Migraine

I would have thought that if you fronted up to a doctor and advised that you wanted your migraines treated because you want to keep your job so you can continue to earn an income to meet your living expenses would have been a good and worthy reason to seek treatment. However the response I've had to such a statement has been disbelief and reluctance to treat anything (do they think we have money trees in our back yard!!!)

And tell a doctor that you feel that taking too much sick leave due to migraines could lead to you to lose your job seems to be beyond the pale.

I once had a doctor say that it was a "good thing" that I'd lost a job due to migraine (and other health issue). Hmm no income, no money to pay living costs...hm perhaps!!!

How have others gone with trying to leverage off needing to remain fit for work as a justification for treatment?

Hi DJ,

I'm not sure I understand your question.

Hi DJ,

I tried the best I could to keep working but decided to take time off while I focused on my health. DH has a stable job which helped. But, working or not, I always feel justified for the best treatment of my migraines.

I understand what you're asking... I don't really have an answer though... I've found that any reason I gave for seeking treatment didn't really seem good enough for a doctor who was "challenging" me. Either they felt that I wasn't "sick" enough to be seeing them/getting the tests/treatment that I was, or they did. I'm usually explaining that my quality of life has grossly declined, that I don't feel like the same person, can't do any of the same things... and I've received a similar lack of support.

In the end, if they really think you aren't "bad off" off enough to warrant the treatment, you probably aren't going to change their mind by mentioning work. Just sounds like bad doctors to me.

The only other thing that came to mind was something I read once... it was a little list that had what the doctor and patient were thinking and saying going back and forth and all the misunderstandings that go back and forth... maybe your doctor was just trying to make a point that he'd like to see you rest/take care of yourself more? Something to ponder... even if they did a HORRIBLE job of communicating to you.

My guess is that doctors speak a different language. (I imagine them thinking, "ha ha, yet another patient saying she'll lose her job. Same old story!")

I was fired last year & can only handle a part time job. My COBRA insurance expires in September & have no idea what I am going to do about a job & insurance for the upcoming school year.

I have been going through evaluations since 1/07... and since it'll be late June/ July before I speak to my migraine specialist & seizure specialist next, it will be a while before anything is done.
Realistically, it would be taking me ODing on my pills (not saying I would do it, but have certainly thought it) before anyone will say that they should have acted faster.


If it wasn't for my boyfriend & parents (and I am in my late 30s!!) I would be homeless or in debtor's prison.

I don't have any answers, but i totally understand your frustration.

Here's the thing.

You shouldn't HAVE to give a reason for proactive treatment. If one does, it is time to find a new doctor. We don't need to justify having Migraine disease, it's not like we asked to have it. Do people with epilepsy justify their disease?

Quality of life issues should be discussed with doctors on a regular basis. Don't we go to doctors to get better? Taking an active, educated, informed role in our health, as partners WITH our doctors, is one way to feel better, get more control over our lives and not be defined by Migraines.

Yes we shouldn't have to justify asking for treatment. Quality of life is very important and it's really undervalued what people with quality of life do (how many do a little volunteer work, support the community, be good siblings, parents, grandparents other family members and so forth.

Doctors are strange about chronic health conditions as they don't seem to give it any priority if it's not lifethreatening.

I'd be more likely to mention the work thing if I'm not getting anywhere with advising I'm there to seek migraine treatment (or for whatever condition) and discribing the symptoms. It's also something I'd be more likely to say if say I've waited 6 to 8 weeks to see a specialist and sense they aren't keen on treating as otherwise I then have to turn around, find someone else and wait another 8 weeks or so.

Doctors seem to feel that even when you point out the obvious (my employer is unhappy with my sick leave rate) that it's all your fault. Alexandra sorry to hear that you lost your job and can't work full time. If I was able to work full time for me under current industrial conditions it would open up so many more options for me including less likely unemployment and to be able to continue to build good experience to stand me in better stead when I'm older and age discrimination becomes a problem (I'm wondering if it's already a slight problem as I'm now finding I'm not getting interviews for jobs I really meet the requirements for whilst even a year or 2 ago I was getting IV's for all and just missing out on the job)

I naturally read medical journals as part of my uni course and they rarely discuss health and impact on work issues even though most people in Aust with chronic health problems either have to work to earn an living or justify to a social security agency why they can't work needing medical intervention or support in both cases. Even if you have a partner supporting you if that partner becomes unemployed and you both claim a social security benefit then you're expected to look for work or justify why not (medical evidence)