I have worked for the same employer for 25 years (a hospital). About 15 years ago, I was one more "occurance" to be terminated for sick days due to these migraines. My doctor signed for an intermittent FMLA for me, but the hospital would not approve it. I was told that headaches are something everyone deals with and takes Advil, so they cannot approve it for any type of headache. I told them if I get one more migraine and am terminated because they refuse to sign for it, I will take legal action if I have to. From the time it took me to arrive home, I received a phone call telling me that it is approved and they are sorry for doubting me and my family doctor.

Do not risk losing your job. Make sure you know about the FMLA which will save you if you would exceed sick days per your employer's policy. I am ever grateful for this. When you have it, it is against the law to interfere with you and you are safe if you get a migraine and cannot go to work.

Best wishes to all of you.  I understand and have compassion for your pain and suffering.  Stu

Hey Stu...welcome ,
   Do you have  a link to where we could read about that...FMLA   I am unfamiliar with it.
  some of my family could probably use that info.
thanks

Google.  It took me two seconds.
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE ; put FMLA in the search box.

The lesson here is that when you are dealing with a complex/technical issue, don't accept the first "clerical" response until the person conveys, by their knowledge and presentation, that they know....

You have nothing to lose by asking to speak to the next person(s) UP the chain.

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(for an occasional day off due to a health condition, it is an intermittent leave, and it secures your employment if a sick time policy has limitations)  I think you must be employed for 6 months, may be a year before eligible.

With the treatments available, there is no need to miss work due to clusters!

For some weird but good reason i just dont get them at work. So work is like a safe house for me..

                                            Coach Bill

A few key points about FMLA

(1)  If your employer has less than 50 employees, they are not required to offer FMLA.

(2)  The employee must have been employed for at least 12 months and at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the leave.

(3)  Regarding intermittent leave under FMLA:  An employer can require a second medical opinion of their own choosing.

(4)  The employer can require monthly recertification of the reason for the leave.

hth

Bob P.

You wrote that with the treatments available, there is no reason to miss work.  Like everything else about CHs, for some, even with the treatments, they may have to miss work.  For example, waiting for the preventatives to take effect. In my case, I do home-based social service work and there have been times I have had to cancel an appointment because of a mid-day hit and I could not drive; the abortives knock me out or space me out and the O2 is at home, not on the road with me.  While these are few times and nothing to worry about wrt my job, I just think that there are some jobs that may be effected by how the hit hits and the impact it may have on the person's ability to perform her tasks...

Just some points to ponder!

Emjay - Is there some reason you can't keep a smaller O2 tank in your car?

And what if O2 does not work for someone or has refractory or close to refractory headaches?