those of you who have been here for awhile, reading about my life, know a bit of my history regarding the migraines i have suffered with. i wish i could describe to you the pain a migraine produces, but unless you've had a migraine, i'm not sure i can.
but i can tell you that even a dim light can sometimes feel like an arrow piercing through my head and then let you imagine what a bright light feels like. i can ask you to remember the worst pain you've ever felt and tell you that i can feel that same excruciating pain, in my head, just by laying down. i can tell you that perfumes, cologne, air fresheners and candles can make me nauseous and instantly trigger a migraine, if i'm having a "migraine possible" day. i can tell you that if the weather takes a dive, where the barometric pressure changes dramatically, it can trigger a migraine. i can tell you that i can't eat nitrates or nitrites, or if do, i'm setting myself up to suffer a few hours later. now add in stress, lack of sleep, chocolate, hormones or even filtered light bouncing through the trees as i drive down a beautiful country backroad. you see, if you suffer from migraines, they can show up at almost anytime, from almost anything and almost always knock you off your feet. migraines suck.
i have been on preventative migraines meds for over a year now, in the form of an anti-depressant and as of today, i'm weaning myself off of them. why? because i don't like how they make me feel. i'm tired of feeling foggy, fuzzy, blurry and sometimes even dizzy. just recently i had been adding caffeine to my diet in order to prevent those foggy and fuzzy feelings, but all that did was push those feelings off until later in the day and by last night, i said to my hubby, that's it. time to try something new. as much as i hate migraines, i hate even more not feeling like myself.
so, i'm not sure exactly what that something new is or what it will be, but i do know that i have to take control of my life and say no to drugs. well, not all drugs, as i can't live without the medication i take when i do get a migraine, but the anti-depressant for now is going by the wayside, with my doctor's blessing. thank God i have a female doctor who is more than willing to help me with all of this.
so to all of you who know, who completely understand what i've shared here, bless you, as you are also a migraine sufferer and any suggestions, ideas or therapies you have will be warmly welcomed. to those of you who live with a migraine sufferer {like the love of my life} thank you for everything you do to help us when those mean spirited, selfish, time consuming, fanged migraines take a bite out of us.
*
happy weekend everyone
I too have considered stopping the migraine preventative...I feel so foggy and drowsy and dry all the time. I am afraid of starting up the cycle of migraines, but all the coffee in the world doesn't wake me up in the morning. Best to you, Beth. I'm rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your suffering. I wish there was a better way for you to prevent migraines :-(
ReplyDeleteEvery trigger you mentioned are ones that trigger mine - to a tee. Ugh. After awhile, it gets so frustrating because nothing seems to work.
ReplyDeleteI take 2 preventative medicines per day and I still get migraines, but thankfully, since I went thru menopause they aren't severe anymore. I can usually get rid of them with Imitrex within an hour or 2 of onset. After what I suffered thru for years, I can live with this. Hope you find something that works. xo
I've watched the suffering of migraines and I can feel for you with that and the decision to forgo the "fogginess" the meds create where you aren't "you". Only you really know what is best for you. I have a friend who takes beta-blockers and they have helped her tremendously. She'll still get the odd migraine but they aren't as intense as they used to be. Another friend told me last week that her doctor is recommending beta-blockers and when I told her how they've worked for my friend in Northern Ireland her eyes lit up, like this might be the thing. And who knows? They may be for her and they may not. Each one of us is different (gee, preaching to the choir here, right "be yourself everyone else is taken!") but it's always worth trying something new. And if you've got faith in your doctor...that speaks volumes. xo
ReplyDeleteI suffered for years with migraines. Much was alleviated when an orthodontist diagnosed me with TMJ. At age 50, I wore braces to help align my jaw. But like you, perfume odors can still set off a migraine. Since I'm on Medicare, I cannot afford Imitrex, but it was a blessing meds. I wish I had a magic potion to help you. I pray that you and your doctor find something soon. God love you and bless you, dear one.
ReplyDeleteBTW your photo is dazzling!
So sorry to hear about your wicked visitor. I know nothing about migraines, but have you tried acupuncture, by chance? Even, a good chiropractor (which might sound extremely odd) might be able to help.
ReplyDeleteMigraines run in my family. Both my parents have them and so do my brother and I. I pray that my children don't get them. In fact, just today, I suffered from a mini-migraine. Unfortunately, I don't have any advice for you but, I can reassure you that I'll be praying for you, your family and your dr; for wisdom, guidance, direction and strength. Oh, a friend of mine said once that having regular massages (weekly) decreased the frequency of her headaches and migraines. Praying for ya!
ReplyDeleteXyngular makes all natural products that people have had amazing results with for many health issues, including migraines. Most people start using them for weight loss, but you obviously don't need that :) I love the product Xyng for mental clarity, mood enhancement, energy, and it's helped with headaches. They have Facebook pages with testimonials of people who have been helped. I believe you have to be invited to see the pages.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few in my life, but not on a regular basis. Ugh, you poor thing! My stepmother used to get shots for them--my dad would do it for her. She finally changed her diet and she no longer gets them. No processed food, chocolates, cheese and who knows what else. If you'd like me to ask her for the list, I'd be happy to. Getting off antidepressants is a good thing. I was on them for a while and they made me feel weird and I gained weight. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI 've had them too, but also not on a regular basis. I've been in the ER, had MRI, CT scan, when they were really bad... I know they really really suck. The vomiting, the blurred vision, the meds that don't really take it away until it's good and ready. And that horrible shakey feeling once it HAS gone away, because you are rocked to the core from it. Last bad one I had, I knew it was coming because I had the "aura"... driving down the road, the street signs had twice as many sides, like seeing through a prism.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of antidepressants either - was put on Paxil after a horrible family event because I was diagnosed with PTSD - and it made me want to climb the walls, crawl out of my skin. No thanks.
I'm so sorry....I have only had one once in my life and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy! I think taking control and feeling more like yourself is a big step. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say, my friend, other than I feel for you. Migraines are the worst. The worst.
ReplyDeleteOh,, Beth, I wish you such good fortune in your journey. I suspect it won't be an easy road but not feeling like yourself isn't easy either and when push comes to shove and a choice is due, it feels like you may have made the right one. I hope it goes well. Know that many of us are behind you and thinking of you, routing you on!
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ReplyDeleteI have migraines, too, and said no to daily medication when it was first prescribed during my early 20s. I get little indications that a migraine might hit and take one or two Excedrin migraine tablets as soon as I can. If I'm home, a hot bath with the back of my head down in the water seems to help before a migraine gets full blown. If my head is hurting, a "blue" washcloth drenched in cold water and placed on my left temple where the pain is seems to make me feel better when combined with a dark room and sleep.
ReplyDeleteSmells get to me, too.
I hope you find the right mix of help to make you better. I agree with trying to not be on a prescription if at all possible. They have so many side effects, more problems seem to arise.
I am glad you have a doctor you trust to help you through. I am sure she has shared how hard it can be for some people to wean themselves off of antidepressants. Hopefully, your process will be quick and without too many "withdrawal" side effects.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who has suffered from pretty severe depression , I have to say that I am grateful for my own antidepressants, as they have saved my life along the way. There are some meds that made me very foggy too, which I really hated. Luckily my doc and I found something that works pretty well for me and that has side effects that I can live with. Especially when being dangerous depressed is the alternative.
I hope you and your doctor find the key that works for you, and brings you some relief from these horrible monster headaches. Sending gentle kisses on your forehead, dear friend.
Love ya !
I also suffered from migraines and thankfully I rarely get them now (I am past the menopause). I get cervicogenic headaches instead(!)as a result of a serious neck injury I had some years ago. But they are not as bad as migraines. You have my sympathy, my daughter gets them, my husband used to but he also grew out of them.
ReplyDeleteSomeone recommended beta blockers to me but I never got round to asking for them, it is worth a try for you I feel.
My osteopath said migraines hit when our 'bucket is full' - I know just what she means. I find that the less pressure Ihave in my life the less likely I am to get a headache so I try to live 'quietly'. Sorry I can't suggest anything else to help...;
hi Beth...I can understand your frustration with the meds...been dealing with all of that for years....however,..my Dr. has pretty much cured my migraines (unless I am naughty and go crazy with the red wine and chocolate...:) by having me take Topamax at nite...you can vary the dose...if I go over 30-40 mg...I will get a little foggy thinking etc...so take it back down to 10-20...love it~! after suffering for years, I only get one maybe twice a year now :) ask your Dr...
ReplyDeletelove your blog sooooo much~!!
Sue xo
I can't even imagine what you have been going through with the migraines and medications. I hope you can find something for relief soon. Take care, dear friend, and I will be sending good thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I do know how it is and it's awful. I use maxalt, with pretty good results, and I have found that a heating pad on my back along with an ice pack on my neck and or forehead also seems to help. (years of experimentation)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, if I feel one coming on I take 2 or 3 Advil plus an Aleve, but I feel bad recommending that because it's probably really bad for your stomach. But it does help if I catch it right away.
I hope you find something that works for you. Xoxo
Hi Beth, I really feel for you, I have a friend who struggles as you do. I am glad you have a good doctor, side effects can be worse than what ails you, I am sending positive energy that you will find what works for you. Do you get any warning that a migraine is coming or is it bam it is there. my Neurologist treated me with botox for headaches. he said it is very common to use. However it did not do anything for me, but mine were not migraines.....for 3 months I had no wrinkles on my forhead. I hope I find what works for you. sending you a hug.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you Beth. I suffered with migraines from childhood years up until about 2 years ago and now I never get them! My doctor told me that when women are close to menopause or in menopause, their migraines will fade away. I'm hoping this happens to you once your hormones really start changing...so Beth, there is hope in the future. In college I took training to teach myself Biofeedback for my migraines and it worked, however, I don't know if they even have Biofeedback training anymore. Something to look into maybe. Good luck
ReplyDeleteI would try beta blockers as well. I currently take propranolol 20mg twice daily and I haven't had a migraine since. Someone suggested topiramate~too many side effects:( I am a pharmacist and a person very sensitive to medication.
ReplyDeleteI cannot claim to know what you are going through Beth, but I do want to say that I think you are very smart not to settle with something that just isn't working. I am so glad you have a doctor you trust too... Good luck! and hugs:)
ReplyDeletemy husband and i both suffer from migraines so i feel your pain. his migraines are usually airborne related migraines; he has chemical sensitivities. Tons of water to keep his brain hydrated has helped along with feverfew.
ReplyDeleteI've never had this problem (thank God), but my neighbor lady does and she swears by a chiropractor. My heart breaks for her when they hit--it's so awful for her.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain.. I have suffered from migraines for years. Mine was just like an arrow stabbing through my eyes.. It would make me so sick. I would lay in bed and not move. I don't know what happened but all of a sudden they weren't as bad. After about a year they were almost gone. But now I have wicked bad menopause symptoms. Hot flashes, moodiness, can't sleep. I was just put on hormone replacement therapy and guess what.. Migraines are back.. So its time to get off the HRT.. What in the heck is a girl to do..
ReplyDeleteLove your photo.
Hugs~
Oh girl..I get it. I am taking a pill when I feel them coming...it helps lessen the pain somewhat...but not all of it. I was told by a friend who gets them monthly like I do, to try acupuncture. She swears it works. I think I will try it. My migraines are not piercing in pain...but they last 3 days and suck every ounce of energy from me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I take Sumatriptan...have you tried that already?
ReplyDeleteOh Beth, I am sorry the medication didn't help and left you feeling in a fog. Years ago I suffered from major headaches, not sure if they were migraines or not but biofeedback helped me A LOT. Have you tried it. Perhaps it will work for you.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, hang in there.
xoxo jj
I can not begin to imagine your pain. I so hope you and your doc can find some solution to give you back your health again. No way for a girl with such love and warmth to have to endure.
ReplyDeletexo
oh beth. i send healing love and prayer for solution.
ReplyDeletei'm sure you've contacted a wise and wonderful nutritionist?
i feel the same way about asthma and air-less-ness and it swipes
me off my feet and into quicksand with the same triggers
....changing up my diet has helped some.
I do send ginormous hope,
Jennifer
the anti-depressant i tried gave me terrible side effects, too (tummy stuff, which made my regular tummy pain even worse!) so i have an appointment with a homeopath. since i can't tolerate the oral drugs, perhaps he will have some suggestions. thinking of you, and hoping you find a solution that works!
ReplyDeletelove the gull feather on that sugar sand...
I'm so sorry you have to suffer through those nasty horrible things. I can't even imagine that kind of pain. I get tension headaches that last for days, but they are nothing like the pain of a migraine, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find something that works... naturally, and for the long term. So you can eat chocolate again!