I received this list from my neurologist. He set it up in categories.
TRIPTANS
Sumatriptan (imitrex)
Zolmitriptan (zomig)
Rizatriptan (maxalt)
Eletriptan (relpax)
Frovatriptan (frova)
Naratriptan (amerge)
Almotriptan (axert)
ERGOTS
Intravenous DHE
MIGRANAL nasal spray or tabs
NSAIDS or pain pills
Ibuprofen (motrin)
Naproxen (aleve)
Tylenol
Exedrin
Midrin
Fioricet, Fiorinal
ANTIEMETICS
Phenergan
Reglan
Ondansetron (zofran)
NARCOTICS
Vicodin
Percocet
Dilaudid
Demerol
OTHER
Prednisone
Decadron
Medrol Dose Pack
BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS
Propranolol (inderol)
Timolol (blocadren)
Atenolol (tenormin)
Metoprolol (toprol XL)
Nadolo (corgard)
Verapamil (Calan)
Candesartan (Atacand)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
ANTICONVULSANTS
Topiramate (topamax)
Gabapentin (neurontin)
Sodium Valproate
Valproic Acid
Divalproex (Depakote)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Pregabaline (Lyrica)
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Amitriptyline (elavil)
Nortriptyline (pamelor)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Protryptyline(vivactil)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
OTHER
Methysergide (methergine)
Magnesium
Vitamin B2
Coenzyme Q10
Hormone Therapy
Feverfew
Butterbur
BOTOX injections
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Migraine Blog - Days 4-6 of diet, thru day 48 of MIGRAINE!
Okay - I'm not so great at blogging daily!!!
So, on day 4 of the Migraine Diet, the migraine was at a 1-2 on the pain scale. It was a pretty mellow day, and that afternoon I had an appointment with a Reflexologist. It was enlightening. She felt that there was a stress or emotional bond that was holding the migraine.
Of course, can't remember what foods I ate - so lousy for the blog, but shortly you will see that the diet idea didn't pan out...
Day 5 - Friday - again, day started out pretty well - pain between 1 and 3 - until that afternoon when I took my niece to Jujitsu with me. By then, I started feeling nauseous and the blurriness in my eyes was more pronounced. I did not participate in the class, but sat there with my sunglasses on because my eyes were very light sensitive. Made it home, took another Oxy. 4 down, only 6 left...
Day 6 of diet, day 42 of MIGRAINE - Saturday - another 1-3 pain level day. Tired of this!!!! Very light sensitive, starting to cheat on diet more. Don't believe it is helping since still have migraine.
Day 7 of diet, day 43 of MIGRAINE - Sunday - done with diet. What a joke! Migraine at a 3-4 level. Take Excedrin Migraine at church. Make it through church and then off to see BIL's new house for a BBQ. Pain maintained. Exhausted by the time we were headed home.
Day 44 of MIGRAINE - go to see PCP again. He says he has tried all that he can do and he is turning me over to a Neurologist. His office makes an appointment for me the next morning first thing.
Day 45 of MIGRAINE - go see Neurologist. He checked my reflexes, discussed my migraine history. I told him I was worried about vision loss, since my left eye is fuzzy. He checked it and said it looked okay and that once the migraine was under control, my vision would return. He said my migraine was not food-based, so I could abandon the diet. (Haha - already did)
He says he thinks it is swelling in my brain stem. He gave me prescriptions for anti-nausea meds, steroids, and anti-seizure meds. Will include the list of the medical treatments available. It is quite a list! He also gave me samples for the next migraines I get to see if a more simple solution is out there. I sure hope we can get rid of this one!!!
Day 46 of MIGRAINE - Wednesday - so I took my steroids Tuesday, and my first dose of the anti-seizure med. I was awakened Wednesday morning at 2:30am, and realized why he had prescribed the anit-nausea medicine! I took one at about 3:00am. I felt tired again and went to sleep.
My alarm went off and I peeled the bed off my back and made it downstairs, cleared out the inbox (while propping my eyelids open) and then sat on the couch. The next thing I remember was my husband coming downstairs - and hour later - and he asked if I had a rough night. I said yes, and went to check the inbox again. I laid my head on my desk, and fell asleep again. It was like that until about 3pm that day!!! I looked up this 'anti-nausea' med, PROMETHEZINE, and here is what it is good for: sleep aid, antihistamine, nausea, pain after surgery, and motion sickness. YIKES!!! Anyway, I am not taking any more of those! It took my whole day!
Oh - migraine pain 1-3 for the day.
Day 47 of the MIGRAINE - started out the day at less than one! but moved up to a 3-4 pain level during the day. Still taking the steroids. Also took an Excedrin migraine and my nausea pill from the acupuncturist (herbal, not a multi-function, ruin-your-day kind of pill!!!) SOOO TIRED OF THIS MIGRAINE!!!
Still light sensitive. Now keeping a migraine log for the neurologist.
So, on day 4 of the Migraine Diet, the migraine was at a 1-2 on the pain scale. It was a pretty mellow day, and that afternoon I had an appointment with a Reflexologist. It was enlightening. She felt that there was a stress or emotional bond that was holding the migraine.
Of course, can't remember what foods I ate - so lousy for the blog, but shortly you will see that the diet idea didn't pan out...
Day 5 - Friday - again, day started out pretty well - pain between 1 and 3 - until that afternoon when I took my niece to Jujitsu with me. By then, I started feeling nauseous and the blurriness in my eyes was more pronounced. I did not participate in the class, but sat there with my sunglasses on because my eyes were very light sensitive. Made it home, took another Oxy. 4 down, only 6 left...
Day 6 of diet, day 42 of MIGRAINE - Saturday - another 1-3 pain level day. Tired of this!!!! Very light sensitive, starting to cheat on diet more. Don't believe it is helping since still have migraine.
Day 7 of diet, day 43 of MIGRAINE - Sunday - done with diet. What a joke! Migraine at a 3-4 level. Take Excedrin Migraine at church. Make it through church and then off to see BIL's new house for a BBQ. Pain maintained. Exhausted by the time we were headed home.
Day 44 of MIGRAINE - go to see PCP again. He says he has tried all that he can do and he is turning me over to a Neurologist. His office makes an appointment for me the next morning first thing.
Day 45 of MIGRAINE - go see Neurologist. He checked my reflexes, discussed my migraine history. I told him I was worried about vision loss, since my left eye is fuzzy. He checked it and said it looked okay and that once the migraine was under control, my vision would return. He said my migraine was not food-based, so I could abandon the diet. (Haha - already did)
He says he thinks it is swelling in my brain stem. He gave me prescriptions for anti-nausea meds, steroids, and anti-seizure meds. Will include the list of the medical treatments available. It is quite a list! He also gave me samples for the next migraines I get to see if a more simple solution is out there. I sure hope we can get rid of this one!!!
Day 46 of MIGRAINE - Wednesday - so I took my steroids Tuesday, and my first dose of the anti-seizure med. I was awakened Wednesday morning at 2:30am, and realized why he had prescribed the anit-nausea medicine! I took one at about 3:00am. I felt tired again and went to sleep.
My alarm went off and I peeled the bed off my back and made it downstairs, cleared out the inbox (while propping my eyelids open) and then sat on the couch. The next thing I remember was my husband coming downstairs - and hour later - and he asked if I had a rough night. I said yes, and went to check the inbox again. I laid my head on my desk, and fell asleep again. It was like that until about 3pm that day!!! I looked up this 'anti-nausea' med, PROMETHEZINE, and here is what it is good for: sleep aid, antihistamine, nausea, pain after surgery, and motion sickness. YIKES!!! Anyway, I am not taking any more of those! It took my whole day!
Oh - migraine pain 1-3 for the day.
Day 47 of the MIGRAINE - started out the day at less than one! but moved up to a 3-4 pain level during the day. Still taking the steroids. Also took an Excedrin migraine and my nausea pill from the acupuncturist (herbal, not a multi-function, ruin-your-day kind of pill!!!) SOOO TIRED OF THIS MIGRAINE!!!
Still light sensitive. Now keeping a migraine log for the neurologist.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Migraine Blog - Day 3
Wow - yuck - what a day! The pain has been a steady 5/6 all day. Ready to quit.
Today's menu consisted of:
Whole grain cereal with milk
spaghetti with alfredo sauce (very light cheese)
broccoli
tortilla with taco meat, some mozzarella cheese
Taking an Oxy and going to bed...
Today's menu consisted of:
Whole grain cereal with milk
spaghetti with alfredo sauce (very light cheese)
broccoli
tortilla with taco meat, some mozzarella cheese
Taking an Oxy and going to bed...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Migraine Blog - starting the diet
The piece of any good diet that you look forward to has to be the list of possible foods you can eat.
My list is short.
I bought tortillas and cottage cheese, along with a big bag of broccoli and green beans. I can have fresh cuts of meat. I am really sad about no onions or avocados or vinegar or cheese. Truly depressing!
So I begin:
Day 1
Whole grain cereal with milk
cottage cheese with some strawberry jam on top
salmon pressure cooked with seasonings
brown rice done in rice cooker
salad with feta cheese and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing (cheat)
popcorn
Day 2
scrambled eggs
crepes with lignonberry jam
creme fresh
(we went to IKEA for breakfast :-)
boiled broccoli with butter and salt
pork tenderloin
mashed potatoes
green beans
cornbread
Migraine still alive and well. Took a hydrocodone to go to sleep...
My list is short.
I bought tortillas and cottage cheese, along with a big bag of broccoli and green beans. I can have fresh cuts of meat. I am really sad about no onions or avocados or vinegar or cheese. Truly depressing!
So I begin:
Day 1
Whole grain cereal with milk
cottage cheese with some strawberry jam on top
salmon pressure cooked with seasonings
brown rice done in rice cooker
salad with feta cheese and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing (cheat)
popcorn
Day 2
scrambled eggs
crepes with lignonberry jam
creme fresh
(we went to IKEA for breakfast :-)
boiled broccoli with butter and salt
pork tenderloin
mashed potatoes
green beans
cornbread
Migraine still alive and well. Took a hydrocodone to go to sleep...
The Migraine Blog - food intake
During this time I keep hoping it will resolve and go away. To help myself, I found a book called Joy Bauer's Food Cures. I have decided to remove the 'trigger' foods from my diet for 30 days. This is a very long time to me, since the foods on the trigger list represent a large portion of my everyday diet. And part of me wonders if has anything to do with food. We will see.
Here is the list of forbidden 'fruits', the 'Trigger Foods' list:
Anything with tyramine or phenylethylamine. That includes but is not limited to:
chocolate
cheese (aged or fermented)
yogurt
sour cream
buttermilk
soy products (including soy sauce)
vinegar (anything pickled along with mixtures)
breads with yeast (!)
organ meats
all nuts
beans
processed meats and fish
eggplant
avocado
onions
citrus fruits
bananas
grapes
plums
papaya
raisins
raspberries
alcohol
left-overs
Anything with tannins:
tea
red-skinned apples or pears
apple juice or cider
coffee
Anything with nitrates:
deli meats
pepperoni
bacon
hot dogs
sausages
bologna
pastrami
jerky
corned beef
any meats that have been dried, cured, pickled, canned with nitrates
Anything with sulfites:
canned vegetables (from the store)
dried fruits
Anything with additives: (MSG or HVP)
Anything with Aspartame
Anything with caffeine
*************
Foods I should eat more of:
Liquids
water
herbal tea
milk
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Olive Oil
wild salmon
rainbow trout
Pacific oysters
omega 3-fortified eggs
flaxseed (ground and oil)
seaweed
walnut oil
canola oil
Riboflavin
fresh lean beef
whole grain fortified cereal
eggs
mushrooms
asparagus
kale
broccoli
spinach
Magnesium
spinach
swiss chard
fresh amaranth
quinoa
sweet potatoes
white potatoes
millet
chickpeas
brown rice
whole wheat pasta
whole grains
wheat germ
Here is the list of forbidden 'fruits', the 'Trigger Foods' list:
Anything with tyramine or phenylethylamine. That includes but is not limited to:
chocolate
cheese (aged or fermented)
yogurt
sour cream
buttermilk
soy products (including soy sauce)
vinegar (anything pickled along with mixtures)
breads with yeast (!)
organ meats
all nuts
beans
processed meats and fish
eggplant
avocado
onions
citrus fruits
bananas
grapes
plums
papaya
raisins
raspberries
alcohol
left-overs
Anything with tannins:
tea
red-skinned apples or pears
apple juice or cider
coffee
Anything with nitrates:
deli meats
pepperoni
bacon
hot dogs
sausages
bologna
pastrami
jerky
corned beef
any meats that have been dried, cured, pickled, canned with nitrates
Anything with sulfites:
canned vegetables (from the store)
dried fruits
Anything with additives: (MSG or HVP)
Anything with Aspartame
Anything with caffeine
*************
Foods I should eat more of:
Liquids
water
herbal tea
milk
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Olive Oil
wild salmon
rainbow trout
Pacific oysters
omega 3-fortified eggs
flaxseed (ground and oil)
seaweed
walnut oil
canola oil
Riboflavin
fresh lean beef
whole grain fortified cereal
eggs
mushrooms
asparagus
kale
broccoli
spinach
Magnesium
spinach
swiss chard
fresh amaranth
quinoa
sweet potatoes
white potatoes
millet
chickpeas
brown rice
whole wheat pasta
whole grains
wheat germ
The Migraine Blog - at the beginning
So it started on June 5th. I took my usual Excedrin Migraine medicine, and it dulled the pain. By the time Joan and Kelly wanted to leave (just after Sacrament), I was ready for a rest too. I sent the kids home with Todd and went to the rest of my meetings. I got home and rested. The migraine shifted up and down the scale throughout the week. On Monday it was horrible, but I was stressed out. I requested time off work to go help at the stables for a Home-School field trip. It was a last-minute request, but I felt I needed to be there because it was just the instructor and 20 kids.
Wednesday I asked for Thursday off from work, and again felt terribly guilty that I was leaving my co-workers in a lurch. Our family left to go North that night to meet up with Kelly and Joan and his family in Bremerton, WA. Still medicating.
Busy the rest of the week. Sunday morning, June 13th, I was in excruciating pain. I went to Urgent Care. They were irritated that 'I had waited soo long'. They gave me a shot of Toradol. It was supposed to relieve swelling. It did nothing. I made it home in time to prepare the kids for church. I wore my sunglasses the whole time. I have had quite a bit of light sensitivity, which is abnormal for my normal migraines. We left just before Sacrament got out. I went home and rested. I was supposed to feed the missionaries that night. KD was going to help, so we were making food for 12 of us. I took some more medicine and kept my sunglasses on.
That Wednesday I went to my PCP. He was surprised that I made it to day 11 of my migraine. He gave me a shot of Imitrex. It made me sick. The kids were with me and they were worried for me. I was very nauseous and my arms were heavy. The Doctor apologized and was worried it might not be a migraine. He sent me down to radiology for an MRI. It was clear.
The Doctor prescribed a daily drug to ward off migraines - Verapamil. It also lowers blood pressure. My blood pressure is pretty low now - usually around 115/68. He said to take it anyway, but to be aware that I might get light-headed or dizzy due to that.
His nurse called me the next day to talk about drug interactions. She called me again on Friday about a few more, and I asked her what I should do about the current migraine. She was startled - thought it was resolved. She called back and said she had ordered a prescription for Oxycodone and if that did not resolve it, to go to the ER for an Oxycodone shot.
The Oxy that night let me sleep. I woke up Saturday, June 19th envigorated. We cleaned up all of the bedrooms and went out and bought doughnuts for breakfast. We got a lot of things done that day.
And my migraine was back on Sunday, the 20th. It has been fluctuating up and down the pain scale since, never completely going away.
One sister said it may be a Vitamin A deficiency, so I have been taking plenty of that. Another said it could be dehydration, so I have been drinking plenty of water.
I fluctuate between pain medications. Nothing makes it go away, but they all deaden it to certain degrees.
Wednesday I asked for Thursday off from work, and again felt terribly guilty that I was leaving my co-workers in a lurch. Our family left to go North that night to meet up with Kelly and Joan and his family in Bremerton, WA. Still medicating.
Busy the rest of the week. Sunday morning, June 13th, I was in excruciating pain. I went to Urgent Care. They were irritated that 'I had waited soo long'. They gave me a shot of Toradol. It was supposed to relieve swelling. It did nothing. I made it home in time to prepare the kids for church. I wore my sunglasses the whole time. I have had quite a bit of light sensitivity, which is abnormal for my normal migraines. We left just before Sacrament got out. I went home and rested. I was supposed to feed the missionaries that night. KD was going to help, so we were making food for 12 of us. I took some more medicine and kept my sunglasses on.
That Wednesday I went to my PCP. He was surprised that I made it to day 11 of my migraine. He gave me a shot of Imitrex. It made me sick. The kids were with me and they were worried for me. I was very nauseous and my arms were heavy. The Doctor apologized and was worried it might not be a migraine. He sent me down to radiology for an MRI. It was clear.
The Doctor prescribed a daily drug to ward off migraines - Verapamil. It also lowers blood pressure. My blood pressure is pretty low now - usually around 115/68. He said to take it anyway, but to be aware that I might get light-headed or dizzy due to that.
His nurse called me the next day to talk about drug interactions. She called me again on Friday about a few more, and I asked her what I should do about the current migraine. She was startled - thought it was resolved. She called back and said she had ordered a prescription for Oxycodone and if that did not resolve it, to go to the ER for an Oxycodone shot.
The Oxy that night let me sleep. I woke up Saturday, June 19th envigorated. We cleaned up all of the bedrooms and went out and bought doughnuts for breakfast. We got a lot of things done that day.
And my migraine was back on Sunday, the 20th. It has been fluctuating up and down the pain scale since, never completely going away.
One sister said it may be a Vitamin A deficiency, so I have been taking plenty of that. Another said it could be dehydration, so I have been drinking plenty of water.
I fluctuate between pain medications. Nothing makes it go away, but they all deaden it to certain degrees.
The Migraine Blog
So I got a migraine on June 5th, 2010. It won't go away. I was busy preparing for Kelly, Joan, and their family to come visit. We had friends over for dinner - I made baby-back pork ribs and Ramen noodle cabbage salad. The kids had help me make ginger molasses cookies and banana bread. Everybody had a good time, but by the end of the evening, I had a deep pain through my right ear into my head. It was a strange beginning for a migraine, but by the morning, it had moved to it's usual place behind my left eye and along the left side of my head.
This is going to be a blog about how I am going to get rid of this crazy migraine.
This is going to be a blog about how I am going to get rid of this crazy migraine.
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