Migraine

Morning, all. It's still morning here for a little bit, anyway. I feel less depressed today than I have been feeling, so that's good. The pain is no better, but not any worse than usual. And I did manage to get my contacts in today.

I mentioned some of this on my vent thread but I'll put it here too. I put a call into my old neuro's office to see if he could help me out with a steroid pack or something until I can get in with the new specialist. His nurse gave me a little bit of tough love, or maybe a little bit of an attitude, and said that since he was out of ideas he probably can't help me out. She suggested I call the new specialist, and gave me a few ideas on what specifically to tell them. She did say she would pull my chart and check with my neuro though.

I did call my new specialist and attempt to leave a message with his nurses. I say attempt because I hit the wrong button in the phone tree, but the guy I spoke with was very helpful and said he could get a message to the nurses for me. Hopefully I'll hear back from them.

If these don't pan out, I think I'll try going back to my fired specialist's office for an IV - not that it will do much, but at least it's something. (And she doesn't know she's fired so it won't be too weird.)

Today is a better day than the beginning of the week. Just trying to take it a little bit at a time.

I can't respond to all of you but I am thinking of everyone. Hope you are all having a good Wednesday.

Hi, everyone...

I'm a hurting cowgirl today. Nothing serious, just feeling worn down by the migraines. Going through an especially bad spell here, six of seven days. I need a couple of two or three day breaks here to store up some reserves.

This is going to sound funny, but I never knew it was possible to be this sick. Does that make any sense? I guess it was magical thinking, but I think I sort of assumed that if there was something wrong, you go to the doctor and follow instructions and you get better. Unless it's something really horrible that requires hospitalization and doctors standing around discussing your case in grave tones.

But to just have this same level of illness grind on and on week after week for over five months now, not too sick to stay in bed but not well enough to do much, not knowing when you might start getting better, thinking maybe this treatment will do it or that will or if I can just make it til a certain date, that surely will be when I start getting better. And then the irrational fear in the back of your mind that this is it, this is how sick I'll be the rest of my life, what if I never get better? And I don't even want to mention that... sshhhh... it could even get god forbid, worse.

I'm not as down as that sounds. You know me, I'm ready to crack a joke at the end of my post, just to keep things in perspective. I can't think of one, so I'll tell you my niece's favorite joke from second grade (she's in college now).

Two cannibals were eating a clown and one said to the other, "Does this taste funny to you?"

Get it? Funny? Clown????

Sorry. Hope that didn't make anyone's migraine worse. LOL.

Ok, this is cracking me up. A "cheer up story", courtesy of my mom:

quote:

So I was awakened slightly earlier than usual this morning by Oscar [one of her cats] who was bouncing around on my bed - usually he's sleeping in the morning, jammed up against my thigh, and stays when I get up after the alarm. But today he bounced out along with me, looking very pleased w/himself. I went into the kitchen, poured coffee, visited the b'rm, etc, finally going back into the bdrm to make my bed. Wh/was when I saw the reason for Oscar's pleasedness. He had brought me a present and left it RIGHT ON THE BED!!! I of course immediately went to get a box for the present, as all presents should be in boxes. (A tupperware contained had to stand in for the box

Thankfully if was a bloodless kill, and that today is garbage day.
Yuck.
I think that little incident strains the bounds of "cultural competence" (wh/is the new focus in healthcare, being culturally sensitive and competen) I know cats think this is a great gift, but really… I can't even yell at Oscar, as he believes he's done the very best thing!

The "present" was a mouse, in case you're wondering. She sent me this email this morning and it completely has me cracking up! I had to share it with you guys. Hope it brightened your day!

MJ - Love the mouse story. When I had my first apartment after graduating from college, it was this little studio apt behind a house. I had a cat, Pierre, who was a great hunter. He used to bring me mice (or parts of mice) almost every day, and line them up on my tiny concrete patio in front of the apartment. He brought the neighbors in the front house grass snakes, and lined them up on their little patio. He never varied - mice for Mom, snakes for the neighbors. Polite, huh?

It's REALLY late, and I'm sorry. I'm fighting a beast that's increasing to past 5. It feels like Imitrex would help, but I've already taken it 2 times this week, and I hate to max out this early in the week.

Bummer at Diet Center -- I'd gained 3 pounds. We were out of town last weekend, so that might explain some of it. Anyway, it's time to bolt down and do everything right. I'll have to keep better track of my cravings. I'm up to a pretty hefty dose of Lyrica, and that may be it.

As usual, our CPA got us an extension on our taxes. He did a quick calculation, and it looks like we'll be getting a refund. Hate to lend the govenment that money interest-free, but it's much nicer than having to pay in April. One year, we had to pay an enormous amount. DH had just made partner in his firm, and he had to pay his first quarterly estimate, plus paying the regular April 15 stuff. Since we're getting a refund, I need to get in gear and get them done.

Megs -- I'm glad somebody else in the world waits until morning to do their supper dishes. I'm not in the mood to spend another 45 minutes in the kitchen after supper. In the morning, I can usually get the kitchen cleaned up while the coffee perks. My mom is just the opposite way. She said she couldn't go to bed knowing she'd have to face a mess in the morning. And LOL on telling people you're an alien!

Deb -- I'm praying for Aunt Dee and the rest of your family. I'm a teeth clencher, too. I wear a night guard when I sleep. My dentist makes it for me. He charges me $125, but it's worth it. I can definitely tell if I'm not wearing it for 2 or 3 nights in a row. It's comfortable and doesn't make me look too weird. I sometimes wear it in the daytime if I catch myself clenching badly.

I hope everyone's day is going well. I'm off to pay bills. Yuck.

Gretchen in Mississippi

I love you all. I needed those silly jokes. Carmel brings us presents frequently. And the cannibal joke, priceless.

Thank you, thank you very much.

Cindy

Ok, now we're talking about crazy animal antics:

My sheltie Lancer often has company when DF Lori brings her sheltie cross Ginger over when she comes to ride. We were out a few weeks ago when Ginger and Lancer, egged on by new "friend" who's part chow and came out with Lori, all took off down into the hay fields. About 10 minutes later, out of the hayfield, over the fence into one of the pastures, jumped about 6 deer (at about 10a.m.--a bit unusual). A few minutes later, back in came the dogs all wearing doggy grins. It was so obvious that they were so proud of themselves. You could almost hear them saying, "Did you see that? Are we cool or what?"

Tracie

Hey all,

Day 2 of a steroid pack. I'm absolutely miserable, in pain, and zonked.

I stayed home from work today- couldn't get up. I still can't get up much.

I want to get rid of the pain- either elbow or head would be nice.

My cats have been in bed with me all day- it's been really nice. I guess they know I'm not feeling good...

Hugs to all,

J

Love the cat story. Our cat brought us out a present last year - he had it in his mouth and came into the living room from the family room. The tail was hanging out and I swear I've never seen anything so fightening in my life. I actually leaped on the couch and screamed! I'm such a girl!

Jamie, aren't cats great when they curl up with you?

LauraSue- Loved the joke! I can relate to your feelings about the sickness never having an ending feeling- I think this sometimes leads to the depression that is related to my migraine disease. I know there is hope, and there will be relief for you. I hope you get out of pain soon- please let us know!

Valerie

quote:

Originally posted by DebHOST:

Jamie, aren't cats great when they curl up with you?

Oh, purr! I doubt they'll come back right now- DH is home and giving them attention... Right now, I'm day old chopped liver.

Evening yall!
I know most of you are probably in bed.. But here goes!
Several of yall asked what gelstat was. HERE is a link to the Gelstat website.
Here is a link about an article Terry wrote. Hope this helps!

MJ OHHH my that is a funny story about cats! I have had several cats that just LOVE to leave presents on the porch or even bring them into the house! Im fine if its mice or moles etc, but when its a snake... I dont handle that too well!

Ok im off to bed G'nite yall!

Tawsha

Oh, Laura! I feel the SAME way sometimes! For me it is more like I never thought someone my age could be this sick (I'm only 28). Sorry to have been so age-ist, but I thought chronic illness/pain affected older people.... not me!

And I think all the time "What if this never stops? What if it is this bad forever?'

Of course, on my good days I cling to better living through chemistry and believe I will find the right drug (It is what I tell myself to get to sleep at night).

well, I hope everyone is better today. I didn't wake up w/ a migraine (though I can feel it in there waiting to come out), but yesterdays was AWFUL. In pain all day til about 4 when it went away.... THEN IT CAME BACK!!!! Somewhere aroung 7 o'clock it hit me.....AGAIN...

I hate it when it does that!

quote:

Originally posted by LauraSue:
This is going to sound funny, but I never knew it was possible to be this sick. Does that make any sense? I guess it was magical thinking, but I think I sort of assumed that if there was something wrong, you go to the doctor and follow instructions and you get better. Unless it's something really horrible that requires hospitalization and doctors standing around discussing your case in grave tones.

But to just have this same level of illness grind on and on week after week for over five months now, not too sick to stay in bed but not well enough to do much, not knowing when you might start getting better, thinking maybe this treatment will do it or that will or if I can just make it til a certain date, that surely will be when I start getting better. And then the irrational fear in the back of your mind that this is it, this is how sick I'll be the rest of my life, what if I never get better? And I don't even want to mention that... sshhhh... it could even get god forbid, worse.