Migraine shot?

[JodiR]

I have a retail store and my employee had a migraine shot yesterday and said she couldn't work. She texted me now and said she was going to have another shot today and couldn't work.

I know nothing about these shots... so is there a medical reason why she couldn't work for a 5-9 shift (assuming she doesn't have a migraine)

She has been here a little over 2 months and calls in more than she works.

 

[FredinFL]

I have a cousin who gets these and is pretty much out of it for the day. That's not to say your employee is telling the truth tho. My cousin gets both shots in one day. Sounds like you have a milker. Hire someone else and give milker less hours until she just disappears.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I get shots for my migraines and it literally wipes me out. There is no way I could drive or stand for long periods of time after a shot. The shots also give me chest pains so I don't take them unless another adult is around in case I need to go to the ER. I can give myself the shot or go to the doctor to have it done. My Neurologist won't give out the shots unless you reach a certain level (so many migraines in a week).

I'm not sure about your employee but for me, I am basically useless after I take my migraine meds for several hours.

Can you ask her for a note from her doctor?

 

[JodiR]

She is actually done for the summer in a couple of weeks. She is college aged and is going home for the summer. She didn't tell me this until 2 weeks ago. I had to ask! That leaves me little time to find me someone.

 

[ccgirl]

She is actually done for the summer in a couple of weeks. She is college aged and is going home for the summer. She didn't tell me this until 2 weeks ago. I had to ask! That leaves me little time to find me someone.

Doesn't sound like the best employee anyway. Migraines and the shots can be debilitating. Does she still get paid when she calls in? I would ask for a doctors note, if you want. Or, just not schedule her anymore. SHe doesn't sound very reliable.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I know that I would not be able to work after getting one... the last time I needed one, I couldn't get one because I was alone with my girls and there was no one to drive me home. They will not give it to me if I have to drive myself.

 

[DizBelle]

The shot doesn't sound much better than a migraine. What is it supposed to do?

ETA: Admittedly, I don't suffer from migraines but neither the migraine nor the shot sound like fun. Maybe the shot is the lesser of two evils?

 

[Tuffcookie]

For really bad migraines, I give myself Imitrex injections. If I lie down right after giving the injection, my migraine can be gone in 15-20 minutes! However, after the pain is gone, I'm exhausted!

TC

 

[LuvOrlando]

I've had the shots, the other forms don't work for me. Unfortunately, the shots only last 4 hours for me anyway and you can only have a few in a 24 hour period which doesn't help me not to mention the risk of stroke & heart trouble... no thanks. The worst part of the shots is that the stuff actually hurts, it feels like acid crawling through my veins and I can feel it tightening things up as it moves through. I can't imagine going to work with it in my body. I don't do them any more, I have Fioricet which has totally saved my life but Dr's don't like to give it out because reps don't push it & the Dr's buy into the glitz of the snazzy brochures. I feel bad for this girl, its not her fault.

 

[Sadie22]

Migraine causes, duration, and treatment vary by individual, so much so that all of these anecdotes have no application to your employee, OP. Her explanation is absolutely plausible. Unfortunately for both of you, she has a serious medical condition.

After trying a number of things, I began taking daily medication to suppress migraines. I had far fewer after that. When I sensed the aura of migraine, sometimes I could take additional medication and ward them off. Once they began, I had to go to bed. Thank goodness I had understanding employers and worked where other team members could cover for me in my absence.

If any HR person had discussed employee medical condtions with anyone other than the concerned employee, they would have been fired.

 

[crz4mm2]

I have used Imitrex injections in the past and I could work with it.... I know others may not have the same experience... but I was (thank God it is better now) a FREQUENT migraine sufferer. Only missed work three times in all the years I suffered. I agree daily suppressive would be a good thing.

 

[CleoPahd]

I was prescribed the shot because I get severe migraines with nausea and vomiting so I have trouble keeping down pills. I stopped taking it and went back to my old nasal version of the medication after 2 rounds of the shot. I couldn't tolerate it. It made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack, intensified the pain I was already having, and then left me barely able to function. I've read that it can have some pretty severe side effects for some people and I guess I'm one of them.
Though it did get ride of my migraines within a few hours (I've had them for days in the past), I found the side effects to be extremely intense. I know my story doesn't make it any less frustrating to have an employee that calls in sick all the time, but she really could be telling the truth. Certain factors can trigger migraines, such as stress, etc. and make them come on more frequently. Maybe she's stressed about finals if she's in college.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

The shot doesn't sound much better than a migraine. What is it supposed to do?

ETA: Admittedly, I don't suffer from migraines but neither the migraine nor the shot sound like fun. Maybe the shot is the lesser of two evils?

The shot is Imitrex which is in the triptan family of medications. The side effects can be pretty intense but for me the shot is usually the lesser of the 2 evils. Migraines can put me in the bed for days. Any noise, light or movement causes excruciating pain. Add to that the nausea and vomiting and I am completely down for the count. For me, the meds (pills or shots) give me chest pains and cause my jaw and neck to tighten but it does stop the excruciating pain of the headache for awhile. I am usually extremely exhausted after the shot and in such a mental fog that I can't think straight and there is no way I could operate a car safely. I also take 8mg of Zofran with my migraine medicine to try to counteract the severe nausea which also makes me sleepy.

The daily preventatives don't work for me - I've tried the only 2 I could possibly take and they don't really change the frequency and the side effects of those meds (which are actually anti-seizure or blood pressure meds) can be pretty rough as well.

OP - I am sorry you are having to deal with this. When I owned my retail store I had an employee with severe migraines that would call out often. I understood because I suffered with them as well but as a business owner it was a royal pain to deal with not having dependable help - usually at the last minute. She eventually quit and ended up filing for disability from the state because of her debilitating migraines. I'm not sure if she ever received it but last I heard she had an attorney helping her with the fight and was pretty confident she would qualify for disability.

 

[HsvTeacher]

The Imitrex shots make my migraines go away in a few minutes, but I'm wiped out for the rest of the day. I'd much, much rather have the shot than the migraine.

 

[LoriABil]

Some people can't take imitrex (I am one-it would make me stroke out). She might be getting Toridol, which would wipe you out for a day or more.

My migraines were resolved after finding the source (my doctor rocks!). But is have a friend Who continues to battle them and I know they are debilitating. Sometimes the shots ARE just slightly better.

But, if it puts your mind at ease, ask for a doctor's note. She shouldn't mind.

 

[Agri]

If she's telling the truth, you wouldn't want her at work. I'd ask for a note if you're really concerned, but if she's leaving in two weeks anyway, I wouldn't think its worth the hassle.

My migraines feel almost exactly like I have an icepick being stabbed into my head behind my right eye. Imitrex doesn't really work, but my doctor just gave me some new samples to try. I do not have experience with the shot, but I have dealt with the medication not working. I was pretty much useless for three days because of one - the first day I took the two doses of Imitrex, still had the migraine. Next day - same deal. Third day I gave up and just took some Excedrin PM so I could hopefully sleep through most of it. By the fourth day the sharp pain was a dull ache and I could do things again. Even when the Imitrex works, I'm not at 100% for a few days afterward.

Most people are also very sensitive to bright light when experiencing a migraine, so a brightly-lit store would be a nightmare to be in.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Some people can't take imitrex (I am one-it would make me stroke out). She might be getting Toridol, which would wipe you out for a day or more.

My migraines were resolved after finding the source (my doctor rocks!). But is have a friend Who continues to battle them and I know they are debilitating. Sometimes the shots ARE just slightly better.

But, if it puts your mind at ease, ask for a doctor's note. She shouldn't mind.

Just curious (if you don't mind sharing), what was the source of your migraines and how did you find out? I have always had typical migraine triggers - hormones, certain foods, lack of sleep or too much sleep, bright lights, not eating, etc... but since we moved from MD to GA my frequency has increased to 5-6 a week and they can't find the cause.

 

[Sadie22]

Just curious (if you don't mind sharing), what was the source of your migraines and how did you find out? I have always had typical migraine triggers - hormones, certain foods, lack of sleep or too much sleep, bright lights, not eating, etc... but since we moved from MD to GA my frequency has increased to 5-6 a week and they can't find the cause.

I'm so sorry you had to leave us here and that you're suffering. Are you homesick? I'm not being facetious. Stress is a trigger for some. Not being well hydrated is also a common trigger. If you have a different routine you may not realize that you are not taking in enough. I don't know your age, but your hormone levels could be changing. Medication and supplements also could be factors. Hopefully those are all things your doctor is monitoring. (Once I got to menopause, no more migraines.)

I hope you get some answers soon!

 

[TLSnell1981]

The shot doesn't sound much better than a migraine. What is it supposed to do?

ETA: Admittedly, I don't suffer from migraines but neither the migraine nor the shot sound like fun. Maybe the shot is the lesser of two evils?

The shot is, DEFINITELY, the lesser of two evils. I would drive a rusty nail through my hand, if it would relieve a migrane.

Just curious (if you don't mind sharing), what was the source of your migraines and how did you find out? I have always had typical migraine triggers - hormones, certain foods, lack of sleep or too much sleep, bright lights, not eating, etc... but since we moved from MD to GA my frequency has increased to 5-6 a week and they can't find the cause.

Nasal allergies?

I need 2-3 triggers for a migrane..hormones, sleep deprivation, stress, dehydration, weather, odors or nasal allergies. I can usually handle two, but three or more..I'm done. Thankfully, Imitrex works for me. Unfortunately, my insurance company decides, how many I'm allowed per month.

 

[LoriABil]

Just curious (if you don't mind sharing), what was the source of your migraines and how did you find out? I have always had typical migraine triggers - hormones, certain foods, lack of sleep or too much sleep, bright lights, not eating, etc... but since we moved from MD to GA my frequency has increased to 5-6 a week and they can't find the cause.

I had migraines in college due to the birth control patch (I was using it for hormone regulation). Once I stopped the patch, no more migraines.

But later, a few years after getting married, I began having them again. Of course, we checked hormone stuff first, but that wasn't it. I went through so much testing not to mention the ADD inducing Topamax! (That was my side effect)

Finally, my Dr.asked me to keep a diary including what I ate. He thought it was stress. When doing the diary, the 3rd time I had a migraine, I realized what it was. I had started drinking Coke Zero when they came out. Every time I had one, I had a migraine. I never had aspartame before that!

MSG is also a trigger for me. And I can't believe what it's in! Campbell's soups, for example.

On a different note, we also talked about allergies. My Dr has a theory that people could have migraines from environmental allergies just like food allergies. You stating you had just moved made me think of that for some reason. I now recommend a diary to anyone with migraines. Hope that helps!