Question: 19 with Migraines...nothing has worked...are Migraines considered a disability?
Answer:
Dear 19-Year-Old Sufferer:
Wow! Maybe it's your youth, but I seldom encounter a Migraineur who can
comfortably read red text on the background you had used for your email. I
certainly couldn't! :-)
Although Migraine can be used to apply for disability, I have to be honest and
say that, at your age and with your limited work history, it would be an uphill
battle.
I would like to offer a different suggestion for you as well as your other
family members who are suffering: Get to a true Migraine specialist. Because
there are now more than 100 medications that can be used for Migraine prevention
and virtually unlimited combinations of these preventives, effective treatment
regimens that restore quality of life can now be found for at least 95% of
Migraineurs. It's FAR too early for you to give up on that possibility. Four
years ago, I was averaging five major Migraines a week. I don't have to tell YOU
what that does to someone's life. Now, with the help of a good Migraine
specialist, I'm only having ONE Migraine about every SIX WEEKS.
You'll find a link below to our directory of recommended specialists. I hope
you'll use it to find someone close to you. You may discover that you've found a
wonderful solution for your entire family.
As for your coworkers, look at the list of supplemental materials listed in the
article below. Print out the letter that's linked to from the first bulleted
point, and share it with your coworkers. Educate them. Teach them that Migraines
are NOT headaches. Migraine is a legitimate, genetic neurological disease, just
as epilepsy is.
Support: When people "don't get it!"
Migraineurs face a very distressing problem - entirely too many people don't
understand us and our disease. Marriages, families, friendships, and careers
are sometimes destroyed. Education can make a difference. Here are resources
to help.
Almost everyone in your position can use extra support. Our forums are a
great place to talk with others in similar situations to share information and
support. If you haven't visited them yet, you can access them from:
http://headaches.about.com/mpboards.htm.
Good luck,
Teri Robert
(Answer reviewed by Dr. Krusz)
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To visit our directory of recommended specialists and clinics, click
HERE.
