Work and chronic health issues

[Anonymous]

How do people with chronic health problems hold down full time jobs? I've been freelance or part time for about 8 years now, but interested in going back full time now that my kid is in elementary school. However, I have some chronic health issues that I am worried will make it hard, especially coming in as a new employee and needing to prove myself.

The main issue I have is migraines, for which I am under treatment by a neurologist and take regular medication. However I still sometimes get hit with one that can take a day or two to resolve, and then I don't feel 100% for a day or two after that. My current part time schedule is flexible so I can usually work around this without missing any work. But I worry that if I had a 40-hr/wk schedule with just normal sick leave, it would be very difficult. I also currently benefit from working from home, which enables me to do things that can alleviate my symptoms for short periods of times and still be able to work even before the migraine is totally gone. It is not ideal but it's workable.

Is it crazy to try to go to a regular FT job with these issues? Does anyone else do this and have ideas for how to make it work?

[Anonymous]

Im so sorry you’re having to deal with this. Migraines are awful. I don’t have them often but they indicate that my other conditions are flaring up.

My answer is ADA accommodations. I wouldn’t be able to work full-time without me, and even then I’m too tired/in pain to do a whole lot outside of work. When I have to miss work for appointments or flare ups, it takes forever to catch up which only adds to my stress and fatigue.

I benefit from having an understanding manager and a role that allows me to arrive late/leave early without inconveniencing others, if I don’t have prior commitments. I can’t do much about my shared workspace but I turn the overhead lights off when I’m alone, dim my monitor, use mood lighting, and almost always have earplugs or headphones on.

Coworkers who stay in their lane are also helpful. it was impossible when I worked with someone who was constantly trying to call me out on things that were 1. none of their business and 2. covered by my accommodations. Eventually I figured that they were trying to find out what my exact health conditions were so they could gossip to other people.

My job is grueling, stressful, and both physically and mentally exhausting, but I don’t dare look for a new job as long as I continue to have a supportive manager. I just try to take breaks and pace myself as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to mention above- I save my sick leave as much as possible because I always seem to spend 4-5 days in the hospital or just non-functional a couple of times a year. I divide my annual leave in half, one for health issues and one for vacations.

[Anonymous]

I have chronic migraines and manage. It isn’t always fun or easy.

I have a few command performances per year that cannot be missed, and I have a rescue prescription for Dilaudid from my neurologist if I get migraines during it. I think I have had the same 10 pill prescription for 3 or 4 years. He knows I don’t abuse this privilege because I only ask for it when needed every few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have chronic migraines and manage. It isn’t always fun or easy.

I have a few command performances per year that cannot be missed, and I have a rescue prescription for Dilaudid from my neurologist if I get migraines during it. I think I have had the same 10 pill prescription for 3 or 4 years. He knows I don’t abuse this privilege because I only ask for it when needed every few years.

Also I should specify he did not give this to me as an option for several years (I’ve been a client for about 15 years at this point). I wouldn’t go in to a new doc and suggest opioids as part of my treatment plan!

[Anonymous]

I need a lung transplant. It’s hard for me to breath so normal, everyday things cause me to get winded. I’m not on oxygen yet. No one at work but my boss knows how sick I am. Don’t ask don’t tell is my motto. I get to work early and leave late. We’ve been back in the office since the fall of 2020.

[Anonymous]

I would think about why you want to go back full time and ask if the pay offs are worth it. Having chronic health issues in a flare at the same time as an urgent work deadline is miserable and in many ways your current set up sounds ideal. Another thing to consider is if the stress/additional strain of full time work is likely to exacerbate your condition.

[Anonymous]

Hi Op,
Sorry OP, when did you start having these migraines? what are the possible causes?

In your situation, I won't make changes until I can figure out the triggers, how, to lower those before going FT. If you are unable to then the below triggers will make things worse for your health.

Here are the list of triggers:
The biggest migraine triggers often include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks (like alcohol, aged cheeses, and processed foods), disruptions in sleep patterns, and environmental factors (such as bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, and weather changes). Some people may also experience migraines from medication overuse, excessive physical activity, or dehydration.

[Anonymous]

I just want to say that migraines are so awful. I'm so sorry you have to go through it. I would prioritize your health as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

There was a period of a couple of years pre pandemic , when I was in my office 5x a week, where I had migraines about it two or three times a week. This was before I found the medstar headache clinic and before I had surgery to fix my sinuses (allowing for better drainage and less fluid buildup which would cause migraines). It was awful. I also had two preschoolers at the time. You have my sympathies. The surgery plus medication (rotating butter, sunatriptan, and excedrin) knock out the migraines effectively for me now and my kids are older. Still go to work 5x a week because RTO.

[Anonymous]

Meant to say nurtec, not butter!

[Anonymous]

I have chronic migraines too, OP, and avoiding triggers only goes so far when you have kids and a life. I actually also go to the Georgetown Medstar headache clinic and find them very helpful. I have tried essentially every migraine med out there and a combination of Quilitpa and eletriptan for rescue has allowed me to have a relatively normal life. I still get migraines more than any one would like but they are no longer debilitating. I work almost full time and do the majority of the childcare and household stuff and it’s a lot, I won’t lie. I try to prioritize exercise and sleep but it’s a challenge sometimes. I would do absolutely everything to get migraines under control including seeing a headache focused specialist and then see if you think you can find time to work more. It doesn’t have to be full time. Also having a couple days a week to WAH makes a HUGE difference. I don’t know if that’s an option for you but I would absolutely keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

I also have had migraines the last 10 years and probably missed no more than 10 days of work over that time period. Once my migraines increased in frequency, I started a daily migraine prevention medication (amitriptyline), which has reduced my migraines tremendously. I also take a Ubrevley at the very first feelings of a migraine coming on. The sooner you take your migraine medicine, the better. It doesn’t work as well once you have a full blown migraine.

My worst trigger is alcohol so I have stopped drinking completely- it’s just not worth it even though I do love wine.

If your migraines are still so frequent or bad that you can’t stop them, I’d try a new neurologist. You could explore nerve blocks, which worked for me for several years, and Botox, which also helps at prevention.

[Anonymous]

This is why we need UBI. And to disconnect health care coverage from jobs

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you want to go back full-time in your situation. Is it a financial reason?