Stress of working with Migraines
About six months ago my headaches had been getting worse very quickly. Not responding to medication nothing would help. I got nervous and finally went to my primary care dr when I experienced severe vertigo. After 3 months of many visits crying in pain i was finally referred to my Neurologist who diagnosed me with Chronic Migraines.
I finally had answers to my many symptoms and was put on Topomax. Throughout all of this i was missing a lot of work unable to get to work or having to lie down in the break room because my vertigo got so bad. I was terrified of loosing my job so my primary care had me fill out FMLA papers. I was approved for intermittent FMLA and I was excited to not worry about my absences.
Boy was I wrong my migraines continued to get worse. I work in a sales goal environment and have gone from a top performer who loved my job. To falling so for behind I have no hope to catch up. FMLA protects my absences not my performance. I used to love my job but I feel sick just thinking about work and I know I'm going to loose my job if I don't change something. I have spoken to my manager about options but got nowhere. I have been taken off of Topomax because it did not help at all. I stopped all over the counter meds they are no help. Imitrex is no longer any help when the migraine starts. All I think about is quitting my job because I can't take the stress and pressure or stepping down to part time. But I don't want to loose half of my household income. My husband has been supportive, but I know he doesn't truly understand how bad I feel.
I just want my migraines to be under control, I have a lumbar puncture scheduled soon. I'm getting pressure at work about my absences and have been told I will be having a "conversation" about it on my next scheduled day.
Daily chronic migraines are unbearable.
Hi Lrodriguez84,
I'm sorry to see you are going through such a difficult time. Working full time and having chronic migraine is near impossible for some people. But that doesn't mean it will be forever; hopefully you won't' have chronic migraine forever. Chronic migraine or any chronic pain is exhausting, frustrating and downright awful. This is something I understand. Now let me see what we can do to help you out, OK?
First, you mentioned you see a neurologist, who may be a fine doctor. But is he board certified in headache medicine? A migraine specialist is THE expert who treats migraine and headache patients all day, every day and IS board certified in headache medicine. This can make a real difference as they take continuing education classes and have committed themselves to treating people like us! Let me share some information with you on what's so different; https://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/ and if you want to look for one you can do so in this link; https://migraine.com/blog/looking-for-a-migraine-specialist/.
How are you with trigger identification and management? Do you happen to know what any of your triggers are because it plays a key role in our migraines. It seems that triggers can be found everywhere! Some triggers include, but certainly are not limited to; dehydration, skipping meals, certain foods and smells, fluctuating hormones, changes in the barometric pressure and many more. Here is information in triggers; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-management-essential-trigger-management/.
One of the best way to find out our triggers is by keeping a migraine journal. Doing so will help us determine any patterns our migraines may have, triggers and medications that work or don't. There are many apps out there that can be helpful, and Migraine.com has one called The Migraine Meter you can find here; https://migraine.com/migraine-meter/.
I hope this is helpful, please let me know what you think.
Nancy
Lrodriguez84,
I have been in your shoes, and can understand how you are feeling. The stress of worrying about your job can make your migraines worse if stress is a trigger. It is for me. Luckily, for me, I was able to change my hours to part time 2 years ago. It's not always easy to make these decisions, but the stress of not working as much has helped some. We have definitely had to make alterations and sacrifices to our budget.
I have a very supportive boss and husband, which makes all the difference in the world. Although, I'm sure they both get frustrated, as do I. My husband works out of town and is gone 20 days of the month and I still have an 11 year old son to take care of; I could not do this and work full time too. My next step may be to quit altogether as well. It is getting more difficult to manage everything on my own.
I have been taking Topomax, which has been helping up until the last month. Imitrex stopped working for me years ago so my doctor put me on Maxalt, which works. Once, while feeling desperate, I tried Bonine (motion sickness pill) for my vertigo/nausea, and found it took some of the edge off. You may want to talk to your doctor about these if you haven't tried them yet.
It is very difficult for others to understand what you are going through and the pain you feel, so you need to take any support and/or help you get when you can.
Good luck in finding your answers!Hello Nancy,
Thank you for the response. I learned today when speaking to my neurologist that he is in fact NOT a migraine specialist. After a discussion with my manager I was given an ultimatum, go on a leave or you will end up getting fired for not performing. I discussed this with the neurologist his response was " migraines are not a reason to take a leave that's what intermittent FMLA is for". After trying to get him to understand that at my job migraines are an acceptable reason with a dr to explain in detail the effects. So instead of listening to my concerns, he told me I was depressed prescribed 3new medications and sent me on my way with a smile saying " I hope you don't get fired before I see you in 4 weeks". YES he actually said that. Lets just say I'm really not sure if I should even speak to him again. I will be calling my primary care dr tomorrow and discussing how they can help me.
As far as triggers go I believe stress and hormones. I have not identified any others so far. I know my stress form work is not good. Im not used to not having control, I exceed in almost everything I do. Willpower alone is not enough anymore. I have recently started keeping a migraine journal for my benefit, none of my dr's have even suggested it. As for now I'm going to look in to starting over with a new dr. I will check the links you provided to see if I can fine some one specialized in migraines in my area. Hopefully my primary care dr will be helpful in saving my job.
Thank you again.
Thank you Karelallen,
It's really nice to know I'm not alone and there are people who understand. Because my experience with migraines is all fairly new to me I'm glad to hear of others who experience similar experiences. My manager has had migraines in the past but not very many over the years. So she has been as supportive as she can be, but I know she can't relate to the severity I'm experiencing as much as she tries.
I am normally a very private person, I would hide my weaknesses at work. Not share personal information with most coworkers. There is no way for me to keep this a personal matter. I have gotten comments that they can tell when I'm not feeling well because I look "drunk" or my attire is very plain. Again this adds more stress. The last thing I need is to add worrying about how I look, on top of my declining performance. Every few days I get comments like "you should have an MRI" or "just drink a coffee or take excedrin, that stope all headaches". I'm normally very patient but I'm not sure how many times I can politely answer the same questions from the same people over and over.
My goal is to take time off if it is possible. To focus on getting things under control even if its just having better mental health and to find a preventive that will help.
Thank you for letting me vent my frustration, and for understanding.
