Turns out I've been 'suffering' from migraines for a lot longer than I thought. After having a melt down two weeks ago in the presence of a doctor who said "do you suffer from migraines?" and "when was the last time you felt this way?" I started to piece things together.
The migraine happened 3 days after I returned from the mainland. And almost immediately after I got some bad news about my mom. I hadn't eaten much that day and was certain the early symptoms were just from not eating and being tired. But after I ate I still felt awful. And then fluorescent lights made me puke. I was sweating and then cold and puking and my head was throbbing. And it kept happening over and over. The doctor said that's pretty much classic migraine right there.
It was almost 5 weeks after a previous episode. That I (embarrassingly) chalked up to drinking too much the night before. Even though every single one of my friends who witnessed my morning after puking, shaking, sweating, freezing, groaning in pain, swore there was no way I could have been that messed up from the amount of alcohol I drank the night before, and I really wanted to believe them, but that was the most logical explanation. That episode was 4 days after I returned from the mainland. I hadn't eaten much, gone for a run, gone to a bbq, had some drinks. It was also the first day I hung out with more than just my close friends. I was really really stressed about answering questions about my mom (and IM Louisville). I was really afraid I'd just break down crying. I asked my friends to tell people not to ask me anything. I really didn't even want to go out that night. But I told myself I needed to get out of the house. The stress level was high that night and the next day. Now it all makes sense.
But this last time the migraines haven't really gone away. They haven't all been as bad as the puking ones, but I've lost my breakfast, lunch, or dinner on more than one occasion. And then I decided to start the elimination diet. Which proved miserable. I was having daily migraines. I also had zero energy. And I was taking a class. I could barely sit up in class. My concentration was gone. Tuesday night I was sitting in class and felt a migraine coming on. I left class for thirty minutes and curled up in a ball in a dark room for a nap. I survived class, but by the time I got home I was full on migraine. And I started to think about how I felt in class. Headache. Neck ache. Exhausted. Sort of like maybe I was getting the flu.
Yesterday I woke up feeling better. But still just tired. It was then I realized that for at least 5 years I've had these little almost migraines every couple months. Actually a lot longer than 5 years, but the earliest one I can specifically remember was the night before I did IMF in 2006. I remember taking a couple Tylenol and going to bed at 8PM and not having a problem sleeping the night before my first IM. I thought I was lucky at the time!
So I threw the elimination diet out the window. Cracked open a Diet Coke and got to work. Last night in class I felt much better. I had energy. I even slept the best I have in three months. I'm sticking with my theory that my stomach problems are caused by stress. Just like the migraines. And I'm sticking with my Diet Coke for now.
13 comments:
Ugh Maggs - those just sound terrible!!! I hope you can get it fixed or figured out. But I'm glad the Diet Coke stays!!!! Dear Lord that would make it 10x worse if you also couldn't drink DC! Feel better soon!
Oh boooo Maggs. I wish I had these awesome words of wisdom for you. I don't.
Wish the best for you, and love ya. :)
All our lives are different, and... I think and hope all of us understand that.
xoxoxoxo :)
Let me know if you need any help/suggestions with these. I have seen multiple docs for mine this past year (brought on by other medicines) and several ER visits due to the severity
(sounds like what you are dealing with). REAL coke, aleve (which I only take for migraines) have worked tremendously.
I do believe they are highly caused by stress though (gut issues too!) and now have meds to prevent them before they start.
Gosh, I hope you continue to get better...no fun at all :(
Take care!
Migraines are the worst pain ever. I hope you can get some good drugs that work well for you. I recommend ones that dissolve - they're way easier to take if your nauseous.
Migranes suck bad! I saw this URL on tv the other day and thought I would share. www.mychronicmigrane.com. I don't know if the site is valuable or not but you might take a look.
I hope you start feeling better and if Diet Coke helps then go for it!
Sounds like others have some good advice. I've seen how destructive migraines are - hope you continue to feel better!
this is such a tough thing to figure out! but i'm glad you have your diet coke back. :)
Oh that sounds awful:( I think regular HA's are awful!
Hope you can figure out the stressors and at least decrease the odds of having them!
feel better:)
Two things:
1 // I really appreciate the comment you left me on my last post... it meant a lot coming from you knowing the hell you've been through recently and how scary the situation is. Letting myself ride out the emotions is never something I've been good at, but workin' on.
2 // I really hope your migraines go away. I've never had one to the best of my knowledge, but from the friends I have that DO get them they sound like a B and a half. I'll be praying for you!
OK make that three things.
3 // AMEN for Diet Coke.
One word:
Amerge
Talk to your doctor about it. I get migraines and this medicine has been a LIFESAVER. Non-drowsy, and it works to open up the constricting blood vessels causing the pain -- it's not a pain reliever, it actually works to break up the cause of the headache. OR something like that. Trust me, it's awesome.
Yikes, that sounds miserable. It certainly sounds like your issues are tied to stress but I'm no doctor. And if Diet Coke makes you feel better, absolutely don't give it up. It's so wonderful (I miss Diet Doctor Pepper terribly and know I'll be back on the juice when I'm done being pregnant).
Ohhh, and on your post below. I am also struggling that I just don't find triathletes inspiring. Training is a totally selfish endeaovor and while I enjoy it, it is really where I want to devote my energy? Don't I want to be proud of myself for accomplishing something that helps others? Curious what you are working on.
I have had migraines since i was 9. i highly suggest this book http://www.amazon.com/The-Migraine-Brain-ebook/dp/B001G6KI4A/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1322074002&sr=8-9. It opened my eyes to so much. I realized after reading this book that i slur my words about 24 hours before i have an attack. I also take abortive meds. Maxalt is my drug of choice! And i started taking a magnesium/zinc/calcium supplement on top of my regular vitamins and it has helped tremendously. Also you can try an ice pack on the back of your neck if you feel one coming on. But really they are a chemical imbalance in the brain and the abortive meds are like a reset button. I noticed also once i limited pork my migraines were not as severe and the same with beer. Migraines suck but there is so much out there on them you shouldnt suffer! Also if you can take advil i think it works better then tylenol.i was told to cut my soda habit but sometimes it's the only think that helps the migraines. So i keep some on hand for the bad days.
Hope you feel better soon!
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