Migraines in the Workplace

Have you been suffering terrible migraines but are afraid to request time off in the workplace?

A lot of people feel that when they need to take some time away to manage their migraines, there is a stigma attached to requesting that time off.

California Life spoke with Dr. Merle Diamond, President and Medical Director of the Diamond Headache Clinic and Inclusive Recruiting Expert and Career Coach Jenn Tardy on the impact of migraines- specifically in the workplace.

Migraines are the second leading cause of disability in the world. It affects around 40 million Americans.

A migraine is more than just a headache: it is a throbbing, pressure pain that is generally disabling.

Migraines are associated with nausea, vomiting, and sometimes light and noise sensitivity.

About 50% of the time patients require bed rest, so it impacts work and productivity.

78% experience of workers suffer presenteeism: being present in the workplace but less productive during migraine attacks.

So how are we able to treat our migraines while also making the workplace more friendly and accepting of its symptoms?

Dr. Merle Diamond and Jen’s first recommendation is to always get a diagnosis.

Once you know that you are getting migraines, there are preventative treatments, such as Qulipta, to proactively take away fewer migraines per month.

Qulipta is a once-a-day pill for the prevention of episodic migraines, which means that you will have less than 15 attacks per month.

Another one of the biggest struggles of migraines is communcating with your employer about requesting time off.

Jenn shared that the most important thing is understanding how common it is to experience migraines- someone else in your workplace is definitely suffering the same thing.

They’re here to help you find the confidence to have “courageous conversations” with your manager or employer.

Employers who initiate those conversations, break a barrier, create more inclusion, and create a migraine-friendly workplace.

Curious to learn more? Visit qulipta.com or 1-855 qulipta to get more information about their survey and migraine treatment.