Migraine

to shop, buy all the ingredients for, and make an onion-free chili for our office annual chilifest. There were times that I wanted to give up, and my head is a little muddled now, but I got through it all.

That's a big step for me. Doing all of that while postdromey, standing in the kitchen for hours and making something that I'm proud of... instead of taking one of two easier steps. 1 of them being to give up completely and have one less chili provider tomorrow (somewhat tempting for hours, trust me!), and the other was to lean heavily on DH to complete the project.

Well, I did it, and I did it myself. And no, I didn't pick the easiest chili recipe out there... this one had multiple steps and many ingredients.

I listened to some CDs while working, and it didn't seem like work at all.

Ok, that's enough domesticity from me. Funny how I wouldn't make it for me and DH, but for the shell game known as Jamie at work being over and above in "the big things" in the office politics- it gets done. I'll leave that for another day, though. I'm proud of myself, and I'm not gonna let anything get in my way!

I hope that's some darn good chili!

Yay Jamie! Enjoy the chili tomorrow!!!! I'm just finishing up the macaroni salad now!!! Hey, we need something between all that chocolate, right??!!

Hooray for Jamie!!!

Doesn't it feel good to accomplish something like that? I am the same way, though - I will work a lot harder to make something to take to a friend or family gathering, but not bother for myself.

Bask in your glory!!

Mmmm....chili...mmmmm....

Congratulations! Things to be proud of are even better when you get to eat them!

Thanks all!

It was some good chili. However, I found out a new thing about myself. Strong food odors are a trigger for me. So, I got myself but good by sleeping with it simmering in the crockpot overnight and then going into a room with other chilis and other foods.

I think next year I may have to skip this event... not worth the head pain that was starting again when I left the food areas... And now is gone again, luckily. But this 2nd exposure was on top of the first one- and the resulting migraine that occurred this morning. Luckily, I'm feeling better and don't have to take the last frova pill I have in my possession.

Good for you on getting that chili done. I'm proud of you, 'cuz I know that was some kind o' effort.

Now you've got me wanting homemade chili in the worst way. Maybe this weekend I'll have to cave, go get the bits we don't have on hand, and make some.

I agree with Droolie, I want some chili now too! However, I go the easy route...I am far from a domestic godess and if I can make it from "scratch" with a little help from a box...yea for me; and the family!

Sorry you ended up feeling icky after all you did though!

quote:

Originally posted by LauraM:
Sorry you ended up feeling icky after all you did though!

Thanks, Laura. I wound up taking the other frova tablet later... still wasn't feeling better before dinner, and was sick of feeling sick...

I woke up this morning with a postdrome like you wouldn't believe. I sat there staring at the wall. Literally staring at the wall.... until I finally was awoken from my trance by the cellphone. I may as well have partied last night- that's how bad I looked by the time I rolled into work this morning. I was waiting for someone to ask "Good time last night, Jamie?" Uggh.

I hate that staring at the something or other thing, be it a wall, a kumquat, or a stray piece of lint. I'll find myself fixated, and I'm perfectly aware of it, but I can't stop staring at whatever it is. The more you concentrate on breaking the staring, the harder it seems to get.

Jamie-I know the feeling of sick of being sick. It sometimes feels like, are we done yet?

After my killers I look like someone decided to pack some extra luggage under my eyes. And, yes, I look like I just rolled in from the local pub.

I cannot tell you how much I admire your ability to continue working through it all. You must have a lot of inner strength huh?

quote:

Originally posted by LauraM:
Jamie-I know the feeling of sick of being sick. It sometimes feels like, are we done yet?

YES! And then when there's a string of them back to back, or worse yet, yet another ER run... don't get me started with the "are you happy YET, head? Well, good. I hope you know how much you cost me- either emotionally or financially!"

quote:

After my killers I look like someone decided to pack some extra luggage under my eyes. And, yes, I look like I just rolled in from the local pub.

Hah! I know just how you feel. It's even worse when you take the day off due to the pain, or have a killer that won't let you leave the house one day, and then the next day you roll in looking like that.

quote:

I cannot tell you how much I admire your ability to continue working through it all. You must have a lot of inner strength huh?

Thanks! That means a lot to me. It's a struggle sometimes to maintain any semblance of professionalism that I once had. However, when I did take FMLA time off, I felt worse than I do now.

Having somewhere to be, and having to "be better" makes me a more insistent patient on the fact that we've got to get me doing better. I find that embarassingly enough, on one of my meds, I need a LOT of sleep in order to function the next day...like too much, and that I'm going to bed TOO early. This will be addressed at my next HA specialist appt. which is coming up soon, luckily.

I also need the money and insurance... so, working is the option I have to seek at this point. And I mostly enjoy what I do, so that helps an awful lot.

Pain Free days, indeed! I wish them right back at you! Hope you have a good one!

Jamie-Funny you should mention this subject. I find myself wondering if taking time off to get better was the right approach. I feel like I am a better mom because I am here a lot more for them; on the other hand, I don't bring in the $$ so it caused a bit of cutbacks on some stuff. But it is just stuff right? Thank God for DH!!

But you mentioned having to be somewhere helping you get better and be more determined. I forced myself today to get out with a migraine. It killed yesterday and I am on the upswing today but had told my daughter we would go somewhere. Since it was down the street and free, I thought, sure, just go for it. I am glad I did, but now I am pooped!!!

I am trying to change the mindset of me staying home vs. working and it is an inner battle for sure. But, I will get through it. I am far from the first or the last person to do it.

Again, Jamie, I still find myself being proud of you! Good luck at the dr. appt. Mine is the 12th....

quote:

Thanks! That means a lot to me. It's a struggle sometimes to maintain any semblance of professionalism that I once had. However, when I did take FMLA time off, I felt worse than I do now Having somewhere to be, and having to "be better" makes me a more insistent patient on the fact that we've got to get me doing better

Your debate with yourself over whether it was right to take time off reminds me of the debates I have with myself when I'm grieving. Should I go out or to work and try to focus on something else? Or do I need the time off to grieve "properly?" During my first major bereavement, I learned to trust my own sense of what I needed, and screen out anyone else's well-intentioned "advice" on the matter. Only you know what is best for your recovery--and I believe you
DO know. Trust yourself, and you'll get through it.

I wonder, too, if taking time off is best for me. Being at home ALL the time tends to make me more depressed, isolated, and less motivated. But I know that I can not hold down a full time job right now, which is why I was let go (FIRED) from my last job. Dh really has encouraged me to stay home to try to work out medication adjustments and hopefully get better, but it has been 2 months now and I am not really much better - maybe a little. Plus, I am getting unemployment and if I find a job and gt canned (again), I won't get it back. I had to fight to get it this time. And I only did because my boss made it clear that he would work with me through all of this, then got ticked off and fired me!!!

I think I mentioned before that my dad wants me to check into disability, but that makes me feel like I am giving up. I think I should try to find a part time job soon, to keep my sanity. And having to be somewhere and something to do may just help? WHo knows? I sometimes feel like I don't know what to do about anything anymore. Anything I try is just a big gamble.

This is a little off topic, but I would like your opinions - DH mentioned to me last night that I should go stay with my mother for 2 weeks and see if I feel any better. He thinks maybe our dogs (indoor/outdoor) may be contributing to or triggering migraines??? It is true, now that I look back, that they got more frequent and prominent after we got pets. We use to have cats,too, but now only 2 dogs. What do you guys think? He is pretty stubborn and unless I can come up with some good evidence that it could absolutely not be that, he will probably not give up until I do it. The same with smoking - which I am working towards quitting - I think.

Ok, I have rambled on enough - so good nite to you all and I wish a pain-free Sunday to everyone!!

Sherry

quote:

Originally posted by LauraM:
Jamie-Funny you should mention this subject. I find myself wondering if taking time off to get better was the right approach. I feel like I am a better mom because I am here a lot more for them; on the other hand, I don't bring in the $$ so it caused a bit of cutbacks on some stuff. But it is just stuff right? Thank God for DH!!

But you mentioned having to be somewhere helping you get better and be more determined. I forced myself today to get out with a migraine. It killed yesterday and I am on the upswing today but had told my daughter we would go somewhere. Since it was down the street and free, I thought, sure, just go for it. I am glad I did, but now I am pooped!!!

I am trying to change the mindset of me staying home vs. working and it is an inner battle for sure. But, I will get through it. I am far from the first or the last person to do it.

Again, Jamie, I still find myself being proud of you! Good luck at the dr. appt. Mine is the 12th....

quote:

Thanks! That means a lot to me. It's a struggle sometimes to maintain any semblance of professionalism that I once had. However, when I did take FMLA time off, I felt worse than I do now Having somewhere to be, and having to "be better" makes me a more insistent patient on the fact that we've got to get me doing better