And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Kahlil Gibran



Thursday, February 05, 2009

Not Tonight, Honey...

I have a headache.

I get these headaches sometimes. They are probably migraines, considering the light and sound sensitivity, the nausea, and the desperate need to curl up in a dark and silent room for the duration. Nothing works to get rid of them. Well, it seems to help if I alternate Excedrine Migraine and Ibuprofen every two hours at a little over max dosage, but not enough to really call it working.

I have talked to docs about them before, but I always seem to get the same story from them:

"Lay off the nicotine, caffeine, and lose 50lb. Cut out all salt, spicy foods, fat, sugar, and flavor from your diet....then come back and if you still have the headaches we will talk about what to do."

C'mon, give me a break! Why can't the docs just realise that, short of being locked in a padded cell for 4-6 weeks while I detox from all the smoking and Mt. Dew drinking I do, that is not going to happen?

I hear that whenever I go to the doc for anything. I don't know if they won't listen to me because I am fat, or tall, or a redhead....maybe I just don't cry enough. I really don't get it. Just because I am fat, I deserve to hurt?

Does anyone out there know the trick to getting docs to pay attention? Cuz I am really, really hurting today...

13 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Go in with a list of medication options to treat the migraine headaches. TELL them that you've tried OTC remedies and insist on something else to try. Both Art and I, and now our 14 year old son have migraine headaches and all three of us have Rx's for Imitrex. It works well enought to let us feel like we can function.
I'm sorry you're hurting. Migraine medications are often effective. Good luck-

Finding Pam said...

First thing I would do is find me a new doc. I would not put up with his ill behavior. Look until you find a doc with compassion and caring. I am fat too, but my doctor knows that I quit smoking, had a hysterctomy and have tried it all. I exercise daily, but I am built like my grandmoma, short and fat.

I am pretty healthy compared to my skinny little mother that died from lung cancer at age 65. I think we do the best with what we are given. I must come from hardy pioneer stock because I would have to plow forty acres to loose all
my weight! LOL

I do acunpucture for my headaches. It works for everything. I use to get migranes too, but then I sold my flower shop. Just don't forget to breathe

Lisa said...

So sorry you are having these headaches! Both my daughters have migraines, and both are skinny.

That said, there are food triggers that get both girls and start headaches. It's not the only triggers they have, but it is one of them.

barefoot gardener said...

Thanks for the advice, all. I am off to do some research on migraine treatments....

barefoot gardener said...

Oh, joy. It looks like most of the meds I CAN'T take, because I take SSRIs for my depression.

Just more proof that depression sucks.

Anonymous said...

Start out slow with any changes you make. One time I tried to quit caffeine and nicotine at the same time - cold turkey. My body went wacko and even my doctor at the time told me I was crazy. But I truly believe that simply by really, REALLY, limiting your salt/sodium intake a lot of things will clear up or at least lessen in severity. Read labels closely, remove the salt shaker from the kitchen/stove and use other natural spices instead. Try it. The worst that can happen is nothing. Since I started changing what and how much I eat, my migraines have virtually disappeared. One of the side effects of limiting my sodium intake was a pleasant drop in weight. Migraines completely and totaly suck HUGELY, and I'm so sorry that you have them, BG. I certainly don't mean to sound preachy but maybe try one or two of things that your doctor advised, a little at a time and slowly. Like I said, the worst that can happen is nothing, right?

e4 said...

I get headaches too. I'm not sure if they're migranes or cluster headaches or what, but they suck. Funny about your OTC remedy, because mine is taking Excedrin + ibuprofen at the same time.

As for the weight, check this out:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7851031.stm

As for depression, it really and truly sucks. The only lame suggestion I have is (if you haven't already) talking to your doc about switching or combining meds. Apparently the different types can affect people in different ways.

I feel your pain...

Mama Tango said...

What depression meds are you on? I was on an SSRI and was still able to take Midrin (or Migrin-A, or the generic form of either) for my migraines. Sometimes one would work, but sometimes I would have to take the actual precribed dosage (2 at the start of the headache, then 1 every 4 hours until it was gone). As for your docs, find new ones...keep searching until you get someone who knows what the heck they're talking about. yes, all the things you mentioned can cause migraines, but you shouldn't have to suffer while you're working on those things.

Hugs to you :( I'm sorry I've been away for so long and not commenting.

Jen said...

First...find a new doc. I lived with daily headaches and having a migraine once a week for 3 years because a doc wouldn't believe me about them and so even when I changed docs due to moving, I didn't even tell him about the headaches. Then a week long migraine I finally broke and told him and he believed me. Worked with me with meds until we found the right combo.
I was taking paxil for depression/anxiety, doubling my dose to 40 mgs and using midrin for the migraine headaches worked pretty good. Eventually we added Wellbutrin to my paxil, and now I haven't had to take midrin for over a year now. And only have minor headaches once a week or so.

So, find a new doc, one that will work with you.

cheryl said...

I too have suffered with migraines for 34 years , now I'm in menopause and they are virtually gone . For years my doctor gave me fioranal then the proper migraine meds , now I take Maxalt and it is a miracle drug . I am also over weight and that is not a trigger for mograines , find a new doctor !

barefoot gardener said...

Thanks, all...I will definitely be bringing this all up with my doc.

Lindsey said...

I just found your blog whilst looking for gardening-bloggers in MN... I just about fell off my chair when I read that you smoke and drink Mountain Dew!!! LOL! So do I!! ~ okay so I'm just a wee surprised, I've never met a Mom like me before, hehe!

:-)
Lindsey
St Paul, MN

RooosterChick said...

How to get your dr to listen to you? Visit a naturopath instead. I gave up on the traditional medical community for the same reasons. My naturopath actually listens, asks questions, and looks to resolve the issues. Good luck!