On November 30, 2010, I had a cerebral angiogram to see if I had an aneurysm.  It's been almost a month now, and it has taken me a while to absorb the results. I do not have an aneurysm. That is good news, right? That's the part I have been absorbing. Yes, it is good news, and I have come to understand that. I was told the results before leaving the procedure room. I had been told that I would get the results within a day or two but was very happy to get the results right away. Actually, the doctor that performed the test told me point blank when it was over, "Trust me, you didn't want us to find anything wrong!" He said it with conviction and I have come to believe him. It was hard at first though because I so desperately wanted answers. But now I understand that an aneurysm is NOT the answer that I want.

So, now I can say with confidence that my test went well and I am thankful that I do NOT have an aneurysm. What had looked like a possible aneurysm was actually a "funny turn" in an artery in my brain. The doctor said it was perfectly normal and is not causing any problems. Another question answered along my Migraine journey. The tests that I have had over the past two months show nothing in my brain (arteries, veins, blood vessels) that is any cause for concern.

Since getting these test results, I have made some changes myself. I had come to the conclusion before the test that none of my drugs seem to help at all. I'm talking about my acute pain drugs and my Migraine abortives. (Keep in mind; I will not change any of my preventive medications without the direction of my Migraine specialist. We should not "play" with how we take our preventive meds. It could be dangerous.) I have stopped taking my acute / abortive medications. The only thing I use for pain is my icepack / head band. I occasionally use some essential oils. My Migraine specialist had recently told me that the less often I take my pain / abortive medications the better I will feel. Well, I do feel better. I have laid down a few times when the pain gets really bad. And I am open to taking the pain medications, but at this point since they weren't helping, I'm just not reaching for them right now. I have better luck with ice and trying to redirect my thoughts. This brings me to another point.

I was just reading today how stress is considered by some a Migraine trigger and by others an exacerbating factor. Teri Robert explains it this way: "Stress doesn't trigger Migraines, but it does make us more susceptible to our triggers." For the past three plus years, I have listened to people tell me to relax, take a hot bath, chill out. Well, I've tried that, and I still have pain in my head every day. However, since having the angiogram and knowing that I do not have an aneurysm, I have noticed that my stress level regarding my Migraines is less. I no longer think about the possibility of having a stroke or there being something very seriously wrong that the doctors haven't found.