be suspicsious of someone who has

[lorelilee]

been signed off from work for 2 weeks due to 'Migraines'?

Ah xposts. She has a doctors note?

YABU. Have you ever had a migraine? They are fucking awful and can last/reoccur over a few days.

I used to work with someone who carried a case of morphine for intravenous medication. Her migraines (I think possibly also cluster headaches?) were so bad she'd often threaten suicide.

So YABU...

Littlelapin - she is a colleague. Not jealous of time off as I LOVE my job, just think she is a liberty taker and I don't like that in anyone.

Alibaba - It has lots to do with me when I have to cover her workload when she is not there.

Despite the above, I accept that I may be being unreasonable, however, I used to have an employee who suffered badly for years but was never signed off for that length of time.

For those of you with experience of migraines, can you advise on common triggers? I ask this because on her first day back she ate a chocolate muffin and always thought chocolate was an absolute no-no.

What has it got to do with you?

YABVVVU.

First of all, there are no definite or even common triggers. Some people react to chocolate. Some to caffeine. Some to nothing.

I get migraines with no warning and no triggers. And I have been off with migraine for a week, as the recovery can take a few days. I refer to it as the migraine hangover and can be just as draining as the pain itself.

And if she's your colleague? Then its none of your business anyway.

YABU. There could be other related health issues?

Fab - as I said - EVERYTHING, I have to cover her work when she's not here.

You are still BU imo.

In questioning something I don't think is right - how?

I don't know about 2 weeks, but I agree with Shinyandnew, last time I had a migraine I thought I was going to die too. The doctor had to come out and give me anti emetics and painkillers by injection, and they give you a pretty nasty hangover too. Maybe the 2 weeks is to give them a chance to relax and recover, I know mine are triggered by tiredness.

I have actually be signed off for a week due to insomnia, which sounds a bit crap but I have been dragging myself into work for two months and had reached breaking point.

The painkillers + coke recipe only works for paracetamol. It is actually the caffeine in the Coke that is doing the business - so a strong cup of coffee should also do the trick.

Migraine sufferers beware though - caffeine is also a common trigger for these headaches, so you could make things worse. (In my case I always get them just prior to my period so it is entirely hormonal and a bit easier to plan round/deal with).

They really can be unpleasant and frightening experiences, so I think the OP is BU. I have ended up vomiting, numb down all of one side, half blinded with vision distortion and unable to tell anyone what was happening as my speech was completely garbled. Not nice, and the after effects can go on for a while. Certainly for at least a few days I end up feeling very weak.

If you think she shouldn't be off work, and you have proof of this? Talk to your or her line manager.

Otherwise you are just gossiping.

I've been gossiped about due to illness absences, when I was pregnant, actually, when I was signed off for ante-natal depression. Coming back to an atmosphere of suspicion sure as hell didn't help.

Seems like I am being unreasonable (but don't accept VV as I was basing on what I thought to be right). Thanks for your opinions guys.

lorelilee

re triggers - no , it isn't any one thing.
I can eat chocolate with no problem. Mine tend to be linked to a mixture of hormones and stress. they usually last 24-48 hours and right at the end I know they are about to finish as I vomit.

I used to work with a colleague whose were triggered by oranges.
But in answer to your question while they are some triggers more common than others each persons triggers and pattern is different.

Different people have different triggers, some are avoidable and some are not. I have four and three of them are unavoidable (ie. severe change in barometric pressure), and I also have to carry the injectable meds, it is not fun. Neither is the hangover that comes afterwards, it is exhausting.

I misunderstood, thought this was your employee. If not, yes YABU, and a bit unsympathetic. It is hard enough without thinking maybe your coworkers resent you for suffering with something that is entirely not your fault.

Hi littlelapin, I've never 'met' anyone who said what you said about the coke before. I 'use'ribena and sugary sweets and that seems to do the same thing for me. Is it a real treatment then?

You sound obsessed tbh 'on her first day back she ate a chocolate muffin'

For all you know she could be undergoing investigations for something far more sinister- cut her some slack for god sakes.

Caffeine is a pain relief enhancer when used with acetaminophen (active ingredient in your paracetamol I suspect? Under a different brand name where I am). It is contained in slightly stronger prescription pain killers. It is also commonly used with codeine but must be by prescription depending on where you live. A strong black coffee will have a similar effect, but usually the timing must be right at the onset of migraine.

With me it seems to be a sugar thing (hence not diet coke) not a caffeine thing. I do this prior to any pain and usually it staves it off.

It's the food police!

Quick, hide that muffin, and that cup of coffee - shit, we're all going daaaaaaawn

RedRed - if you had been doing double the workload for a fortnight and then seen someone doing something that you believed would result in the same siutation again, wouldn't you be a bit suspicious/pissed off too?

littlelapin - you may be right about the carbonation. I have to admit to not being any sort of expert (my studies are strictly humanities based , I have no hint of a scientific background)!

This article from Netdoctor here seems to suggest that some paracetamol medications actually include caffeine for its beneficial effects

WhoisAsking - was merely concerned for her health