Chronic migraine, work, and disability

icicle2000

I've suffered with chronic migraine for 6 years now, from the age of 15. When I say Chronic, I'm talking 25-28 days out of 30 when not controlled with daily medication, and now down to 2-4 days of migraine per week.

I haven't thought about whether I'd qualify for some sort of disability assistance until now. In school and college, missing class on bad days wasn't much of an issue, because the tutors didn't mind so much as long as I had an explanation. Now, I've just graduated from college, and I'm beginning to be concerned about my ability to do a full time job, where taking sick days is more of a problem than in college. Considering the number of days I get migraines, I still fall under the >15 days per month criteria for a chronic migraine diagnosis, even with medication. That considered, I doubt that I'd be physically able to work for any more than half of the time.

Taking the above into account, does anyone have any information on whether or not someone with a chronic migraine diagnosis would have any chance of succeeding in claiming disability in this country? I know for a fact that it's a recognised disability in several other countries; is it in Ireland?

I'm only looking for approximate information here. I'm not being lazy, I didn't get my degree for nothing, I do want to work, at least a little bit, but in case that doesn't prove functionally possible, I want to know if I have something to potentially fall back on.

sally365

Hi,

I've in the same boat, I worked for a company in Dublin for 2 years, the last 1 year working there was hellish, because I developed chronic migraine, my head would be burning constant somedays, I was missing a huge amount of time, and whats worse I felt so bad about missing days I'd sit and struggle my way through other days.

I have migraine every single day, some days are alot worse than others.

I decided when I got promoted with them to leave and work for myself as I couldnt take it anymore, my job was so deadline heavy I felt pressure to come in when I was having terrible migraines.

I manage a lot better now but I'm just not making enough money at all, I got upset today and thought will i ever be able to work again.

Does anyone have experience of anyone claiming disability for chronic migraine?

Munstermad

As a mum of a 12 year old daughter that's been diagnosed with chronic daily migraine, I'd be very interested to find out how ye get on. I've had to take 3 months off work to look after my daughter as she's missed 70% of school over the last 6 months.. Its been hell tbh, for my daughter and her pain levels, she's usually migraine free a day and a half a week at best, and I'm on the verge of being fired / meltdown...
I am so sorry for those who suffer from this disease and if there are any supports available I'd love to know for my little girl.

RubyGirl

Poor ye, awful I suffered really mad migraine's on both my pregnancy's and is the main reason I won't go for no 3. I got injections in the skull and everything during pregnancy but nothing helped and as soon as baby was born they went.

Can't help I'm afraid only when they were bad I was signed off work for a couple of week's for them.