Thursday, January 30, 2014

New Medicine

I saw my neurologist yesterday. He was very happy with me. He actually told me thank you twice for following his instructions. I get the feeling that a lot of patients don't.

I asked him about my panic issues during my aura. He said it's kinda like “the chicken and the egg”. Considering how long I've been dealing with migraines, it's a wonder I haven't had panic attacks sooner.

I asked him about my restless leg issues. He said while they are probably not related, it makes sense that I might have it. It's fairly common (about 10% of the population has it) and it's hereditary (my mom has it).

He also said that since I have done my part, it was now time for him to do his part. We have decided to try Gabapentin, both for the migraines and for the leg issues.

I took one last night before bed. When I woke up this morning, I could still feel it, that medicine head feeling. So far, I haven't had much in the way of head pain, just light pain with none of the sharp pain I have become almost used to. This has made me optimistic.

I am supposed to call in 2 weeks to let him know how I am feeling and we will go from there.

*toes crossed*



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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Last Day

Tomorrow, I get to see the neurologist again.  I'm excited, nervous, worried, and all manner of other emotions that I can't quite put into words right now.  I haven't been as good as I have wanted about writing down everything I have felt with my migraines in these last 6 weeks.  I have kept a diary of sorts.  It isn't all inclusive, but it does say when I have had a migraine and if it was a light or nasty one.  I have followed his directions with my medicine and I've even gone past the "cut back on caffeine" directions by completely cutting it out.

I've had a new symptom arise that concerns me.  I think I might be having anxiety attacks.  It's not every time, only during my aura phase, which is pretty rare anyway.  But it's enough to bother me.  I've also noticed that the restless leg issues I've had in the past have gotten worse.  Ted has told me of at least one night spent kicking.  I can tell when one is coming on, too.  It starts long before I fall asleep and it's always the left leg.  

I've gotten better at separating myself from things that are bothering me.  Usually, that is noises, but lights have bothered me more.  I'm very annoyed by that.  I'm tired of living in a cave.  I want to enjoy the sunlight.  My sunglasses just don't cut it anymore.  I think I will be talking to the doctor about them to see what he recommends.

In short, tomorrow needs to get here.  I need to express all my new concerns.  I need to tell him of the good things.  I just need to feel like I am progressing, even though it doesn't always feel like I am.

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Monday, January 20, 2014

Trying to be Positive

Yesterday was a horrific day, in terms of head pain.  I woke up with a small headache.  It got progressively worse and never stopped.  The whole day.  Pain meds didn't help the pain at all, just made it so I didn't really care about it too much.  I was at least able to be out of bed for a bit.  

Now today, I've had some head pains, but it hasn't been too bad so far.  (knock on wood)  I'm hoping that it either stays this way or goes away.  I would even settle for somewhere in between.  I have too much to do today to deal with a migraine.

I know it doesn't always work that way, but I have to try to be positive.  If I don't, I'm very likely to crawl back into bed and stay there.  If I don't try to be positive, then what is the point?  I'll just succumb to the pain before I really even have any.

I can't live my life that way.  My kids deserve better.  Ted deserves better.  And I deserve better.

Wish me luck today. Please.  I need it.

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Nasty Week Expected

Yesterday wasn't good.  Today has been bad. I don't expect tomorrow to be any better.

Why? This weather is causing nasty migraines.  I'm not even sure if they are multiple migraines. It might just be one that ebbs and flows.  It's a lot like Ted's fibromyalgia.  It's almost running just before the weather.

I know this is normal, especially for me.  I am just miserable since I can't take anything except for my anti nausea.  The reason for this is in the hopes of avoiding medication over use headache.

I've had head pain, nausea, and dizziness.  Lights and sounds are especially painful.  The homework battle today wasn't bad, just annoying, since Shannon was very hyper and distracted.  The stress from that did NOT help.

I am looking forward to my next neurologist appointment.  I'm hoping we can come up with something.  I've spent too much time in bed the last 2 days. I can't keep doing this.  I'm tired of being reduced to tears before the day has even really started.

/sigh

Thursday, January 2, 2014

2 Weeks

Today is the 2 week mark of no caffeine.  I have to say it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be.  While I had children at home the first 3 days, the next 4 were child free.  Since those were the hardest days, I'm very thankful for that.

I've also been able to drink Squirt again, which has been wonderful. This lovely drink was denied to me for about 2 years due to taking Propranolol for both my migraines and blood pressure. Grapefruit can actually increase the effectiveness of the medication, which could result in a serious drop in blood pressure. Now, I love grapefruit. I've missed it terribly. I think being able to have it again has helped with the caffeine issues.

I've also taken to drinking more hot, herbal tea. I really enjoy hot tea anyway, so this has not been a hardship. I'm actually thinking I might like to try some teas I've never tried before. I just have to find some that don't have caffeine.

I think the hardest part of this whole thing has been not taking anything when I am in pain. Since I can only take my abortive medication no more than twice a week, I have to really be in complete agony. As much as I don't like taking medicine, it would be nice to at least try to make the pain go away rather than having to try to sleep it off.


I am looking forward to my next neurologist visit to see what is next in the plan.

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