Chronic Migraine Awareness!

Today was Chronic Migraine Awareness Day and I celebrated it by having a migraine for about 75% of the day. It was day 3 of this migraine, but luckily for me it went away after a nice nap this evening and allowed me to wake up without pain and ready for a nice mexican dinner with my hubby! Chronic Migraines SUCK and I wish that there were not so many people abusing this illness, but as with everything there are those people. I hope that anyone who has questions about this condition will feel free to ask anything. I have had these for 10 years and there is a 50% chance that my children will have them since some are genetic. I really hope they never do and I hope they just go away one day, but with the chances of that slim I am happy to say I can make it through most days without pain due to the wonderful treatments available. Any questions... please ask!! 

No news = good news

Well, so sad to disappoint, but really no news... I did have a super "fun" experience getting blood drawn, but you can read all about it at my other blog: Medical Nightmare: Army Wife Army Life

I LOVE Botox!

Can I just put out there that I simply LOVE LOVE LOVE Botox as a treatment for migraines! Throughout the past two months my migraines have drastically reduced and I am so simply thrilled to have my next treatment in the beginning of July. I was told at my last appointment that it is possible that with a second treatment the migraines could be reduced further. I can only imagine! Being a normal person who only gets a headache (not even a migraine) maybe once a month? AMAZING!

In further steps to help my aching head I have invested in an occlusal guard to help ease my jaw clenching while I sleep. The point of this is to help ease my jaw popping, locking, and pain that is caused by TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). I hope that this will help and all work out.

Tomorrow I will be going to the clinic to receive my second and final Hepatitis C shot that I started last month. Ugh... I HATE needles/shots and I am really NOT looking forward to this!

Ouch... Ouch... OUCH!

Today I came home from my doctor appointment with 3 count them THREE ouchies... :(

I started with a new doctor today and I am beyond thrilled about the whole thing! However, this has lead to blood tests and cholesterol tests... YUCK! (Three vials of blood for that). 

Then according to Memorial's blood work my titers are negative for Mumps, Measles, & Rubella... which means I am not immune to them and supposedly never received an MMR vaccine (which I did when I was young). So, I had to get another one of those (Ouchy #2). Finally to work in a hospital it is a good idea to get a Hepatitis B vaccine and so I got the 1st (of 2) shots for that (Ouchy #3). 

YUCK!

Over 2 weeks..

Ugh... today was not so swell. It has been a little over 2 weeks since my Botox injections and today I have had these annoying stabbing pains in my head. It's a headache, but only last about 2-3 min, but they are so debilitating. Today while I was shopping I nearly fell over as I got this stabbing pain on the left side of  my head. Man it SUCKS! 

Aside from the stabbing pain I have had this nagging headache all day in the front of my head, but it's tolerable for the most part. Please make these go away so I don't have to deal with them tomorrow during my new job orientation... 

In awe

I was prepared for a fight...
Prepared for battle...
Waiting to get push back...

And then...

There was nothing! 

II was asked to have a TB test today (which will forever and always be positive) and as I refused and explained I was well received. The nurse simply said, "Okay, then we will just have you do a quick chest x-ray and please let us know if you have any symptoms in the future." 

I was amazed! In awe! And so filled with joy! I gladly went to get my chest x-ray, which is very common to me now and went on my merry way. I love that there are people out there that can stop, think, and realize that I am not a leper and I can still function without infecting everyone around me. 

I also got to try on the TB contamination suit, which I will use to visit those fighting TB or any other contagious disease! FUN! 

I also wanted to add the World TB 2013 slogan, which I sadly missed this year! Sorry!

Botox Treatment 1

So, one week ago from yesterday I received my first Botox injection. This is about 30 or so injections in my forehead, head, base of my skull, neck, and shoulders. Well, these were SUPER painful and after the injections were over I was warm, cold sweats, and wanted to puke (my normal reaction to extreme pain). I was so happy to have my husband by my side during this process. He was there to talk to the doctor and distract him from my whining (which I appreciate) and he lovingly held my hand. Following  this doctor appointment Brian took me for some yummy soup at Panera to calm my tummy! He is such a sweetie. 

So, now I am supposed to hopefully see reduction in my migraines. I go for a follow-up in 6 weeks (now 5) and get a second set of injections in 3 months. The fun thing about these injections is that in 7 days they take full effect, which mean lack of movement in my forehead and in between my eye brows. It is a strange sensation and somewhat entertaining. That's the story so far!