Need help for the isolation..anyone out there?

Hi Nancy,

 

I guess I am uneasy about going to a headache clinic, because I tried one about 20 years ago at Faulkner Hospital, and it was a total disaster. 

 

I had all of my records sent from my neurologist, about 20 years worth at that point, and the intake person was incredibly patronizing.  Wasn't too interested in my personal medical history, just wanted to follow the protocol of the clinic.  They treated me as if I knew nothing about migraine or headaches, which as a college professor I'd researched using a world wide data base and followed all current research.

 

When I met with the doctor, he was imperious and cold.  He was the expert, and I was considered a cog in the wheel.  If I wanted help with my migraines, I was expected to shut up and put up.

 

I've been with my neurologist since the 70's, and my headaches had always been manageable until an auto accident injured my neck.  Now it seems the headaches, migraines, and chronic pain all stem from my neck (the pain and type of migraine is much different than before) and it is non-operable.  Preventitive medications have not helped.  My neuro says that my pain is caused by my neck, and once the neck can be healed, the associated problems should be diminished.

 

Could a headache clinic help with this?

I don't want to go and just be put through all the tests I've already had, retry meds that didn't work, etc.

Plus I'm so sick of being sick, and quite honestly, I don't even feel up to starting over again (I did do an extensive work up 3 years ago that lasted 2 years with multiple different treatments at the Arnold Pain Center at Beth Israel Hospital that didn't help me).  I am sick of being put through painful procedures while I'm already in so much pain.

 

Maybe the headache clinic in CT is different?  Has anyone on the forum had any experience with it?  How were they treated--as a person with a disease or as a disease?  I guess I need some reassurance that I wouldn't be going there just to get more of the same abuse I got at the last headache clinic.

 

Thanks, any suggestions on where I could get info on the CT headache clinic would be greatly appreciated.

Please reconsider trying a Migraine Clinic. A lot has changed in Migraine management just in the last 5 years. I just started going to the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute in January for chronic Migraine and I am already down to one migraine per week, a huge change in my migraine experience. They use a multi-disciplinary approach, and are very proactive about helping find the right treatment combination that will help you find relief. Patients come there from all over the country.

 

I, too, understand the isolation from being in pain all of the time. When you get past being able to plan anything, that you can not long count on being available for events, it can become very disheartening. One thing I found was that I had become very withdrawn, with good reason, because of my symptoms, but also depressed, in part because of the combination of prescriptions I was taking.  As I started feeling better, I am learning, you can't always just jump right back in to old friendships, sometimes. If folks do not understand illness and pain, they tend to avoid it. I have had to learn to nurture new friends, and do so very slowly.

 

I have special prescription glasses just for my computer, as my distance and readers aren't quite it - it is amazing how much more comfortable this is, and makes the glare less, as well, with a light tint.

 

I wish you the very best of luck, and please remember that you are not alone.

Hi Lynne,

 

Thanks so much for your reassurance about a migraine clinic.  I'm so happy to hear of your positive experience.  To go from chronic migraine to one migraine a week must be incredible--I can't imagine it!  You made such progress in less than a year--that is amazing.  The multi-disciplinary approach you mentioned, I believe, is the key to successful treatment.  I admit I got frustrated traveling to all the different places I have gone--the neurologist, the physical therapist, the mind-body program, the pain clinic, the accupuncturist, the pharmacy, etc...  I wish the clinic you mentioned was close enough for me to use.  It's my understanding that the clinic mentioned on the site in Connecticut (not close but at least in New England) is not accepting new patients now.  When it does, I will reconsider.

 

On a positive note, I am going to visit a new neurologist in the next few months, so I'm hoping a new perspective on my case might open new opportunities for migraine management.  It's definetly time for a new set of eyes to look at my records.

 

Speaking of eyes, the recommendation about trying new glasses for the computer is a good idea.  Like you, I need glasses (use contacts) for distance, and just started needing readers.  Notice, I said needed.  Means purchased, still have to get in the habit of getting up and putting them on when I need them.  My arms are just not long enough anymore!  I'll check in with my eye doctor next time I get my eyes checked about the possibility of glasses to be used while working on the computer. 

 

I wondered if there was just some sort of filter that could be placed on the computer screen....

 

I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your experience.  Your success gives me hope that maybe my chronic condition can be less so.

 

Take care.

Hi Susan,

 

Thanks so much for your response, and yes! There are products you can get to put on your computer monitor.  Just google the words -  computer glare screen  - and you will get a lot of choices, some of which are quite affordable. I had actually forgotten about these products and am going to check them out for myself!  Thanks for bringing up this great idea. I hope you have a good evening. Lynne

Hi Lynne,

 

Thanks for the google search tip--I didn't know what these might be called, but I guess they are called what they are.  Let me know if you find any you might recommend, or what you might specifically look for in one.  I know nothing about these.  I'll do some research myself.  Hopefully, we'll both find something that can make working at the computer with a migraine more tolerable. 

 

Take care.

 

 

Migraine/headache clinics have changed a lot in the last 20 years. A bad experience a long time ago shouldn't make it impossible for you never to go to another Migraine specialist again. And besides, it is always best to pick a doctor rather than a clinic.

 

 

Dr. Sheftell in CT is one of the top Migraine specialists in the country. You can't do much better, find a more caring or compassionate doctor than him. I would call him in a heartbeat.

 

Good luck.....and give him a try!

Dear Nancy,

 

Thank you, thank you!  I will call her/his office this week.  I truly appreciate the recommendation.

 

Hello!!!!

 

I do have a migraine today, but just "had a feeling" that I needed to check my email, and I was so wonderfully surprised to get your note.  I live only a couple of towns away, and can't get over how we came to connect (especially since I hadn't been on the site in soooo long, and it's the only one I actually have ever written to).

 

I also believe mold is a huge trigger issue for me, though I've never been tested.  I just know that when it starts to show up in my home (I have a well-sealed 60's ranch that is so air tight it is unbelievable) and also when outside mold counts get high, I am so much more susceptible to an attack.  Perhaps this is why the month of June and July were so bad for my head?!  It seemed as though I was constantly coming down with/experiencing/just getting over a migraine.  I actually ended up at the ER at South Shore Hosp last week because my rescue meds were useless for 3 straight days.  Thank goodness they were able to alleviate my pain and stop the nausea/vomiting.

 

Even though the mold count outside is high, I do try to keep up with my gardens (maybe only once every several days).  It's my "sanity time" when I can get outside of my pain and just tend to my gardens.  Of course, this is a challenging year for gardening, what with what all the excessive moisture has done for the plants and for aggravating the migraines.  Of course, it was different to tug weeds out while standing up because they got so high!

 

Also, I can relate like you wouldn't believe to finally feeling a little better, but then cramming in all of the housework that didn't get done while I was too sick to do it.  Where are the laundry fairies when you need them?  I do way more than I probably should when I am in a lot of pain (sometimes I half-heartedly believe it will take my mind off of the pain), but I am not the type that can live with too much disorder or clutter.  The guys in my house evidently can't see the mess, or are just better at ignoring it than I am.  Eventually, of course, I end up making myself worse, but I figure that I can't stop living or doing things all the time just because I'm in pain.  If I stopped living altogether just because I was in pain, I would never have a life at all.

 

Getting out to do things is tricky, for the reasons you mentioned.  Though I guess if I can do housework while in pain, getting out for a fun reason seems like such a better alternative.  I know that when I do get out, I feel better mood-wise afterward (even if I debated should I/shouldn't I beforehand). 

 

Thanks again for writing--it's a great feeling to find a kindred spirit.  Write anytime.

 

 

 

 

Hello Susan!

 

Yes it really gave me a giggle reading your entry!  I too hadn't been on forever and the same feeling of isolation came over me yesterday and here we are and then when I read your history your location and your interest in gardening I just was smiling a comrade in the battle of migraine insanity!  Oh I know there is a lot of us out there but  I never see them or feel them in my neck of the woods so somehow its nice to know you are there too.   Besides maybe we can compare mold reports and migraine day reports as well to see how weather and mold or other triggers are affecting us.   I been having an awful time finding any mold reports for our area or ma in general.  Some weather channels claim its moderate but nens claims its severe and off the charts which is what my head has been telling me.  When were you in the ER?  Friday and Saturday were whooper migraine days for me  If you can't tell by now with my writing (misspelling etc) I'm also having a mild migraine day with a little concentration problem in getting my words out.   I had a skin allergy test 25 years ago and found out I was allergic to mold.  (by the way allergist I had was the most concern doctor about migraines I ever had).  This mold allergy fact went into one ear and out the other as I lived in a dry state.  No not that way!!! hee hee!!  Anyway we moved to the great land of wet and salty in 1995 and I did okay except for that first year of record breaking snowfall.  The one where I couldn't see my car for weeks at a time because of the snowdrifts and I thought that was an isolating year! 

 

Then the mold fact came back to my mind because in the summer of 2006 my migraines changed form and instead of one side they now became front and center.  They also were occuring every morning between 4 am and 7 am and I mean every morning.  So remembering the wise advise given on this site about going to the doctors if you had a major change in your migraines off I went to the first the primary and then a neurologist who was suppose to be a migraine specialist.  After a mri with a slightly abnormal pit. gland which according to the doc is nothing to be concern about I was told to take 100 mg Topomax.  This did break me out of the pattern but by now it was winter and all those mold spores were frozen so I'm not sure how much Topomax helps but I'm too scared to go off and find out.  Anyway the summer of 2007 (a dry summer) I did really pretty good almost felt like I did in my younger migraine years with just a couple of migraines a week.  Then all hell broke out again with wet weather in 2008 and thats when I realized a pattern and I remembered the mold allergy.  And here we go again with another record breaking wet June July and so far July is not going good for me. 

 

But I am trying a new to me product that I actually saw when I was poking on this site a couple of months ago and it really did seem like it helped me in June -realize I am not endorsing it but it might be worth looking into migraine defense by Tuliv.  I loved the information on hormones and migraine on their website and it really made sense to me as I did have this abnormality with my pit.gland.  I saw your previous post on being perimenopausal and I too feel that ever since turning 40 I have had increase migraines because of the hormones and coming changes (I'm now 46 soon to be 47.)   My current doctor told me to try taking 25 mg extra Topomax a few days before my period to help with the menstrual migraines in my last appointment.  I have tried this a couple of times but now my cycles are starting to shorted up on me and this is hard to plan. 

And I have been trying another new thing for me Sinus Buster for the mold allergy (google the name) you can buy this at Rite Aid.  It sprays up your nose and helps with your sinus. They have a sinus, a headache and an allergy formula but the local store only had the sinus one here. I've been using this when I awake at 4am or whenever and then I go back to sleep and it seems to keep the sinus mold migraine from coming or from getting severe but I've only tried this now for two weeks someone else recommended on the truliv site.  Remember folks I only just started using these products so I'll get back to you and let you know if I had any measured success or you can share your experience too.

 

Susan,  As a gardener you'll appreciate this frustration-I got all excited to garden last year come spring and as May approached in the midst of it all I got sciatia.   Gardening is what keeps me sane!!! Its one of the few things left from the migraine whirlwind.  You lose your health, your career, your job, your standing in society, your friends, in my case my hormones were so off that I never got pregnant, and I lost my figure from previous preventatives and havent been able to find it again.  And to top it off the migraines have left me little energy to do so many things I love to do like travel etc. But I had my garden.  Well the sciatia lasted through the summer and just as I was getting better I blew out my knee compensating for my back.  So short story now my knee is still a mess so I still can't garden.  I don't know where the garden fairies or the house fairies are but they haven't been to our house in a couple of years.  Do you know their phone number?  So anyway I still trying really really hard not to go insane with all of these ailments when life happen last month and some stuff happen nothing too serious but stuff you'd like to cry on a close friends shoulder and have them say that sucks that really sucks.  For some reason my friend didn't come thru and gave a short flippant respond that others have problems too. I always tried to know whats up with her but if something is she isn't talking.  So you just feel like another door has been closed by the position that the migraine lifestyle has created for you.  And it is harder to go out now and meet new people and start over so you just feel extra sad and lonely.  I guess it just wasn't so stressful when we were more healthy and energetic and we had more contacts so when one friend was lacking we could go to another.  Lately my friend-eggs have been all in one basket and that basket got dropped when I really felt down and out.  hee hee!!

 

Thanks for being there!

 

 

 

Hi there Headacut!

 

How I do love the name you chose to use, how adorable!  And doesn't it still sound appropriate for how a headache can make you feel?

 

So sorry to hear about your knee, (that's just a complete stinker--did you feel like you had a bullseye on top of your head by now?) and not being able to garden at all.  I know that gardening is genuinely my "mental health break", and to be denied even that must be such a great loss for you, emotionally as well as physically.  I understand what satisfaction there is when you can actually participate in something you enjoy, especially when so many of life's pleasures have been denied you because of your migraines.  Hopefully your knee will mend more quickly than the sciatica--just don't push and do too much too soon.  I know that the instant I feel even some improvement physically, I tend to jump in and do too much too soon. 

 

Let your knee heal well, and know that the weeds will be waiting for you (they always are, they're relentless).  On the bright side (?), everyone's gardens are doing miserably this year because of the weather, so just think of the strain and aggravation you saved yourself by being sidelined....I know I'm reaching here, but just go with it (bright sides are such necessary things in life at times).  In addition, some of your plants are probably molding (I know some of mine are) so the farther away from them you can get, the better.

 

Fall is my favorite time of year here in New England, hopefully the air will be clear, crisp, and beautiful--maybe you'll feel up to some fall planting that you will doubly appreciate.  Plus, in the fall you can check to see what actually survived this miserable summer, and plan for next year.  Of course, if you're anything like me, you'll think up some nifty things to try next year, or changes you'd like to make, but forget them all over the long winter.  If you don't already have one, a little wheeled cart you can sit on, that is low enough for gardening use, would be a good investment.  Being on your hands and knees while gardening isn't such a good idea after what you've been through.  I have a lightweight plastic one, the seat opens to a little storage area for tools, and when I think to use it, I just scoot along on it.  Much less painful on the knees.

 

While I think of it, thanks for the tips on relief products, I'm definetly going to try the sinus spray--whenever I get a migraine, my sinuses do feel full and painful, and this just might be something that could alleviate that symptom.  I usually try taking sudafed when this face pain starts, but keeping the nasal spray by the bed would be much easier.

 

Actually, when you mentioned waking with headaches, it reminded me of myself in spades.  After the car accident, I was waking every morning with horrible headaches, most times the pain was literally my wake up call.  My neurologist told me that morning headache symptoms are most definetly related to neck issues.  He suggested trying a firmer pillow, preferably a buckwheat pillow.  I found one online, and I have to warn you, it takes getting used to.  It is heavy, feels like it's full of grains of rice, but it anchors your neck and head in a way that gives your neck the support it needs.  But it is firm--like a rock.  I do miss the days when I could snuggle into a downy soft pillow.  Maybe you could just try switching to a firmer pillow.  I also tried the pillows that are thinner in the middle (with a sort of pocket where your head fits in) and edges that are higher and firmer to support your neck.  This is an easier pillow to travel with (mostly because it's so much lighter in weight), but I found the buckwheat pillow keeps the severe morning headaches under control better. I suppose you also have to take into consideration what type of sleep position you prefer to see what kind of pillow might be best for you.  It's worth trying if morning headaches are ever an issue.

 

In addition to the buckwheat pillow, I also have to sleep in a soft cervical collar.  And have been for four years now.  I can't tell you how glamorous that makes me feel in the evenings!  That collar also took some getting used to.  I'm even supposed to wear it during the day when my migraine symptoms worsen, and I do this when I remember to.  What is it about migraines that cause my brain to stop functioning and get all fuzzy?  Even if I'm in pain, and I have to go out for any reason, I do end up taking the collar off.  I don't know why it makes me feel uncomfortable to wear it in public.  I guess it just attracts too much attention, or I'm too self-conscious.  Of course, vanity rears it's ugly head, too. 

 

And yes, I was at the ER on that weekend, Sunday specifically.  So we both had a bad weekend at the same time, so maybe something we are both exposed to was a common trigger.  Weather pressure, moldy garden plants...we both live in coastal towns with the same environment.  So many possibilities...Maybe over time we can find patterns to warn us when to be on the lookout for an impending migraine and take cover!

 

Certainly, June and July were horrible both in terms of weather and migraines.  I had a June birthday (turned 48), and had all I could do to get out to a restaurant for dinner that night.  Luckily, we went to the Red Lion Inn.  I say luckily because I was able to switch my table to one in the adjoining dining room area which was emptier, quieter, and darker than the bar/cafe dining area.  What don't we do to try to accommodate having a life while having a migraine?  Sometimes migraines literally suck the enthusiasm and joy right out of life.  But, dammit, I was determined to get out and have some "fun" on my birthday--even if it pained me.  Oh, well, at least dinner was delicious.

 

Today was also what I call a "bad head day".  This was a day that called for rescue medication, which for some reason didn't really help until my second dose.  I knew a bad migraine was coming on when I got up today and the beautiful morning sunshine wasn't just unfamiliar, but it was also painful to look at.  Then the nausea started.  Of course, I had "big" plans for today--actually I just hoped to pull some of the most annoying weeds that spring to my attention when I pull into the driveway, mostly because they are now knee-high.  But it was a plan, and I was actually looking forward to getting a little something accomplished.  But the best laid plans....  I ended up taking my meds and being almost useless--though my husband did give me a ride to Shaws so I could get a little bit of marketing done.  For some reason, my kitchen didn't come with an automatic restock button.  Also not included was a chef and a scullery maid.  Oh, well.

 

Well, I think I've reached my computer screen limit on a bad migraine day (as opposed to a good migraine day?).  I guess tonight I truly do appreciate the convenience of corresponding online.  We can both write at our own convenience, and also when we feel well enough to be able to do so.

 

Take care, and I hope you had a better day, migraine-wise, than I did.

 

P.S.  Sorry to hear about your friend's off-putting response when you needed an ear.  I'm quoting Leo Buscaglia here, but "too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around..."  How true. 

Hi Susan, Sorry you had another bad head day! Me too m 5 I guess middle of the road I dont know how decide the levels maybe it was a 3 but by the time I decided to rescue it this afternoon it was a 4 or 5. I was hoping the sinus would clear and the neck would loosen up but not to be. Isnt it a bummer with such a beautiful gardening day too the air was just perfect. I did imagine to enjoy it on my "illegal deck" overlooking my wildflower garden watching the birds fly by with my husband. He had a hard week using his old noggin writing a paper for an upcoming conference and was only too willing to be lazy with me. Back to our illegal deck - one of many stressers this month to make it the month from hell. We have an old 1888 summer cottage house and it had a flat 8 x 8 area perfect for two lounge chairs off the second story covered porch so one year my loving husband put railing around this area for me so I could sit there on bad head days get some fresh air and still see my garden. The reason he did this was that we live in a very congested neighborhood and we all have small lots and that year we had a very active neighbor move in who loves to do projects in his garage which is right along our back yard line. So if the noise of saws be it chain saw or table saw doesnt get you then the chemical smells of the gasoline he uses with them and all his other toys will. I swear the first summer he was here he spent every day chain sawing firewood (he got free wood from taylor lumber yard because they didnt want to deal with it}. Today the smell of choice was paint. I don't know what kind of paint this is but its really strong and it smelled almost as strong as the kind he uses on the bottom of his boat (but that is in the water which is where I wish he was). Everyone talks about inconsiderate family, friends, coworkers how about neighbors? Anyway this month the town inspector informed us that we dont have a permit for this railing. oops. And of course nothing is ever easy -to get a permit you need a plot plan but the town told us we have to get a new one because our old one on file is in the towns condemned building. So we got the plot plan going but no report yet and don't know exactly how much we are out on that. And one of the reasons my friend was short with me is because the surveyor showed up as I was on the way to her house for some final information for the report. I called and warned her I'd be late but... Anyway for me major stressor beyond all this is that my worst fear is that now I mean this is vanity I know but its the fact that I have been so out of sorts with migraines since 2006 and then the sciatia and now the knee is that I will have to have the home inspector come through my house to get up to the deck to pass it for inspection. And that means he will literally see my dirty "little" secret (my house is diaster zone!) I know feel free to laugh if it wasn't me I would oh wait I am smiling actually. But you have to understand how strongly I felt about this before this happen I think if a fire started I wouldn't have called the fire department in fear that I'd be put on the 11 pm news as the messest house on the south shore. hee hee. And its not a easy fix this guy has to go up the center of my house and pretty much see the whole shabang to get to this deck and with my knee I can only hobble along for a bit till I am in pain so house cleaning has not been going well. Oh well it will shake out eventually or I'll just die of shame. I just dont feel like the migraines are allowing me to have any dignity left (I do blame them because before they got so out of control I used to be real fit, my house was totally organized, and the garden was almost magical). But this is only one of three major stressors that happen to me this last month alone. And it was almost as if the universe picked out the three things I feared most to tweak me. I knew you would understand about gardening and being stuck on the side lines. My husband has tried to help out but he wouldnt know the difference between a weed and a flower if his life depended on it. He likes to garden too but his duties deal more with the koi pond and the bee hives. So now after two years of not weeding all my flower beds look like wildflower gardens or at least thats what I'm calling them. Dont you think tansy is really a flower worthy of cultivating and the wild asters did look awesome last year. I glad you told me about your pillows. I didnt know about the buckwheat sounds kind of funky but you like it now? Hows the collar to sleep with? I always thought that something like that would be good for me but never get enough time with the doctor to get into things other than the meds I just think he wants to give me the meds and have me leave like he is just going through the motions so I think its time to change. My health insurance has changed anyway and it would probably be easier to do an in network provider which he isnt. I have been in a couple of car accidents but nothing was obiviously wrong with the neck. I was dropped a couple of times as a baby (dont laugh) on my head so maybe that screwed my neck up and I also partook in gymnastics and remember doing forward rolls on the balance beam so many times that my neck hurt so much so who knows. I know my neck looks and definitely looks screwed up. I think I should get a collar and we could start a new fashion trend on the south shore. Do they come in purple? How about black leather or lace for those sexy romantic nights with the hub? or is he a no thrills guy? As far as me referencing the earlier hours in the morning I know I wasn't clear in my logic but it was in regards to mold as mold spores are suppose to be opening up and strongest in the early morning hours if I am remembering correctly. So that is where I was going with the feeling okay at 4am which often I dont if its a neck issue and then continue to sleep and wake up with a headache at 7 am. And this would be the different type of head pain I started having too in mold season more in the center but still responding to the migraine meds. By the way if you check out the tuliv site check out the migraine pattern page I liked that graphic. And if you do try any their products do not try the melatonin if you take an antihistamine or an anticonvulsant I take both and had a terrible sluggish reaction and later goggled and found out melatonin doesn't mix well with those two which reminds me I should email the site and tell them. But I'm like you afraid to try hormones so I tried the Perimenopause Formula from enzymatic therapy (Good Health has it) and I recommend it. The Tuliv has some of the same herbs so I thought I'd give it a shot and see what it has to offer. I seem to do well with the black cohash. I want to find out if Good Health has the Headache Buster since it has the additional feverfew and peppermint oil. I've never seen results with feverfew but someone told me that it was more likely to be potent and helpful in a liquid form. Have you tried feverfew? Do you know of any good physical therapist? My next step for the knee is pt so I'm going to try to set something up next week hopefully. Again part of this isolation bit is I never know who to ask for recommendations for things. The doctors don't want to show favoritism so they just give you a list and off you go. I have no relatives in the area (we aren't from here) and my husbands office consists of just the two of us. Can you believe I have never been to the Red Lion Inn? Tried Once at lunch time it wasn't open. We pick a couple of sunny days havent found any this year yet and eat at the pub there at the Atlantica you know outside on the deck near the boats. Its one of our favorite summer rituals. Now I'm craving what is it the Diana Lobster Salad? I'm big on outside places because of the fresh air but hard to eat out with our weather. What do like at the Red Lion the menu on line looks yummy. Where is the Black Pearl? Well neck says I'm overdoing. Have a Happy Sunday!

Hi Headacut,

 

Would you believe this is my third note?  Wrote one off and on all day (didn't want to spend too much time on the computer at once) hit "post comment" and got a server failure notice.  Hit back arrow and got note back, tried to post again and lost it.  Bother.  Left computer to stew (mentally), reheat leftovers (writing about restaurants made me hungry), showered, and decided to try again.

 

Wrote again, hit cancel instead of "post comment".  Just not meant to be.  Had my husband make me a margarita (virgin because of my head, but great recipe we got from Scarlet Oak Tavern) and will try now.  Three times is the charm?

 

So sorry to hear about your deck--sounds like a nightmare, no wonder you're stressed.  And your poor husband, doing something so kind and thoughtful, and then have it come back and bite him.  Ouch.  And about your dirty (literally) little secret, I wish I had a good solution for you.

 

Perhaps you could artfully toss painting tarps over everything, except the path to the deck (you could use a shovel here) and tell the inspector you are painting/redecorating/hiding precious artwork that you don't want him to see :) 

 

I know what I'd end up doing--running away (literally, you'd have to limp away I guess).  Just let my husband handle the inspection process and I would not be home at the time.  Men are always so much less critical of other men's housekeeping.  It's a guy thing.  I do understand how it makes you feel, though.  We tend to be our harshest critics, but you did have a lot to deal with health-wise. 

 

As for the physical therapist, my husband took my son years ago to a great one in Hingham with a sterling reputation (works on the Patriots and Red Sox players), but can't remember his name.  Must be a sports medicine physical therapy practice though--how many could there be in Hingham?  Is there one from there on your list?

 

By the way, I loved your description of the current state of your garden, the wildflowers--I'm borrowing that description for a couple of mine.  Much easier on the brain than constantly stressing over what needs to be done in the garden to "fix" it.  Too much is the answer there.  Hopefully, once the cool, crisp, dry fall air gets here we can both get out into our gardens to recharge.

 

My buckwheat pillow is something I can no longer sleep without.  Though the first night I tried it, I wondered how I'd ever sleep with it!  I know because I've tried to sleep without it when I've had a bad head for several weeks straight and decided I needed something softer to lay my head on, and used a regular pillow.  The next morning the base of my skull, my shoulders, even my upper back were not happy.  I've actually done this more than once (slow learner) and always go back to my buckwheat pillow.  It really does support, but it is extreme in terms of hardness.  You have to press on it with your hand to get it just right, but then you're all set for the night.  The collar also took a week or two to get used to, but the added support actually feels good now at night.  I think when I am in pain I tend to hunch over and raise my shoulders--the collar around my neck makes the shoulders go back where they belong.  As for the latest in collar fashions, I actually use a long, soft, white tube sock, with the foot cut off, as a cover each night.  Not exactly sexy, but just in time for football season!  Your suggestions were hilarious, and we could come up with an entire line of designer collars that could be all the rage.

 

I haven't gone on the tuliv site yet, plan to soon.  I have tried feverfew (no results) but never tried the liquid.  I've tried so many supplements over the years, I lose track.  Right now I'm on a few different things, mostly because I gained weight due to various migraine med preventitives I tried, which didn't work and had horrible side effects, but now my weight is OK, so I'm sticking with them.  Go with what works.

 

The picture you saw was taken in front of the Black Pearl, which is in Newport RI.  Fantastic clam chowder, creamy, sweet clams, touch of dill.  Delicious.  We always stop in when we go to Newport.  Have you ever been?  It's worth the trip--lots to do, good food, little shops to poke around in, even a lobster pier.  The Black Pearl is located on Pickering Wharf, and yes it does have dining outside also, usually a tall ship moored nearby.  Great views.

 

My husband and I had lunch on the deck at Atlantica a couple of weeks ago, I usually have the ceasar salad with grilled shrimp, but I think I had the lobster roll this time.  We, like you guys, try to go a few times every summer, but have only been once so far.  The Red Lion Inn we've been to a few times already this summer, had outdoor dining on the porch, the weiner schnitzel (probably spelled wrong) is delicious, and I also like the filet mignon, and the salads are good too.  The chocolate mousse is my favorite for dessert, I can always finish it even when I don't think I can.  Been to Jake's in Hull for their fried clams, fried calamari, fried shrimp.  Best around, go there when you're hungry, you get a lot.  Also on the water, but no outside dining (you'd end up in the ocean).  Lately, with the heat, we've been having ice cream for dinner--Nona's Homemade Ice Cream in Hingham.  Absolutley a must-do next time you're in the area, made fresh, and the flavors change every few days, though the usuals are always there.  Plus there's benches to sit in around the square.  It's only 10-15 minutes from Atlantica, tops.

 

I've reached my limit at the computer (that means my margarita is gone--just kidding :)  Tried to condense all my previous notes that didn't go through.  I hope this all made sense, still have migraine after-effects.  Anyway, I hope you get this one, and hope you got to enjoy this beautiful day.

 

Take care.

 

 

Hi Susan, How's your week going so far? Mine is going well broke the migraine pattern finally Monday. So I've been busy trying to get caught up on three days of being out of commission. Sunday was the worse couldn't handle the overcast glare so all the shades were drawn the lights were out the only thing I could do was watch some tv but I'm glad that I was able to do that. I also got on to read your message and laugh my head off but please go easy with the joking you may be causing me head to hurt more!!!! I had to laugh at your computer mishaps. I too have been having problems. Luckily my hubby figured I might knowing my luck lately and had made sure I had backed up by copy before sending. Smart isn't he. However because I knew I was making typos and spelling errors due to the migraines and the dopamax I did spell checks too but for some reason when I looked at what I sent it didn't have the corrected words. So maybe I just forgot and just thought I did the spell check? But I do know I put in paragraphs I can swear to this one I always throw those in and when I sent the reply they all disappeared and you ended up with one long script. Sorry. I was muttering about that one for a few. I like your ideas for the home inspector. I had thought about throwing sheets over things and saying sorry for the mess but we are remodeling but of course he would then ask if we have the proper permits to do that. Actually at this point I have started to put the clutter into boxes to sort as needed (a lot of its is papers etc]. so it kind of looks like we're moving maybe the hub could tell the home inspector his wife is packing up and leaving him because he never gets the proper permits before starting a project? I was wondering about the wiener schnitzel at the Red Lion. I was excited to see it on the menu you just do not see much German food around here. We usually go the Student prince in Springfield at Christmas time for a wonderful holiday meal on our way to see the Forest Park lights (brightnights.org). It’s always a hard decision between wiener schnitzel or sauer braten but I always end up with the sauer braten. Now I know where I can get the wiener schnitzel. I'd love your margarita recipe. If we keep talking about food I will really need everyone’s best-kept secrets to lose weight or suppress their appetites. Susan didn't you say you had some things that worked for you? By the Topamax helped me lose a few pounds at first but then I got a huge appetite a few months later and that hasn't stopped and for the first time I found myself needing to make sure I ate bread or what have you with protein or my blood sugar would spike same with fruit can't eat that alone either now. Anyone else with this problem? One good appetite suppressor for me though is stress so I have been losing a few pounds this month whoopee!! Back to the buckwheat pillow do you only sleep one way? Since I hurt my knee I can only sleep on my back which is driving me crazy. Regarding the collars you mentioned football season so does that mean patriot logos on your socks and not the red sox? I got to thinking B L I N G was what you needed on those collar socks anything big and shiny seems to be so in and everyone would just think it was one enormous choker don't you think. Haven't been to Newport in a while. Went a couple of times for day trips and enjoyed it but usually ate at the historical place overlooking the tennis courts I can't think now what its called sorry brain shut down. If I remember correctly we did that because we always seem to be there off season and most places were closed. We always enjoyed ourselves in Newport though it is certainly beautiful with the rocky coast. We'll have to try it in warm weather and when I can get around without limping. That's the thing we find about New England though so many places so little time. Thanks for your funny caring reply glad you had the patience to type it and send it three times it was very much appreciated and has made me smile several times the last couple days. Hope you are having a few good head days too.

See See it took out my paragraphs again!!!!   Y U U U U G H !!!!!  Must be doing something wrong

Hi Headacut,

 

Don't know where your paragrah spacers went.  Did you click your heels together three times before you sent your comment?  It's never worked for me, but hasn't stopped me from trying.

 

Been a bad week for me. Pain the last few days was really bad, but manageable today.  I call it my "functional" type of headache.  Hopefully, it will stay that way.  As usual, I'm spending today trying to play catch-up.  Getting food in the house is a good thing (now if I could just get someone to cook it) and I also had to get sunflower seeds for my feeder out back (the cardinals have been bringing their babies, and I felt so guilty every time I saw the seed had run out).  What a year for birds, we've seen so many different kinds, even had turkeys and their babies at the feeder last month, and this month ducks are stopping by (does that tell you how wet it's been?).

 

Tomorrow is supposed to be a dry day, so hopefully I'll be able to get out into the garden.  Just want to grab some fresh raspberries and strawberries before the birds and bunnies get them all.  Also, the crabgrass is spreading into my gardens like wildfire, so I'd better get out whatever I can while I can.

 

You mentioned you weren't from around here originally--where did you move from?  You must miss your family.  Was the climate/gardening much different?  I lived in Florida for two years and the gardening experience was miles apart (literally and figuratively).  I miss the longer growing season.  By the time my tomatoes turn red this year, it will be Halloween!

 

About the pillow, I suppose you could use it for just about any sleep position, because you more or less mold it to the shape of your head as you rest it down, or adjust it with your hands.  Like I said, it feels like its filled with little grains of rice, so they move around a bit with pressure.  I usually sleep on my side, and it works just fine for me.

 

And the margarita recipe is really easy--I'm not sure which margarita mix the restaurant uses, we've used different ones, but then add the fresh squeezed juice of one orange, one lime, and one half a lemon, over ice with your desired amount of tequila.  We got one of those plastic juicers that sits on a measuring cup to just pour the juice out easily.  I also add the pulp to mine, to marinate while I drink, and eat it with a fork after the drink is gone (scurvy is not a problem in my household :) very refreshing on a hot summer day.  Also, now that I think about it, at the Scarlet Oak Tavern, I love their crabcake sandwiches at the bar--yummy. 

 

Don't know that I've ever been to Springfield (so close yet so far), and never heard of Bright Nights--is this a holiday tradition?  The holidays will be here before you know it.  Hard to believe it's August already, though I did see mums for sale when I was out running errands.  Hopefully, I'll be able to wrestle the crabgrass from my mums in the garden tomorrow (don't want to say this too loudly, crabgrass might hear and multiply more dramatically overnight).

 

Well, got to run run run and accomplish more more more while I can.  There's a mountain of laundry with my name on it.

 

Take care.

 

 

Hi Headacut,

 

Wondering if the deck police took you away?  Hoping you are doing well, imagining you took off on a spontaneous European getaway?  Imagining you waving from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  :)  I wish I was.

 

Actually, today the heat/humidity is brutal, my head aches (so what else is new?) and I'm on my second day with no meds (keeping rebound at bay).  Really wish today was a med day.  Too early for a stiffner?  Maybe one of those margaritas, but generously spiked--could I call it a fruit plate if I serve it in a bowl? :) 

 

Actually, I heard there was a chance of a shower today, hope it comes because my plants are panting, and there's no way I can brave this heat to go out and water.  The sun is too strong (ouch) and I fear I would be wilting myself in short order.

 

Anyway, write when you can.

 

Take care. 

Hi Susan,

 

Did you enjoy the dry spell in the weather?  I did while it lasted. Had to be outside so haven't been around the computer but see you have been busy!  Had a terrible migraine Sunday didn't think the imitrex was going to make a dent in it but six hours later I started to feel better.  We tried food from Moe's southwest grill Saturday night thought the food would be okay but I'm thinking the lemonade must of had artificial sweetener in it (when I get a dose of artificial sweetener even in a small amount I get the worst migraines even worst than the msg ones)  almost every sweet drink on the market is enhanced with those evil sweeteners and I keep letting my guard down and drinking the stuff.  My hubby had the ice tea unsweetened but it was so strong and bitter tasted like it had been sitting around for days.  MAers do not know how to make ice tea!!!  Have you any food triggers?  Msg is a killer for me like many others I looked on Moe's internet site and they said they didn't use it but used a similar hydrolyzed protein but I thought I usually could get away with those if not too strong.  Actually started this reply a couple of days ago but kept feeling to bad to keep typing now its day 3 of migraine cycle hope tomorrow is an okay day.  So I'm sorry I didn't email back sooner just keep having those bad days with migraines sprinkled with a one or two okay days to try to get the basics done and before you know it a week has gone by.  Summers are just terrible for me most days I have a cranky neck and headache and just hope it doesn't get worst from there.  No those nasty deck police haven't got us yet but now they are making our simple permit process a nightmare.  Shouldn't we get a pass from life when we have chronic illnesses.  It just seems that it all keeps getting piled on doesn't it?   You keep trying to deal with the illness and everyway you try to adjust to the situation you are in leads to another problem.  Oh well what ever doesn't kill us will make jokes about right?  I'd go with the traditional saying but I'm not feeling any stronger.

 

 

I arrived to the great land of wet and salty from the Wild West.  No not Worcester.    Keep thinking further west past the Mississippi and beyond.  Think of  Stephen King but not Maine remember west.  Are you thinking Shining yet?  Colorado.  You got it.  We spent many a weekend at the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park.  We only lived 30 miles from there in a town called Loveland ( ).    We often would go hiking after work for an hour in the national forest to stay in shape.  Our first home there was on a lot the size of a postage stamp but we thought we were "big gardeners" and excitingly bought three rose bushes and struggled to keep them alive the five years we were in that abode.  I know I know sounds so pitiful but if you have ever gardened in a dry desert like state you might give us a little more respect that we were able to keep these roses alive.  Forget to water one day and .... ( and with migraines it is really easy to forget to do things as we all know).  Then just as you managed to keep the plants watered and the flowers were nicely blooming a huge summer thunderstorm would break out of the sky after days of dryness and burst right on top of your beautiful blooms breaking the heads off.  Just as they were recovering stage two storm would come along a few weeks later with high winds and not just driving hard rain but hailstorm the size of softballs (okay okay sometimes they were just the size of golfballs) (yes not unlike this summer here) but if you still do not believe me just know the first year we owned our house everyone in our neighborhood got a free new roof via their insurance (except us our company was stubborn)  however we had the last laugh when the very next year all those new roofs got it again and yes this time our insurance paid up.   Back to the plants (if they were still alive after the storms ) just as they started once again to bloom labor day weekend would hit and it would always snow for one day and freeze up those sweet blooms and bang another gardening season was done even though there probably wouldn't be another day below 60 till December.   Suffice it to say gardening in Colorado was a less than rewarding venture! 

 

 

  When we arrived here we immediately fell in love with everyone's yard and gardens.  The plant variety is amazing and we just love the trees especially in fall.  Fall is my favorite season too.  Fall is when we arrived here driving across the New York and  Mass Pike in peak leaf turning time-it was such a delight I thought we were in heaven.  After that excitement it started raining and then snowing everyday and we had that record snowfall of 95-96.  We were in a rental on an acre of land and for the first and probably the only time of our lives we had a very long driveway.  This was a lot of fun to shovel hee hee!!  My husband couldn't find his car under the snowdrifts so he took my car a four-wheel drive and left me isolated in a new white barren land.  Our first Thanksgiving was spent with him working in a snowstorm while I sat home all alone getting a little worried as inch after inch of snow fell wondering if he would be able to make it home and if the power would go out.  In quiet despair I turned on the telly for weather update and found myself watching one of the few channels that came on TLC running one story after another about how angels rescued people in their most desperate moments of need.  The stories were so beautiful and it was so reassuring that when you were all alone you really weren't.  The programming was just what the doctor ordered for me and it continued till the hubby came home (actually I barely noticed his car coming up the drive in the dark I was having such a good time).  So I have to say that as lame as it sounds the telly has not only help me through days of pain and isolation I also feels it sends messages to me!!  hee hee!! But that's just me I see spirit in every thing-keeps me going.

 

 

In spring we were further delighted when these shrubs started blooming these huge gorgeous flowers.  We had no idea of what a rhody or azalea was.   So we have had a  lot of fun getting to know and grow plants we never even heard of or seen in Colorado.  So much so every inch of land in our yard has been claimed for a flower, tree, or plant except for a small patch of grass.  I think we got a little carried away now that I have to weed and maintain it all.  Should of curb that enthusiasm a bit but gardening was always something I could do even when in pain or when I couldn't think quite straight. Its not hard to decide to pull a weed right?  I remember I was  out gardening one day and a neighbor was out working on his cars as he so often did.  He was wearing his neck collar that he wore off and on  and just trying to compare notes and make conversation  I said "my neck sure is tight and cranky today" He replied "Well maybe you shouldn't garden so much!"  Put me in my place don't you think! 

  

 

Somewhere in our garden craze we took a class at the Y with Steve Tibbetts and thought wow it would be fun to have a koi pond.  So the hubby starting digging a hole and I encouraged him to make it bigger.  We went out bought a hundred dime size gold fish for a penny each for a total of a dollar came home threw them in and too much of our surprise they all lived.  So we now are proud parents of around a hundred much bigger goldfish as this was many moons ago and a few koi.  The pond has been such a joy in so many ways.  It's amazing how much wildlife it brings to our yard.  Not only a variety of birds but also the squirrels, red squirrels, chipmunks, possums, raccoons, skunks and occasional red foxes.  Our favorite visitors though are our ducks.  No we didn't raise them but after the first year of pond life we notice one day something floating on the pond and after doing a double take we realized it was a pair of ducks.  We figured out that they nest in the nearby river but they prefer to come up to the pond for fresh water.  We learned they liked cracked corn and started putting some of that out for them and now it is expected.  We are their first stop when they arrive in spring and set up shop.  They are obviously worn out and very hungry when they make it up here.  We know the couple very well now and they know us very well too.  The female will let us know with some cute but persistent quaking that there is not the proper corn supply in the bowl when she is hungry.  They have been coming for about ten years now and we have seen other couple ducks, which we assume, are their offspring over the years but only the original couple seem relax around us the others fly off if we get too close.  This year we saw our original couple but instead of seeing other couples come and go too we only saw males.  Three males began to hog the pond not letting other ducks come in to do their thing and they would sit there all day and preen themselves.  We started calling them the Three Amigos.  While they looked very pretty gracing our pond all day our original couple was getting very stressed out because every time they would try to land to get refreshments the three would chase them off.  So we had to stop feeding everyone for a while till the Amigos moved on and then our Female was able just quake and let us know when she was there to be fed.  They seem to all move on anyway by the middle of summer.  Always wonder where and what they are up to next.   The couple feels like part of the family now.  I guess they can live for twenty years.  I always feel good when I see ours arrive each spring.  Do you have the ducks in your yard every year?  We don't have turkeys they are pretty cool.  Do you feed them?   I know what you mean about keeping those bird feeders filled.  You feel so guilty if your feathered friends come to visit and leave empty handed. 

 

 

How did your migraines do in Florida? Did you notice any difference?  It was probably a better time anyway before your accident but I would find it interesting to know if you noticed any difference in your frequency back then.  We had wondered what it would be like to go south but now I'm thinking the mold issue would make it a problem.   I can tell you before the last four years I didn't really notice a difference between here and Colorado in frequency related to weather etc.  I have more migraines every year but I think that can be explained to other factors.  We were kind of hoping the sea level would be a helpful factor in reducing the migraines but really didn't notice any difference (maybe if one was going the other way from low to high).    As far as the weather it just seems that everywhere you go there are strong weather fronts with winds and barometer pressure changes.  If someone has figured out where it is the best for migrainers let us know right?   

 

 

Hope you are doing well and having a good day!!!

Good morning Headacut,

 

Got up early today with my neck and head (yes, they're still attached, and don't I know it).  Didn't delete this message you sent yet, even though I wrote last night I guess my brain function has me going through my email bass-ackwards.  Oh, well, different systems for various levels of brain dysfunction. 

 

Your koi pond sounds great--I think I left off there last night.  All those animals must be great to watch--so relaxing.  We only had ducks this year (no pond in our yard), but they enjoyed the sunflower seeds.  Yes, the turkeys were great, I got some good pictures when they visited.  Their babies were adorable.  They've all moved on to the conservation land behind my woods now, growing up in wide open spaces, as the the Dixie Chicks say.  But we did have a baby skunk, first one in quite a few years, and yes, my dog Annie did find it, and yes, the smell is still in my kitchen and living room :)  She didn't get sprayed (go figure how that happened--angels, maybe) but the skunk sprayed near the house, and when the back door opened, in came that noxious odor, and in it stayed.  Febreeze and Lysol are the scents du jour, and hopefully it will dissipate soon.

 

Supposed to be hazy, hot, humid August weather today--what, the weather and the calendar match for a change?--such a New England summer, I've never known.  Hopefully, our beautiful fall weather will arrive, as scheduled.  First too much rain, now my gardens are wilting in the saddest sort of way (even the "wildflowers" are drooping--good time to yank them, they come up so easily).  Going to have to water tonight.  The slugs will be thrilled.

 

Got outside for a bit after I wrote last night, champagne glass in hand.  My oldest spontaneously invited some friends over for a bonfire (where my apple tree garden used to be--will discuss this at a later date).  He invited me to join everyone, and the night sky was spectacular--looked for shooting stars from the meteor showers, but couldn't find any strays (they peaked earlier in the week when it was cloudy).  He called his department so the fire wouldn't be an issue (he's 28, a fireman/medic), and it was fun.  Didn't stay out too long, the mosquitos are blood-thirsty little buggers. 

 

When I got into bed, don't you know as soon as my head hit the pillow, I realized I didn't put my collar on, sat straight up to get it, and yanked my neck out of whack.  When will I learn to get up by turning on my side and gently lifting myself up?  I tend to spring up like there is a fire drill (maybe that's why my son is so good at what he does?).  Getting the collar on at that point felt so good, I'll tell you.  Bad enough, the neck hurts anyway, now I go and pull a stunt like that.  It seems a bit better this morning, but I'll definetly be sporting my "gardening" neck brace today--let's see, how to dress this one up?  Don't want to put flowers on it and be attacked by bees :)  Spray it with "Off" to keep the bugs away?--but then the fumes will have me seeing in plaid.  Oh, well, I'll come up with something.

 

Hope you enjoy this beautiful summer day--the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are finally here.  Must make time to do something crazy before the summer is over :)  Have to put that on the top of my list.

 

Take care.

 

 

Hi Susan,

 

Been thinking of you!    Hope you are doing well!  From the August 9-12 I had migraine days.  Then on Thursday the 13th I awoke feeling almost normal (no headache but weak from four days of migraines).  This was a great feeling for several reasons but mainly because for the first time in three years I had made an appointment to see a friend so I really wanted to not only make it I wanted to feel good and have some fun.  So the previous days were making me pretty nervous about my decision to call her and make arrangements.  The half-day went well but my neck did start to tense up and so not wanting to get a migraine in the middle of our meeting I reach for two Excedrin tension pills.  My friend raised her eyebrows when I did this and I felt a slight passing of judgment (I told her that I had been having a terrible time of it the last three years with the migraines not to whine but to explain why I hadn't called to get together).  She even asked me why I was taking the pills and I thought oh god here we go and sure enough.  The questions of do you recall what Louise Hay says about migraines and are you saying your affirmations?  I'm so sick  of the old what does Louise Hay say and maybe you should just say affirmations.  According to all my old upbeat new age friends I just have a spiritual block I don't really have a disease.  I should also ask my angels for more -like parking spaces etc.  Hello I've got more important things to ask them for like healthy days, fertility, a body I can garden in, to have no major drama to deal with, but my angels seem to be out to lunch right now so I keep getting deeper and deeper in a dark deep hole.  So over all it felt like an achievement to get out and feel normal but on the other hand I still feel judged, alone, and frustrated as no one who knows me understands me except my husband (the angels sure did right by me there so I got to give them a lot of lee way).

 

 

I did feel very exhausted for three days after the friend event but the head did well the neck as always was a little cranky.  So on the weekend we drove to the cape went to a clam shack and the Wellfleet drive in to see the Time Travelers Wife it was pretty good but the car next to us had a cougher and she cough and cough and cough the entire movie.  I never use to be a hypochondriac but now after having so many of my own sick days I've become what I call monkish (from the show and character of Monk)(USA network).  One of the reasons I like drive ins for movies is you can control your environment (the volume, the smells, the head rest, and you can wear you comfy clothes).  Similar reasons why I like to eat outside rather than in a crowded noisy restaurant where it never fails as soon as they serve the food the table next to you is seated with someone wearing strong perfume or cologne which is an instant trigger for me.  So back to the movie the breeze was blowing the coughers air right towards our car so during intermission for the second movie we moved the car up one aisle because the space became available and five minutes into the second movie the cougher comes up with a lounge chair and sits right next to our car!   Oh well we decided to head home and see Harry Potter another night we were getting tired anyway but we did see a wonderful meteor falling before we left another reason I love drive ins. 

 

 

 

 We also saw Funny People and The Ugly Truth this week at the drive in that was a wonderful night two good movies.  I thought the Ugly Truth was an excellent romance comedy.  I've been a big fan of Katherine Heigl since Love Comes Softly (Hallmark).

Saw some more meteors and good stargazing too while there went to the Mendon drive in that night.  My all time favorite female movie star is Meryl Streep.  So I can't wait to see Julie and Julia.  I'm hoping it will be at the drive in they have been advertising it but it hasn't been on yet.  I loved Meryl Streep in Mama Mia we saw that at the drive in last year about five times with other movies and loved it each time!!

 

 

 

 

It must of been interesting seeing Julia in person.  Yes cooking is fun and I'd love to do it too but another thing sacrificed to migraines. We made my blueberry pie this week too.  I use to pick the berries (another new delight living here in ma) and bake the pie for the hubby and enjoy getting the rave reviews.  But now especially with two years of knee on top of migraines its the hubby doing the picking and me guiding him on how to make the pie.  And still with all his help my knee still kills me by the end of the process but I had to do it.  It's now a cherished summer tradition.    The hubby is really pretty good at cooking learned it from his dad (who passed away when he was 20).  Now dishes and laundry he hasn't quite mastered those.   Seriously when I met him when he ran out of undies he rather go buy new ones then waste a day at the laundry mat.  And luckily clutter doesn't bother him.  Since I hurt my knee we have been getting take out a lot or doing frozen dinners to save on dish duty.  Oh and an advantage to hurting my knee is that the hubby now does the grocery shopping.  He used to drive me on migraine days but now he just gets a list and runs with it.  Only problem is it's awfully hard to remember to write everything down on paper.  That's why we get take out a lot!!  It's all too complicated!!!

 

 

 

So I managed to get to the 20th without taking Imitrex (8 days) good for this summer! But then Thursday I woke up with a whopper.  Friday and Saturday too. Almost always get a migraine on my day 18 of my cycle when the hormones are crashing after ovulation, which was Friday, and then the wet weather is a trigger.  Plus this hurricane coming up the coast is probably causing a bit of havoc.  Even my hubby's neck is cranky so I know mine isn't going to stand a chance.  It's Sunday now and I'm holding my own so far.  How did you fair with this storm?

 

 

 

I totally agree with celebrating all you can.  I told a friend our family tradition of celebrating our birthdays not just for one day but also for the entire month.  She like this and tried it out with much success this year.  The last day of her month long celebration was the Paul McCartney concert, which her son bought her tickets for on her birthday earlier in the month.  This works well for us migraine suffers so that you don't worry about feeling good on just one day.  You have 30 other days to try to go out and have fun or to celebrate the hubby's birthday.  I envy you being able to pop open a bottle of champagne.  Sounds so glamorous.  To me its one sip and its chamPAIN  even for our wedding I couldn't toast in style.  I'm more of a beer girl because of this can get away with just a little and it can settle the digestive system if the meds have given me problems.  I do love margaritas, chocolate martinis, and rum punch- what we had at our wedding instead of champagne.  But really alcohol isn't a pleasure I can indulge in very often.  Talk about living like a monk!!

 

 

 

Have you got any results yet from the mri?  How did it go?  Did you have to get the dye?  Did they do your neck at the same time?  What music did you listen to?  How many mri's have you had?  I had 3 last year along.  One for my sciatica, my knee and brain the last two were during the holidays last year isn't that a fun thing to do for the holidays.   I do like to listen to Christmas carols though.

 

 

 

Headacut

 

 

 

Hi Headacut,

 

Been down off and on with a bad head/neck/brain/etc. over the past week and a half. No fun. (MRI showed white spots in the front of my brain--had these in the last one, probably from migraine, but also showed no malignancy.  Yes, had the dye.  No music options this time, but it went by quick because I was so tired.  Didn't do the neck this time, just had that redone last year).  Today, I actually got out to water my thirsty plants, and enjoyed the cooler, drier air.  But I'm also dealing with major post-migraine brain fog, (it's especially thick this time, don't know why), so if I start not making sense, that's why.

 

I'm so glad you got out with your friend!  What an accomplishment.  I understand how difficult it can be to even commit to a date, worrying about how your head will feel in advance, and how excited you must have been to be able to get out.  What a genuine treat.  It's the kind of thing that happens so rarely for us. 

 

Sorry about the judgementalness you endured, though, that's really tough to take.  No need for that, really, at all.  And I have absolutely no patience for people who decide that other people "bring things on themselves", for whatever reason.  So not true.  It's hard enough dealing with migraine disease without adding a heaping dumptruck full of guilt and pressure to go all over it.  No, thank you. 

 

How are you dealing with the fertility issue?  Getting any help?  There are some great resources here in the Boston area.  Worth checking into.

 

How's the knee?  Have you started PT?

 

Your trips to the drive-in take me back.  Haven't been since high school.  Mostly because mosquitoes love me.  Funny how they will ignore my husband, but I'll get covered with bites.  Go figure.  Too bad about the cougher, though, it's pretty funny how she seemed to be intent on following you.  What are the odds?

 

What a coincidence that you also loved Mama Mia--it's my new favorite movie.  I didn't see it when it first came out--mostly because I'm not a huge ABBA fan.  My brother convinced me to rent it with him when I visited him last January--and I loved it!   I so loved the movie, I got it on DVD, and even put the soundtrack in my car.  Just listening to the songs takes me right back to the scenes in the movie.  Lately, with the tension of dealing with migraine disease, I only want to see "lighter" movies--nothing deep, dark, or depressing.  If I'm going to sit through a movie, I want it to leave me with a smile.  So for the past few years, my retinue of movies has been pretty limited.  Though I also saw the Harry Potter movies because I read all the books.  Still liked Richard Harris better as Dumbledore.

 

Your blueberry pie sounds yummy.  We don't pick blueberries, mostly because the birds get to my bushes well before I deem them ripe enough for picking.  But we do go apple picking every fall.  We make a day of it.  Visit one of the orchards on Route 2.  Nothing like biting into an apple right off the tree, having the juices just run down your chin.  And the views, the fall colors, really make it a beautiful day all around.  Something I can enjoy doing, even with a bad neck.  It's amazing how they do taste different when freshly picked.

 

So your husband used to drive you to the market on bad head days, too?  I usually get chauffered to the market myself for the same reason.  Sometimes (if it's only a few items) my husband is willing to go himself with a list.  But on nights I can't prepare dinner, we definetly do take out.  My husband doesn't like to cook, or prepare food in general.  Except he does like to make spaghetti sauce (and it's great).  We usually keep some in the freezer, but our supply is depleted. 

 

He also doesn't clean, or do laundry.  My husband constantly buys himself new things to wear, rather than throw in a load of wash.  And drop off his dry cleaning?  Not on your life.  He owns over 80 dress shirts (at last count, probably more by now)...we have so many because instead of getting them at the cleaners, he just buys one, takes it out of the package, wears it once, then tosses it in the hamper.  Drives me crazy.  I've given away dozens of his shirts over the years.  We just don't have the closet space.  Who needs that many shirts?  Plus, the expense is rediculous.  Not something we can afford now.  Clutter doesn't bother him at all, though.  He just walks around it, over it, through it :)  I've left a pile of fresh laundry on the couch to fold, left the room, and come back in to find him sitting on it.  Oh, well.

 

The last storm that came in occurred when my head was bad anyway, so it was just more of the same.  We are supposed to get the hurricane Saturday afternoon, so I'll be feeling that soon.  Rainy weather doesn't help headaches, that's for sure.  But we sure do need the rain.  Everything outside is getting crispy.  Wish it was only the weeds that dried up and died!

 

Your method of celebrating birthdays for a month sounds wonderful to me--your right, no worrying about feeling under the weather on your designated day.  What a great idea!  I'll have to mention it to my hubby--though he's not a big fan of birthdays or celebrations, in general.  He goes along with me (to some extent on the actual day itself,) but with not much enthusiasm.  I guess I could celebrate for the month on my own a bit--plan some spontaneous, fun things to do for when I was feeling well.  That could work.

 

Tonight we are off to the Music Circus to see Melissa Etheridge (we try to see a show here in Cohasset each summer).  We've already seen Diana Krall, but we had to go to Hyannis for that one (though it was great that Elvis Costello was there with her).  That was a great show.  Don't really feel up to going out tonight, but it's so close, I can leave early if I need to.  Plus, the summer is just blowing by.  If I don't do some fun things soon, it will be over and I'll feel as though I didn't get to enjoy any of it.  It's close to that enough, as it is.  So many pain days this summer.  Maybe the first frost will come early and it will help my head?  Just hoping.

 

Hope your enjoying the fall-like weather today (tomorrow's supposed to be even better).  Though with the storm getting closer--I'm sure you can also tell by how you feel when it's coming up the coast.  Hope you survive Hurricane Danny, and that your head does, too.  And your husband's neck.  I'll be thinking of you.

 

Take care.

 

 

 

 

Hi Susan

 

We made it to September!  I do feel like this in itself is an achievement as it's been a wicked July and August both migraine and stress wise for me.  Since August 20th I've woke up with migraines everyday luckily three days sprinkled in there were mild ones so I could get by with ice and being quiet but the others were much more cranky and I had to medicate more than I would have liked.  I got though today without meds not too easy this morning but head and neck feel a bit better now.  I usually feel better at night. 

 

 

Physical Therapy is a pain in the neck literally.  Hee Hee!!  Of course the first day I had a migraine as I headed out to the car I realized I also had a flat tire.  Luckily my hubby was around to take me as at this point I was getting stressed and feeling worse by the minute.  I think I like the place in that they are friendly and all but its just so hard to met schedules with migraines.  I went to a different one from the one you were talking about because of our insurance.  At PT they give you a couple of easy exercises to do at home and have you ride a stationary bike for a few minutes and you are done.  It would have probably taken my doctor 5 minutes to show me these exercises send me home with the instructions and with my home stationary bike I'd be months ahead of the game and in realty probably wouldn't need pt at all.  Why can't people realize how hard it is for chronic pain patients to get in for appointments?  I've had migraines everyday I've had to go in its so fun.  Then to make sure I can get there I schedule when my husband is around in case I'm not up to it so it makes it more complicated.  To top it off at the second appointment after I explained to them that we had to be careful with my neck they had me do something I kind of knew I shouldn't but I felt like a baby saying no to.  And sure enough that night by neck spa zed out and now I can't get the trapez muscle to stop spa zing.  And now I can't sleep and guess what more triggers for migraines yippy!  So I asked them for help in alleviating the pain there and didn't get much help there.  I guess they are saving those secret exercises and stretches for my next round of pt. I have already told them my neurologist prescribed pt for my trapez but they wouldn't let me do both at the same time. Too early to know if my knee is getting stronger yet but I'm hopeful. Did you have any pt for your neck or anything?

 

 

What's with white lesions on the MRI?  Do they know what that means?  We were told I had white matter and when we asked what that was we were told that our doc didn't know but migrainers tended to have it.  My husband asked if it was like brain damage and he said no but I later asked the hubby after thinking about it how do they know if they don't know what white matter is?  Do you know what white matter is?  I think it means we are unusually bright and special full of the white light of positive energy.   You didn't just spit up you wheaties did you thinking of me as full of positive energy did you? hee hee!!  I think it could fly for you though with how you nurture every one on the other thread so I think we should stick with it!

 

 

So what's this about your son being a fireman medic?  Next you are going to tell me he works my town.  I knew my comment about my messy house and not even wanting to call the fire department would come back to haunt me.  hee hee!!  Next you'll tell me that your husband is on the zoning board for our town.  Yes the town now claims the road which is actually 15 feet wide in our small neighborhood is really suppose to be 40 feet wide and therefore they own most of our front yard and therefore our house is supposedly nonconforming and now we have to go before the zoning board.  Isn't life fun?  All we did is put up some railing.  All our other neighbors remodeled their homes removing interior load bearing walls with the local handyman and no permits but we just put up a railing and all hell breaks loose.  Ugh!  

 

 

I think you are pretty smart raising your own medic by the way.  Does he live at home?  I'm picturing you riding along to the er in style whenever you need drinking a glass of champagne.  What is your younger son going to do?  Doctor?  Pharmacist?  Massages?  We love bonfires ourselves.  Last year we took off for a weekend in Maine.  The place we had chosen to stay in had advertised beach side campfires at night but when we got there it was already over with.  When we asked if we could just go throw a couple more logs on it we were told it really was just for the kiddies.  So all disappointed because we really are just a couple of big kids ourselves we went up the road a bit to a campground and asked if we could just rent a site for a campfire.  The guy at first said no.  But then we explained we would be willing to pay a full nights price and he looked at us like we were crazy and said okay.  We had a great time of it.  I think it was 20 bucks but it reminded us of the good old days when we used to camp we haven't been able to do that for a while.  The migraines keep me from organizing all the camp gear and my back and neck make me think twice about sleeping in a tent but I sure do miss it.  We used to belong a camp club and we went camping almost every weekend in Colorado.  So another thing (and friends) lost to migraines.  It's a good thing you called the guys at the station and warned them about the bonfire.  One day we got the guys all excited because it looked to them like our house was on fire but it was just the hubby during a southern bbq with some special charcoal that really smoked it was pretty funny.

 

So did the lovely smell of skunk linger long?  That's another special delight we discovered here.  What is summer without that lovely smell at night?  We have a fenced yard for the koi pond so in the early years we let our dog out at night for her before bed business only to see her go after what she thought was our black and white cat and she just rolled that "cat" over.  She got it right in the nose poor thing.  Took a good month to wear completely off.   She's not the brightest bulb in the pack either because the next time she saw the critter she thought again it was our cat and went up to greet it again.  So at night even with a fenced yard we take our dog out with leash tightly held and our eyes peeled for the critter that often pretends to be our cat and then gives us a nasty surprise.  Our cat often sneaks up on us and brushes up on our legs as we are out there as if to mess with us knowing we won't know if its her or the other one.  Animals are evil.

 

 

We haven't been to any concerts out here.  We have been to a couple of plays and musicals at the North River theatre and the company theatre.  Did you have a good time at the concert?   Is the concert venue nice?  Do you ever pick blueberries at the local blueberry farms?  I use the blueberry pie recipe from the Great Good Food cookbook by Julee Rosso its called Michigan blueberry pie and uses a wee bit of rum.  We like it because its not so sweet like the store bought ones.  If you want it let me know. 

 

 

Sounds like my mother was similar to yours only she didn't know about fried bologna sandwiches.  She made a mean TV dinner though.  I was an only child and left alone a lot while both my parents worked.  Dad would be on the road and Mom would often attend college, women's groups and professional groups in the evenings. I remember eating a lot of Franco spaghetti Os right out of the can.  Sounds pitiful I know.  But actually it was better when they were gone because when they were both around it was nothing but fighting.  Sometime during the fighting they would get into the car and head to a restaurant and as soon as we hit the entrance of the restaurant they would quit fighting and we would act like a "normal" family.  My parents had moved to Colorado away from their midwest roots so we had no extended family around for any good meals that way.  We usually went back to my dad's family though for holidays.  My grandmother could throw the best Christmas celebration ever but bless her heart she couldn't cook either.  I guess that's why my dad didn't notice my mom couldn't cook.  My mom really didn't try to cook till after I got married she is very competitive so maybe another mother on the scene who could cook got her going.  So one morning she had the hubby and me over for a holiday Easter meal of (swear to God) green eggs and ham.  (No she didn't plan it to be green).  Another time she had us to dinner for meat and scallop potatoes from a package in which oops she forgot to add the packet of seasoning.  Another time she attempted a Chinese dinner with Uncle Ben's minute rice only she forgot to wait the full minute for it to get soft enough to be edible.   When I was younger there was the infamous last supper where my parents invited my dad's boss over for dinner.  Little did anyone know it was to be his last meal on earth he died the next morning.  We never let her live this one down. hee hee!!!

 

 

Once my dad's mother died my grandfather remarried the predecessor to Martha Stewart my step grandmother.  My step grandmother knew every secret to good housekeeping and was a wonderful cook this was a complete 180 from my grandmother.  I mean this woman iron her sheets for god sake and sprinkled it with lavender.  My grandfather had bought a cabin in the Colorado mountains and came out in the summers so we would go up to see them on weekends.  I really enjoyed going up there, as I loved to run around the woods and lake.  And my step grandmother's meals were absolutely wonderful.  But every time we would go up there I would get wicked migraines.  My dad would almost take great delight in this in that he would say I just got too stressed seeing my mean old grandfather and step grandmother.  While its true my step grandmother did get a sharp tongue after she drank in the evening I generally didn't feel anymore stress than being around my constantly arguing parents.  So when I was younger I started feeling like I had a thin skin and couldn't handle stress.  But now understanding triggers I understand that a whole string of them would be unleashed on me on these trips.  First I would be put into a car with two tense adults who didn't want to go see their parents and for a whole hour they would talk about how much they didn't want to go there. Next we would be going higher in altitude.  Third my dad would drive like a race car driver up hair pen curves if you weren't prone to nausea you would be after riding in a car with him.  Fourth we would get there and set down to a wonderful meal prepare by scratch by my step grandmother.  We finally found out what her secret was all those years MSG.  She finally revealed she used it as a spice in all her cooking.  And then if I hadn't awaken with a migraine I'd get one by the afternoon the next day because every afternoon in the mountains a storm would roll in and just let loose for an hour or two.  So my Dad was one of first who told me the migraines were all due to emotions and I believed him with my young mind.   Thank god for this site so I could find out about triggers right?

 

 

Since it sounds like we both had lousy diets in our childhoods I wonder if that has affected the degree of our migraines?  I just wonder if my being exposed to so much MSG via step grandmother, Chinese food, and other restaurant food and TV dinners etc has made my brain so over sensitive to it now.  And what about other chemicals like nitrates etc. 

 

Well it sounds like environmental is really the worst since you have been out of commission a lot this summer too.  How did you do August 20-31? Let me know so we can compare (again all those days were bad to very bad days for me).  Sorry I didn't get this written sooner but that dang trapez was bugging me so bad that typing was out of the question.

 

Keep Strong

Headacut

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Headacut,

 

Your August sounds just like mine, pain-wise.  What a summer!  Can't say I'm sorry to see this past one go, but can you and I have a "do-over"?  Summers are so short here in New England, I'd like some days back to have some fun :)  (Or get into some mischief!--couldn't because I didn't have the energy from the migraines!)  Yesterday turned out to be day where the stress level went up, and my headache level matched it.  Finally, I broke down and took some pain meds, which took the edge off, and went to bed early. 

 

But then my oldest son woke me early this AM, told me he had to leave for work, and the dog was throwing up in the back yard, so I needed to get up to "watch her"!  Hello?  Yes, I still had the migraine (though not as bad), but I remember waking up thinking...does my head still hurt?...yes...I wish I could have just slept on longer so I wouldn't have to feel it...the dog is doing what?...why would I want to watch this?...but, I knew I needed to get up to keep an eye on her and let her back in the house, but still, seems you can't catch a break when you need one.  Anyway, Annie was already chewing grass when I got up, she came in, drank some water, and now she seems fine.  But what a start to the day.  By the way, we still had "skunk breath" from her up 'til a couple of days ago.  She used to be a champion at chasing down skunks, "protecting" her back yard and woods, but now that she's older, she's slowing down a bit (don't tell her I said so).

 

So, I've already tried the imitrex this morning, the pounding stopped, but still feel a strong head-achy feeling, and kind of out of it (if you know what I mean, and I'm sure you must).  I'm trying to see if I can get by without the pain meds (why, I don't know...some sort of tolerance competition?...how much pain do I have to be in before I buckle?...). But maybe the pain level will go down as the day goes on.  Hopefully.  Of course, what am I doing while in pain?  Laundry :)

 

Sorry to hear about your experiences with PT, that is a pain in the neck!  I can relate to trying to do something physically that you know might aggravate your condition...why do we do this?  And that "what do you do?" moment was there for you, too?  Yup, just like the bank lady.  See how many ways we suffer with migraines, exponentially?  Amazing.  Yes, I tried PT a few times, but the last time (after the car accident) it made my hands go totally numb, and I need those guys :)  So, it didn't help my neck, and the side effects stunk.  Who can hold a glass of champagne with their feet?  I suppose I could just get the bottle and use a looong straw :)  See how migraines force us to compromise? :)

 

And my neurologist gave me the same "not sure about those white spots, migraineurs tend to have them" line.  I love your white light theory, though.  But this past summer, when dealing with so much pain, I've been down in the dumps more than I care to admit. 

 

I need a vacation!  I am so overdue it's not funny.  But no camping for me...I joke that I'll only go camping if it's at the Ritz.  But a vacation is definetly not in the financial cards right now.  That little bit about not being able to work right now...

 

Boy, that railing sure turned into something else...and, technically, I guess, you're "living on the streets", albeit in an actual house, if the street is "supposed" to be that wide.  Such a can of worms.  These town by-laws are so strange.  And each town is different.  You just never know when you're going to get "caught" trying to fix up your house...go figure :)  My oldest is building a new deck on the back of our ranch (the old one rotted 5 years ago, my husband finally tore it down 4 years ago (I actually shamed him into doing this, I was afraid someone would fall through), and it was still on his "list of things to do".  He's a great guy, but he's also a master at procrastination.  Drives me crazy, that does.

 

Your childhood echoes mine in a lot of ways.  I also partook of spaghetti-O's (how many other migraine sufferers did?...maybe you're on to something?).  But stress was a major staple in my childhood homes.  That is a huge trigger for me to this day...now I just have to learn to live with it, instead of buckling under it.  Trying.  I just love when I get stressed out over something, and my husband tells me "just don't think about it".  That is just so helpful!!  Like I wouldn't if I could.  Pah-leez. 

 

Maybe that's why he can be such a good procrastinator--he doesn't think about things he doesn't want to.  Picks and chooses.  Oh, to have such a gift! :)  Really, I secretly (or not so secretly now) do wish I could just "choose" to not be upset about some things.  But since my stress-filled childhood, I'm now "hard-wired" into a naturally occurring stress response (don't you just love the psychological psycho-babble?).  Good thing I majored in psychology--it comes in handy when analyzing yourself! 

My 17 yr old loves to joke that it's called psycho-cology.  Actually, he just started school yesterday, and he's taking the class--can't wait to get his "read" on things.  He has such a funny, dry sense of humor. 

 

So, any big plans for September?  We'll be going apple picking, of course (day trip).  And I'm going to an Omega seminar in Boston Sept 25-26 (if the head doesn't interfere).  Figures there's a retrograde mercury in Sept., I know that will screw something up--I can count on it.  I signed up for it on a whim months ago, not knowing at the time that the migraines would get as intense as they did this summer.  We'll see.  No, I've never gone to a blueberry farm, just used to pick the ones that grow wild on the hills under the high-tension wires.  Those blueberries are everywhere in MA.  The recipe sounds yummy, and I'd love it.  Thanks.  I also don't like "too-sweet" pies.  The natural fruit tends to be sweet enough for me.

 

Well, my computer time-limit is reached for today.  Thankfully, the head is no worse for it (thank goodness for the little things). 

 

Take care.

 

 

Susan,

 

Five days no triptans yeah!!  Just a handful of excedrins!  Feel like such an achievement.  Still feel off kilter but just so happy the pain level is down.  Now I can feel the knee pain more and the neck, trapeze, back is killing me even more.  Yugh!  It's really got a grip on me.  I mention this to the PT staff without much response-I was hoping they would have some tips to help undue the damage.   I don't know maybe I should have gone to a different place but I'm not sure what's out there and the in network providers leave the field of selection narrow but if I knew it was going to be superior I would probably consider doing the balance billing bit.  Where did you go up in Boston?  Did you like it?  The Doc for the knee had listed the Spalding rehab in Braintree (not on our insurance list) and with the mechanics of having my hubby drive me sometimes I thought it would work out going to this one in Hanover but maybe I should have chose the other.  I looked at the Spalding site and it just didn't look like they had anything different to offer.  I still like the staff in the friendliness factor and feel comfortable going where I am but would like not to be in pain.  Can you guess what zodiac sign I am?  Libra can't make a decision.

 

Lately I have noticed at the gym where I have pt that my blood pressure has been consistently up.  I heard that migraines can cause higher blood pressure.  My bp was always low until four years ago when all these migraines really got out of control have you had any similar differences in bp?

 

 

Can completely relate to the wake up the dog is throwing up scenario.  So happen that same morning I woke up on my own from a nightmare that my dog had just had surgery and the vet chose not to sew her up in case he wanted to go back in for additional work.  I was so upset in that she was getting all kinds of dirt and getting infected in this incision.  I often have nightmares with the migraines do you?  So I woke up thought I'd better get up now because if I keep sleeping I'll just have more of these dreams and wake up with a real whopper of a migraine.  I just had a little headache at that point but I was still really tired!  I usually feel more tired when I wake up then when I go to bed do you ever do that to?  Our dog is just turning 10 has always been sickly is going blind and had just seen the vet on Monday where we were told the vet suspected that she has breast cancer and may need surgery so that's where the dream came from.  But does it help to dream about it and wake up feeling exhausted and heart broken?  The other way I can relate is that it never fails that I will finally be sleeping well for once catching up on sleep without pain or nightmares waking me up when an outside event will wake me up like a huge truck will drive up and hit squeaky brakes and park and idle right under our bedroom window for half an hour.  (Remember we do live on the streets hee hee)  We always have a fan going for white noise to block any traffic noise but there are exceptions if the vehicles are huge for the size of the small residential neighborhood or the car alarms go off etc.  A couple of years ago Verizon decided to put their control box for the three streets of our neighborhood right outside our window on the utility pole.  So any time someone orders something from them at 7 am they are outside making a racket with ladders etc.   It seems like they always have a knack at picking the few days I can actually sleep in to come purposely wake me up.  I do feel like someone up there likes to mess with me.

 

 

I know what you mean about projects and hubbys.  My hubby fixed a roof leak on a small jutted out portion a few years back but has yet to replace all the shingles.  And then I sent him up to clean up his office one day and went up there a few hours later to find it still a mess but now with the fake paneling removed from the walls.  What the heck!  I just wanted you to be able to find your stuff not redecorate your walls?  It's still messed up and his work is still scattered around the house one reason our house looks messy.  Oh well.  In his defense he has to cover my chores a lot and he does have a point when he tells me he wants to be quiet when I don't feel well.  He also has been spending a lot of chore time on our twenty year old cars keeping them running so I don't have to work.  Then there is his job, which keeps him on his toes and doesn't always allow him to know when to schedule his projects.  I've come to the realization too that a type A man probably wouldn't have stuck around me.  I had a lot of energy when we first got married and my hubby could barely keep up with me but now I'm very low energy and luckily the hubby doesn't mind this.  There are many events and plans that we cancel for ourselves because of my illness and he never complains and is never makes me feel guilty about it   We do manage to focus on keeping the living things alive like the pets (including fish, bees, birds) and gardens then everything else has to fall in line with what little energy is left. 

 

 

 I laughed at the image of your husband on the sofa with the laundry I do mine on the bed and I have caught my husband sleeping underneath the clothes I forgot to put away.  Men!  And mine is the same way (pleaze) "don't worry!! "  That's what mine always says too.  So I tried it for the deck let him handle he said  okay okay.  Do we have a permit in hand yet?  No is it just keep getting worse and worse? Yes.   Okay Okay the Zen tarot cards say just let go.  So I'm going to try.  But I wish it was over already.  The last three or four years have been really rough on me migraine wise and the main things next to hubby and pets was the garden.  There I could feel like I was partaking in life by nurturing it.  Then the back and knee gave out last year and all I could do is feel apart of nature by being out on the deck so the deck was like my last great pleasure.  When your knee hurts you can't garden or take walks or relieve stress in so many other ways but at least on a nice day I could go outside and feel a part of things.  Now all summer what little we had I used the deck with apprehension that all may not turn out well with it for we don't make the city busy bodies happy.   Yeh easy for the men folk to tell us not to worry right?  By the way do you ever notice how these easygoing fellows get a cold they think they are going to die?  But we are the worriers right?  Like to see them in our shoes for a year exchange to see how the migraine disease affects them.  I don't know if I was going to be a worrier from birth but being raise with my parents definitely didn't help.  They invented economic emergencies and this resulted in numerous arguments so I never knew if they were going to kill each other this week or the next.  I think its scary that I completely understand what could drive a young person to do what he did in the movie Into the Wild.   So with my child hood I didn't have a pray but to be a worrier.  But beyond that I think the disease of the migraine not knowing when its going to hit etc just effects even the most carefree souls that I would be surprised if that wasn't a big part of our worry tendencies.  I know when I am in a good run of days I'm back to the more carefree optimist happy energic person I want to be but get into a bad run and I just lose my self in feeling overwhelmed and filled with anxiety and frustration. It's like day and night. 

 

 

Hope the Omega course goes well for you.  Is that the one with Kornfield?  Tried to make sense of the description of the material they would cover but it started to stress out my brain!  My Therapist really liked Kornfield.  That's how I met her she had a meditation course over in Hanover.  I really liked it and for the first time with her I felt Kundalini which was really cool.  Had the hubby going too and he liked it too.  Haven't done any group mediation or seminars since the migraines got out of control which I miss.  Tried to watch some PBS ones recently by Wayne Dyer and others but couldn't get into them.  In the past I loved the motivation and self-help but after four years of pain listening to them was like hearing a doctor telling you to take two aspirins and call him in the morning.  Wayne Dyer was going on about how a study on two groups of knee surgery patients produced the same results even though one group didn't actually have the surgery. blah blah.  Maybe I don't know but I do know I had tried many things for migraines and they all failed to take away the pain and it wasn't till I tried imitrex (which by the way I had at that time given up hope anything would really help) that it actually took most of the pain away so I don't believe its a placebo effect and I don't believe you can just chalk everything up to the power of the mind.  I also have had the opportunity to observe others who are more healthy and you know that it seems to me they all have their own emotional hang ups and spiritual challenges.  It just has been dangerous for me because I always have blamed myself for my health problems and I believe that's what I've been taking away from these normally helpful speakers so instead of getting empowered to change my health I keep feeling I'm doing it all wrong and screwing up once again when the migraines keep coming along.  Just got a fortune cookie that read, "People will not envy your life but be proud of how you lived it."  Cool Huh.

 

 

How about TV shows?  New season upon us.   I feel like I'm a TV connoisseur with all the time I sit in front of the tube now trying to get past the pain.   I like the positive light hearted stuff too either that or the psychic or scary but not gory stuff.  CSI and other detailed crime shows just lead me to detailed nightmares.  I like a lot of the USA shows Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, like Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Doll House, Fringe, Reaper, Chuck, Ugly Betty and Mentalist.   Favorite sitcom would be Rules of Engagement.  Have been enjoying Defying Gravity this summer and giggle at all their references to mercury retrograde.  The hubby gets tired about hearing about mercury retrograde but I know he knows there is something really going on with that.  Brady got his knee operated on last year during mercury retrograde and looked what happen.   I'm so glad its football season again just hope we still have a few players I recognize the names.   As for the new shows I watched Glee last week and thought it was cute.  How bout you seen any new shows yet?

 

 

Pie Recipe

 

Crust

 

3 cups flour                                      1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 teaspoon salt                               6 tablespoons ice cold water

4 tablespoon sugar                              1 tablespoon milk

 

mix these three                                   then add these three

divide dough in half and roll out.  When rolling out dough out roll it between two sheets of waxed paper.

 

Michigan Blueberry Pie

 

1/2 cup sugar                                    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons flour                             1/8 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon orange zest                    1/8 teaspoon cloves

                                                       pinch of nutmeg

 

mix up all these in bowl.  then add

 

4 cups blueberries

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon light rum

 

If you are like me and don't have oranges on hand use lemon peel dried spice around 1 tablespoon in place of orange zest and orange juice.

 

Pour into your piecrust, crimp the edges, and make a few slits for steam.  Brush pie with 1 tablespoon milk and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar.  Bake the pie for 10 minutes in preheated oven at 400' then reduce the heat to 350' and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until golden brown.  If you like a little more sweet once it's baked you can always sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

 

Yes we look forward to apple picking soon.  Do you have a good apple crisp recipe?  Hope to see some good fall colors.  Well screen time is definitely up.  Have a good week.

 

Headacut

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Headacut,

 

Doing anything fun today?  I just finished weeding (started yesterday) and now my gardens are almost weed-free.  Such an accomplishment :)  I had a bad head yesterday, took the imitrex (that didn't work as well as it usually does), took a couple of tramadol later, that didn't help much, then decided "what the heck, if I'm going to be in pain, I'm going to pull weeds".  Go figure out the logic in that one!  My husband kept trying to get me to come back in the house, telling me I was "doing too much, I'd hurt myself", but I was determined to take my mind off the pain, and get something useful (to me, anyway) accomplished for a change.  Plus, the air was so beautiful yesterday.  I ended up sound asleep at 7pm, but I got almost 3/4 of the gardens done.  So, today I got up determined to finish the job.  I not only finished, I watered all the gardens, too.  If your going to overdo, you might as well go all the way...(ouch).

 

Sorry to hear you're in such pain from the PT (that is so not fair, isn't migraine more than enough pain for any one person? in a lifetime?).  I did my PT here at Cohasset Physical Therapy, or Cohasset Sports Therapy, something like that.  It not only didn't help, but made me worse.  My husband had good luck there, though. 

 

My blood pressure has been low my whole life, if it registers normal, that's high for me.  However, I did also have an incredibly stressful childhood, so I do think that's a trigger for future migraines, and future tendencies to be a worrier, too.  When you are a child, you should be nurtured and cared for, not dealing with adult-level (or adult induced) stress.  That would make any child worry, and once you start that cycle, I think it becomes ingrained, and hard-wired. 

 

And yes, I do tend to get more nightmares, and have more bad dreams in general with a bad migraine cycle.  Of course, since my migraines have gotten so bad since 2004, I rarely have what I would term "good" dreams.  They are either neutral, stressful, bad, or full blown nightmares.  After reading what I just typed, if I wasn't so tired, I would choose to spend more time awake :) 

 

Sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis.  My heart breaks for you.  No wonder you had a nightmare, you don't even need a psychology degree to analyze that one.  Our pets are such true family members, and so helpless.  Their love is so constant, and their loyalty is so heartfelt.  My Annie had surgery a few years back (several thousand dollars worth--it's worth thinking about pet insurance if we ever got another dog some day) and I was a wreck.  But it all turned out okay, and I never thought twice about expense.  But going through cancer--wow.  That's a tough one.

 

So funny about men's pain tolerance--or their lack of it!!  My husband is the worst :)  Though, according to him, he never gets sick.  He's either (according to him) coming down with a cold (many days of sniffling, sighing, announcing the impending illness), "fighting one" (this takes several weeks of vigilance and effort, apparently, and hurculean feats of strenth), then having the actual cold (something close to bubonic plague, to hear of it), then weeks of "recovering" from this near-death experience.  And that's only a cold.  Amazing.  If he does genuinely have something seriously wrong, forget it, he gets it much worse than anyone else who ever had it, and how.  If our husbands got migraines, I can't even imagine the drama.  Men definetly have a low threshold for illness, and pain.  Though my oldest son, he's not much of a drama-king about pain (thank goodness, one out of three!).

 

Yes, the Omega is the one with Kornfield, though to be honest I never heard any of the speakers before (thought I'd try something new, and needed to get away, really).  Hope it's good.  I'm not much of a meditator, what's Kundalini?  Did some meditation with Herbert Benson at the Mind Body Clinic, but had the most success with progressive relaxation Cds and the ones specifically for migraine.  They are guided imagery by Belleruth Naperstack, she's wonderful!!  I did do a conference with her in Connecticut two years ago--it was amazing.  I'd do another one with her in a heartbeat.  Her website is www.healthjourneys.com and worth visiting, if you have any health issues at all.  I have a bunch of her Cds, and some of her books are good, too.

 

Funny you mentioned Wayne Dyer--I'm going to see him in Boston in November.  One of his PBS specials, the power of intention, I didn't like at all--couldn't even finish it, to be honest.  But then I saw, and liked, change your thoughts-change your life, living the wisdom of the tao.  And his latest special seems pretty good.  So I thought I'd get some tickets and take my hubby, maybe do dinner in Boston then see his talk after.  His reference about the knee surgery (I've used his same source in my psych class) didn't mean that the patients weren't in real pain during the follow up time--they genuinely were.  But after two full years, they ended up with similar results (some still in pain, some in the middle, some in no pain at all).  I don't think Dyer explained the full study very well.  Maybe just used the part that made his point?

 

Kind of like how some people claim that some useless "miracle" cures really work (my mother is always reading some holistic whatever, and telling me how to "cure" something--be it insomnia or migraines).  Maybe the placebo effect works for some people, but I question how "sick" they really were to begin with!  If someone gave me a fake imitrex--I would certainly not be cured of my migraine--only the real thing can make a difference to me. 

 

But the power of suggestion can be very powerful to some people.  I think my husband is one.  He believes that if he stares into the sun, it will make him sneeze--he truly believes this! :)  And, lo and hehold, when he stares into the sun, he sneezes.  But it doesn't have that effect on me--I guess I just don't believe it will happen as much as he does :)

 

Your right, though, about those "motivational" speakers that try to blame a disease or illness on how a person thinks, or behaves, or feels, etc.  I have no patience for them.  They are completely useless, as far as I can tell.  Though I do believe, as some one else once said (can't think of who to save my life, maybe lincoln? ), people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.  I do tend to be optimistic, my husband is the opposite, and sometimes that's a tough mix.  Especially when I'm really not feeling well, his negativity seems really abrasive to me.  Not that I can't get into a good snit now and then (oh, I sure can) but in general, I'd rather take a positive approach to things. 

 

I guess that's why I'm the one who ends up getting tickets for whatever we end up doing, or trying something new--if I left it up to him, we'd go out to a movie once or twice a year, and that's it.  Though since the bad migraines, I definetly don't do much.  My life is pretty dull, actually, all in all.  But I try to spice it up now and again by doing something new or different once in a while.  Can't let migraines drain the life out of my life too much!

 

I loved your fortune cookie!  Actually, I always open and read mine, they can be so funny (and sometimes so true).  I saw a reprint of one that said "You will tap dance your way into the hearts of millions!".  I kept that one on the wall of my garden shed--it makes me smile whenever I read it.

 

As for TV, I didn't know a single show you mentioned, except for Ghost Whisperer, I've watched it a few times.  I watch more TV now than I used to, but not many network shows.  I watch the news, PBS, and movies on TV.  I watch The Office, 30 Rock (opposite Ugly Betty, I know, because my mother watches U.B.)  But I'm usually in bed for the news at 9:00, then to sleep.  But, as you mentioned, I usually wake up more tired than when I went to bed (maybe negative dreams are more exhausting?).  And I'm an early riser, usually between 5 and 6am.  If I sleep til 7, it's a miracle.  I've tried sleeping later (especially on those occasions when I have a really late night), but after an hour or so of tossing and turning, I give up.  I've never been able to get back to sleep. 

 

We definetly follow the Patriots, and get pizzas from Lynnwood Cafe in Randolph for the occasion (far, but worth the trip for authentic barroom pizza).  We just can't find another pizza that compares to those around here on the coast.  Used to go to the Town Spa in Stoughton, but they moved to a bigger place, and their pizza, while still good, is just not as good as it used to be.  Now Lynnwood's is the best.  Hubby and I went there for a treat this past weekend, and their pizza is mouth-wateringly great (it's the only thing they offer) with their ice cold draft beer.  Yum.  Oh, back to the Patriots, I have to re-learn most of their names each season.  But the games are fun to watch, and I'm a big fan of Superbowl commercials.  I love Sunday games, they break up the day, especially once it gets cold and grey outside.

 

Thanks for the pie recipe, I'll give it a whirl when it gets cool enough to bake again.  Of course, that means I'm counting on feeling well enough to do baking (see that optimistic side?).  My youngest just asked about dinner--what--he wants dinner?  What is this about feeding your family?  He's assuming, of course, that I actually got to the market this weekend.  Doesn't he know I spent the last two days doing the weeding :)  Next thing you know, he'll expect clean clothes :)

 

But, now that's he's mentioned it, I'm famished.  I'll have to go scare something up out of the kitchen, or maybe (better) get hubby to order take out somewhere.  And, of course (hubby was right) my neck and shoulders are killing me, head's still bad but not worse than it was.  And, I'm too grubby, still covered in dirt, and goodness knows what else, to go out somewhere.  We were supposed to get some lobsters and cook them on the grill to chill for tonight's dinner.  But I forgot to remind hubby, and now it's too late in the day to cook and get them chilled in time.  Bother.  And I had the dijon sauce all made and chilled, too.  Double bother.

 

Well, I'm off to feed the family.  Or plead for take out, whatever it takes.

 

Hope your Labor Day weekend was a good one.  Great deck weather!  Maybe you should take a bevie out on the deck and watch the clouds go by?  My deck is almost framed, and I can't wait for it to be finished.  Poor Annie can't understand why she can't go out the back door in the early mornings (four foot drop if she stepped out).  Of course, that means I have to let her out the front door (it's sometimes still dark out) and I walk her out back with a flashlight (don't want a re-spray from the skunks).  Of course, here's hoping I don't find them when turning the corner accidentally before Annie does!! (sorry, Annie).  Imagine that!  There I am, bathrobe on, slippered feet, sooo attractive with my bed head.  What a sorry sight for the neighbors and all the traffic out front (thank goodness it's still dark).  If I got sprayed on top of it all, I'd make a sight worthy of America's Funniest Home videos (at least my family is still asleep then and wouldn't be filming my antics).

 

Oh, yeah.  Dinner.  Just got "the look" from the hungry one.  Gotta go.

 

Take care.

 

Hi Susan,

 

Miss you!!!  How are you doing?  Can't believe its been so long since we "talked" time always gets away from me.  I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner to your reply.  I think that is one major part of this disease that I seem to lose track of time between migraines and recovering that I don't even realize how much time is going by.  I use to be the accountant in the family until the migraines got the better of me and due dates were too hard to keep track of so then the hubby had to take over another responsibility from me.  I never even know what day it is anymore. Oh that's right its Sunday pats are playing in London and winning and I'm thinking wow next weekend is Halloween and I haven't talked to Susan forever.  We haven't tried Lynwood's yet but will when we get the chance sounds good.  The hubby went to LSU so Kevin Faulk is our favorite Pats player.  And every Saturday night you'll find us having a party in front of the TV watching the tiger games with Cajun goodies.  Our usual staple is Cajun nacho cheese dip, which is Velveeta cheese, and rotelle canned tomatoes and peppers.  Yum Yum!!

 

I'm trying to think back now lets see Labor Day was our anniversary.  My husband and I went out for our dinner on the cape at Arnolds outside overlooking the miniature golf course waterfall lit with tiki torches and white lanterns and having a beer followed by the drive in and finally seeing Julia movie (loved the onion scene) and then seeing the Time Travelers Wife in peace this time without a cougher.  The air was perfect and we had a wonderful time.  This was the start of a three-week celebration of our anniversary in which we did all those things we couldn't do this summer because of wet crummy weather and resulting migraines I suffered.  I actually had 20 days of migraine free days in which we crammed everything we could into them. We also started going out to dinner a lot more.   And since I discovered that the beer on the cape I had was the only thing that got rid of my pain in my neck that I got from PT I started drinking at these meals (before that beer I hadn't had a drink really since I started Topamax three years ago).  Just one drink and the pain was gone and still no headache or migraine the next day it was a miracle.  My husband asked me what was different when I had gone 10 days and I said with a smile I've started drinking.    But alas all good things most come to an end and as soon as my new cycle started the migraines were back so I guess it was hormones?

 

The migraines came back just in time for my birthday so that was a bust but I had such a good time in September that I feel blessed I got to go out and have some fun then.  I would love to go out and enjoy the leaves more though.  It's so gorgeous this time of year.  I had planned to go along with the hubby on a business trip so I could enjoy the drive of New England in early October.  It was a hard decision because I didn't know how I would feel plus I always feel so behind in everything.  Then I had jury duty, which I did go ahead and postponed.  I had to arrange the pets etc everything you have to do to get ready to go away for a few days seems ten times as hard when you have migraines went through it all and then his client cancelled.  So all that stress for nothing its so frustrating. 

 

Did you get to go to the seminar in Boston with Kornfield?  Did you learn what Kundalini is?  He is a master at it.  We went in to Boston for a knee appointment and finished it off with a visit to Jacob Wirth in the theatre district for some Sauerbraten my favorite for my birthday a few days late.  That was fun.  Had to laugh Power of Intention was the one I was trying to watch by Wayne Dyer that I didn't get into.  Still I was interested in the knee study because of my knees I am trying to do the PT instead of surgery so I would like to know more about the study but I don't think Dyer was on the ball in presenting the facts on this occasion. (could be me the listener)?  I have enjoyed Wayne Dyer in the past and have seen him in person twenty some years ago.  He has a nice loving energy and message that helps a lot of people but I'm not sure he can help in every situation.  Think you will have a wonderful time though.  Those kinds of events are just loaded with positive energy. Your hubby most not be too negative if he is open to going with you.  Sounds like he is like mine he won't instigate anything on his own but if I sign us up he'll go along with it not always happily but in the end he is usually glad he did.  It's hard though for us to always be the ones to be the positive ones when we are getting so drained physically.  That's why I was so pissed this summer it was really all getting too much and I was getting negative but no one let me just even say it all sucked.  Everyone else can act negative but if you chose to go there for a month or two everyone freaks out.  Yet life keeps happening and stuff keeps piling on.  I have always loved the Lincoln quote and lived by it since early teens but I'll bet even Lincoln had trouble living by it during his last years when he felt so responsible for so many lives lost, the future of the country, the lost of his son and the depression of his wife.  One migraine day I watched reruns of Joan of Acadia and caught an episode where they brought up the subject of where you feel disconnected from God at periods in time.  This came after the characters were each feeling disconnected for different reasons.  The parents though especially the father was feeling it though because the drunk driver friend that crippled his son was now suing his son for emotional damages.  I just loved that episode it was just the way I felt this summer how much do I have to overcome chronic migraines, infertility, and now knees that are really giving me trouble.  You keep trying to adjust but something else is laid on top of you and it's so hard to keep adjusting and dealing.  But the ending of the episode the wife explains to her husband that the priest she has been seeing says it is normal to be in a state where you feel separated from God and alone just as it is to feel connected at other times.  The way it was presented was so beautiful and I just cried.   Some speakers and people make me feel like there is no reason for me to be in the darkness for a while like I'm a whiner and then you just feel like a loser all over again.    I will have to look up health journeys sounds good.

 

I never thought I would be jealous of someone weeding. hee hee!!!  I got in some good pt during my migraine respite and the knee got stronger so I weeded for a couple of hours.  The hubby did not like that.  He is just like yours.  Oh you are going to make the head, neck, back, now knee, worse.  But all the body experts say no that moving around is good in small amounts.  Men they don't want to weed but they don't want us to either.  Unfortunately, I missed stepped just stepping outside the back door and twisted my ankle and other knee a couple weeks ago and now I think I torn the other knee up my doctor said oh yeah you probably did pt that too.  So I was depressed about that for a week but trying to stay positive so far can still sleep without too much pain (like I had earlier in the year) but still not pain free.  And the process I had the made on other knee has been set back a bit. In my low moments I think I should be shot like a horse I feel so useless in getting around.

 

Our dog is doing okay so far.  We know all about treating a dog for cancer our last dog had cancer but we didn't realize it till on a Super bowl Sunday when our dog who was only six and always robust suddenly didn't want to eat.  We rushed him to the er and emergency operation that night revealed he had stomach cancer.  We were told he had maybe a week or two without cancer treatment six months to a year with.  We decided to try the chemo if he did well on it and he never did get sick on it but he only made it another six months.  We were out three thousand for operation and all but we didn't regret it because this dog was very special to us.    He saved our lives when we were in our first house.  One really cold (2') night our house filled up with carbon monoxide and our dog was the only one to realize it.  He woke us up at 2 am and kept us up no small feat in that we were so so sleepy.  We finally realized there was a slight natural gas odor.   I who am usually the worrier in the family said to my husband oh let's worry about it in the morning I'm sleepy but my husband called the fire department.  The fireman came with a meter got to our front door and the meter went off and he told us to get the heck out of our house now.  About a half hour later the carbon monoxide alarm in the hallway went off.  The fireman said that by that point we would've been too far under that we would've never awakened.  We had just bought that hallway alarm a couple of months before when a family down the street had died from the same thing.   So we took that dog's death hard and were grateful for the time to say goodbye, but we also saw first hand that it really wasn't worth that time, expense, and hardship on the pet to treat for cancer if their chances aren't that good.   Last year we planned a trip to getaway just around this time and one of our cats got seriously ill three days before so we spent those days at the er spending another 2000 saving her life.  She made it and seems to be fine and my husband and I really didn't need to go on a vacation.  We had just been on one in 2004 so we were probably overdoing it anyway.   Sounds like you are a pet lover too what we won't do right?   I'd love to see a video of you on AFV though.  I'm always grateful for those summer trees for the privacy from the neighbors but now its getting to be that time of the year where I have to be more careful or throw caution to the wind. 

 

So I have a question for you what kind of bug sings from the trees here in the heat of the summer.  We know about tree frogs (peepers) and crickets, but we are wandering if the other noisy ones are locusts or June bugs?

 

Headacut

 

Hi Headacut!

 

Wow, seems like forever, you're right.  I was in Marshfield yesterday, at Halfway Cafe, and thought of you.  This is only the second time I've been there, had the clam strips--don't.  I also adore cajun food.  Once took one of those cooking classes, with The Cajun Yankee (don't know if it's even still in business) and fell in love with tasso.  Used to have to drive to Cambridge to get it, but found a place across from Mass General Hosp. that sells it.  Haven't been able to find it around here.  Any recommendations?

 

The past few months have been rough head-wise.  That, of course, impacts everything, especially since my family got sick of me being sick and were not just unsympathetic, but got pretty nasty about putting up with my "down" time.  Oh, well, I guess it's just like you said, you don't want to seem discouraging or always saying, "I can't, because...", you get so sick of being sick.  And it does get depressing, and it just plain stinks.

 

I actually got so down, my husband suggested I go visit my brother in Fort Myers, so I booked a reservation about 1 second after he finished speaking.  I stayed for a week, Nov. 1-7, and almost didn't want to come home.  Seriously, if my high-schooler was out of the house, I would have stayed indefinetly.  I didn't have a single migraine while I was there, I was able to sleep through the night, I felt so relaxed (what's that feeling...oh yeah, I'm not a nervous wreck).  Amazing!  Go figure!

 

Things are still off-track here at home, but hopefully it will work itself out.  My husband was giving me a really hard time, but he seems to have let up the last two days.  Please, let it last.  My oldest son has an attitude and a half.  Thank goodness my youngest son is doing well, and the dog still loves me :)

 

Also, I got diagnosed with colitis this month.  Not supposed to be under stress, the doc says.  How do you do that with migraines?  So now I am taking a steroid that causes, get this, headaches, interrupted sleep, nervousness, the whole gamut.  Though it is helping with the stomach issues, it doesn't make me fun to be around.  The headaches are definetly much worse, the migraines are about the same, though (thank goodness for the little things in life).

 

So thrilled to hear you had 20 migraine free days.  Congratulations!  Too bad the beer thing didn't work out--before I finished reading your paragraph about it not lasting I was ready to drive to the nearest packie!  Still...maybe it does work for part of the month--that alone would be worth indulging.  If you try it again, and get the same results, let me know--I'm in :)

 

What are you up to for Thanksgiving?  I was supposed to go to my sister-in-laws, she usually has it, but I'm cancelling out this year.  I just don't have the emotional or physical energy to make the 1 1/2 hour drive each way, and put up with the migraine that usually goes with it.  Plus, of course, all the women spend two hours on clean up in the kitchen after the meal while all the guys watch TV, and truthfully, I feel resentful about it already.  I'll just do it all myself at home, and my husband and sons can all pitch in on clean-up.  No travel, no aggravation, and, hopefully...less chance of a full-blown migraine.

 

That's the plan, anyway.

 

If we don't talk in the meantime, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Hope yours is migraine-free, and the knee pain abates a bit.  Can't believe it's both now--how are you going to keep up your tap-dancing career? :)

 

Take care,

 

Susan

 

 

 

Please don't put too much stock in what's said on the Tuliv site or any of those sites selling products without talking to your doctor about them first. Some of them are good; some are total crap. Most of them say they don't have side effects, but EVERYTHING has possible side effects.

 

Be safe and talk to your doctor first.

Noted and appreciated. I have tried numerous products that haven't really done it for me but seem to have worked for others. I was glad Teri mentioned the 5-htp and rescue med problem. That's why I said I'm not endorsing the product only been on a month or so but like some of the information presented as no one ever told me that migraines pattern in your life like they to on their chart and in my experience that is what has pretty much been happening-instead my doctors left me with little information and I just felt scared wondering why I was now getting worse in my 40's (my primary is in her late 50's and supposedly suffers from migraines(she probably experienced some perimenopausal migraines Herself?) so I thought she was going to be very helpful when I had to switch over to her three years ago due to the early retirement of my previous doctor but she has really just acted like my increase in migraines is psychosomatic. I kept asking her if the increase could be perimenopause or hormonal and she just looked at me funny and said what you really need is to talk to a counselor. So I just left her office feeling mad and still scared about what was going on with my body. What was I suppose to do go to a counselor and talk for hour sessions about why I suddenly have an increase in my migraines and why I am so mad the doctor thinks its psychosomatic? is that going to help them stop? I know the value of counselors but this was a situation where it wasn't going to help-I needed true medical help. I have been going to this doctor since 2006 and that like I said was a bad mold year and so when I was Google in the rainy year of 2008 trying to figure out if the similar weather contributed severe mold I came across a mold alert for health care providers warning them that in 2006 to watch out for increase symptoms in their chronically ill patients for ma. So it was another aha moment for me on my theory for the increase but also another angry moment for my feelings about my doctor because I feel I've been alone in trying to figure out what is really going on. I also did take the list of herbs to my neurologist he actually makes you write it out with your meds and told him about my melatonin reaction. Now get this he said really? And I said what do you think about the other herbs on the list do you think there will be any problem with them? His answer was "Oh I really don't know anything about herbs." So I'm just thinking why have I been filling out this forms each and every time I come in here making sure I tell you what new things I'm trying? But my heart just wasn't in it remember this was the start of the month (or is it the summer of hell for me) so I just decided to silently say you are fired as soon as I can figure out someone more headache savvy. Would love anyone else’s input if they have tried this product or similar herbs. Like I said I was using the black cohash anyway in another product and found it helpful I think with my migraines and perimenopause symptoms. Thanks for any information anyone has. And as long as there is this site and the internet in general we can always have such an important resource to use in our personal battles with this disease. Sorry but doctors have not always been a reliable resource for me in my health. So I cannot tell you how grateful I am to this site. Got to run have to get some chores done.