Oh, Advil....

 Well, even though I knew that taking Advil could lead to my migraine's getting worse...  Even though I had gone through a one year complete fast after getting up to 5-advil doses; I am back at square one.  Well, maybe 2 and a 1/2...  And now I am back to 3/week, and almost daily medicating (not counting the daily amitrip.). 

Tomorrow: Swimming recommences, and the beginning of the fast. 

P.S.  Thanks to my mom and aunt for the relief - much love :)

Day Number Twenty-Six

Oh my, I started out with the best of intentions...  Here we are at day 26!! 

Well, on the amitriptyline front, I seem to have adjusted to the 100mg/day, and am now able to get out of bed in the morning without feeling wasted. 

That being said, adjusting has not really affected my migraines at all.  I have been keeping track in my migraine diary, and have still been averaging 3/week or more.  I have been taking Zomig when I feel a migraine coming and it helps to stop it for a few hours (5-ish).  That being said, I could be taking one everyday, right now for instance I feel the sharp pain of a knife in my left temple and down my neck on the left side - along with a bit of tingling in my face...

I was also off the sugar for a while (no, I did not make it two whole weeks sugar free), and I think that concentrated amounts of refined sugar are definitely a trigger for me.  (Candy, slurpee, etc.)  Now I am off the black tea, the one thing that I have never considered may be a trigger, and the one thing that I have everyday without fail.  I hope it's not tea - I'll die if I can't have my Earl Grey!!!

Hmmmmm, what else?  Oh yes!  I went to the dentist last week for the first time in 7 years - Yikes!  Turns out that all 4 of my wisdom teeth are impacted and need to be removed.  He also said that my TMJ muscles are all out of whack - I have an appointment with a specialist next week.  This could be responsible for so much of my suffering!  But, the teeth will remain for the summer, until I have health coverage in the fall.

Think that's it, I will be more diligent with keeping this up-to-date!!

Day Number Seven

Well, in the sake of accurate medicine I must be honest and admit that the 'no sugar' thing is not going very well... (Sorry Mom)  There is sugar in everything!  So, for ME, I am going to stay away from high servings of refined sugar (candy, pop, etc.) - but still allow myself to have some natural sugars (juice, bread, etc.).

Today has been a good day thus far, although I am fighting a nasty cold and have spent most of the day in bed.  I had some aura earlier, but took a nap and now seem to fine.  However, I did take an extra-strong Advil this morning because of the toothache I gave myself clenching last night.

Now, 15 minutes after publishing this post, and one bagel with cream cheese later, I have aura again and can barely see to type this message... Wtf??  Back to bed for me......................

Day Number Six

Yay!!!  No Advil, no espresso, and not even half a headache! 

(Although, the Amitrip. is making me so sleepy!)

Day Number Five

Yay!  No Advil today!!  I did have some espresso instead, which seemed to work.

Other than that, not much to report...

Ttfn :)

Must Read for ANYONE Who Has Been Affected by Migraine

I recently discovered this book at my university book store, and am convinced that everyone should read it.

Bernstein has founded the first Migraine Center for Women in the US, and this book shares her extensive knowledge on the subject. 

I was most relieved (and bummed) when I read that people who get migraines actually have something in their brain that is different than brains that do not get migraines.  So, rather than being a 'bad headache' that sufferers exaggerate (as some people argue), Bernstein says that migraine is a genetic disorder to which there is no cure.  If you get migraines, this is good news!  I have often laid there in pain wondering if I was going to die, or if I was ever going to be okay again...  Now I know that I am not going to die from migraines, and that while there is no cure, I can prevent and manage this thing!!

(Also, credit to Bernstein for this blogs title!)

Day Number Four

Baaahhhhhhh, increased Amitriptyline and I am so groggy!  I went back to bed this morning because I felt like I couldn't stand!  And, on top of that I woke up with a migraine, again - so, another little blue pill and I've already dipped into the Tiger Balm...........................................

Day Number Three

Day Three...
Once again I had to take an Advil migraine this morning before leaving for work...  That makes for 7 days in a row that I have taken those little blue gel caps.  I am slightly worried because when I first saw my neurologist he told me that I had developed an Advil dependency that was actually adding to my pain.  After 365 with 0 pills, they work again, but I have been back on them since September 09, I wonder if this is what is causing my migraines to increase in frequency and severity?

Tonight I am going to start my increased dose of Amitriptyline and see how that goes.  Apparently prolonged use can cause weight gain - and I thought it was the gummi bears!


P.S. Working with espresso has been very helpful this week!  A quick double shot down the hatch and I have been able to dispel the creeping pain in my right temple!

Day Number Two

Well, one little blue advil and some work to take my mind off of it, and I had a migraine-free evening!

Today, we still unfortunately have winds gusting up to 80km, perhaps this is adding to my agony?  I still have what I like to call a "half migraine" - where I can feel it in my shoulders, but not yet in my brain...
However, I am getting my fill up of triptans soon!  And, upping my amitriptyline today - we will see how that goes, I am gonna be so sleepy!

Well, off to work again and then to Calgary for dinner tonight with my little sis who is sweet 16 today! (Happy Birthday, Love You!)  Might make it tough to stay off the sugars, but I gotta do it.......... 

ttfn...

Profiling My Migraine Brain

If you are reading this, you may be interested in knowing if my migraine brain is anything like yours.  And so, here's the low down, but please remember that each attack can be different...

Onset Symptoms:
-Aura
-Neck and jaw pain
-Tingling on one side of my face, along the jaw line
-Incessant yawning

The Migraine Itself:
-Usually starts on one side, but will migrate to the other before the end of the attack, or after a nap
-Sharp, stabbing, pulsing pain
-Most often the pain spreads from my eyebrow area, around the back of my head and down my neck
-Sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Relief:
-Triptans, if you have migraines and have not tried this class of drug you must.  They work wonders, but unfortunately for me, are very expensive and way out of my poor students budget (includes Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, etc.)
-Advil (sometimes, but I try not to take them too often)
-Peppermint Oil, in the tub, on my face and neck, or in an aromatherapy diffuser
-Tiger Balm, for my neck and shoulders
-Cold Compress or cloth, for my face and neck
-Heating pad, again for my shoulders and neck
-Bath (especially with rosemary mint bath salts)
-Mint hair conditioner
-Mint face masks
-Espresso (sometimes, other times it can make it worse if I am already dehydrated)
(I can usually tell if a migraine will respond better to hot or cold, from there I choose if the Tiger Balm and heating pad, or cold compress and peppermint oil would be best)

Prevention
-Amitriptyline (I've gone from 25-100mg/day in 2 years)
-Water
-Sleep

Day Number One

Yesterday and last night I endured another migraine, and I am sick of this!!  So, today marks day number one of my migraine relief plan...


1. No More Refined Sugars: there seems to be a correlation between my agony and tasty sweets.
2. Exercise: get-in-shape, my starting goal is one hour of brisk walking each day (or two half hours).
3. Acupuncture: some people have incredible success with this option, and I think it is time I check out.
4. Sleep: eight hours, regular and consistent schedule
5. Food: more veg, more vitamins

I think that is it for now...  I work this evening, and will see how that goes - sometimes getting too hot, or too busy, or too anything makes my head hurt...