DP back at work for first time in 6 weeks, home with first migraine in 6weekms.

[Earthymama]

DP has had some time off to deal with clinical depression and went back in today.
She came home with a sick migraine like headache and had to go straight to bed. This happened once or twice a week for the last few years.
She is not phobic towards her job; she loves it, it is stressful but she is very good at it.
The building is very modern full of computers and strip lighting.
She has given up coffee.
What should she do next? She is doctor-phobic but will go if I insist (as I will as I feel rotten and was planning to be looked after this evening!)

If she hates doctors, she could try an optician first - it could be that she needs glasses, or a new set. For a while I had a headache every evening when I left work and saw the outside world instead of a computer screen! One set of varifocals later, I hardly ever get headaches.

I think opticians is a great suggestion, though last time she went she was unable to wear the glasses and they are stuck in a drawer!
She is awkward as hell

After six weeks out of a work environment I should imagine that she has found today to be exhausting. I always get a migraine when I am super tired. Cheese and chocolate are common triggers as well as coffee but I don't function without them so couldn't cut them out!
Hopefully a good nights sleep will set her right.

Do the strip lights flicker? I seem to remember, many moons ago, hearing something about the differing speeds of the flicker of lights vs computer screen can exacerbate headaches. I find that the combination of dehydration, and artificial light can cause a migraine. Is she drinking enough water?

I would try to persuade her to go to doctor. As someone who suffered needlessly for almost 2 years with migraines (I didn't know what they were & I don't like going to doctor either). I can't tell you how much having the right migraine medication has improved my life. Wish I had gone earlier. Good Luck - they can make life very miserable.

Second Smadarama's feedback (as well as the optician's visit too) I have recently developed severe migraines and typically suffered for days with a full range of fairly scary and debilitating symptoms. Went to the doc's, got a prescription for Triptans and it is now a manageable condition. Not nice, of course, but definitely under control. I also keep a diary of when I have the migraines, and what's going on at the time. This helped me to realise they were linked to my cycle and therefore I can avoid triggers such as choc, cheese, coffee and wine, and harsh lighting, during that time. Best of luck to your partner. Hope she finds a solution.