Victim? Survivor? Hard to choose.
I am a female, age 54, who has suffered migraines for at least 25 years. They were occasional to begin with, one every other month or so. Over the years, they have increased in severity and frequency. Now I have 3 to 5 a month. Thank God for FMLA time. My job is a year-round, outdoor-indoor second shift blue collar, dirty job. I'm a baggage handler, with a midweek weekend.
Trying to manage migraine, I've eliminated MSG and other dietary triggers, as well as avoiding odors, fumes and the light triggers (strobe lights, overly bright lights).
My doctors have done the CAT scans, etc. We tried the preventative (anti-seizure type) drugs. These drugs made me feel like a zombie.
I've used Imitrex (in all its forms), Maxalt, Frova, Axert, and Relpax. Currently, I take Relpax, when it works, and otherwise a low dose narcotic with a muscle relaxer.
Today is day 4 of the most recent bout. Christmas was spent laying in bed with my head feeling like it was full of throbbing hot snakes. The last few days have been better then worse again. Just when I thought I was having "rebound" headache, it went back to the original aura, and ensuing "new" migraine.
Since I can see well enough to be online, you may think this makes me functional. I'm not. I'm unable to drive to the ER, or I'd be there for a shot of something. Toradol? Demerol? Who knows.
Please, does anyone have any advice to offer?
It would be so nice to have a full two week paycheck and be able to keep up with my bills, and responsibilities. It would be nice to be able to do my own lawn care and upkeep on my home.
I guess things could be worse.
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