It's time.
I know I've been saying that for a long time, but I mean it this time.
No, seriously.
There's no better time than now, especially this coming month. I'll be living with my parents (no shame!) continuing the job hunt process throughout the month of September. Why not do it there, in the comfort of home?
Maybe I'm being dramatic and exaggerating when I call it a "liver detox," but that's essentially what it is. I wake up almost daily with MOH, and I'm sure clearing out my liver will help get that under control. However, I have no plans of doing one of those liver "cleanses" that are advertised. Those seem dangerous, ineffective, and unnecessary.
I've fought the battle with MOH in other times of my life. Last time, I went cold turkey from all meds and caffeine for a few days and was pretty sick for a while, but was ultimately successful. I'm hoping weaning with lots of fluids and healthy foods will be a little easier, though I'm sure it will still be difficult.
Have you ever done a "cleanse" or "detox" in an attempt to rid pain from your life?
Showing posts with label meds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meds. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
A Migraine in NYC
...is flipping hard. Especially when you're out and about. Here's are some things I've been doing when I feel one coming on:
- Get home or at least inside. Especially the way this summer's been going. Try to find a place with some decent A/C.
- Water, water, water. We know this one should be a given, but it's not always easy or convenient to carry a bottle of water when hiking around the city. To top it off, it's hard to convince yourself to bring one along when it's often hard to find a public restroom when you need one. Nevertheless, suck it up and bring one along, or pick one up at the nearest hot dog cart or deli.
- Use an MP3 player. This way, you can control what you're listening to and how loudly. It's easier to ignore the mobs around you if you're listening to something you enjoy.
- Always carry your meds with you! Get a pill fob. They're small and hang nicely from your key ring, so you can keep a variety of meds on you with needing the space for all the bottles. Just be sure to fill it with what you need before you leave home.
There you have it. It's a small and simple list, but it's what's been keeping me going this summer, especially with attacks on the rise again.
What's your big city list?
Thursday, June 13, 2013
MHAM Blog Challenge, Day 13: Sophie's Choice
What are the toughest treatment choices you face when balancing Migraine / Headache Disorders with other health conditions?
It always comes down to what will be better for my body. Unfortunately, what will be better for my body usually isn't as effective as medication.
I started taking Topamax when I was in my third year of college. I had just transferred to a new school away from home and had just turned 21. You know what that means! I went out at least once (usually twice or thrice) each weekend, and my hangovers continued to get worse and worse morning. But I wanted to spend "quality" time with my friends, so I ignored the issue and kept going back.
Until someone finally told me how lethal the combo of Topamax and alcohol really is.
When first prescribed, no one had bothered to tell me how dangerous Topamax can be, especially when consuming alcohol. I had read the label, but it simply said, "Do not consume alcohol while taking this drug." I read that as, "If you are drinking, don't take a dose in the same night." Welp, problem solved!
When a kind pharmacist questioned my migraines and what I was taking for them, and then found out I was partying all the time, he recommended stopping Topamax immediately (and drinking for a while, too). He informed me that I was actually lucky to be alive with a functioning liver.
So I take that into consideration every time I take something for a headache or migraine, but I know that doing an alternative just won't always be what I need to get through a day of pain. There lies my biggest battle.
It always comes down to what will be better for my body. Unfortunately, what will be better for my body usually isn't as effective as medication.
I started taking Topamax when I was in my third year of college. I had just transferred to a new school away from home and had just turned 21. You know what that means! I went out at least once (usually twice or thrice) each weekend, and my hangovers continued to get worse and worse morning. But I wanted to spend "quality" time with my friends, so I ignored the issue and kept going back.
Until someone finally told me how lethal the combo of Topamax and alcohol really is.
When first prescribed, no one had bothered to tell me how dangerous Topamax can be, especially when consuming alcohol. I had read the label, but it simply said, "Do not consume alcohol while taking this drug." I read that as, "If you are drinking, don't take a dose in the same night." Welp, problem solved!
When a kind pharmacist questioned my migraines and what I was taking for them, and then found out I was partying all the time, he recommended stopping Topamax immediately (and drinking for a while, too). He informed me that I was actually lucky to be alive with a functioning liver.
So I take that into consideration every time I take something for a headache or migraine, but I know that doing an alternative just won't always be what I need to get through a day of pain. There lies my biggest battle.
###
June, Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, is dedicated to Unmasking the Mystery of Chronic Headache Disorders. The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is issued by FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
MHAM Blog Challenge, Day 12: The Box
What situation in your Migraine / Headache Disorders treatment has made you feel like a lab rat?
"Here, let's try this. Nothing? How about this? Maybe this?"
I went through a slew of different "preventative" medications when I was first diagnosed with migraine, like antidepressants, muscle relaxers, and various beta blockers. I also went through the same type of ordeal when my migraine flared up again in college, but with different medications like anti-inflammatories, birth control, and of course, more beta blockers. Nothing worked, and they usually just had nasty side effects to deal with.
When Treximet first came out, my doctor at the time wanted me to "try this new medication." She even told me I was her first patient to use it, and frequently asked me how it was working.
Going through all these different "trials" took a toll on my body, and that probably caused more headaches and migraine at the time than anything. I'm happy to be doing my own "experiments" now like chiropractic, aromatherapy, and diet changes, and I feel like these are having a much better effect on my headaches and my body.
"Here, let's try this. Nothing? How about this? Maybe this?"
I went through a slew of different "preventative" medications when I was first diagnosed with migraine, like antidepressants, muscle relaxers, and various beta blockers. I also went through the same type of ordeal when my migraine flared up again in college, but with different medications like anti-inflammatories, birth control, and of course, more beta blockers. Nothing worked, and they usually just had nasty side effects to deal with.
When Treximet first came out, my doctor at the time wanted me to "try this new medication." She even told me I was her first patient to use it, and frequently asked me how it was working.
Going through all these different "trials" took a toll on my body, and that probably caused more headaches and migraine at the time than anything. I'm happy to be doing my own "experiments" now like chiropractic, aromatherapy, and diet changes, and I feel like these are having a much better effect on my headaches and my body.
###
June, Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, is dedicated to Unmasking the Mystery of Chronic Headache Disorders. The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is issued by FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.
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