Two steps forward, one step back...

Hi Gretchen,

Thank you for the suggestion about using a different doctor. I really don't have a good GP doctor and I'm just beginning a relationship with this new neurologist. It was very hard to get the appointment with him so I doubt I'll be able to schedule an earlier time than my next regular appointment. At least this new doctor seems knowledgeable about migraine disease. I just don't feel particularly comfortable with him. Hope that will improve. I wish I'd made the connection between my sleep and headaches before my appointment. It's hard to connect all the dots with migraine disease, and my focus was on getting a new medication so I wouldn't be reluctant to take it.

 

My husband has kept me awake for years with his snoring. He snorts and wakes us both up. So I blamed him for my feeling tired in the morning. We may both have similar issues going on.

 

While reading up on sleep apnea online, I noticed that it is more likely to happen when a person sleeps on their back. My dentist said never to sleep on my side with TMJ problems. That's why I was trying to sleep on my back when I woke myself up. I also have a very painful neck on one side. Don't know if it's an injury or arthritis but has recently started giving me trouble. (coincidentally since I've been working out on the elliptical trying to improve my quality of life with migraine disease!) The neck pain has certainly contributed to my headaches. I am getting so I can usually head them off with Advil, swig of coke, magnesium, a hot bath, etc. before they are full blown without resorting to the big guns like Zomig but not this past week...when I wasn't sleeping well.

 

I'm not sure if I like my splint or not. It's just for the upper teeth. The improvement I noticed immediately was that I was sleeping more soundly but I'm having very annoying and painful TMJ problems which have not improved much so far. I'll be seeing my dentist again soon. I may just talk to him about the sleep issues. He's been our dentist for years and has always been approachable, knowledgeable, and very helpful in his advice on many subjects...far better than any of our GPs! He could probably give me direction. Thank you for the idea!

 

Jane

First - don't wait for the neuro appt - sleep apnea can CERTAINLY trigger migraines - any sleep disturbance (too much/too little) can! Even if you don't have a "good GP" I think any one can order a routine sleep study for you with your symptoms. I also have TMJ and it's funny - my MD told me TO sleep on my side but also with a feather pillow. I don't grind my teeth so splints don't work for me - and I never liked feather pillows until I got used to it. The thing about the side+feather equation is that you can bunch up the pillow under your jaw to support it so it stays in place AND relaxed while you sleep. Just a thought - but if you haven't had your mouth guard long maybe that is causing some sleep issues - they are hard to get used to! Also - thanks for mentioning your meds - I haven't heard of some of them - the bio-similar hormones or whatever - but am certainly going to look into them!!! Thanks & DON'T WAIT 3 MONTHS - it's your health and its too important!

Thanks for the comments. I found a doctor who has referred me for a sleep study. I am waiting for that doctor's office to call me back.

 

I do use a feather pillow and it is much more comfortable than a regular pillow. I have always slept on my left side. (except when I have a migraine, then I not only don't want to put my head down, I can't tolerate putting weight on the left side of my head) I have been trying to sleep on my back since getting the mouth appliance, but it isn't working. My husband has his own sleep issues and between him and me, I'm not getting much sleep right now. We have a full house at the moment and there is no place for either of us to move to except the couch. 

 

About the Bio-Identical Hormone Cream:

I found a local pharmacist who sells the mail-in kits for testing hormones using a saliva sample. The lab who receives the kit then contacts the pharmacist with the results and he makes an appointment to discuss the results with us. (my husband and daughter have also had the tests done) It is from my pharmacist that I have been getting the bio-identical hormone creams. (progesterone and estrogen) It has to be prescribed by a physician so I had to find a GYN who was willing to work with me. (vs prescribing HRT) I have a large uterine fibroid and the doctor insisted on taking a biopsy of it (not a pleasant experience) in addition to ANOTHER sonogram and blood work before she would write a prescription. I think because I was willing to cooperate with her, she was willing to go along with my request even though she didn't like the idea. (she'd never prescribed BIH

 

Three months later, I was still getting hot flashes (although they were much improved) but my GYN wouldn't increase the estrogen without another round of blood work. I felt like it was a control issue on her part. I found another doctor who was willing to double the prescription amount for me while I was in his office for another reason. Since then, I have been free from most menopausal symptoms. I use the estrogen cream morning and night and it has been working very well.

 

There are so many contributing factors to migraine. It is a lot of work and a long process to finally get some positive results.

That all sounds great!  Thank you for the info.  I didn't realize the hormones were for menopause - I was hoping it was something I hadn't tried for migraines!  I might look into the test though b/c I'm having trouble getting preggers and Im irregular and the headaches seem to be linked.  Ahh well!

 

Good luck with your sleep study - mine didn't find sleep apnea but some other things - I didn't realize all the different problems you could have with sleep!  You sound like you have all the tools so you should try the bunch up the pillow under your jaw until you find a shape that completely supports your jaw - meaning you can totally relax those muscles and it stays where its supposed to.   I have awful TMJ and that has been the best therapy I've found and has helped me improve the most!

 

I'm glad to hear you are making progress - good luck in your hunt!

That's a great idea. I'll do that. Thank you, Teri.

 

By the way, I just read your book "Living Well With Migraine Disease and Headaches" this past week. I grabbed it off my bookshelf on my way out the door to ride across country. I marked all over the pages while reading it, wondered why I hadn't gotten around to reading it earlier, and at some point, I turned it over and recognized your picture on the back cover. Sorry I didn't recognize your name. I hope to remember it from now on. Your book is a wonderfully helpful resource and easy to read. Thank you for all the effort you put into it!

Bravo! Bravo!

 

Jane

Ten days ago, I went to see a sleep specialist about having a sleep study done. I got a referral for my husband also because he has his own sleep issues. Our appointments were back to back so the doctor met with us together. Since according to my husband, I "never snore," the doctor said he thought the odds were extremely slim that I had apnea. He was patronizing and wanted to "save" me "money" so suggested I elevate the head of my bed because in all probability it's heartburn causing me to awaken in the night. He said the migraines and sleep awakenings would not be related. I told him I don't get heartburn (my husband lives with heartburn) and I had a migraine the last time I noticed I stopped breathing in my sleep. The doctor told me to try his suggestion, call him if it doesn't work, and then turned to my husband who, because he snores all night long, got a sleep study done. 

 

The doctor also said not to eat at bedtime. I don't eat or drink in the evenings because I don't want to need to use the bathroom when I'm trying to sleep. Maybe I eat something light in the evenings when I have a migraine, though, because of nausea? I wonder if that's really a factor and if that's causing heartburn?

 

I am so sick of not being taken seriously by doctors. It's really irritating. The one consolation is my husband really has some sleep issues needing to be dealt with, so all my effort was not wasted. And we've elevated the head of our bed for whatever it's worth.

 

I'm not noticing that I stop breathing right now. I'm just not sleeping very well. I'm planning a trip and that's on my mind. And it's too hot to go outside. I've noticed this summer that I sleep well at night after walking outside during the day. I use exercise equipment inside the house but that doesn't help me relax or sleep. I wonder if it's the sunshine and fresh air that helps.

 

I guess I'll wait and see if the next apnea episode coincides with my next migraine like I noticed last time. That's the only time I sleep on my back, I think, is when I have a migraine and can't sleep on my left side. And when I go for my regular appointment with the neurologist, I'll talk to him about it. He's a good listener.