well....it has been quite a while since I've written anything.......The last time I posted was shortly after my spinal tap.....well things have changed quite a bit.
1. I broke up with my boyfriend of 2 years----I needed to get my life back on track, and my health under control again. he also had a problem with my headaches.....which the last thing I want to be, is a burden on anyone. It was the best decision for myself-even though it definetely wasn't the easiest. It's better for me to discover this now, then years and years down the line. This is a condition I will have to keep under control, and handle day to day for the rest of my life.
2. Moved back in with my parents----not my ideal situation but my best support. They've been through everything with me, from multiple spinal taps, to the worst reaction . Most importantly they know how to help me without making me feel like an invalid!! If I need some ice, my brother knows which ice packs are my favorite. My mom made me these fantastic dark blue cloth curtains, that turn my bedroom to pitch black--with stars on them, so they're still cute! My made a list of my meds that hangs on the back of my bedroom door, so everyone knows whats what, how much, etc. This is what I need right now----having a stable, reliable, understanding support system makes a world of a difference.
Plus I think the house I was living in had a mold problem. I could clean every single stinkin day, and still have mold in the air---- == trigger.
3. The effexor is working!!! yeah!!! 
Im sure that is not the only reason why I seem so much happier and more relaxed with my life----but it is doing its job.
As of right now, Im averaging about 2-3 migraines a week. That is almost 50% drop in frequency-----that is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! They also seem to be shorter lived. If I go to bed with a headache, it does not always been I will wake up with one. I've also been better about treating my migraines as they are starting , instead of waiting till I HAVE to use medicine.....makes a world of a difference. Still working with my yoga stretching, and I have also taken up jogging with my brother on the days I feel well enough--A little bit of cardio does wonders for your attitude and energy!!!
Next neuro appointment is in August..........My thoughts and prayers are with everyone, I hope things are going smoothly......I would love to hear from you all!!
take care....chelsea
Dear Chelsea:
My name is Clemmie, and I read your post and previous posts this morning, and am really amazed at your progress! Your recent decisions sound very wise and it is so inspiring to hear about your family providing so much support--they ROCK!
Being a migraine sufferer since age 2 (I am now 51) I wanted to first comment on the drug Indocin that you asked about in a previous post. It is a potent anti-inflammatory drug that historically was prescribed more (before safer types became available) and is sometimes chosen now because of it's potency (used for inflammatory conditions, including severe arthritis). I am taking it every night, 2 hours before bedtime to PREVENT nightly hypnic headaches which occur during sleep and wake you up in excruciating pain. Indocin is one of the few meds to treat this type of headache which is in the category of inflammatory headaches. It usually prevents them!
I also have hormonal migraines (not inflammatory, and mine do NOT respond to Indocin) for about 12 days per monthly cycle. I now take Depakote ER (an antiseizure drug also used for migraine prevention) nightly, plus Maxalt and Frova (triptans) during acute attacks, and Fioricette and/or Stadol (nasal narcotic) when those fail.
This "formula' for me is working better than any of the previous 20-30 "combinations" of therapy I have tried, and it did take a few years to get to the best combo for my situation. I am really grateful to my migraine specialist and those along the way who have helped. And also to the leaders of this website who have provided sound info over the years (here and on About.com) to help us work with our physicians and mention things that sometimes our physicians forget to mention.
The reason I share this "history" is that I wanted you to know that there were times that I felt hopeless; some nights the pain was so excruciating I did not want to live to see the next day. But things are so much better now, and I rarely have one of those awful nights. But when they do occur I have a husband who is totally understanding and helpful. Night before last he was by my side from 9pm to 3am emptying my whoopy bucket and getting me more meds because I kept throwing them up. Unfortunately the Stadol makes me extremely sick to my stomach, but I take it to avoid going to the hospital.
I was told when I was in my twenties by a FORMER friend that no one would ever want to marry me because she had seen how horrendous my headaches were, and she knew I was chronically constipated and distended. Well, my constipation was cured about 7 years ago (thyroid supplementation did the trick!) and my husband married me 25 years ago before any of this was solved. So there are good men out there who do not shy away from committment due to health issues that their "partners" have.
And finally, the curtains your Mom made sound adorable and SO functional! I have "black out" fabric on almost all the curtains/drapes in our house for that same reason. Also wanted to let you know that if sound makes your headaches worse, there are many styles of earplugs available (some are soft) that help. If there is an odor in your parents home (for instance, fish dinner!) that is making you queasy, close your bedroom door and stuff the bottom with a towel to try to close off odors.
And lastly, Teri wrote a great article about the need for good sunglasses for those of us with sun sensitivity. A brand sold at WalMart (called PolarShield or Solar Shield -- polarized, UVA UVB shield) that actually surround my regular glasses with almost zero light penetrating in the periphery, are my personal favorites. I have them in my car, in my husbands car, in my pocketbook and in the house (for when I exercise, which is every day that I am able!).
Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring news. I hope the effexor and your other meds continue to help, and that you continue to derive all the benefits of exercise (including endorphins!) and living among people who care about you. I wonder if your Mom picked out the "star" fabric for your curtains because she thinks you are a "star"? I know she must be very happy that you are doing better. Clemmie