Awards and things.....

My friend MJ over at Rhymes with Migraine awarded me a Lemonade award! This is for "blogging with the attitude of gratitude".

I love that we have little awards to give to other bloggers!

Since I've been somewhat out of the blogging loop - I also received a Kreative Blogger Award from Megan Oltman at Free My Brain.

I thank you both for the awards.

With the Kreative Blogger Award - we are to list six things that make us happy.

1. My husband and his support

2. My family at My Migraine Connection

3. Doctors that LISTEN!!!!!

4. My furry babies (the 5 cats that rule my house)

5. Triptans! Yes, I know - that's an obvious one, but I know a lot of you who were diagnosed and suffering before they were available. I am happy that we have them and that we will never again be without them!

6. The great group of guys and gals that blog about Migraine disease and getting the truth out there! I love you all!!

Now, I am to give these awards to others in the blogging community:

1. Sue over at Inner Dorothy

2. Nancy Bonk for her great Share Posts

3. Arabella at Migraine Truth

4. Leeloo at Journey of a Migraineur

5. Abi at Abi's Migrainous Wanderings

6. MW over at Sparkling with Crystals

Thank you all!!!!

My New Migraine Specialist!

When I see a new doctor, I try very hard not to get my hopes up too high because, usually I am let down.

This was not the case with the Migriane Specialist I saw yesterday. Dr. Mascellino was wonderful! She is taking me off the Lexapro - she was excited to see that I wanted to try Zonegran, since I'd done well on Topamax for a little over a year. So, once I can get to the pharmacy, I'll be starting Zonegran! Of course - even though I had called the other neuro's office that I had been seeing for about a year like 3 times before this appointment to make sure they sent over my records - they, of course had not.

She called over and got everything faxed over while I was there so she could review what had been done previously - it took two calls because the first they only send old neruo's office notes and did not include the lab work I'd had. So the next call was for them to send the REST of my file.So - full neuro work up and here is what we are doing:

Tapering off Lexapro and starting Zonegran - which can be done at the same time. (She said tryciclics and anti depressants are not her fist line of prevention - and are a last resort.) She also said no Verapamil for me since I had a hard time with Inderal, and although they are different classes of drugs, with my BP on a normal/low - she didn't want to go that way.

We are keeping the Frova, Xanax and Zanaflex since they all work like a charm for me. She switched my rescue from Vicodin to Vicoprofen? I am not too familiar with that one, but it is the same strength as the Vicodin with a different make up. I had stressed my concern w/ MOH which I usually get from Acetaminophen.

She is adding in Parafon Forte for my TTH as needed and also ordered all new blood work with metabolic work up, check my vitamin D since I've been taking 1000 IU since June. She also ordered MRI's, MRA's with and without contrast. I will be doing that later, once they are precerted.

All in all - I really like her! She was surprised that I had tried so little as far as preventives, seeing as I've been going to a neurologist in some form or another for 10 years. She said "don't worry - there are soooo many more we can try!!" (That's when I pulled out Migraine Preventive Options: Too Many To Give Up! and said, "Yes, I know!" She loved the list! I don't know if she is familiar with My Migraine Connection, but when I see her next month I'm going to pass it along to her.

She is also the first doctor to want to COPY my Migraine and Headache diary which is wonderful because having it in my file and looking at it is a heck of a lot better then skimming it for a second like all the others did, if they even cared!

Shawn came with me and thought she was good too. I was happy he was there, because he brought up things I forgot about. Also, it was great to have her ask if during my Migraines I get weakness or tinging - she was checking to see if I had Hemiplegic Migraine which was great, since I don't think any of the other doctors I'd seen previously ever asked! They also never ordered any testing what so ever - I had to request blood work with my last neuro.I think that is about it!

She is really nice and does know her stuff! I was really impressed considering I had not heard of her before.So, she wants to see me in a month, just to touch base and see how I am doing with the Zonegran. I think that is great too!

So we will see how it goes! I will keep you posted once I get my testing all done.

E is for.....

Education! Education! Education! - the more you know about Migraine as a patient, the better treatment you can get for yourself. I am going to have shirts made that say "Everything I've learned, I've learned from Teri Robert!" Seriously! Her book Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headaches changed my life! Her friendship and constant support has changed my life. Pick up her book through Amazon.com - and visit her at My Migraine Connection!

ER Treatment Forms - Teri Robert came up with these forms when dealing with uncooperative ER staff, or just the ER in general - and will also have a protocol in place as how your doctor wants the ER staff to treat you, if you need to go to the ER.

A Confession.....

I think I was a little too ambitious with the ABC's thing. I will get back to it. I have had no time and quite honestly feel like a truck hit me more often then not.

I sit home again tonight, in pain, while my friends are at a Halloween party.

I am just tired of being sick. I know it will get better. It's just that the right now - sucks out loud!!

D is for....

Depression - Almost half of Migraineurs experience depression. Why wouldn't we? Being in pain more days then not can get very depressing and lonely. Not to mention some of the preventive medications we can use have depression as a possible side effect. Teri Robert has written about Depression and Migraine being co morbid - meaning you can have both, but one does not need to exist for the other.

Depression Common in Headache Sufferers

Depression in Woman with Migraine Linked to Childhood Abuse

If you or someone you know suffers from depression, HealthCentral has a site for this as well. It's at My Depression Connection. Depression is not something to fool around with. I have been battling with it since I was about 8 or 9, but not diagnosed until I was 14.

Dehydration - This can be a huge Migraine trigger! It can also trigger a headache for those who do not have Migraine Disease. You would think the first sign of dehydration would be thirst, but nope! It's headache!

Diagnosis - When dealing with any new symptom or illness, it is crucial to get a proper diagnosis. Don't go guessing what you have - get to a doctor and have it checked out! You will save yourself a lot of aggravation, and maybe even your life by doing this! Trust me!

Disability - "According to a World Health Organization analysis, migraine alone is responsible for at least one percent of the total US medical disability burden, and severe migraine attacks are as disabling as quadriplegia." Migraine also makes up 9% of labor loss in the US alone.

Statistics and quotes found at the Alliance for Headache Advocacy Fact Sheet

DHE-45 - Dihydroergotamine is an injectable drug used to abort Migraine. It also comes in a spray form called Migranal. This drug can be used in an IV treatment therapy as well.

IV Treatment for Refractory Migraines

C is for:

Cluster Headaches: Severe attacks in head pain, unilaterally, lasting 15-180 minutes. Cluster headaches can occur more then once a day. See Cluster Headaches: The Basics Also, for more information, visit Cluster Busters. Also, if you go to Cluster Busters, please check out the video linked on the front page.....it really puts into perspective how painful these attacks are.



Caffeine: Ah, caffeine. This one can go either way for a Migraineur. It can help or make a Migraine worse. For me, I find that I end up with a Migraine if I don't drink it! Note: Caffeine Guy don't even think about commenting here!



Coke Classic: The end all, be all of what I need when I feel like a truck hit me. I am not a soda drinker, but this is my all time fav!!!! It not only helps my belly feel better, but my head too!



Chronic Daily Headache: or CDH - is a headache more then 15 days in a month. See Chronic Daily Headache: The Basics

B is for:

Basilar-type Migraine: BTM is a type of Migraine, a little more difficult to treat then some other Migraine or Migraine with aura Migraineurs. This is because most of the medications used to abort Migraines, are contradicted for BTM. Symptoms of Basilar-type Migraine may mimic other types of illnesses, so it is very important to rule out other possible illnesses by having a CT (CAT Scan) and/or an MRI, just to make sure there is nothing else going on.

Migraineurs suffering from BTM should wear an ID bracelet in case of emergency, since the symptoms of an attack can mimic other health issues.

Botox: I'm sure you all know what this is! Yes, it's not only used for cosmetic reasons anymore! It has shown great success with tension-type headache and other conditions. It is not exactly administered they way it would be if being used for cosmetic reasons. Botox for Migraine and TTH is shot not only in the forehead, but around the jaw, and also in the back of the neck.

If you are thinking of Botox for Migraine, please check out the following links:

Treating Migraines with Botox?

Intradermal Botox for Migraine, Headache, Pain Disorders

Just a fair warning though - there may be a lot of back and forth with your insurance, if you decide to go this route. So be prepared.