It's been 18 days

It has been 18 days since my last super bad headache. I have had a few stress related ones here and there. But last night I felt this one come on. This morning I awoke to it full speed ahead.
My magic medicine sits at Target and a mail order Pharmacy. That will be fixed here soon. The house is quiet as everyone went to church. I stayed behind. Blogging helps my mind wander from the pain for a bit. The nagging knife inside banging to try to break free.
18 days of freedom from that knife, that pain, that being tied to the tiredness. It will reset. 1 headache every 3 weeks verses 3 headaches every 1 week. It's worth it.
Regardless the pain is the same. It almost feels most isolated. It's not running from one headache to another. But as I keep my one time meds with me, that will be resolved soon.
For now, I rest my eyes, gathering enough energy to get dressed and head over to Target.

My kids are singing in Church and I don't want to miss it.




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Didn't sleep

I was missing a child last night. Something wasn't right and I didn't sleep well. Today was a busy stressful day finding my son. What once was lost is found. Thank God. Thank God.

Evening time and a headache is starting. Its more stress, lack of sleep, avoidance, life.
Pain is in front.

But today is June 28
8 days of no headaches.

WAHOO

Medicine seems to be working. I feel I am getting more done-things are staying cleaner. I didn't realize how much headaches stoled from me.


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Moon Sand Headache

I just got back from shopping from Wal-Mart. With three kids who did pretty good. We are going to make moon sand. But by the time I got home a head has started-which leaves me feeling blah. The kids didn't know what we were doing so things don't get off track for them.

But now I'm frustrated. Summer is too be fun-now I am shot down. Lets hope a nap and I will be good to go.

And we will get the moon sand made! Sandcastles are on our list!


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Totally Headache Free-not

After some bumps in the road last week with figuring out insurance company stuff and prescription stuff, my Dr and I decided to move up to 100mg of Topamax a day. I am still getting heads, two last week, and today I am sitting on one.

The new one time headache medicine worked wonderfully but is expensive. Hopefully it was approved, and will come through mail order. Our family hit our high deductible this year (we have had a rough year!) so this should help! (yes we believe in taking care of our part in medical insurance and bills)

I know I will not be able to live totally headache free. But a whole month would be a dream. Sometimes working through them or focusing on something else helps. Sometimes it's beyond what I can handle.

It's summer time. And we have a list to take care of! So I can't be knocked down, I got kids I got to keep up with!

As for taking 100mg and side effects-I am on day 2 and missed two days of taking it. I should have eased back into it (50mg-75mg- 100mg) but no I went to a 100 and the biggest thing is about 4pm I feel like I have been hit by a brick wall. I must sleep for about 30 minutes then I'm good. I'm hoping that this will go away as my body gets use to it. I do have the tingling and at times find I lose what I want to say. The really was the worse on the days I missed the pills.



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I Dream of Headache

Well watched the new Dallas last night. That was fun! Hence the title and JR!:).

I had a dream last night. I don't remember what, but when I awoke almost right after I got a horrible headache. Both sides. Then my stomach went sour. It was bad. I thought I should take my new magic pill. But I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up. So I just took Excdrine
instead. My new little magic pill I only had one left, and I figured if I could get past the upset tummy maybe I would take it if I was still bad in the morning. Plus I wasn't sure what kind of headache this one was.

So my towel became my best friend, I found that magical spot, said a prayer, blinked my eyes three times and prayed to fall asleep.

Morning is here, and all is better. I am tired, but feeling better! Good things for prayers!

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Moms, Kids and Headaches

I have been good now for about two weeks.  I moved up to 75 mg of Topamax by last Friday.  The Only real noticeable side effect is tingling in my feet.  I asked my Doctor to give me something for my headaches to take that would not knock me out.  I was taking Imitex in a pill form. Before I was doing the nose spray, that worked, but didn't knock me out. 

So I am trying Maxalt 5mg.  I only got two pills and paid over $80 and was shocked.  Gosh headaches are expensive!  I have lives and survived with this pain for so long.  Many people just don't know how it is to live with this pain in your head.  You have to function with you have kids.  My kids are good.  Buy sometimes kid noises piece my head. 

Today I was brave, I took all four kids into Target to get my medicine.  I even let my teen drive.  I was weak.  I bought crafts for them to do.  I am glad I did!  They have had a great time painting.  Since I have been home, I made lunch, took my pill, and my headache has gotten a little better.  Hoping to get a small nap in while the little kids nap. 

I was working on books in my house.  But when you get headaches, it slows down you day.  You can't do everything and it frustrates me to no end.  It takes me days after to recover.  Hopefully I will bounce back and get this all done. 

I know it is hard, but if you are a mom and get headaches, you know what I am saying.  How sometimes, we just having to live with the headaches. 

Nothing Sunshine and a few Pills can't Fix

I had a big physical yesterday. Focused on headaches a lot! I feel good that finally I can talk to my doctor and he is very willing to work with me to find the right combination that works well.
We are going to up the tomapax to 50 mg for a few days then to 75 mg and hold there. Going to see how much difference it is going to make.
Also going to combine that with a beta blocker.

My only concern is how tired I am going to feel. Last time I was one the beta blocker it was horrible. It did its job. But I was overly tired. My dr heard me and will be adjusting as we see fit.

So to the next step in living with headaches!

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Made it through the zoo

Yesterday I spent all day at the Nashville zoo with 6 kids. It was hot. Normally when I am out like that I end up with a headache by the end of the day. No headache! Wahoo!
One thing that we did was we saw the three little animal shows they have which broke up my day from walking and heat. I also made sure I drank plenty.
So today we will see if I make it threw with out a headache too. Maybe the new medicine is working.


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Dang MSG

I know MSG gives me headaches. Different amounts effect me differently.

It sucks but at the same time it's ok. Sodium Nitrates get me too. I miss out on some good stuff. Like bacon and Doritos. But at the same time it is better.

Today I ate a yummy Taco salad. I asked after what was in it. So a little headache comes on. Dang MSG...yummy taco salad.


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Too much to think about

My heart stopped the other day. I did not know where my child was and my heart stopped. And my mind raced. It was a very stressful day which lead to a dull headache sitting in the background.

Even after we found him and got him home safely my head is still spinning. Why and what the hell is she doing?

It is at those moments I must choose-continue or surrender.

And I surrendered this to God Almighty. Into His hands I put this issue. I cannot fix it. He can heal it. I surrendered my child to him. I have to trust His hands to protect when we cannot.

While not all my headache goes away a sense of peace comes over them.





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Oh so very tired

I had no headache today! Wahoo!

But I am so tired. I feel like it takes everything I have to get through days of headaches. I push myself to prove I can continue. If I don't then I would have too many day where I do nothing. My kids don't need nothing from me. At least I can give them something.

I don't know if really it makes a difference. It takes too many days to recover. I feel tired for two or three days after. Then I am good.

I just hate this cycle....and so much needs to be done to break it....


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It is advisable not to..

...have testing done while you have a headache. I went earlier today to my doctor office to have some test done. I am pretty sure I failed. I also said I quit when it came to the break the artery test. Really who makes up these names?

Best thing I can do is keep humor in front of me. Break the Artery?


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I will not cuss....

I don't cuss. But gosh again I have a headache. I am trying to function in life and it just creeps up on me. Not cussing....

It's the annoying-I can function -getting dishes, laundry, talking to friends-kind. Not cussing....

I have been drinking coffee, water, maybe I should eat something. But I am not hungry.
Not cussing....

I need a spa date. A head massage. On a cruise ship. Not till September I can wait. Not cussing.

Hmmm feel better just not cussing!


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Made it through the weekend

Well I did it! I made it through the weekend. I know your thinking big deal so did I! What you may not know is when I get out in the hot sun for long periods I typically end up with headaches.
Depending on what I did may depend how bad the headache.
Saturday I was in the sun for 6 hours at the ball park. By evening I felt like I was teetering on which way I was to go. Today, just a few hours. No headache!!

Whew-a headache free weekend! They are the BEST!


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The all of a Sudden Headache

Having an ok morning, I guess-then just like that head starts. Stress I don't know. I have a few things in the firer with no energy.
It's very frustrating -beyond frustrating.
I'm waiting test results from my oldest-wrapping up school-my computer is not working so it's hard to blog and get end if the year reports down.
Nothing beyond normal for me, except those test results for my oldest. I need to know he is ok-

Going to go take some medicine now:)

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Having a few Duh Momements

One of the ways my Dr. described the medicine to me was it caused people to be stupid. Yep that freaked me out. I read and read about the drug. At first I thought headaches or forgetting things. Which one? After having a few more headaches I thought I would take my chances.

Well folks-my stupid moments have arrived. Yep.
Yesterday I needed a cup to get a drink and I stood at the door of the pantry. Which then I really could not remember why I was there. And while cleaning I would lost track of what I was cleaning start cleaning something else.
Oh and I went to the store for milk and came home with a $100 of groceries.
Somethings I just stare out the window and I don't know why I am staring. I have misread emails-poor people on the other end!
And sometimes I want to say sometime and I cannot find the right word.

What's funny is this is kinda my life before. Having headaches messes with your brain. I felt like I was scattered brain all the timed.


Now what was I typing?

Just kidding!


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When you need to function

Another morning, another headache. Same routine.

But this morning my oldest has an ultra sound to look at his liver. I was preparing myself to function to drive and get him there with the other two kids.

But my super wonderful husband was able step up to take him. So on went the tv for the boy's and I wen back to bed with my bear!

Just another day of functioning with headaches!


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Am I loosing weight?

Everything I read about Topamax
is one of the biggest side effects is loosing weight. Loss of appetite.
I have experienced some. I have always had a bad habit of skipping breakfast. But some days now it's not till dinner that I realized that I haven't eaten anything. I drink tea all day long-or coffee. I also notice that most times now I feel full before I am finished eating.
Over all I have dropped about 6 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks. Personally that's a side effect I can live with! But I don't want it to go to my head. Real weight loss comes from hard work, eating right and a right frame of mind. The boost is nice though!

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Tired headache

I have a headache today that makes me just want to sleep. I woke with it hoping it would go away. It hasn't.
I went to lunch with the kids and my sons girlfriend. Have to put a smile on. And sometimes when I don't feel great they tend to get away with things I normally am stricter at. It's frustrating.
I came home, I laid down, and two of my kids took naps. I didn't even put the five-year-old down. He just went.

Some days I function in small bits.


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Soda is ruined

I had read that those on Topamax , that their taste buds change, especially with soda. So I really hadn't tried any in fear of what was going to happen. Sunday I drank Mountain Dew and it was a little weird but drinkable.
But the Coke I got today, blah it was horrible:(. I'm so sad. I don't drink it often, but enjoy it when I do.
But in exchange for less headaches-I am willing to not drink soda, but it is just another thing I can't eat or drink. Headaches take so much from you. (no MSG or sodium nitrates)


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Routine

I wake up often with headaches. I think that today's is from not sleeping right again on pillow and a stupid dream I had where I was on a train with an other little girl (I was a little girl to) and we were to get off at New York and I didn't know what stop to get off at! My alarm went off and I woke stressed. That happens often!




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Was it coming or going?

Today I woke with an other headache, but I couldn't tell if it was coming or going.  I got AnnieQ up and dressed, breakfast started then handed off the rest to Dan (wonderful hubby) so I could lay down after taking medicine.
I think it was going, still left over from yesterday.  I feel better now two hours later.
Here's hoping to a few more days headache free...

Life goes one....

When you are a mom, and you have kids at home there is not much time to be sick.

For the last two hours I have been in bed.  Kinda sleeping.

Thankfully I have a wonderful 17 year old, a great 10 year who all keep track of the sweet 5 year old.

But I know what goes on!

And life goes one....

Waking up with headache

Uggghhh.

Today I have woken up with on oft headaches. I know the medicine wasn't going to cue it all, and still can go up, but the thought was grand.

Will start with Excedrin first. And some coffee in a bit.

Got kids to tend to!


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So very tired

I am very tired today. I find very little energy to do much. It is frustrating.
The tingling comes and goes.
Last two days I have had a mild headache, not migraine or tension a little different.
Focus on kids and blogging
Www.mommahopper.com


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A Little Tingling

Tingling was part of the side effect for the medicine Topamax.  The first day it was all day.  Now it is only after I take my pill in the evening.  By morning it is gone.  I am glad for that.
Today I have been tired though.  A little out of it.  But I have gotten a lot done and that is good!

Sleeping wrong

I find that when I sleep wrong I get headaches. Last night was one of those nights. My sweet husband got me at Christmas a sleep number pillow. I love it. But it takes some getting use to. Last night was one of those nights.
So today I've been tired. A little headache but more in the back neck.
Tonight my hands are tingling again.


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One momma living with headaches.

I live with headaches.  I get migraines, tension headaches, stress headaches, sinus headaches.  Mostly migraines and tension.

I hit my breaking point two days ago.  Headaches are stealing me life.  I hate it.  I needed a change.
My doctor had talked to me about a daily medicine called Topamax.  I read about it, the side effects scared me.  I decided since I enjoy blogging  and could not really find a blog I was looking for I started a basic one.

I started taking Topamax two days ago.  25 mg at night.  So far my only side effect are tingling in my hands and arms.  It was worse yesterday, not so bad today.

I hope to keep track of headaches here, what I am doing about them, both with medicine and naturally.  I also hope to keep track of any side affect of the the medicine Topamax.

How do you live with your headaches?