hear some guilt in your voice for not being able to work. I have felt the same way. You really shouldn't, you didn't ask for this condition and I can hear how hard you tried to work with the migraines. You deserve the disability checks and you deserve to feel better. As for the sciatica, I have also had that since I was 34. What helps me is lying on a heating pad for 20min to an hr at a time, maybe 2 advil and taking it easy until it subsides. I hope this works for you.
Take care
Linda G
Thanks Linda,
Do you ever do cold packs on your back also? I will try the heating pad. It's better today. Some days worse than others.
I guess when some people see me with my makeup on, and hair fixed, I feel like (they think), "Oh, she's fine if she looks like that." But, I've had to realize they have no clue, and when I'm home with a migraine, and even when I do get make-up on, I still am suffering more than they could imagine.So, it's something I am definitely working on.
Thanks for the advice.
D
Dear Denise,
The more I hear from you the more you remind me of myself. It put a smile on my face when I read this e-mail from you, re: others seeing you with your makeup on and thinking your just fine. I always take pride in my appearance, always wear makeup unless I'm so ill, I'm in bed, so I know exactly what you mean. As for ice or heat, the heat works better for me on my back, but I always have at least two ice packs in the freezer for the migraines (if you haven't tried that yet...you probably have, but if not you must try the ice as soon as the migraine starts. If it starts to hurt more, remove it a while and try again in five min.) also sometimes a cup of coffee, advil and the ice pack can do the trick without taking the presciption meds.
Take care and be well
Linda G.
Yes, we are a lot alike. I have 3 cold-paks in my freezer. LOL and I also have one I made of terry cloth, that warm up for heat after. I go back and forth. I get massages at a local college here and the students do them. They have to put in so many hours before graduating. I find some good ones. It cost me $30 for an hour. But if you buy gift cards 4 for $100, (which I do) then it's cheaper. And they don't take tips.
It helps my tight muscles in my neck and shoulders. But, I wouldn't say it's helped my migraines. It just makes my stress level, so I guess it does a bit.
I made some people mad on here not long ago. So, I haven't been on for awhile. There was a question about people in prison with migraines. I had said to "let them suffer." Since then, I do realize it was not the right thing to say. So, if anyone is reading this, yes, I would admit I shouldn't have said that. It's not my place to say who should suffer. I guess I had mixed feelings at the time because of the economy and the way prisoners do get many favors. But, I don't wish this pain on no one. I guess I was angry at the time. This diesease will make us crazy at times.
Nice talking to you.
take care. Have a good day.
Denise and Linda,
I'm new on the site, and when I was reading your messages back and forth, I literally started to cry. Both of your symptoms sound identical as to those that I have lived through for the last 30 years...from severe pain, to issues with light, vision and smells, weakness on one side of my body, vomiting, etc.. Mine are definitely brought on by hormones, but by several other issues as well....stress, certain foods, any sort of alcohol, changes in weather, elevation, etc.. I also end up in the ER at times, due to pain and not being able to stop throwing up.
I take daily meds, use Botox, and of course pain meds for both migraines and fibromyalgia. As you do, I live with ice packs on my head and heat on my back and neck. I had to walk away from a lucrative career 2 years ago. I then tried a less stressful every day type of job, but I still couldn't depend on my health. Plus, I have short term memory issues due to the meds, which made office work tough. Not only do people not get chronic pain or migraines, they have no clue how hard it is to function when you're on the meds. Like both of you, when I'm out and about, makeup and hair are always done. When people look at me, they don't understand because I look ok.
I was taught as a kid to not complain and "get through it." At times, I don't think my pain doctor even realizes how bad it is. My pain diary says one thing, but then I look ok and smile through most of the appointment, because I think I have to tough it out. I feel such guilt for health issues and try to hide them from my husband and daughters. I don't want them to remember their mom as someone who was always in pain and taking medication.
I now know that I will never be able to hold a job again, as I never have a day without some sort of pain. Everyday starts with a headache....it just depends whether it turns into a migraine. Combined with the fibromyalgia pain, I feel like my life has literally been taken away. Some days are so painful, I can't function and never get dressed. Then I have a day or two when I'm ok and can get a few things done. But if I push it too hard, I end up paying for it and am back in bed.
I'm sorry for boring you, but this is the first time I have been able to get all of this out. My question was literally just about looking into disability. You're saying the best way to get started is with an attorney who handles disability? Any other info you might suggest would be truly appreciated!
Thank you!!