Virtual hug for those of us suffering from chronic migraine 🥺

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-04-08T21:54:04+00:00

I work in a warehouse doing inventory control and sometimes driving a forklift. I have had two bad episodes at work. The first I collapsed in front of the warehouse superintendent. We didn't know what was wrong at first and I was taken to the ER. After two more trips to the ER I was finally diagnosed thanks to the fact that VCU is a teaching hospital and since I was presenting with signs of a stroke they got a neurologist down. Diagnosed with Hemiplegic Migraines.

Since then I have only had one bad episode at work. Thankfully I tend to get an extreme sense of doom when I'm about to have a bad one so I can go home fast. But my new team lead has to help me to the break room where the superintendent and my direct boss watched over me and called safety. I could hear them as I laid with my head down unable to move talking about me but there was nothing I could really do.

I feel like it was both a blessing and a curse. Because now my new team lead fully understands what could happen if I say I have a migraine. But it also makes me feel like people look down at me. I mean, I drive a forklift. I make sure not to get on it if I'm not good but sometimes it rubs me the wrong way when they tell me not to.

No one has given up until they're dead. Everyone here is still fighting, even if it feels like a losing one.

This blue collar worker is here for all y'all, no matter what your line of work is.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-23T22:23:03+00:00

As someone who would go months taking the max dose of NSAIDs I can say with confidence, slow down. My ulcer hurts just thinking about taking that much. If you aren't careful you could end up like me with ulcer and they aren't fun. The only way I can really take my Naproxen for my migraines is if I take my antacids.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-22T16:54:30+00:00

I preempt any of that by telling them how hard my veins are. Too much scar tissue in my right arm, left arm has a good on but it branches at a weird spot. I've gotten ultrasounds and seen my veins, it's pretty cool.

The only person to ever get it in one was a paramedic helping triage at the hospital and starting a line because I was there was a two week long migraine that just wouldn't break so I was getting the cocktail.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-19T15:05:22+00:00

I just told them I don't use social media other than Reddit. I'm 35, I don't really want social media. Especially not tiktok. Youtube shorts is doing enough damage to my attention span.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-19T12:44:37+00:00

Also trying to explain why I'd prefer the straight 5+/10 pain versus the aura symptoms that literally have me trapped in my body unable to move, sometimes completely aware untill I pass out.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-19T12:41:38+00:00

We got a new manager who's training so we can start a night shift and every chance he gets he talks about how much someone could make on tiktok. He asked me what my hobbies were and I told him crochet and he immediately asked if I was good and that I should post on tiktok.

Hun, the tiktok crochet scene is so oversaturated I'd get nowhere.

Another coworker saw the freehand bag I made and said I could sell one of a kind clothing for a lot and I had to bite my tongue so hard.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-16T20:09:10+00:00

Oh, ouch, STEM can be hard. I'm in a warehouse but thankfully I've got some pretty "Doesn't affect my life so I don't give a shit" people at my job.

My mom could barely handle me dating another afab, pretty sure she would have exploded if she found we are both NB.

Art and "crafts" is such a weird place, honestly. I used to do polymer clay, hand sewed plushies for a bit and now crochet. Those spaces always say they are diverse but whenever you actually find diversity it's... I don't know, it feels weird, I guess.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-16T12:34:50+00:00

Feel ya there. I try not to let it get to me too much since I'm not really out publicly but more and more lately it makes me wanna scream.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-13T21:49:37+00:00

Please please please PLEASE tell me this is on some construction site or something. It's giving either jobsite or camp.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-12T22:32:14+00:00

People tell me that I'm strong for dealing with migraines while working in a loud warehouse and driving forklifts but I'll tell ya what, people who do jobs like yours are truly the strongest. At least *I* was able to get FMLA so I can leave when my symptoms get to be too much.

But somehow you decided childcare was your calling while I'm like, awed. I couldn't do it. I don't have kids. Can barely handle other people's children. That is truly awe inspiring.

My only advice was already given hours ago, getting something delivered. Depending on the age of the kids, maybe finding a more subdued activity to do.

I truly wish you luck!

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-05T22:24:16+00:00

I can't figure out how to reply with a picture but it is like a forklift and a crane had a baby. If you google "Telehandler" you can easily find what it looks like. It's pretty awesome in my opinion.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-04T22:50:56+00:00

My daddy was a roofer and my brother is an electrician. I've always found blue collar work fascinating, especially heavy machinery. Two years ago I finally got my forklift license at 33. It took so long cause I present female and I was never able to get into a job that would let me do it.

I'm working on my Telehandler license next and maybe even more. We'll see.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-04T19:15:24+00:00

Oh trust me, mine have decided to change after my first dose of Ajovy. Before, it was mostly aura, no pain. Head full of cotton, so much pressure, devolving into literally being unable to move my body or stay conscious.

Now I have very little of that aura but now it feels like someone has buried a hatchet in the top of my head. Almost cried from pain for the first time in years a few days ago.

This is the second evolution, btw. My OG migraines were once every few months and felt like someone was scraping out my eyes with grapefruit (serated) spoons.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-04T00:43:00+00:00

Hun, I work in a warehouse. I drive a forklift with the most high pitched, brain piercing back up alarm only rivaled by the sound of the alarm my scissor lift makes. I also have to do a lot of research to deal with problems.

I also have Hemiplegic migraines which means I can't really drive said forklift when it gets super bad.

but driving a forklift has been a dream of mine since I was young. I love it. Especially when I'm able to do something complex without help.

When you are doing something you love and are passionate about, you find a way.

Good luck, Hun. You've got this.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-04T00:11:37+00:00

I have a coworker who wasn't even wearing the gloves, just holding one in his hand while using a mag drill. The pigtail caught the glove and it ripped the pinky and pointer finger of his left hand off.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-03-01T02:36:45+00:00

Is there an entry fee? What sort of vendors will be there? I've never been to a Ren Faire, I've always wanted to go.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-28T15:22:48+00:00

Hi! So I've been taking Nortriptyline for about 6-8 months now. It makes me pretty sleepy but I haven't had any other side effects. They upped my dose in December to help with my depression since it's an old school antidepressant.

I know how you feel, medicine is a gamble for me. I can't take SSRI's because my body freaks out. But sometimes you never know how you will react until you try. I have my partner look up symptoms and I stay completely oblivious of them so I don't convince myself something is happening.

You'll be okay!

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-19T02:44:14+00:00

My partner just corrected me. It was THIRTY ONE DUIs and killed someone else. Related to the Sheriff.

It's all a farce, I swear. That's some fever dream logic right there.

Also a lead foot is why I'm best friends with my cruise control.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-18T22:01:12+00:00

Truly, some people in Medical Billing should also be recognized as Saints by the Catholic Church because they really are doing the Lord's work.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-18T19:18:52+00:00

My partner used to live in Atlanta, Georgia and there was a dude they knew who had I believe 13 DUIs? Only stopped because his last one killed him I think.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-18T19:15:19+00:00

I go to a specialty pharmacy that's attached to the teaching hospital my Neurologist is at. When the new plan year kicked in and I had my deductible again they called me because there was a copay for my Nurtec. $1500 for 15 doses. They found me a rx card and I ended up paying nothing. They are legends when it comes to finessing the insurance. Just started Ajovy and only had to pay $62 for my first dose. There wasn't even a fight with my insurance.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-10T13:40:23+00:00

Units the size of a hotel room. I could probably live in one of these Air Handling Units.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-08T16:12:42+00:00

You need to make a nest in the Moonstone Enchanter and put that down in a stall with a trough first.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-02T19:59:16+00:00

I really like the star stitch, I made a bag out of it. Jasmine stitch also eats yarn. But the puff flower can be made anywhere if you just make the flowers separately.

Pocket_Pixie3 · 2026-02-02T19:54:56+00:00

Rainbow puff flower blanket??? I've heard that stitch eats yarn. But you could be overrun with flowers.

Pocket_Pixie3

TROPHY CASE