Nurse with migraine?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi everyone,So at work today I got an abnormal migraine and was unable to take care of my patients. Other nurses took over their care, but I feel awful because I was sent home by employee health and we were already short staffed. I haven't had one in a year and a half and was surprised by it, and now I'm worried about working in the future. Do any of you have migraines and how does it affect your ability to give patient care? Surely I'm not the only one with this challenge.Thanks.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I don't have severe migraines, but when they hit, I just deal with them. I sit there nauseated and having trouble visually. Not fun

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I found that mine flared up when I was tired and didn't drink enough. If I start to feel one coming on at work I immediately drink a bunch of water and drink something caffeinated. I don't like to take my meds at work because they make me sleepy. If I can just hold it at bay until I get home, it's all good. Migraines suck, that is for sure. But like I said, make sure you are sleeping enough and drinking enough!

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i have been fortunate that one of the third-generation triptans turns my migraines off like a dang light switch with no residual within about 20-30 minutes. nonnarcotic, only side effect is that for some reason it makes me diurese like crazy three or four hours later. i don't care so long as i can see and mentate.:D see if you can get some input from your primary care about some help.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

I get them on nights sometimes. I take caffeine and you can ask your md for sublingual antimigraine meds just in case. It clears mine up super fast and I can get right back to work.

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I have debilitating migraines, have since I was 17, though , knock on wood, NONE the whole time I've been pregnant. I make very sure that any job I have knows this particular facet of my medical history. I take either Maxalt or Relpax, and they usually work great, but they make me kinda sluggy. If they don't work, I have to have a shot. And I always keep a few Bupap or Talacen on hand at the house, just in case.

I will almost always pass out with mine, either from volume depletion or just sheer pain. My face will actually droop like I've had a stroke. Neuro says it's just my version, everyone's is different.

Point being, if you have one you have one. There's no shame in it, it's not like you ask for it. And you should not feel ashamed for not trying to take care of people when you're compromised. I always do, myself, but I also remind myself that I'm probably more of a danger trying to do calculations and whatall with minimal brain function.

Good luck, hon. Those things suck big time.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for your input folks. Unfortunately mine do respond to meds and are on the rarer side. I have neurological symptoms, but no pain. I felt like I was letting everyone down by not being able to care for my patients. I am sure I am being harder on myself than I need to be (which is my norm). I guess I'll just pray that these continue to be few and far between. I was caught off guard because previously I only got them when I pregnant or breastfeeding, this was my first with hormones taken out of the equation. I take some comfort that others deal with this and function well given the circumstances.

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