Living with a migraine

1 min read

I'm 21 and have been suffering with migraines since I was 16. I'm a carer for my mum and younger brother. My migraines are without aura so I don't get any warning signs which can affect the medication I can take. Often I'm sick and have dizzy spells with them and don't often remember the worse ones. I can't eat, drink, talk or sit up with an attack all I can do is lay by the toilet and hope it will pass. It feels like my head is gonna split open with the pain I have to wear dark sunglasses as my eyes feel on fire and I'm very sensitive to light with a migraine attack my doctors have given up as nothing seems to work. I've had to turn down jobs because the lights were too bright, the noise, or the smells in the workplace.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

bethyoung Member
I lost my last job because of migraines. I didn't know what was going on but I had a sickening headache most everyday and I couldn't think straight. I've since been diagnosed with migraines. Both fluorescent lights and computer are triggers and I was at work for up to 12 hours. I'm Now trying to control them but I still have some symptoms most everyday. I Am going to a neurologiat but he just wants to know about my pain levels. I Hope that with better control of pain the other symptoms will get less
jennl Member
Hi Emi93, Thank you so much for sharing your story with the community. We thought you might like knowing you are certainly not alone in your experiences, as your story has gotten lots of feedback on the Facebook page. Please feel free to check out the comments here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/MigraineDotCom/posts/1027126557315886' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/MigraineDotCom/posts/1027126557315886</a>. We hope this is helpful, and we thank you for being part of our community and sharing your story with us. Warmly, Jenn (Community Manager, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>)
margowhite Member
Hi Emi93, I sympathize with you. You should talk to the medical department at work and see if you can get a reasonable accommodation for your migraine situation. If you get one approved, things have to be done like providing you with a fluorescent light free work area, somewhere private to lie down when you get hit with a migraine. There are also special glasses you can wear that help with working on computers. I managed to get things worked out so my accommodation allows me to work from home in my dark cave of an office (blackout curtains), little lighting, a chaise where I can lounge when I don't feel well or feel a migraine coming on, and a desk with a comfy chair that supports my head and neck. I take a break for 10 minutes every hour just to look at something that isn't my computer. I also dim the display and set it to odd colors using a free program that simukates the progression of the sun outside. These all help but I still get chronic migraines 20-25 days per month. The reasonable accommodation helps with that. Also apply for intermittent FMLA leave every year so you can take the time off that you need for your migraines and keep your job protected.