Drug holiday is OVER! I have a new preventive!!!

I went to my neurologist on Tuesday and also started a new preventive medication. I had given up on Topamax and Amitriptyline because of the side effects...and well, I was still getting an average of about 7 Migraines a month.

My new preventive is Inderal. Inderal is a Beta Blocker commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. It's also sometimes used after a heart attack.

I've been on the Inderal at 10 mgs a day, in a split dose (5mgs a.m./5mgs p.m.). So far, so good. The first night I think I freaked myself out. Being that I have a normal low blood pressure, I was nervous to try this drug, but my doctor put me at ease saying that at the first sign of it giving a bad side effect - I back it down.

I have to say, other then the first night, I am sleeping better now then I have in a long time. I don't know if it's the Inderal, since it can take up to 6 weeks to take affect, or if it's my own "placebo effect". I think it's working, therefore, it is.

Now, I sleep like the dead. This is a welcome side effect (if that is what it really is) since I had been waking frequently and not getting sound sleep.

Also, my doctor gave me a script for Zanaflex to be taken at the onset of any Tension Type Headaches.

The story with my Tension Headaches is that the only thing that would touch them was Vicodin. Originally, if I caught the headache in time, Skelaxin would ease the pain somewhat. That is no longer the case. I tried Midrin to no avail. So now I am on Zanaflex for them.

My doctor said we will, at first, treat with Zanaflex on an as needed basis, since I just started the Inderal. The reason for not starting me on Zanaflex as a preventive with the Inderal, is to see which drug is or is not working. Once we know the Inderal is (hopefully!!) working, then we can add the Zanaflex in as a preventive as well. That is, if my Tension Headaches are still frequent on the Inderal.

I also received my first script for a rescue medication, that being Vicodin. I had so much Vicodin left over from my shoulder dislocation last year, I have not had a need to ask for a rescue.

So, that's my story.

So far, since starting the Inderal on Tuesday evening, I have not had a Migraine. I have, however been having a new aura. My aura's usually consist of floaters that look like oil spots, or sometimes, little shooting stars. The last two days I've had a more defined aura in that I'm seeing half crescent zig zags just in my peripheral vision.

For those of you unfamiliar with aura, I found a great video on YouTube featuring Dr. Silberstein from the Jefferson University Hospital.


I should also mention - I got back my blood work results, and as I suspected, I was deficient in Vitamin D! Thank you again Dr. Krusz for bringing this possibility to my attention! I am now taking 400mgs of Vitamin D, along with all my other supplements.

For more information on Vitamin D, you can check out some great articles by Diana at Somebody Heal Me. I have linked her articles directly below:

Chronic Migraineurs Lack Vitamin D

Vitamin D Eases Chronic Pain

Also, if I am not mistaken, Teri Robert is or will be working on an article about Vitamin D as well. Once that is up, I will post the link here.

Protect Migraineurs from compact fluorescent light bulbs

Ok this is going to be super quick because I'm blogging at work, but I wanted you to know that Diana over at Somebody Heal Me put together an awesome petition against CFL's being the only choice in light bulbs. As you may or may not know, CFL light bulbs can trigger migraineurs, and if these become the only light bulbs available, this can be a huge problem for us! You can sign it by clicking Here. Please go and sign this petition. It just went up and we already have 12 signatures, but we need many more!!!

Thanks!

I'll be back later when I have more time to give more info on this. Sorry this is so short.

What you do when it all comes crashing down.

So I had a great run this time. I went 17 days migraine free. I was not even done with my "migraine euphoria" post yesterday when I felt the beast start to dig it's claws into my head.

I have to say, it was not as bad as I thought it would be, head wise....but the nausea - oh man - all day long!

The one this I was really upset about was I actually had plans last night - yes, me - LEAVING THE HOUSE plans!!! Shawn and I still went out....my migraine had calmed down by then, but I still had the side effect of my postdrome.

Ok raise your had if your flesh aches after taking Frova!!! I swear it is the strangest side effect ever for me, I can take it considering that the Frova attacks my head and knocks out that migraine in a matter of an hour, but why does all of my flesh hurt after????

Sounds strange right?? It used to just be the back of my arms ached - now I noticed it's all over that I ache after taking it. I used to only get achy if I had to take two doses, now I notice it on one.

Please dear God don't make the Frova stop working!!! That is my biggest fear!!!! I can take the flesh pain!!! Yeah, all of my skin, and under it like the meat on my body aches when I touch it....I don't know...it's gone today and so is the migraine so I'm happy about that.

Ok, well onto some other exciting things. Yes, I'm going to plug some of my friends here so consider yourself warned!!!

We went to see our friends Insouciant Play last night - you guys please check them out - they are really good!!!! We had such a great time!!!

Also - My husbands band Annoying Customer is going to be heading into the studio to do some recording next weekend!!! Yippee!!!! I am so excited about this!!! Check them out too!!! I am especially fond of their new song "Mongoose"!!!! So please take a listen to both of them!!!

And last but certainly not least - we have Daina over at Somebody Heal Me Who announced her blog carnival yesterday!!! So for all who are interested please check out her site for details. The topic this time around is "strategies for coping with headaches and migraines". The deadline on this is midnight April 11, 2008 - so if you are interested, please go check her blog out for more info.

Ok kids, that about wraps it up for today!!!

Until next time - take care of yourself and be kind to each other.