Information and opinions on health from jennyc at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/521/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/521/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/521/index http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/43107/migraine Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:58:58 -0400 jennyc Migraine is "supposed" to be one of those annoying illnesses.  You know the type:  You're not going to die from it.  No one can do a "real" diagnostic test to prove the disease.  It causes pain every once in a while, but most people don't think it does any "real" damage.  Lie down.  Turn off the lights.  Take a pill.  Wake up better.  That kind of illness.   But in reality, migraine... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/43107/migraine http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/40673/migraine-disease Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:06:24 -0400 jennyc I hate that migraine disease makes me dependent on medications.  Before someone mentions this, please know that I have tried a more natural approach to migraine care.  For many years I tried it.  Supplements, chiropractic care, detoxification, acupuncture.  Tried them.  A few times.    So back to the subject at hand.  Right now, with my current chronic, severe migraine disease, I am completely dependent... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/40673/migraine-disease http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/33753/i-really-want-more Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:13:21 -0400 jennyc Days spent without migraine pain are more precious than gold. Every two months, I have about 10 days of pain-free time (thanks to nerve block injections). I have become very possessive of these days!  I live every minute of this time with wild joy!   I try to fit in as many wonderful activities as possible when I am well. DH and I go to dinner, to a movie, we watch late-night TV together. We talk about his work, about how... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/33753/i-really-want-more http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/29720/hope-real Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:59:37 -0400 jennyc I can feel the "real me." The one that isn't sick from medication side effects. The one that is well, energetic, and positive. The one that laughs easily and offers help to friends without hesitation. The "me" I know I am, deep inside. The "me" that follows my heart, doing what feels right rather than weighing costs and benefits...   I feel optimistic when these moments come! Sometimes I even find... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/29720/hope-real http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/25954/migraine Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:45:38 -0400 jennyc How do I explain my migraines to others?  They ask politely how I'm feeling.  They offer words of advice and sympathy.   "Migraine?" they say.  "When I have a 'headache' I just sleep it off."   Sleep...if only it would come.  "Maybe someday I'll be able to just sleep it off, too."   My migraine is so much more than headache. My migraine is the mania that comes days before the other symptoms... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/25954/migraine http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/22852/medications Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:51:00 -0400 jennyc (Jenny opens the medicine drawer and stares in her migraine haze at the bottles waiting inside...) OK, medicines!  I'm feeling really rotten right now.  I've had a lot of pain for a long time, so I know I need one some of you meds to step up to the plate... OK guys, line up!  Let's put you in order of uses...abortives HERE!  Rescue meds HERE! Maxalt melt, you look like a good choice. ... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/22852/medications http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21885/normal-life Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:15:00 -0400 jennyc Every so often, I have little glimpses of what life would be like without the interference of migraine disease.  My migraines are chronic now, with daily pain that usually ranges from a 3 to an 8 on any given day... BUT, lately, my nerve blocks have been giving me a week or so of pain-free time!  I get the injections every 8 weeks.  I never thought I'd be looking forward to a doctor putting needles in my head over... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21885/normal-life http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21198/easy-combo Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:52:00 -0500 jennyc If I have severe migraine disease, can I be a good parent, too? I have two young kids who still need a lot of help and support.  I brush their teeth.  I give them a bath.  I help them with homework.  I make sure they are dressed neatly and well fed.  I read stories to them.  I love them and hug them and give everything I have inside to make sure they know that they mean the whole world to me. My migraine... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21198/easy-combo http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21050/juggling Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:29:00 -0500 jennyc I'm the juggling migraineur.I will keep all of the balls in the air. I will not give in.I will not disappoint!I will smile, and laugh, and say things like "Good!" and "OK."I will swallow my pills when no one is looking.I will throw up when no one is around.This will be the best show ever! I can cook, hold ice on my head, and breathe through my mouth all at once.I can help the kids with homework, do the laundry, and... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/21050/juggling http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/20832/scary Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:33:00 -0500 jennyc My last severe migraine was very scary.  Just thinking about it gives me the shivers.   I'm used to it hurting.  I'm used to the vomiting.  I'm used to feeling shaky and feeling the need to go to bed in the dark. But last time, my new rescue med didn't work as planned.  My Imitrex failed and I needed something--anything--to take the pain down.  I was throwing up too much to keep down... http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/521/20832/scary