[Hedgehog]

Hello, I am a migraine subject.

In the last two years I had an increase in the occurance of migraines, that now appear, variably, once every two to eight weeks.

So far I was a student. Migraine usually meant that I could drop the books for one or two days, stay at home and see no one.
How is it gonna work once I get a job? Some people just do not know what migraine is, I would feel stupid to call in with a headache, but migraine just is not *any* headache. As some of you may know, it doesn't only make you unable to work properly and needy for rest, but it also makes you extremely untolerant of others, if you're forced out of rest.

How does a migraine subject reconcile it with a job?


I was visited by different neurologists and I had adeguate instrumental examinations. I do normally take Ibuprofen when the symptoms start manifesting.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog

How does a migraine subject reconcile it with a job?

Hi Hedgehog, welcome.

FWIW, the current cool/hip term is "migraineur" but I've never been able to bring myself to use it (kinda like that whole trekkie vs. trekker thing ).

Is ibuprofen all you take for your migraine? Have you ever been prescribed/tried a migraine abortive? If one of a class (e.g. triptans) doesn't work for you, don't assume another won't. (E.g. Imitrex/sumatriptan doesn't work for me at all, but Maxalt/rizatriptan works great.) Keep trying. Moral: Everyone is different.

Many migraine sufferers have "triggers"—foods, activities, or other stimuli that can bring about/exacerbate a migraine. If you can identify your triggers, you may be able to reduce the frequency and/or intensity of your migraines. Keeping a migraine diary/journal/log can help identify your triggers, as well as document what works to break/defeat them.

If you haven't, I would also suggest you seek out a migraine specialist; not just a neurologist who says they can treat migraines (because many of them can't)—but one whose practice is limited solely to headaches/migraines.

As far as jobs go, if you're in the US, there's a law called the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 that you may fall under—eventually.

In order to be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have been at the business at least 12 months, and worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. The FMLA covers both public- and private-sector employees, but certain categories of employees are excluded, including elected officials and their personal staff members.

I don't know offhand if it's best to discuss this ahead of time with prospective employers (putting them on notice that you may miss work) or not, but I'd look into that.

Doc

[Hedgehog]

Migraineur, thanks, that's good to know
Before visiting a neurologist, I used to take aspirin as self-medication. Was little effective, but better than nothing.
The neurologist prescribed ibuprofen, which works decently in shortening my migraines and reducing the pain. He said they don't treat migraines with 'heavier' drugs, unless they occur more often.
I know all about my triggers, don't worry.

And I do not live in the United States
Of course there is medical leave in here as well.

[Synnove]

Hi Hedgehog.
I hope you find the answers to these work related questions.

And I hope you and your neurologist can find a good solution for pain control with your migraine issues.

Sorry to interupt. I have a legal question for Dr. Smith:
Say for example, in the case of Hedgehog and the migrane issue, that this was in US, would the law regarding " Americans with disabilities" be used here??? I think there is a possibility that this law would rule, and the employer would have to make acomodation within reason for this disabled employee.
Just a thought

[Dr. Smith]

Not only am I not a medical doctor, but get this... I'm not a lawyer either!

That said, the employee would have to prove that his/her migraines are a disability under the law.

Tenth Circuit Holds Employee's Migraines Not a Disability Under ADA

In a signal that the courts do not regard the 2008 amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a basis to declare every ailment or condition to be a "disability" under federal law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit recently held that a plaintiff who was diagnosed with migraine headaches was not "disabled" under the ADA. Allen v. Southcrest Hospital, No. 11-5016, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 25488 (10th Cir. Dec. 21, 2011). Employers should not get too excited, however, as the court did not declare that migraines can never be a disability. It did clarify, in a manner that likely will be helpful for employers faced with ADA litigation, what an employee must establish to claim the ADA's protections.

emphasis mine

I think FMLA would be the easier way to go.

Doc