When that commercial comes on the TV asking if you have 15 or more headache days in a month, I always sigh. It says that if you do, you are suffering from Chronic Migraine. And you should see your doctor because you shouldn't have to life with a Maybe Life. Well, I have been in many a doctor's care for the last ten years, and I know all about the Maybe Life. Let me tell you: it sucks.
It actually X's out your life. Someone with a Chronic Migraine cannot commit to doing anything in advance because they don't know what their migraine will be like on any given day. If you know you are going to have a migraine every day (I do), it is always a matter of severity. Even taking pain killers only does so much to take the edge off of a bad migraine. Hence, you are always living a Maybe Life. Or, to put it another way, I feel like my life has been on Indefinite Hold for the last ten years. However, to be more accurate, it really has just been X'd Out. Wasted. Gone. Flushed. The best years of my life lost to a Maybe Life.
So, it was Pretty Darn Awesome when we moved back to Florida and I saw my new doctor for the first time. She had a diagnosis for my migraines and a treatment plan. She X'd Out all of my pain medication first thing. I have to admit that I was nervous about this plan. I had been subsisting on prescription and over-the-counter pain meds for the last ten years. EXcedrin being the only one that is even remotely effective, if you are curious... She swapped out the pain medication for Phenergan, which is used to primarily treat nausea. The first four days were awful, terrible, miserable, but then everything settled down to the way it had been. If I took the Phenergan round the clock, I felt just as I did taking the pain medication round the clock. Who knew?
I also began to follow the rest of her treatment plan. I started seeing the therapist she suggested for tapping. That kind of therapy was completely new to me. Using tapping, the emotional trauma is released from the body. It is amazing all of the things that we keep locked inside that make us physically ill. I knew that was working when I no longer had an emotional reaction to "old junk." Additionally, I switched up my diet. More vegetables, more protein, less carbohydrates, no sugar, more water, absolutely no processed foods, and multi-grains were my new menu. When I combined all of these changes, it made a HUGE difference.
My doctor has since added a few supplements to make up for some genetic deficits. She wants to eventually get me off of every prescription that I am on as I get healthier. She believes my body will be able to restore all of the imbalances in my own system, going so far as to return even my antibodies that are autoimmune back to a normal state. In other words, my body can heal itself and X Out all of the things that have in the past X'd Out My Life. I have always believed that there was an Answer out there. I never stopped looking for someone who would help me get on this Road To Wellness. After ten years, my perseverance has been rewarded.
Never Give Up. Always fight for your life. Don't allow yourself to be X'd Out.
Rating: Life Lesson
Have you ever had to fight for anything even though the battle was long and failure seemed likely? Have you ever felt you were being X'd Out by someone or something? Has a hardship in your life ever tested your faith or your endurance?
Thank God you found that doctor! That would be a miserable way to live.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the more natural and healthier eating. Removing some of that junk really makes a big difference. Makes you wonder what goes into some of that food that makes people so sick - and where will our health be in twenty years?
Robin, glad you are back in the land of the living!
So glad you found such a life changing remedy. I say this as I lie in bed with a heating pad on my neck and shoulders. I've had a tension headache all day - trying not to let it turn into a migraine. I get them when I have a lot going on. I never feel stressed per say - instead I get a migraine and my body goes into shut down mode. I really like the idea about the change in diet. I wonder if more protein would help me too. So glad to have met you through this challenge Robin!
ReplyDeleteI only fight battles I am likely to lose, or else I need not fight. Yes, I have had my endurance tested.
ReplyDeleteAs a vegetarian, I love your health plan.
Finally, I have met many people in my life, but not many have had the positive impact you have on people in between the wasted, gone, flushed portions of your life. May those negative days stay behind you.
How wonderful! I'm so happy you're getting better. And better and better! My sister-in-law has debilitating migraines. She loses 3-4 days every week. I wish she had your doctor.
ReplyDeleteHey, sweetie.. it sounds like you are on the road to recovery!! It's about time!!
ReplyDeleteI've been 'away'... that last few weeks have been insane at work... but the semester is over... now only the exams, and things will look great!!
I trust all is well with you!!
~shoes~
Well Robin, as I read this, my sinus headache seems like less of a big deal.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you seem to have found relief.
I have been convinced for years that the food we eat is killing us...if you look at the leading causes of death, most are food-related.
Granted, we're all going to die anyway...but we should at least be enjoying life!
Alex ~ I think that so much food we ingest is flat out Poison. We eat better, we feel better. There is just no doubt in my mind.
ReplyDeleteKimberly ~ It has been a pleasure meeting you, too. I cannot tell you how many times I thought I was absolutely NOT stressed and my body proved me wrong. Our bodies always tell the true story. As for eating better, I think it cannot hurt. More veggies, more protein, less/no sugar, multi-grains, and nothing processed. Give it a try.
JJ ~ You have me there. There is no fight if the battle is already won! Eating better is definitely making a difference. My next big step is incorporating regular exercise. Woohoo. Seriously, I am excited about this:) Thank you for the lovely compliment.
Carol ~ I know right where you SIL is living. When my migraines were at their worst, I was losing two to three weeks out of every month all at one time. I could go that long in bed and barely come up for air. 3-4 days/week become a RELIEF. And then I was treading water. Never great, but hanging in by my fingernails. Things are finally shifting in a positive direction. It may be Baby Steps, but we are moving in the Right Way.
Shoes ~ Good to see you my friend. Yes, finally things are moving in a Positive Direction. Glad you are through the semester:)
Larry ~ Sinus headaches are painful, too. But, they do go away. Yes, I am glad that things are finally moving towards Health and Wellness. It is a Relief. I don't think people are aware of the impact that the foods they eat have... not seriously. And you are right about enjoying the time we have. It is gone in a Blink!
Oh Robin, I actually have a lump in my throat reading this. I can tell by everything you write that there is an amazing, strong, brilliant,caring, sensitive woman under all your pain. I will continue to hope this improvement continues and you are able to un-X...and become who you want to be...minus the daily pain. Be proud of yourself for the way you have managed to travel this path.
ReplyDeleteI think I have mentioned this before, but when I was younger I had chronic migraines...at least twice a week. The only thing that even made me, remotely, feel better was to throw up. I'd have to lay in a dark room until it ran it's course.
ReplyDeleteIt was terrible, so I can totally sympathize with your plight.
Now, in my case, when I hit puberty they stopped...I guess my body chemistry changed or something, I don't know.
I'm glad you've found some treatment that works because you're one hundred percent correct....migraines -can- X out your life.
Liza ~ You are one of the few people who have read this blog from the beginning. So, you well know that this has bee a LONG journey. I, too, hope that the improvement continues and I am able "to un-X."
ReplyDeleteMark ~ Aha. Another migraine sufferer. I can only offer up my theory based on a lot of experience, research, and conversation with other migraine sufferers. Keep in mind that a doctor will not commit to a theory because he/she doesn't want to be wrong. I know I am only posing a theory, so I don't care. I think hormones and stress are HUGELY INSTRUMENTAL in terms of the migraine. Stress is interpreted by the body in so many different ways. Pain, allergies, "bad" food, stressful people, job stress, school stress, you get the idea. And hormones are tricky. Generally, men have more "stabilized" hormones than women, which is why men have fewer migraines than women. I think that your hormones were not quite right before puberty... hence the migraines. For whatever reason, there was an imbalance there. When you hit puberty, it all balanced out and the migraines stopped. Lucky you. For women, they often start getting migraines once a month when their cycle starts and stops. Hormone imbalance. This is portent of Bad News. They are on the cusp of full blown migraines if anything else slides out of whack. This was me. Allergies flare or anything stressful comes along and you get hit with a migraine that is not the "Usual Migraine." This became me. You take on a very stressful relationship and you get smacked with a Chronic Migraine. This Became Me. A high stress job would have done me in equally well. I think I would have had more sense about quitting it, though;) The hormone imbalance was always there just waiting to be joined with these other things to tip the scales. The good news is that this doctor thinks she can set Everything back to Right.
That's quite a story, Robin. I'm impressed by your perseverance and happy for you. I once had a student with neverending migraines and sometimes I didn't know what to do. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super story. It also shares the lesson of finding a doctor that actually helps you and doesn't just write perscriptions.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about pain that, over time, makes you feel worthless. I don't suffer from migraines specifically, but pain and I are old acquaintances. I'm so glad you've found a method that helps you.
ReplyDeleteJan at Website
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I'm terribly sorry about your chronic migraines, but happy to hear you're getting better now. The new diet must have been a struggle at first. I don't think I could exist with no sugar. I hope you continue to get better and better! :-)
ReplyDeleteMigrains can definitely take you away from the life you want to be living and starve you of the energy and strength to do the regular mundane stuff. You learn not to take for granted the ability to wash the dishes without having to stop in the middle and go lie down in complete darkness!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't give up and you found a solution to your troubles.
Be sure to stop by today, Robin - I have a big surprise for you!
ReplyDeleteWow, I am so happy you have found what works for you~ I use to have them in my early twenties and now I'm having them again. They seem more sinus related, than before. I always throw up...it does make it hard to function or make plans-you just never know.
ReplyDeleteI have autoimmune issues and some food alleries-which I suspect are part of the problem.
Thank you for sharing and I am thrilled you have found some relief-life changing~ (I do think stress is partly to blame-hubby recently retired from military and there is no such thing as quiet anymore). I might have to blow up the TV-lol!
Nice to meet you~
:D
I am sorry to hear about your migraines. I hope you continue to find relief. :)
ReplyDeleteI get the weird floaters...the kind that actually screw up my vision. I can't drive or do anything. Have to just lie down and wait for the damn floaters to float away.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am one of the lucky few that don't experience the massive migraines after the floaters are gone.
Congrats on getting a little props on Alex's blog today!
What a success story! I'm glad you were able to be un-X'ed out, at least in the mirgaine arena. I get headaches throughout the week. I try not to let it interfer with my daily duties, but on occasion all I want to do is sleep. That's an interesting drug to help migraines--Phenergrin. Will have to keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI'm here thanks to Alex.
I've done the tapping thing in bits here and there - at workshops and in groups, as a counselor. I also found myself tapping when stressed during a phonecall last week. It's pretty amazing. I'm really glad to know it's worked against migraines. That must be hugely relieving. Thanks for your inspiring story.
xoRObyn
Never give up, what a simple yet powerful lesson. And it's amazing how incredibly miraculous the human body really is. I hope everything works out. I experienced my first migraine a few months ago and I thought I was going to die.
ReplyDeleteBlue Grumpster ~ Migraines are awful. When mine were at their worst I was in bed for weeks at a time. Just miserable.
ReplyDeleteSusan ~ So many doctors just do not know what to do. They are trained to write Rxs. That is all they know.
Jan ~ You are absolutely right. Chronic pain just wears on a person.
Lexa ~ My diet is undergoing a bit of a test right now. Our entire kitchen is being gutted, so we have been eating out a lot the past two weeks. So, I haven't been as good as I should. And I am feeling it. My migraines have been worse. So, that is good and bad. I know that food is really important!
michalatyann ~ I have been all over the spectrum with migraines. Even the one I have now is not gone. It's just bearable without pain medication. That is a huge improvement from where I was. And I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I have been unable to get out of bed for weeks at a time. I've been hospitalized. I've gone through the vomiting. I've done it all.
Alex ~ You rock.
Ella ~ I think it's hormones and stress.
Rebecca ~ I hope it continues to get better as we continue to do things right. Thank you!
Jay ~ Headaches are strange. I've heard of the floaters. Glad you don't get a bad migraine after they are gone!
Julia ~ I am on a much better road. I still have migraines - unfortunately. Just not taking pain meds anymore. The phenergan is picking up the slack. Many people who have migraines take it when they feel sick to their stomach. It is prescribed for nausea. Turns out that if I take it constantly it keeps my migraine on a low hum. Or dull roar. However, you want to think of it. Mostly bearable. Add the better food and the tapping and that is making it better, too. I think if I start to do enough things right it will really make a BIG difference.
Rawknrobyn ~ I am still amazed at how well tapping works. My doctor decided that the chronic stress of being in a verbally abusive relationship was what sent me over the edge. It was when my migraine set in for good. So, that is why she recommended the tapping therapy.
Steven ~ I hope you don't get another migraine. If you do, I strongly suggest that you look at things like your diet. Sometimes that is the EASIEST fix. If you are highly stressed by something or someone, I would try to change it or see a therapist who does tapping. Stress (allergies, food, people, things) and hormones are almost always the culprits for migraines. Never give up!
How amazing! Thanks for sharing some details about your plan with the new doctor. You certainly prove that there is always hope, no matter how down we are.
ReplyDeleteLiving well is always the best revenge, I say!
JJ is right. You have so much to offer and have been so effective even as you have fought back all the pain. Lots of people come at life with a much easier go of it and don't amount to half of what you are. :)
I will keep you in the loop as things change.
DeleteWhere would we be without hope? Egads. I shudder to think.
Thank you, my dear. This is coming from someone who had a pretty rough go herself. I admire you, too:)