Update on my headaches....

[kentuckygalrk]

Well, I went to the doctor today and he's been studying headaches for something like 40 years and "drumroll please"... he doesn't really know what's going on. Well thanks for nothin' buddy! LOL... it seems that headaches are "a very difficult thing to put your finger on". Who woulda guessed!!!


For now he's put me on two new perscriptions which will hopefully help (I took the one earlier that's for migraines and it seems to be doing the trick to some extent which is a huge relief). On Monday I will go and have a CT scan done for sanity's sake (both mine and the doctors)just to make sure there's nothing else going on and then I will have a full blood workup within the next few weeks to rule out some other things.


He feels that with my history, it's most likelymigraines that are just getting more frequent and worse with time. He said that unfortunately people who deal with chronic headaches typically deal with them for their entire lives (Oh joy!)and the best thing to do is to find a way to keep them under control for as long as possible and to avoid other things like loss of sleep and depression which are often times associated with the condition.


The worse part of the whole thing is the amount of money it costs. If any of you have migraines or chronic headaches or other chronic conditionsyou know what I mean. The doctors visits, the medicines which are forever being changed because they only work for a while, etc... I read an article the other day about the costs of headaches and the financial burden that they are and it's definitely true. Insurance is higher for people who have a chronic condition and migraines are no exception. I thank God that for the next few years at least (until I'm 25 if I'm a full time student) I will be covered under my parent's insurance which luckily is very good.


So that's what I know at this point in time... thanks to everyone once again for your continuedprayers and support


~Rachel

[Jenneh]

wow ... sounds like a bit of a tough time atm for you ...


i absoluitely detest headaches, and as for migraines, never even had one, so icannot even IMAGINE what it must be lke for you...


tke care, well as much as u can do... hope the tests go ok.


just so u no im thinking of ya [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]


Jen xxxx

[NCsmile6]

Awwww Rachel!! I was hoping that the doctor would have some answers for you...at least better ones than he gave you there!!! I'm sorry!!![img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img] (I also thought the appointment was next week[img]smileys/smilies_09.gif[/img])


**HUGS**


I hope all goes well with the CT scan and the bloodwork!!


Also, I hope the medicine can alleviate some of your pain.


I'm so sorry!! I couldn't imagine being in your position!!! You sound so brave from your post!!


I wish there was something I could do to help you! Just know that you are still in my prayers, okay??


Take care!!

[SimplyMe]

WOW! I'm glad he doesn't think it's anything "serious" although migraines are horrible (from what I understand) It's probably reassuring that hes' been doing this for 40 yrs and once you have the CT and blood work then at least you will know for a fact it's nothing life threatening. I'm glad the medicine so far has been working for you. I hope you are feeling 100% soon! Let us know about the CT and bloodwork and you are still in my prayers!

[Melikasa]

I hope that you get some answers soon. I know that doctors would rather say they aren't sure then to jump to conclusions or worry you unnessasarily. I hate migraines I can't afford the meds so I haven't followed up on the prescriptions but I know that there are some good ones out there. I have found that stress brings them on more frequently. Even seasons can effect them.
At least you are getting all the procedures done that will help a lot. Best of luck and big hugs. In my prayers.

[sage]

Rachel,


if it helps at all I used to have migraines really bad - they started in my teens and I also was told I'd have them my whole life. But once I got some really good psychotherapy about 20 years ago, they lessened off and only came up occasionally. Now that I've spent some really productive time in therapy (the past 3 years) I haven't had a headache at all. I guess I'm saying that I'm pretty sure stress was a big factor, and now that my overall stress is reduced, so are my headaches. So don't worry that you'll have them your whole life - hopefully they'll go away when the stress is reduced just like mine did.

[kentuckygalrk]

Sage... thank you! I can honestly say that nothing helps more at this point than knowing that there are others out there who have gone through migraines and haven't had to deal with constant pain for their entire lives. I'm not sure how much stress has to do with it, though I'm sure it def. plays a role, but it's nice to know that there arespecialists out there to talk to when or if I ever feel the need and that there's hope in doing so. I also have a great support group of friends, here at home and here onlinewho are there whenever I need them... they are def. Heaven sent!


As far as how it's going... today was horrible. I'm not sure exactly what happened, we don't know if it was an allergic reaction to the medicine or what, but about 30 minutes after I took it this morning I got this terrible burning sensation from the base of my neck up into my head and even through my arms at times.I wasat the mall picking up my paycheck with my cousins and Ifelt really dizzy and faint.At first I just thought it was from a stiff neck, but then after I took the medicine the second time it came back (haven't taken it since then and I won't until I talk to my doc.). It's still there right now which is strange because the med. should have worn off hours ago, butit just basically feels like my body, arms andneck upis on fire (no fever or anything).


Who knows... I'm at a loss at this point in time... tylenol is my best friend for now.


Thanks again everyone!


~Rachel

[Melikasa]

Ohh how horrible. If it is going to be a long time before you see your doctor maybe you can phone your pharmacist and ask about the side effects They will be able to tell you right away if that is a normal side effect or something different. I am glad to hear that you discontinued it though.

[jlockyer]

Hi Rachel


You should have had your CAT scan by now? Let us know how it went and whether you've got your medication under control now.


Hope you're doing ok.

[kentuckygalrk]

Hey everyone,


Just to give you an update, I had my CT scan on Monday and I won't know much of anything until I see the doctor on June 24th. It was easy as pie. Lie down on a table, close your eyes (I needed a good rest... too bad it only lasted5 minutes!!!) then you're done and you leave. Plus, the guy who did my scan was young and VERY cute


I was indeed having an allergic reactionwith the burning sensationand I got to the point whereI felt I had something stuck in my throat (which, according to the pharmacist was prob. my throat closing a little)and I definitely haven't taken the medicine again, I called the pharmacist and the doctor to let them both know and see if I needed to do anything special and they were all mad that I didn't get to a hospital Asap to get checked out.I'd taken it three times total and apparently with many allergic reactions it gets worse each time you take it! Good thing I didn'tjust let it slip as a stiff neck (which it felt like at first)andtake anotherdose!!


Other than that, I'mtakingAleve right now andthe headaches are still hanging around... but it's weirdbecause it seems after awhile the small headaches are just a nag... having felt an honest to goodness REALLY BAD headache, Ihardly notice the wee ones anymore. I still realize they're there, but other than that I just ignore them.


But oh well, I'll keep all of you updated when I find out anything... for now I'm just trying to relax and not worry.


Thanks for your prayers


~Rachel

[kats]

Good luck with the results! As others were saying though, it is nice knowing that the dr has been studying headaches for 40 years!! I am really sorry to hear about migraines, I get the occational headache but tylonol kills it pretty quickly and I cannot imagine what it must feel like for you!


All the best and please keep us posted!


Kats