Well the day started out okay but within less than 30 minutes the head was full of pain. Took meds with coffee, applied ice pack and no help. Had wanted to clean up back yard, get rid of old cupboard and spray off patio and clean tables etc. Got some of it done, cupboard is disassembled and moved out of the way, wooden crates are set up for gardening and pool supplies, throw away stuff is in trash bags but that is as far as I have gotten. Need to take a shower and bring son to work soon, as well as go to store for a few items too tie us over until grocery shopping next week and then hubby wants to go out for dinner. Not going to be much fun for me with headache but as usual he comes first. Need to change that but not sure if solution is a possibility at this time. I have started a new blog page about surprises. Don't think I will be able to finish today since it is really hard to think of new things with the migraine. Creativity is limited on these kind of days, mundane actions are easy as well as writing about things I am very familiar with like migraines. Have no idea why the headache, since I have been watching my diet and can't think of any extreme stress lately and there are no clouds in the sky but it could be a delayed reaction from last 2 or 3 days of stress and weather. Oh well, onward and upward and look forward to meeting with new friend and her 2 twin girls next week. They are coming over so the girls can swim and Stephanie and I can get to know each other better, although I/We feel like we are already old and good friends. Such a joy to meet new friends, one of the few joys in my life these days. Now I am getting/sounding depressing, so will close for today. As ever take care and be safe.
8/15/09
8/11/09
Two Triggers I Can Not Control
It has been a while since I have posted here and mostly because I have been going through a lot of bad events some of which were expected some not expected. I recently had to put one of my two oldest cats, Prince, to sleep due to kidney failure. He is now on the mantle with his mom and brother. I have one more of the family left and she is also 16 years old and fairing so so. My husband also has been in for kidney stone removal and so was home for a week recovery which meant I was playing nursemaid. He is better for now but will have to get used to drinking more water to keep from getting more stones. Not something he wants to do. So the stress level around here has been extremely higher than normal and mostly out of my control. I did enjoy a visit with my granddaughter who lives in Louisiana and is five years old and whom I haven't seen since she was 2. She was born four days after my birthday so we are very much alike in many ways. One is that every seven years our birthday is on Thanksgiving and we are REAL TURKEYS! That is what my Dad used to tell me since I was known for being silly most of the time anyway. I never do anything half way good or bad silly or serious it is all or nothing and I will stay that way, that is Just Me.
Years ago when I first found out that I actually had what is now known as migraines there were three triggers I could not control. Hormones, the weather and stress. I now am taking a natural soy based hormone replacement and no longer have a problem with frequent unexplained mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats or migraine pain from my hormone imbalance. That has taken care of one trigger I was unable to control in the past. As for the weather and stress, not so fortunate on those two issues. There is absolutely nothing I can do to change or stop the weather from bothering me. No matter where I might live there will always be humidity, cloudy skies, cold and storms. As far as stress well I guess I could live in a monastery or convent but not sure if there is any that would accept me. Being the wild child that I am not a good fit.
My only recourse is to try to deal as best I can with the weather and as for the stress I am looking into alternatives ways to deal with that also. I am going to go to a meeting with a neighbor to see about practicing Buddhism and am also looking into relaxation techniques that will lessen the effects of stress on my body and mind. One other thing I am going to try to do is not read, listen or follow information that upsets me in regards to new treatments for migraines. For example the most recent news flash of how cosmetic surgery on forehead wrinkles help migraine sufferers. That is all well and good for someone who has the financial means to afford that kind of surgery in the first place but what about the millions of others who don't have that option. And the other upsetting treatment using Botox. Who in their right mind would inject themselves with poison. I have had migraines for over 40 years and at times have been bed ridden for weeks with pain and even wished I were dead, only in the pain induced extreme, but would never put a known poison in my body even if it were free.
Please people who read this blog do not let the medical society and the pharmaceutical companies influence your own common sense and induce you to take or try chemicals that are not only dangerous but deadly. There are many other natural herbs and vitamins that can achieve the same end without any dangerous side effects or at the least very slight side effects which will not hurt or kill you.
Even the simplest thing like using an ice pack can relieve the most horrific pain from a migraine and there is absolutely no side effects from it's use.
Years ago when I first found out that I actually had what is now known as migraines there were three triggers I could not control. Hormones, the weather and stress. I now am taking a natural soy based hormone replacement and no longer have a problem with frequent unexplained mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats or migraine pain from my hormone imbalance. That has taken care of one trigger I was unable to control in the past. As for the weather and stress, not so fortunate on those two issues. There is absolutely nothing I can do to change or stop the weather from bothering me. No matter where I might live there will always be humidity, cloudy skies, cold and storms. As far as stress well I guess I could live in a monastery or convent but not sure if there is any that would accept me. Being the wild child that I am not a good fit.
My only recourse is to try to deal as best I can with the weather and as for the stress I am looking into alternatives ways to deal with that also. I am going to go to a meeting with a neighbor to see about practicing Buddhism and am also looking into relaxation techniques that will lessen the effects of stress on my body and mind. One other thing I am going to try to do is not read, listen or follow information that upsets me in regards to new treatments for migraines. For example the most recent news flash of how cosmetic surgery on forehead wrinkles help migraine sufferers. That is all well and good for someone who has the financial means to afford that kind of surgery in the first place but what about the millions of others who don't have that option. And the other upsetting treatment using Botox. Who in their right mind would inject themselves with poison. I have had migraines for over 40 years and at times have been bed ridden for weeks with pain and even wished I were dead, only in the pain induced extreme, but would never put a known poison in my body even if it were free.
Please people who read this blog do not let the medical society and the pharmaceutical companies influence your own common sense and induce you to take or try chemicals that are not only dangerous but deadly. There are many other natural herbs and vitamins that can achieve the same end without any dangerous side effects or at the least very slight side effects which will not hurt or kill you.
Even the simplest thing like using an ice pack can relieve the most horrific pain from a migraine and there is absolutely no side effects from it's use.
7/6/09
New Info Old Info All Around the World Info
I have done my first RSS feed on google for migraines. It is mostly old and unreliable information but I have come across some very good blog pages and some new information. For now I am just going to put some of my old information that has worked for me and some new information on treatments I am now trying.
First the old - I have always believed in and used natural herbs and supplements to treat my migraines and to help counteract the lack of vitamins obtained from our unhealthy food grown with hormones, pesticides and herbicides. Since my migraines were caused by so many triggers it was difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate them all and to take the right supplement to defend against the migraine. I found about 10 years ago that a combination of calcium and magnesium helped tremendously. The best and purest I have found is from Country Life and there is 1000 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium in 2 caplets which is the normal daily dosage. I now take 3 a day just because of my age and to prevent osteoporosis. I have also found that grape seed is a great detoxifier and I take one a day at bedtime. There are many brands and strengths but I now use Puritans Pride grape seed extract. I also take 1 cod liver oil capsule a day at dinner. This is another antioxidant but also has Vitamin D which is great for blood circulation, another cause or condition related to migraines. These are just a few of the vitamins and supplements I have been taking for the past 25 years.
Now the NEW - There is only 1 new vitamin that I am taking for the past3 months but it has has a remarkable effect. Vitamin B2 500 mg per day in the morning. My new neurologist started me on it and within the first week I noticed a decrease in the frequency and intensity of my migraines. I was able to cut my use of fiorecet down to half of what I had been taking. Then a set back. The skies started to be increasingly cloudy, heavy with black and the barometric pressure was so intense I felt like I was constantly under 100 feet of water. Migraines came back with a vengeance as though to make up for lost time and lack of pain. I went back to using the full amount of fiorecet prescribed by my doctor. I went back to my neurologist and he told me to be patient. He knew I was feeling a let down since I had experienced such a great relief but he told me that the longer I took the B2 the more it would help and even with the pressure caused by the weather. I persisted and then this week it came true. We have had almost a week of rain, wind clouds and humidity. You see I live in Las Vegas desert and we are not supposed to have humidity. Thanks to all of the golf courses and pools and fountains the dry desert is no more. But I am better, I am nearly pain free, and I am happy. I still get a slight tightening behind my left eye and the back of my head but not nearly as bad and I have cut my pain meds down by 1/3 of what I was taking. YAHOOOO and happy days.
In future posts, I am going to list all or as many of my triggers as I can remember from all of the years of suffering. Some have gone by the wayside and some have become random, one day they trigger a migraine and some days they don't. It appears that triggers can be as fickle as some of the doctors and researchers that want us to believe we are neurotic and this is only imaginary or some other crackpot excuse for selling drugs that don't work or to put us on medication that is far worse that the pain. Some may say that there is nothing worse than the pain of a full blown, put your head in the trash basket, cut it off and freeze it, shoot me migraine but I disagree and believe me I have felt this pain. I don't want to die from a stroke or be paralyzed. Some of the new drugs have not been tested long enough and the side effects are far worse than the pain. There have been deaths from migraines. Yes some who have suffered severe pain and can not take it anymore have ended the pain in the most final way. Suicide is a constant threat, little voice in some of us but no one has died from the pain itself. Just from the medications and the wish to end the pain in any way possible. To all of you who have suffered as I please send me your comments and suggestions and ideas. Take care, be safe and remain hopeful.
Here are links for where I purchase my vitamins and supplements.
vitaminshoppe.com
puritanspride.com
First the old - I have always believed in and used natural herbs and supplements to treat my migraines and to help counteract the lack of vitamins obtained from our unhealthy food grown with hormones, pesticides and herbicides. Since my migraines were caused by so many triggers it was difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate them all and to take the right supplement to defend against the migraine. I found about 10 years ago that a combination of calcium and magnesium helped tremendously. The best and purest I have found is from Country Life and there is 1000 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium in 2 caplets which is the normal daily dosage. I now take 3 a day just because of my age and to prevent osteoporosis. I have also found that grape seed is a great detoxifier and I take one a day at bedtime. There are many brands and strengths but I now use Puritans Pride grape seed extract. I also take 1 cod liver oil capsule a day at dinner. This is another antioxidant but also has Vitamin D which is great for blood circulation, another cause or condition related to migraines. These are just a few of the vitamins and supplements I have been taking for the past 25 years.
Now the NEW - There is only 1 new vitamin that I am taking for the past3 months but it has has a remarkable effect. Vitamin B2 500 mg per day in the morning. My new neurologist started me on it and within the first week I noticed a decrease in the frequency and intensity of my migraines. I was able to cut my use of fiorecet down to half of what I had been taking. Then a set back. The skies started to be increasingly cloudy, heavy with black and the barometric pressure was so intense I felt like I was constantly under 100 feet of water. Migraines came back with a vengeance as though to make up for lost time and lack of pain. I went back to using the full amount of fiorecet prescribed by my doctor. I went back to my neurologist and he told me to be patient. He knew I was feeling a let down since I had experienced such a great relief but he told me that the longer I took the B2 the more it would help and even with the pressure caused by the weather. I persisted and then this week it came true. We have had almost a week of rain, wind clouds and humidity. You see I live in Las Vegas desert and we are not supposed to have humidity. Thanks to all of the golf courses and pools and fountains the dry desert is no more. But I am better, I am nearly pain free, and I am happy. I still get a slight tightening behind my left eye and the back of my head but not nearly as bad and I have cut my pain meds down by 1/3 of what I was taking. YAHOOOO and happy days.
In future posts, I am going to list all or as many of my triggers as I can remember from all of the years of suffering. Some have gone by the wayside and some have become random, one day they trigger a migraine and some days they don't. It appears that triggers can be as fickle as some of the doctors and researchers that want us to believe we are neurotic and this is only imaginary or some other crackpot excuse for selling drugs that don't work or to put us on medication that is far worse that the pain. Some may say that there is nothing worse than the pain of a full blown, put your head in the trash basket, cut it off and freeze it, shoot me migraine but I disagree and believe me I have felt this pain. I don't want to die from a stroke or be paralyzed. Some of the new drugs have not been tested long enough and the side effects are far worse than the pain. There have been deaths from migraines. Yes some who have suffered severe pain and can not take it anymore have ended the pain in the most final way. Suicide is a constant threat, little voice in some of us but no one has died from the pain itself. Just from the medications and the wish to end the pain in any way possible. To all of you who have suffered as I please send me your comments and suggestions and ideas. Take care, be safe and remain hopeful.
Here are links for where I purchase my vitamins and supplements.
vitaminshoppe.com
puritanspride.com
5/6/09
My Story
My name is Darlene Blair, I am 57 years old and I have had migraines since I was 13 years old. The following is the history of my life with migraines. There maybe gaps in the timeline due to the fact that I am trying to tell 45 years of experiences because of the length of time I am trying to remember but believe that the information I am giving is true and correct, even though some of it may seem unbelievable.
When I started having migraines as a teen the term migraine was not a recognized medical term but migraines were considered to be mostly an exaggeration of just a normal headache. This was 1964, and the only subscribed remedy from doctors was to take an over the counter pain reliever. This consisted of either aspirin, bufferin or Excedrin. My choice was aspirin and due to school rules I was forced to take them without water. Needless to say I was taking them by the handfuls on most days when the headache was a 10+ in severity. The result of this treatment was the aspirin burned my stomach and eliminated most or all of my natural digestive enzymes used to digest food. For the next 10 years that was my only treatment and I was forced to live in a world where there were days of being restricted to bed.
In the mid 1970’s, I found a doctor who diagnosed me with migraine headaches. He prescribed cafergot and I thought I had finally found relief. Not the case, since this drug was not only extremely addictive but overtime I built up a resistance to it. One day in 1979 I awoke with one of my worst headaches and started to take the cafergot. By mid day, I realized I had taken over 12 of them, and fell asleep. Upon awakening, I looked up the drug in a medical book and found that each pill equaled drinking a full pot of coffee. That meant I had drank 12 pots of coffee and fallen asleep. Needless to say that scared me beyond belief. I immediately through the rest of my prescription away and thought that I had lost all hope of help and relief.
A few months later, a woman I knew told me she also had migraines and that she was seeing a chiropractor who had helped her tremendously. I immediately called and made an appointment to see him. I had never gone to a chiropractor before and thought it could not hurt. This doctor was a miracle worker and one of a kind. He took a full x-ray of my body, had me fill out a medical and physical history that consisted of approximately 20 pages and then we had an hour consultation. At the end of the consultation he informed me that I had a condition called scoliosis and that was part of the cause of my migraines. The other cause was my diet. He put me on a detox program consisting of herbs and supplements that he had helped develop and informed me that I had to stop eating all foods containing any sulfates, nitrates and foods that were processed or had preservatives in it. The detox program lasted for 6 weeks and when I returned I was given another herbal program to take on a daily basis. The other part of his treatment was a form of acupressure. He used a small metal air type hand tool that he would place behind my left ear and on my left hip. He would then gently “punch” me there and then run his fingers lightly down my spine. For the first 2 months, I visited him 2 times a week and then 1 time a week for the next 3 months. After that I only visited him to get refills on my supplements and when I needed an adjustment. It was a MIRACLE. Because of Dr. Paul, I only had a migraine 3 or 4 times in the next 4 years. Those were caused any action that would cause my back to be misaligned which would restrict my spinal fluid to not flow properly. Unfortunately I have never been able to find a doctor that practices this same type of treatment or medicine even though I have tried and visited doctors who claim to provide this type of treatment but were lying.
Since then I have been trying every medication that comes out and to no avail. The only thing that helps is fiorcet. I have found that a combination of calcium and magnesium helps and a new doctor has me taking 500 mg of B-2 everyday which has really helped. My headaches have now decreased in severity and occurrences due to the B-2.
To be continued.
When I started having migraines as a teen the term migraine was not a recognized medical term but migraines were considered to be mostly an exaggeration of just a normal headache. This was 1964, and the only subscribed remedy from doctors was to take an over the counter pain reliever. This consisted of either aspirin, bufferin or Excedrin. My choice was aspirin and due to school rules I was forced to take them without water. Needless to say I was taking them by the handfuls on most days when the headache was a 10+ in severity. The result of this treatment was the aspirin burned my stomach and eliminated most or all of my natural digestive enzymes used to digest food. For the next 10 years that was my only treatment and I was forced to live in a world where there were days of being restricted to bed.
In the mid 1970’s, I found a doctor who diagnosed me with migraine headaches. He prescribed cafergot and I thought I had finally found relief. Not the case, since this drug was not only extremely addictive but overtime I built up a resistance to it. One day in 1979 I awoke with one of my worst headaches and started to take the cafergot. By mid day, I realized I had taken over 12 of them, and fell asleep. Upon awakening, I looked up the drug in a medical book and found that each pill equaled drinking a full pot of coffee. That meant I had drank 12 pots of coffee and fallen asleep. Needless to say that scared me beyond belief. I immediately through the rest of my prescription away and thought that I had lost all hope of help and relief.
A few months later, a woman I knew told me she also had migraines and that she was seeing a chiropractor who had helped her tremendously. I immediately called and made an appointment to see him. I had never gone to a chiropractor before and thought it could not hurt. This doctor was a miracle worker and one of a kind. He took a full x-ray of my body, had me fill out a medical and physical history that consisted of approximately 20 pages and then we had an hour consultation. At the end of the consultation he informed me that I had a condition called scoliosis and that was part of the cause of my migraines. The other cause was my diet. He put me on a detox program consisting of herbs and supplements that he had helped develop and informed me that I had to stop eating all foods containing any sulfates, nitrates and foods that were processed or had preservatives in it. The detox program lasted for 6 weeks and when I returned I was given another herbal program to take on a daily basis. The other part of his treatment was a form of acupressure. He used a small metal air type hand tool that he would place behind my left ear and on my left hip. He would then gently “punch” me there and then run his fingers lightly down my spine. For the first 2 months, I visited him 2 times a week and then 1 time a week for the next 3 months. After that I only visited him to get refills on my supplements and when I needed an adjustment. It was a MIRACLE. Because of Dr. Paul, I only had a migraine 3 or 4 times in the next 4 years. Those were caused any action that would cause my back to be misaligned which would restrict my spinal fluid to not flow properly. Unfortunately I have never been able to find a doctor that practices this same type of treatment or medicine even though I have tried and visited doctors who claim to provide this type of treatment but were lying.
Since then I have been trying every medication that comes out and to no avail. The only thing that helps is fiorcet. I have found that a combination of calcium and magnesium helps and a new doctor has me taking 500 mg of B-2 everyday which has really helped. My headaches have now decreased in severity and occurrences due to the B-2.
To be continued.
