In recent months my migraines have increased again - to 4 to 5 days a week. For those who are blessed NOT to suffer from migraines, you should know that this makes for a miserable life. The pain can be so intense that all you know is pain, and any light or sound or smells only serve to intensify the pain. My doctors have tried different medications to help prevent them - like Verapamil and Pamelor and Topamax.
Over the years, different treatment plans have included anti-depressants, blood pressure medications and the current theory is to use anti-seizure medications. Several years ago, my Neurologist had me try Topamax. I don't recall if it really had any effect on my migraines. All I know is that, while I was on it, I lived in a deep zombie-like fog. I don't think that is the answer either - and it definitely effected my work, not to mention my driving ( no accidents, I just couldn't recall how I got from place to place).
On a recent doctor visit, my doctor gave me a prescription for a new anti-seizure medication, zosnisamide. Zonisamide is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. For the first several days, I was so drowsy I could barely get out of bed. Now I am getting used to it and I can function - the drowsy feelings have subsided. AND, I have gone almost a week without a full-fledged migraine! Hallelujah! Still in the early stages of trying it out, but I wanted to share the info with other migraine sufferers out there that there are lots of options, so don't give up hope. There may be a solution that could provide at least some relief.
For relief of a migraine -
Triptans - Zomig, Maxalt, Imitrex, Axert, Amerge, Relpax
Some migraine triggers -
Alcohol (especially red wine and beer). Allergies. Bright lights. Certain odors or perfumes. Missed meals. Food related triggers may be processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, baked goods, chocolate, dairy, MSG, aged cheese, aspartame and foods containing tyramine. Weather changes - especially pressure changes, such as when a cold front comes through. Hormones, such as that time of the month. Stress. Changes in sleep patterns - too much or too little sleep. Overuse of caffeine. Some medications. Genetics. (Sources: Mayo Clinic , migraine-triggers)
Some Resources:
Mayo Clinic
American Headache Society
National Headache Foundation
My Chronic Migraine
The National Migraine Association
Alliance for Headache Disorders
Finally, if you have recurring migraines, it is important to get treatment. Talk to your primary care physician about a referral to a neurologist. It may take several tries to find something that helps, but the odds are much better if you try - with the help of a neurologist or headache specialist.
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With the holidays fast approaching, most folks are getting started on their holiday shopping. With that in mind, the Promo Frenzy Team on Etsy is having a special promotion during the month of November. You can find detailed information about the event here: https://promotionalfrenzy.wordpress.com/category/promotional-frenzy-team-events/
The gist of it is that participating team members have hidden a picture among the items in their shop. When you find the picture, you will also find the information about the discount being offered by that shop for the month. The picture you are looking for is:
This picture can be found among the pictures for one item in a participating shop, but it will not be the first picture. The Participating Shops, including my own RomanticThoughts, are -
1. Trinkets N Whatnots - www.galla15.etsy.com
Handmade Button, Crystal and Pearl Jewelry
2. Sewinggranny - www.etsy.com/shop/sewinggranny
Sewn items - baby, kitchen, home decor, holiday
3. CalliopeAZCreations - www.calliopeazcreations.etsy.com
Handmade Jewelry, Medicine Stones, Decorated Feathers
4. jQ jewelry designs - www.jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com
Gemstone Jewelry that is Classic ... with an Edge
5. KrystalsJewelry - www.krystalsjewelry.etsy.com
Intricate Handmade Jewelry of all styles for all tastes
6. rooee - www.rooee.etsy.com
Quilts & quilted things, cloth dolls, fabric postcards
7. PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com
Fine Art Note Cards and Prints
8. Peelirohini.etsy.com
Colorful and Unique Sterling silver , Gold fill Jewelry with Genuine Gemstones and/or Polymer Clay
9. www.etsy.com/shop/SunnyCrystals
Crystal Tumblestones, Natural Gemtone Jewellery & Decoupage Cards plus a bit of Vintage Jewellery
10. Symbolic Imports - www.SymbolicImports.etsy.com
Handmade Bath & Body - Lip balms, Sugar Scrubs, Handmade Soaps, Perfumes & more!
11. Beautifulswagstore - www.etsy.com/shop/beautifulswagstore
hair accessories, dog toys, baby gift sets, home decor, gift wrapping
12. Bijibijoux- www.etsy.com/shop/bijibijoux
Handmade jewelry/ beads/ supplies -
13. Newcreationz - www.etsy.com/shop/NewCreatioNZ
Fine art and photography craft
14. BountyOfBeads - www.etsy.com/shop/bountyofbeads
Handmade Bead Dangle Drop Charm Sets and Trinity Brass Findings
Jewelry Making Supplies
15. Fair Lady Boutique - www.etsy.com/shop/fairladyboutique
A Beading Boutique with vintage beads + components, Czech glass, gemstones, and custom made bead mixes
16. HollysFollyGlass - www.etsy.com/shop/HollysFollyGlass
Fine and fun Lampwork Glass Beads by artist Holly Dare.
17. Glitterbird Glass - www.etsy.com/shop/GlitterbirdGlass
Home decor and jewelry made from beautiful fused glass.
18. CrochetedbyCharlene - www.etsy.com/shop/CrochetedbyCharlene
Beautiful crocheted afghans, accessories, and much more.
19. Camillescloset- www.etsy.com/shop/Camillescloset
Handmade jewelery items.
20. Prittify - www.etsy.com/shop/Prittyfy
Handmade Jewelry, Modern, Altered Art, Steampunk
21. Crystalphotography - www.etsy.com/shop/crystalphotography
Fine Art Photography Prints and Greeting Cards
22. iaFlowerPower - www.etsy.com/shop/iaFlowerPower
Whimsical Crocheted and Knitted Baby Hats and more
23. Gabby's Quilts - www.etsy.com/shop/GabbysQuilts
Handcrafted Quilts, Tablerunners, Wallhangings and Embroidered Gifts
24. CNJ Ceramics - www.etsy.com/shop/CNJCeramics
Contemporary Clay Jewelry and Home Decor
25. LostLemonade - www.etsy.com/shop/LostLemonade
Body Care Products made to cleanse, moisturize and soothe
26. RomanticThoughts - RomanticThoughts.etsy.com
Handcrafted Jewelry, PreMade Scrapbook Pages, Vintage Items and More
27. Ooh Leela! - isabelafelix.etsy.com
Handmade dish towels and trendy accessories
28. KatersAcres - katersacres.etsy.com
Polymer Clay Creations, Trinkets, & Treasures with a Whimsical Feel
29. Magda - magdamagdaFashion.etsy.com
custom clothing, accessories and supplies
30. Ugly Duckling Beads - www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads
Handmade glass beads, digital collage sheets, tutorials, and jewelry
31. BellaTheBead - www.bellathebead.etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and supplies with vintage soul
32.IdeasBloom - www.ideasbloom.etsy.com
Handcrafted decorative wreaths
33. Greenhouse Glassworks - www.greenhouseglassworks.etsy.com
Fused Glass Jewelry, Stained Glass Home Decor, and Handmade Cards and Tags
34. Five Supplies - Five0101.etsy.com
All the supplies you need to create
35. TheMayFlower Fashions - themayflower.etsy.com
Fun & Stylish Fashion Designs for Women
36. Something Wyrd- www.SomethingWyrd.Etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and beaded charms
37. iluvmarin - iluvmarin.etsy.com
Greeting cards, scrapbooks, cupcake toppers, & festive banners
38. Lexilouflowers - www.etsy.com/shop/LexiLouFlowers?ref=si_shop
Hair Accessories, Feather headbands, and Hair ties
39. Mt Baldy Glassworks www.mtbaldyglass.etsy.com
fused glass jewelry and home decore
40. LexiekinPrints - www.etsy.com/shop/LexiekinPrints
Personalized, customized and Printable Invitations, tags, cards and more!
41. Turtlexiii- www.turtlexiii.etsy.com
Sterling Silver Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, Gemstones & more.
42. IsabellesAttic- www.isabellesattic.etsy.com
aprons, accessories, baby items and more
43. AshlynDesign - www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com
Artisan handmade lampwork beads, metal charms, and finished jewelry
44. eveyinorbitshop - www.eveyinorbitshop.etsy.com
Mixed media art, original aceo and zines.
45. Suzie Tenzer - www.susietenzer.etsy.com
Original fine art paintings and prints
46. LindaB - www.lindab142.etsy.com
Artisan crafted beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, Jewish jewelry and accessories, wire beaded kippot
47. DellCoveSpices - dellcovespices.etsy.com
hand mixed spices, magnetic spice kits, cocktail sugars & margarita salts, organic popcorn, popcorn toppings & other treats
48. OverTheMoonGifts - overthemoongifts.etsy.com
personalized gifts, accessories, and home decor
49. craftycreations81 - www.etsy.com/shop/craftycreations81
Peacock feather items, wedding items and items for newborns/children
50. nan gates designs - www.nangatesdesigns.etsy.com
Fabric handbags, totes and accessories
51. ProdigyCrafts - www.prodigycrafts.etsy.com
Crocheted Clothing, Accessories and Gifts
52. Cigarboxbeads - www.cigarboxbeads.etsy.com
beadweaving, beadwork, jewelry
53. VintageByRachel - www.vintagebyrachel.etsy.com
Romantic,Vintage style handmade jewelry
54. potsdamelf - www.potsdamelf.etsy.com
crazy handmade ceramics, paintings, and jewlery
55. TrinketsByLeah - TrinketsByLeah.etsy.com
Hand sculpted whimsical Jewelry, wacky trinkets, miniatures and more
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Enjoy some shopping and have a wonderful day!
I hope the new medicine works for you. I had the same experience with Topomax and I wasn't even on an adult dosage. My husband called it "puppy dog syndrome," I couldn't go anywhere or do anything without someone to lead me.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new medicine brings you some relief!
ReplyDeleteI used to get migraines when I was younger and they are so debilitating!
ReplyDeleteWhen birth control pills first came out in the 60's they were so strong that they caused me to constantly have migraines. Once I got off of them, they went away in a few weeks.
Hope you get some relief with the new methods of treatment.
I'm glad you're finding some relief. I had a small one yesterday and laid down right away.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your migraines. I get them sometimes and they're definitely not fun…hope your new medicine does wonders for you!
ReplyDeletemedications can be so tricky. they take a while to build up and have the right effect and then if they don't work so well they take awhile to switch to something new. best of luck to you. it must be hard.
ReplyDeleteI suffer from Migraines or Trigmenal Neuralgia as well. I have tried two different Anti Sezier meds. I sometimes don't know what is worse. The migraine or the pills.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. For years I suffered migraines as a child, that were attributed to (now grown out of) epilepsy and not migraines. Each of my pregnancies brought a new bout of migraines. I have hated all the meds that I have tried to alleviate this. Hope this works for you long term and keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's helping!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't get them anymore! Take care!
ReplyDeletehugs my migranes are sinus/allergy induced if I can keep my allergies under control I keep the headaches away.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the tompax ..it worked the first time I took it but the second time I took it, it didn't work
uniquecozytreasures- I am sorry to hear that you suffer from migranes. I suffered from severe ones for years and my son had them alot when he was a young boy. His dad has them and now my granddaughter has them. Sigh! They are horrible. I don't have as many now but try to keep my stress level under control better than I use to. Stress and msg and some food allergies(actually chemicals in our food) are my primary enemies. I hope you have found a cure for yourself. My sympathies.
ReplyDeleteI hope your new meds work for you.. I can not imagine having those headaches.
ReplyDeleteYes, do your shopping the Etsy way with the Promo Frenzy team.
Sorry to hear about your migraines. I get them occasionally, but not close to as much as you do. I hope your medicine works well for you!
ReplyDelete