Friday, July 29, 2011

To Medicate, or Not to Medicate

To medicate, or not to medicate, that is the question.

I HATE the medicine "game." It's not fun trying to figure out (especially in my migraine-fogged brain) things like... If I can take my abortive medicine up to 3 days a week: what is a "week," and when can I take my next dose? Is a week Sunday through Saturday? A rolling 7-day period of time?

It's so aggravating to have to think about this stuff, and extremely saddening to look at your health calendar and realize that either "spin" you put on it (Sun thru Sat, or rolling 7 days), you've already maxed out for the week and have to just try to survive without it.

After such an intense migraine attack last night, I woke up feeling on the edge of another one. I've tried to push through today, but I can feel it worsening pretty quickly. I don't know how much more of the intense, mind-melting, blinding pain I can handle. I looked at my migraine diary / health calendar, and whether or not I've maxed out on my meds is in the gray-area... so, I took the meds anyway. I've also tried a few different programs on my neurostimulator to try to stop the migraine attack progress, but it doesn't seem to be helping (I'll have to remember to mention that to my doctor on Monday, when I go in).

So, it looks like another evening of taking it easy / Netflix. I'm so glad that we have Netflix, even if it's sometimes only for some kind of white noise... since my stupid migraines can actually worsen in complete silence... or darkness...

Here's hoping for some relief...

6 comments:

  1. Hoping and praying along with you....

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  2. I can't stand the silence because my ears ring so loudly...which makes me feel so much worse!

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  3. I'm a huge fan of white noise, too. The silence and loneliness can be so overwhelming without it.

    I know they're just stupid, simple, basic things, but don't forget how much relaxed breathing can help, and try to stay hydrated if your stomach allows it.

    Sending good thoughts. (((hugs)))

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  4. I understand about deciding when to take medication and where does your week start and end. When you have a chronic daily migraine, I believe there isn't a way unless you decide how your week and go from there.

    I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so much. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

    Holly

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  5. I can't tell you how much time I've spent obsessing on the medication issue. I relate, and I have trouble counting the week as well. I can't take more than two triptans a month or I get rebound, but I seem to be able to take up to three days of Alleve (which I combine with flexoril and caffiene). Last night I tried Oxycodone and it made me the most nauseous ever.

    I can't watch TV with migraines, so I cover the TV, then still have to cover my eyes, and listen to the sound. It's actually quite entertaining to make the images up in my own mind. I do this with Netflix, because then I don't have to deal with ads which are way to assaultive for me when in pain.

    The other thing I do is listen to podcasts. Now that I have my ipod touch set up they are very easy to listen to, an great in a dark room. The Splendid Table, if I'm not nauseous, last night it was WAIT WAIT DON"T TELL ME.

    Take care!

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  6. The medication dance sucks, I'm so with you on that. Even after years of playing this game I don't feel like I'm any better at it. And honestly, I am not having any fewer migraines since I stopped "overusing" my meds.

    Isn't funny how the silence can actually hurt more sometimes...yes! I always thought it was just me and my imagination. I almost always have something on - usually Netflix :)

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