Migraine

In discussion with a coworker today it came out that he has migraines. I felt badly as I have worked with him for 3-4 years and he has certainly heard about enough about mine, but he'd never mentioned he has them. He did today (he introduced me to the "cube shield").

He uses excederian, with little relief (go figure). I suggusted he start using an abortive since the migraines are currently infrequent (every 6-8 weeks) enough that a prevenative would not be warranted. He himmed and hawed, that would require going to the doctor. Well, yes, certainly it would. But the migraine would probably be aborted and he would feel better sooner. He would think about it.

So how do I educate with out being pushy. I mentioned migraines being a neurlogical disease and he didn't like hearing that. No,no, that isn't possible.

I could certainly send him links from the site on the anatomy of a migraine, types of migraines, and treatment. But is that being pushy? We go to lunch once or twice a week I would try and find out how long these have gone on. I don't want to seem like his mother (I'm almost, but not quite old enough to be his mother).

He's a college educated, very intelligent software developer who works under florescent light and with computer screens all day.

What do you all think?
Cindy

Personally I'd just put it out there that you know of lots of sources of good information about migraines and that you'd be happy to share it with him if he's interested and see what he says. Perhaps he's not open to it right now, but he might be down the road if you don't push it now. This approach has worked pretty well for me with friends and family members.

Diana

If you do decide to start him off with some information, I would suggest you start him with Teri's letter for migraineurs. It's a good summary of a lot of basic information without being overwhelming or pushy.

You could also send him the link to Teri's article about learning about migraines and headaches - where to start, which you can find HERE.

My mom is like this - she didn't believe me at first when I told her migraine is a disease. I've been feeding her tidbits of information over the past almost a year I've been on this site. She doesn't treat her migraines with anything but occasional ibuprofen and bed rest - I've been trying to get her to go see a doctor but she won't. Hers aren't remotely as bad as mine are, but she could still use some better treatment options.

Also, The Migraine Girl wrote a blog entry about this a few days ago, which you can find HERE.

I'm glad you brought this up. I've been wondering about similar issues recently. Last week a coworker complained about a "headache" so bad that it was causing nausea and making her light-sensitive. Hmm. I'm sure she hasn't seen a doctor or gotten a diagnosis. Or what do I do when a coworker says she has a "sinus headache" but I know darn well she doesn't have a sinus infection? I partly don't want to intrude into their personal business. But. And this is in an office with a generally high level of understanding of migraines.

I like MJ's suggestion of Teri's letter for my coworker. Also Nutcracker isn't there an article on a way to tell if it's a migraine or another type of headache? That might be appropriate info for your coworker.

You have to wonder with your coworker if this has happened before or not. I know with mine he has gotten them before. Until recently he just thought they were severe headaches. He was reading at the vet's office one day and happened on a article on migraines and realized that's what he was experiencing.

It is a fine line to walk between professional and personal when in the office.

I want Will in though, you know LauraSue was talking about that ice helmet, he could make it happen!! Bright, inventive man our Will is!! If he can admit he has a disease and deals with it he can and will want to design it!!!


Cindy

I will also say, one other thing I've done in the past is just sent a few links to people, which is a link to this site, a link to the forums here and a link to the AHDA. That way, if a particular person wants to explore more on their own they can, without feeling too pushed into it. I've used that approach as well.

What are the chances he doesn't have insurance?

quote:

He uses excederian, with little relief (go figure). I suggusted he start using an abortive since the migraines are currently infrequent (every 6-8 weeks) enough that a prevenative would not be warranted. He himmed and hawed, that would require going to the doctor. Well, yes, certainly it would. But the migraine would probably be aborted and he would feel better sooner. He would think about it.

Cindy,

Has he been diagnosed by a doctor, or did he diagnose himself?

quote:

Originally posted by Cindy:
I like MJ's suggestion of Teri's letter for my coworker. Also Nutcracker isn't there an article on a way to tell if it's a migraine or another type of headache? That might be appropriate info for your coworker.

You have to wonder with your coworker if this has happened before or not. I know with mine he has gotten them before. Until recently he just thought they were severe headaches. He was reading at the vet's office one day and happened on a article on migraines and realized that's what he was experiencing.

It is a fine line to walk between professional and personal when in the office.

I want Will in though, you know LauraSue was talking about that ice helmet, he could make it happen!! Bright, inventive man our Will is!! If he can admit he has a disease and deals with it he can and will want to design it!!!


Cindy

I'm not sure. He clearly did not like the idea of having something wrong with him. I'm going to guess he has diagnosised himself. All the more reason to get him to talk to a doctor about the medication he has been taking and whether it's the correct medicaiton to be taking or not.

Cindy

Cindy- Just another thought- since migraine is a disease it can progress. If what he is having are migraine headaches it is better to be diagnosed and treated now than later, when they are much worse and possibly much more debilitating(i.e.what would happen if a diabetes patient went untreated?) It might make a difference if you could point this out to him.
I wish someone had explained this to me years ago when my migraines were at the point your co-worker's were-I might be at a different place now.

Valerie

In reading over the notes from everyone, what is really most important is getting him properly dx. In our brief conversation yesterday I would bet a pound of Sharfenberger Dark Chocolate he has dx himself. I guess if there is a good thing, the headaches, migraine or not, are not hanging on and are not frequent enough to put him at risk for MOH's. It's not alot, but it's something positive.

As I said, he's intelligent and I think with a bit of logic applied to him he can be made to see reason that seeing a doctor and being correctly dx is the right thing to do. Also he does many activities that he would not want to miss. Having an abortive to use make his life simplier. He likes simple.

So I believe that will be my approach. There is at least one other woman in the office who has experienced migraines and is a good friend of his. She might be a person who can influence him also.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Cindy

Cindy--

As part of my job I spend a lot of time talking to people with headache, very often migraine, self-diagnosed, diagnosed, and in denial! So I can understand the difficulties in deciding what approach to take. I find I have to let the patient lead me forward in order to give them the advice that would be best for their particular circumstance.

I personally find the undiagnosed and self-diagnosed migraine sufferers to be the easiest to give guidance to. Follow your instincts--they're right. You know what can make the greatest difference in his life. And luckily, he's not yet at a desperate state, although that could certainly become the next step if his migraine intensify. THAT state is VERY hard to get a handle on. Personally, I very often explain where migraines can go to help people realize they need help.

Just my humble opinion.

Tracie

p.s.--I've found in general, guys are more likely to not want to admit they need help.

I have to agree w/ TracieB. Men will usually wait until any situation becomes dire before they go to a doctor.

I like SHM Diana's suggestion of just letting him know that you have a lot of experience on the issue and if he ever WANTS more information you can direct him to it. My experience with men is always that the more you push, the harder they push back. (I swear sometimes it is like dealing w/ two year olds!!! )

Also, if he doesn't want to accept this is a neurological disease and not just a headache, he's not going to do anything about it. It's like being in denial about beind depressed. You aren't going to treat what you aren't going to admit.

Truth is, and I'm not trying to generalize here, as a man he will probably wait until they become debilitating and constant before he even goes to his regular doctor much less a neuro.