Migraines and work?!

[DogsandKids94]

So.. I've been a long time sufferer of migraines, I get one at least once a week but on the whole the medication I have (frovatriptan) works wonders. On the odd occasion, i miss the window that I can take my tablets and clear the migraine and my god.. that is me done, I am out for 2 days minimum, no phone, no tv, can barely even speak, just laying in a dark room until it has passed.

At first my work were very understanding and supportive of this, however none of management have ever suffered so I think it's harder for them to understand? (I may be wrong). At first I would get a response along the lines of 'get some rest, hope you're feeling better soon' now all I seem to get is 'okay' and when I return to work I feel like I am interrogated as to why I get migraines and what I'm doing to cause them, I have done food diaries and had blood tests but it seems it was just hereditary from my dad!

Just wondering if anyone else has gone through this with their work and if anything changed over time?

Yes. I'm now having to declare my migraines a disability. I'm 37 if it makes any difference.

Do you take preventative medication? I take triptans at any time in the migraine, not just during aura as I often wake up in the morning already well into a migraine and past that point.

I still end up off sick many times a year,and often is annual leave or TOIL to cover when I can.

Maybe back to the GP to talk through prevention?

Oh, I'm on the list preventative available and am awaiting a neurology referral to go through.

*last

Docs have prescribed beta blockers for me before but they didn't do anything unfortunately, may go back to discuss other options then! I started at my new job April 2017 and have had 7 days off since then due to migraines, I don't think they understand how debilitating it actually is for me. Is the preventative a once a day tablet? I've read about injections that may come out soon to stop them as well. Thanks for your help!

Beta blockers were a waste of time for me too. There are several other options. Here's the NHS pathway for migraine for my area: southwest.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/formulary/chapters/4.-central-nervous-system/migraine - look for yours online too and take it to your GP, and insist on change. I take mine twice a day now (topiramate) but only because the dose is so high. I'm down from 5 migraines a week to 1 a week, so huge changes.

I had to give up working because of migraines. I left one job as I got so much grief for being off. My Manager actually said "X comes to work with migraines so why can't you?" and "Just take some strong painkillers". I can't even keep a sip of water down let alone a tablet.

A couple of years later I was getting less migraines and started a new job. Unfortunately they started up badly again. I think it was a combination of the lighting in the shop, not being able to have regular drinks or food (no breaks allowed in a 5 hour shift and no food or drink on shop floor).

Again the Manager not at all sympathetic. She even shouted at me because my DH phoned in sick for me - I couldn't even sit up in bed or speak one word without throwing up!

So I left that job and have now decided I will not look for work again. Luckily my DH works and I will get me pension in 2 years time when I am 66

It's comforting to know I'm not the only one! I'm 25 and have had them since I was 15, I had trouble through college suffering really badly as I had not found the right medication to combat them. My previous boss was fantastic because he suffered with them too so could empathise with my situation, I'm not finding that the case at all here, it always seems to be my fault because I've apparently eaten or done something that has triggered it?! I've been in pieces with my parents thinking I was going to lose my job over it, given that I work at a computer with a huge light above me doesn't help either!

Have you asked for an occupational health review at work? We're having a massive light review of the office due to the scale of complaints about headaches amongst the staff.

Download this document:www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg38.htm you might find it useful. Pages 27-29 especially.

Ask to move desks as part of the occ health review, they'll almost certainly recommend it anyway

Many years ago, when I worked in local government, my section leader decided that my migraines were hangovers!!

I have had to declare my migraines as a disability too. It was something about it affecting my ability to work for more than 12 months and being likely to continue indefinitely. It means any migraine related absence can't officially be used against me.

I tried a variety of daily tablets but non of them suited me. It won't help you now but I've found mine are much better now I'm older, between 15 and 35 it was really bad but now I'm 41 they are much less frequent.

I didn't start getting mine until I was 50. They were horrendous for a couple of years. Literally 2 or 3 days in bed unable to even lift my head without vomiting. Having to crawl along the floor to go to the loo. Not being able to keep even a sip of water down so getting dyhydrated and the pain was unbelieve and I know I have a high pain threshold.

Often my DH would have to call a Dr out to give me an injection to stop me being sick. One time I was sick every 15 minutes for 2 days!

I take Propranolol and pizotifen every day. I have a nose spray to use if I think a migraine is coming and also another tablet (can't remember the name) to take if one starts.

I am getting less migraines and, when I do get one, they are less severe. I do however now suffer a lot of different symptoms - losing the sight in one eye, pain all down my face, round my eye socket, in my ear and jaw, slurred speech, unable to think clearly, numbness in my hands, food and drink tasting strange