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Found on Facebook

Does your employer know you suffer from a migraine or headache disorder? Angela C.- I was fired from five jobs due to attendance problems. I was told I was a great employee“ when I was there,” but I was gone too much. I also had to deal with my co-workers asking me why I was out so much with“ just a headache.” There are only a few people in my life who truly understand what I go through.

Elaine W.- If migraines had an easily identifiable physical symptom, it would be illegal to discriminate against sufferers. Unfortunately, migraines are“ easy to fake,” and the word“ migraine” is thrown around as a synonym for a bad headache. As such, the word has lost all power.

Do you avoid or delay taking your medications when you start to experience a migraine attack? Kathy R.- Since over-the-counter meds don’ t work and prescription meds are limited by insurance, I do delay. My doc hates that practice, but I’ m afraid I’ ll run out before my next refill is available. One insurance company only allowed three pills a month— couldn’ t help but think they’ d change their policy if they had to get through a migraine without meds!

Tricia B.- No, never delay. I have done it before and WOW did I regret it!

How do you prepare for a doctor’ s appointment to make it as successful as it can be? Tom S.- I write my questions on a 3 x 5 card in advance. I ask my doctor to write down the diagnosis and prognosis each time. I make sure he gives me all my“ numbers.” I inventory all my meds in advance and ask for script renewals. A physician’ s time is valuable, and I want to make the most of it.

Janis S.- No one will ever have more compassion for people with migraines than a fellow migraineur. Find a doctor who suffers, too. They’ ll have sympathy!

Overheard on Twitter at # Migraine

@ FantasticDork Awesome. Got that weird aura going on that usually precedes a massive # migraine. This ought to be fun. Vision at 60 percent. Annoyance at 100 percent.

@ bevincate Dear head. Please don’ t explode on the students. They’ re lawyers and could sue. I’ ll let you rest later. # migraine # negotiation

@ RetroMimi Woke up with no # migraine today. I would pay $ 1,000 a day to feel this good day every day.

@ J _ Kroll Sizzling visual aura. Tingling face and eyelid. Swirling electric gray blobs with bubbling cross patterns. Just another # migraine morning.

What are your reasons for medication delay?

Waiting to see if headache develops into migraine 34 votes

Only want to take meds if it’ s a severe attack 24 votes

Don’ t have enough meds / too expensive 21 votes

Concerns about drug effectiveness 11 votes

Concerns about side effects 6 votes

Are you currently on any preventive medication for migraine or headache disorders?

Yes

61 votes

NO

10 votes

Source: NHF Facebook surveys, August 2011

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