The Wall

By hummingbirdlady

1 min read

I started to have migraines almost 10 years ago. I had a cervical decompression and fusion in 2017 which wasn't much help and I am in limbo for now. I have high blood pressure so I can not use much to have settle for Fioricet and a dark room. I have had headaches before for days, now I have migraines for months. Siblings love

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Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
Hi <inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/>. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experiences with us. I'm sorry your options are so limited right now. Let me talk about that for a bit if I may. I also have high blood pressure and a number of other chronic health conditions in addition to chronic migraine and have a number of medications I use to abort attacks that do not include Fioricet. Here's the thing - when we live with multiple health issues, in my opinion, it's a good idea to see a doctor who is an expert in treating migraine and headache disease rather than a general neurologist. Here's why - general neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and more. These doctors may claim to be 'headache experts' but that may not truly be the case. Doctors who are certified in headache medicine are experts. Let me share information on how these doctors are different and how to find one; <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/</a> <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/seeing-a-board-certified-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/seeing-a-board-certified-headache-specialist/</a> <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/</a> <a href='https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/</a>. Now on to Fioricet. This medication is not the best thing to use when treating a migraine attack because it masks the pain, it doesn't stop the migraine process which is what we want to do. The other complication is Fioricet can put us at increased risk for something called rebound headache (medication overuse or medication adaptation headache) which can make our attacks more difficult to treat and we can end up in a endless daily cycle of pain that may be hard to break. Here is more information on this; <a href='https://migraine.com/headache-types/medication-overuse-rebound' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/headache-types/medication-overuse-rebound</a> and <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/new-research-shows-abnormal-pain-processing-in-medication-overuse-headache' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/new-research-shows-abnormal-pain-processing-in-medication-overuse-headache</a>. Please let me know what you think and I hope you are having a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Advocate/Moderator
hummingbirdlady Member
Thank you for reaching out to me, I am waking up with migraines in the middle of the night and with Sunlight. But it has taken a back seat with the other health issues lately 
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/> Good to hear from you! I'm sorry you are dealing with other health issues - you're not alone in this and we are here for you! You may want to discuss having a sleep study with your doctor. Many times when we are woken up with migraine, it's an indication of a sleep issues, of which there are many. How are you doing today? Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team 
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/> To add to Nancy's excellent advice, if you're looking at having a sleep study you may want to visit our friends over at our sister site, <a href='https://www.sleep-disorders.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>www.sleep-disorders.net</a>. The articles there might be interesting to you. 😀 Wishing you the best as you try to figure all this out. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
hummingbirdlady Member
Thank you very much, I appreciate it Melissa. I will try again in August, but for now I'm trying to help Mom.
Rebecca C Moderator
<inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/> - our thoughts and prayers are with you as you support your mother. Hoping you find time for self-care and rest as you remain strong. Being a caregiver is stressful and draining. Health and wellness sent your way. Rebecca (comm advc)
hummingbirdlady Member
<inline-mention username="Rebecca" user-id="3865636"/> C thanks for your help, I have been here several times before but it is not my regular Mom's house, my brother is her caretaker since he has always lived at home, when Dad passed it was a very stressful situation for everyone. I used to work in Nursing Homes before, I was 17 years old and I was on the night shift. I had never seen the different types of people and their illnesses. I even ended up writing in their charts. And I have worked in a few more places a few years later. I have got to get her into a nursing home. My Brother has plans to move later, but they have a clause that he can live in the house for 1 year after she is gone from the house hopefully. So hopefully this will work out for us. 
1. hummingbirdlady Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Thank you, I just got up and I am sitting outside, was listening to the birds, but the sounds of the city are warming up like the birds also, lol. Mom's Tortie is waiting for me to go in and give her some fresh water, and I hear the early morning Delta plane getting ready to take off... But I Thank you again and have a nice 4th of July weekend!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/> I hope you had a good holiday weekend as well. It can be a real challenge to maintain perspective in the midst of managing migraine and being a caretaker of others. I like how you described being outside and taking in your surroundings. Healthy of you to do that. Stay in touch. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
hummingbirdlady Member
Just checking in with everyone, I have less than 3 weeks to go and I have found a place where we can get Mom into. I keep on getting the warning signs that I am going to have a migraine today and I hope it is not a bad one. I also kinda dread going home for the fact that I am going to a new doctor, urologist that will find out what the lesion is in the kidney. I think the not knowing is a added pressure to help trigger the attacks. I hope everyone has a pain free day today and enjoy the summer days if you have a chance!
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="hummingbirdlady" user-id="3896389"/> Thank you for your kind words!! I certainly hope it works out for your mom. I do understand how stressful that is! Pain free wishes to you as well - will you keep us posted on mom? Nancy Harris Bonk Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team