I must go and sit in the dark!

I'm having a really bad 'un today. Woke up at 4am and thought I might kill it with some Elitriptan before it got going properly but that didn't work. I'm due to see occupational health tomorrow as I'm off work. As I know my migraines proper usually run for 48 hours or so I phoned to warn them that I might not be able to keep the appointment.

Receptionist "so you've got a headache".
Me "No. I've got a migraine. I suffer with chronic migraine. That's 15 or more days migraine a month".
Receptionist "Have you tried sitting in a darkened room with your eyes shut?"
Me "Don't tell me that. I've been having migraines for years".
Receptionist "Only I get those headaches and my line manager tells me that's what I should do" (note line manager, not doctor).
Me "My migraines last up to 72 hours followed by a day of feeling worn out and then it can start all over again. I'm not cancelling tomorrows appointment. If I'm ok and can see and physically drive the 30 miles to the appointment I'll be there" (what a hero).

As we all know there are migraines and there are migraines.

oh what a plonker she is.... we have all had those conversations, every time i have one i congratulate myself for not having slapped them!! Lol

hope you feel well enough to keep app.

Thanks God she did not suggest any banana peel application on your face
Sorry for the humour, this is one of my favourite advice by non migraine sufferers....
I hope that tomorrow you will be able to drive to your appointment.
Keep us posted.

Well hope you start to feel better and that it runs a shorter course than normal. I think it just goes to the fact that chronic migraine is not something that's a common occurrence while an occasional one is fairly common. The sad part is that those with the occasional think that the chronic should respond the same way.

Ivy - banana peel to the face? What the heck is that? I've never heard of that but hey when everything else fails why not.

Idiots are everywhere. Sit in a dark room.... jeez... if only that were the answer.

Oh yes, the "know it all" receptionist. I`ve ran into a few of those.... They(the arrogant receptionist) act like you are clueless and you really need their opinion...

This receptionist listened to my headache specialist hand me triptan samples and say, "I understand they might not work since so many don't work for you so thats why I'm giving you samples."

She chimes in saying, "Your so lucky you have these drugs to take. Thankfully my migraines went away but when I first got my period I got them once a month for a couple of years and I never had these drugs to take. Everyone always complains about these migraines but at least now they have drugs for them."

I wanted to punch her but then I realized that people like that don't even deserve a response.

LG - this is prime example of people trying to be helpful. They think they are but they really have no clue and should keep their traps shut. Sorry in the start of a nastier M and a bit cranky.

It's called, walk a mile in the person's shoes before you start doling out advice. I have found it has made me more compassionate towards others with health problems. I may not understand what they go through but being chronically ill is not fun no matter what the disease.

Geez, people need to think before they speak...I had one doctor tell me "you're not dying...it's just a headache. It's not like you have fatal cancer or something terrible like that...just be thankful it's just a headhache!" ummmm, had a hard time not "giving" her the worse headache of her life LOL! People who have never had a migraine before can't or won't try to understand what you really have to go through.

Hang in there

Dawn

I could have said a whole lot more before I put the phone down but I know I'll have to speak to her tomorrow if I keep the appointment and I don't like to be nasty. Being generous, she probably just has no idea. On the other hand I felt like a kid being told off for malingering.

John

It's amazing how many people working in the medical field that are clueless. I had a nurse in the ER on Saturday who just kept repeating that *It's not normal to get more than two severe migraines a month.* I tried explaining chronic migraines to her but I was in too much pain to put any effort into it. Two migraines a month would be heaven to me!

Sorry she was such a dingbat! Hang tough!

People like that are awful on so many levels .

Because they don't get it. And then when the interaction is done, they don't get that they didn't get it, and they are still sitting there, not getting it....lol. ALL just very irritating!!

I won't make the appointment today. I just can't see well enough regardless of anything else.

I phoned again at the time of my appointment and managed to speak to the OH doctor I had been due to see. He was very reasonable and at least appeared to have an understanding of what chronic migraine is. He accepted that it was unreasonable for me to drive to the appointment and I should be getting a new appointment date soon. I didn't mention the experience I had with his receptionist.

John

I'm sorry you weren't feeling well enough to make the appt. I know how hard it is to miss our dr. appts. when we really count on them to help us, get our scripts, etc.
Here's to hoping they can get you another appt. sooner rather than later and that your head let's you keep it. I hope you feel better soon.