I’ve had migraines, both ocular and the “real” kind, so I know how bad they can be. I wouldn’t say they were anywhere near frequent enough to take a preventative drug for it. I’ve also worked with multiple people who’ve had chronic attendance problems, and migraines were one of their many go-to excuses. I know that sounds bad, but at least two of the people I’ve worked with would frequently use migraines as their excuse for coming in late, yet they never once got one while at work. Stolen cars, sick pets, the bus never showed up, etc. It was constantly something, more than once a week. If they were real, and I’m just being judgmental and seeing patterns that aren’t there, then I’m glad they’ll get relief. If not, it’s one less excuse.
txcwpalpha|7 years ago
These two sentences contradict each other. If you never had to consider taking a preventative for your migraines, then no, you do not know how bad they can be. Migraines are much more than just "ow my head hurts today, I should take the day easy". For some, they are debilitating to the point of sometimes making it impossible to do basic tasks like washing the dishes, reading, or sometimes even watching TV. Sometimes during a migraine you literally cannot do anything other than sit in darkness and wallow in misery, hoping that maybe it will ease up for long enough for you to fall asleep. Any kind of professional work is out of the question during a migraine.
Not getting a migraine while at work isn't uncommon, as sometimes having something to focus on (like work) can help stave off whatever triggers the migraines. Migraines also aren't something that just suddenly happens; people who suffer from chronic migraines often get warning signs that one is coming on 12-24 hours in advance, and they can take just as long to develop as well. If someone was already at work, it's unlikely that a migraine would progress to the point of being debilitating before the workday was over. This is probably why your coworkers usually call in sick, but never leave in the middle of the workday. They typically will know before the workday even begins if it will be a migraine-filled day or not.
Chronic migraines can lead to depression, which can cause a downward spiral of deteriorating health/diet, which can in turn cause more migraines, and more depression. Often time migraines can lead to thoughts of suicide because of how badly it hurts, and how badly it impacts life as a whole.
I understand it's frustrating if your coworkers bail often, and shame on them if they are faking their "migraines" and just using it as an excuse. But as someone who has an SO who suffers from severe migraines 15-20 days per month, and still forces herself to go to work most days even through severe, debilitating pain and depression precisely because she has coworkers with judgmental attitudes like yours, I find your analysis insulting.
ianai|7 years ago
My migraines have robbed me of pretty much any really stellar life I could have achieved. Undergrad was very tough because of the preventative meds I took. I straight up couldn’t finish grad school and in large part due to the migraines. Yes, I know I could probably have put up some academic fight. But this is also at a point where I had essentially no healthcare and no income. It’s done similar destruction to any social networking desires I may have. I could go on.
As for frequency, without meds I’m basically getting one every day. With meds, I get some days free of pain per week.
hvidgaard|7 years ago
That is just as judgemental. I get a mix of migraines and cluster headache every now and then. The pain is always concentrated at a specific point behind my right eye, and I can feel it coming hours before it turns bad. Usually I can stop it with something as simple as paracetamol if taken at the first sign. When I fail to do that it progresses to the point where I have to lay completely still with my eyes closed, or I'll empty the content of my stomach right then and there.
But I've never considered any significant medication.
xab9|7 years ago
I also have to sit and "do nothing" for an hour after my breakfast, because I get such a bad stomach aches if I don't that I can hardly walk (yes, yes, I have seen many doctors about it, I have tons of good advice et cetera) - so I usually start work at 9pm and whenever we have an early meeting or gotta see the doctor early in the morning I feel like shit and scared. This I guess too can be categorized as a chronic attendance problem :)
facetube|7 years ago