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I've had some level of ... let's call them headaches, because the medical jury is still out about them being actual truefax migraines ... for over a week now. On the pain scale that is obviously designed for people who don't have chronic pain issues, I've been at 4-7. My usual "solution" is to take assorted pain meds and push through it, because I've got Stuff To Do.
Yesterday, however, was the twin of the migraine from a few years ago that sent me to urgent care. Intense pain, light sensitivity, nausea, vertigo, feeling like my teeth were expanding, all the fun stuff. Since I knew what was happening this time, I didn't have a panic attack, yay? But I lost all of yesterday, and I had a LOT of things I had planned on taking care of.
There was also a phone call from the Polyclinic: they are still waiting on final official authorization from my insurance for the Botox, so the appointment has been pushed back to the first week of Feb. Oh, and the neurologist wants me to schedule a MRI of my braaaaaaain. I'm not starting the Topamax yet, because the potential side effects are more likely with the meds I'm already on, and I'm really wary about that.
TL;DR: awful headaches for a week, migraine that made me think longingly of a medically-induced coma, still waiting on Botox, and an MRI.
EDITED TO ADD: MRI on Thursday, whee?
Yesterday, however, was the twin of the migraine from a few years ago that sent me to urgent care. Intense pain, light sensitivity, nausea, vertigo, feeling like my teeth were expanding, all the fun stuff. Since I knew what was happening this time, I didn't have a panic attack, yay? But I lost all of yesterday, and I had a LOT of things I had planned on taking care of.
There was also a phone call from the Polyclinic: they are still waiting on final official authorization from my insurance for the Botox, so the appointment has been pushed back to the first week of Feb. Oh, and the neurologist wants me to schedule a MRI of my braaaaaaain. I'm not starting the Topamax yet, because the potential side effects are more likely with the meds I'm already on, and I'm really wary about that.
TL;DR: awful headaches for a week, migraine that made me think longingly of a medically-induced coma, still waiting on Botox, and an MRI.
EDITED TO ADD: MRI on Thursday, whee?
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from one chronic migraine sufferer to another
For nausea the best thing is meds, but mint and ginger help too. I like either pickled ginger or candied and mint tea.
Putting an ice pack on your head and your hands and feet into hot water can help. Try a heat pack on the back of your neck and cold water for your hands and feet too. I don't know if yours mutate into muscle spasms in your neck, but I suggest ice and heat in general.
Change how your hair is every few hours. Loose, pulled back, on top of your head in a bun, etc. How heavy your hair is and how it pulls on your head isn't something we think about very often.
Antihistamines sometimes help too. Not sure why, but myself and several other people I've talked to can lessen the symptoms.
(Feel free to ignore all of this. I'm only sharing because I'm four days into this current migraine and nothing is helping but ice packs on my head.)
From:
Re: from one chronic migraine sufferer to another
I like ginger in a cup of miso (instant miso options are tasty and very cheap at asian markets).
and also, if you havent had a caffeine that day, having one can help (vasodilation or some such). Also helpful: dark chocolate, cherries (in any actual cherries format), and mild to no flavor fizzy waters.
Be sure you ask for a copy of your MRI because brain pics are awesome. :)
From:
Re: from one chronic migraine sufferer to another
But I've already been scheduled for the MRI on Thursday, so whee?
From:
Re: from one chronic migraine sufferer to another
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no subject
Of course the headaches pre-date this, but I'm guessing current geopolitics don't help as it can add a background/foreground layer ranging anywhere from disbelief to fury. Empath tendencies magnify those effects which can manifest in pain... Recently when another migraine was ramping up, I was like Not today Satan & made a conscious effort in the moment to release/shield against the weldschmerz and it almost instantly helped subdue some of the intensity. Maybe it's worth psychically creating some "space" if you feel symptoms coming on. It can't hurt, and might help take things down a notch ~ akin to how you avoided a panic attack this time around by recognizing what was transpiring.
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no subject
From:
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Once you've recovered, if you have access to Netflix, you should check out The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell. Trailer here on youtube. I thought it was both creepy and adorable, in the very best ways.
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