A few notes on headache meds....

[Captain Deb]

New FDA warning on proton pump inhibitors, which is what I've been taking for 3 years as a result of frying my stomach with ibuprophen.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MensHealthGERD/fda-warns-fracture-risk-heartburn-drugs/story?id=10746531

I encourage anyone who currently taking NSAIDs to research foods and supplements with anti-inflamatory properties as a way to cut down on the meds. I am currently taking tumeric caps (brand name Gaia Herbs Tumeric Supreme)
drinking Nature Blessed Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate (Mix 1/2 cup into a 2 qt pitcher of green decaf tea) and pursuing a gluten-free diet.  I'm going to have to stop the PPI's.  My local health food store has a complete holistic pharmacy with a nutritionist on staff.  There is a remedy called Acid-soothe that I'll be trying.  A balance disorder and fracture risk don't mix!

Capt Deb

[Soundy]

Cheryl  ... the Tylenol is a was taking when it comes to the 6000 + ... that was before Lyrica ...

gonna have to work on finding a drug free or reduced drug way to not have headaches that put me flat on my back ...

have enough lyrica to go through to Tuesday at regular dose but will stretch it out longer doing half doses for next few days , then quarter dose then none for about 3 days ... I know my math here is off ... we counted pills and worked it out and wrote it down ... that is the only day I would remember how many I was to take each day ... after 3 days with none I will  start on neurontin at quarter dose for 3 days , 6 days at half dose then if I am having headaches go to full  ...  he has said that when I get to half that if I am not having headaches we will leave it there and see what happens ... if I start having headaches we will increase it ...

hope the neurontin works out without issues ... but in case it doesn't , I have named two steers that will be sold in about 3 months ... one is Lyr and the other is Ica ... they will pay for about 6 months worth ... who needs a newer truck ... 270,000 is not toooooooooo many miles ...

I was trying to explain to someone about my logic in plan to earmark the calves and shuffle dates on some bills and other details to keep us afloat and me upright ... they think I am nutz but also have a husband that pulled in $105,000 last year and have good insurance ... they just don't get it that I can't just go buy whatever I want when I want and medicine is not always a given ... I told them it was called Creative Financing 101 and I was teaching a course Tuesday night at the Rec Center

I need to get a plan in effect to come off headache meds if I can find something better that will harm me less ... probably wait til Day Camp is behind me and possibly til kids are back in school where I have more time to focus on me and what is going on with my body ...


Taking notes Captain Deb ...

 

[Captain Deb]

Botox injections, nerve blocks, and an anti-inflammatory diet and natural anti-inflammatory supplements like tumeric and sour cherry juice is what I'm doing these days.  Only meds I'm taking are rarely Fioricet or rarely hydrocodone when it gets unbearable. Even gave up on the Imitrex, which I think I have become immune to.  I gave myself almost 200 shots of it over a 3 year period.

Capt Deb

[Mei Mei]

Me Too.   Imitrix Injections do nothing for me anymore.   Too bad. 

I went to an accupuncturist today near me.   Spent 2 hours there with a $5.00 copay.   Can't believe she accepted my insurance!!!    First she gave an accupuncture treatment on the skull, occipital area and neck with electricity and a hot lamp.   Then in another room a laser treatment and to end the day we moved to another room and had a 45 minute massage that was the most incredible experience for my neck and occipital area and shoulders.   Here is hoping I don't have the two headaches I had last night.   

She wants me to come back twice a week for treatments.

Will let you know what I think of the effectiveness on the headaches.
Mei Mei

[Captain Deb]

I was having accupuncture for a few months with variable results and no insurance to cover it.$120 a visit.  My last treatment triggered a level 10 2 day brainwreck and I never went back.  We are all different!

Capt Deb

[Larry]

I better go and have a bone density test and a liver test after the qty of neurontin I take.

Thx for the heads up.


laz

[Lizard]

Wish me luck I have an appointment in a little while, with the headache specialist to talk Botox!!!!!
I'm so sick of taking these meds!!!!

Liz

[bell]

Thank you everyone for sharing their headache medicine stories.
Has anyone taken Depakote or Tizanidine to prevent headaches?  I do not think they really worked. Besides headaches from surgery I think I was also having rebound headaches from Alleve.  I was only taking 1/2 to 1 alleve every other day but my neurologists thinks  they could have been rebound.  I feel half and half.  I am ready to be free of all drugs as I am feeling side effects of drugs in only six months.       Weight gain, muscle and bone soreness, hair loss, tired...
I had 13 injections of Botox 3 weeks ago and I think it is working!!!!!!!!!! I have gone 6 days with no Alleve or Immitrex.  I am still having headaches but I have to sit and wait for the horrible pounding to go away.  Uaually 1/2 to 1 hour but I am getting better, I am toughing it out. YEAH!  I can go off Tizanidine but I am going to wait 1 more week and I will go off Depakote in 2 weeks. Hopefully I will get a good idea then what will happen. 
Also taking Tumeric and Mango juice to help inflammation.  Good luck to everyone and keep posting!!

Bell

[Mei Mei]

I have good news to report everyone.   The accupuncturist gave me a treatment on Monday with a $5.00 copayment  ... they take my United Healthcare insurance and after the treatment they gave a laser heat treatment and after that a deep massage back and front.   You won't believe this but I haven't had a headache since Monday!!!!   I am going back for my second treatment on Sat. because she want's me twice a week.   I still have some stiffness in my neck but haven't taken any meds since Monday!!!!

I'm so so happy.   She really knows what she's doing.   She has an MD PhD and trained at Einstein in NY.

Wish you could come here and be treated by her.

Mei Mei

[moe]

Mei Mei,
That is excellent news! Acupuncture works for some and not for others, and it also depends on the person's credentials, experience, etc. , etc.
The fact that you have an MD acupuncturist is a bonus. Wow, and only 5 bucks. How many times can you go?? What a God send she is.
I spent a gob of money on acupuncture for the facial paralysis, which helped with some muscle tone, but ended up having my surgery 3 weeks ago on the face (different thread).
I would love to  find an MD acupuncturist who can cure my tinnitus!
Continued well wishes for headache free days. What a relief, and the extra bonus is you received laster heat treatment and a deep massage- sounds like heaven to me
Moe

[Mei Mei]

I can go unlimited.   I'm lucky enough to have good insurance.   Dr. Yao is a very kind person.   She takes no copay from my father's home health aide.   My father's home health aide gave her a check for the copay and she saw her later that day in the hospital across the street and handed the check back as a professional courtesy.   She genuinely cares about her patients.    She called me up the day after my treatment and asked if my headache had come back.   This is definitely a first in my book.  I am going again tomorrow at 1:00 for a second treatment and will continue to go twice a week to maintain my neck and occipital area rehab.

Hope you can find someone as good.

Mei Mei

[bell]

Mei Mei
I sure hope you get some relief, please keep us informed on your sessions.  Sound great so far.
 I would be interested in advice that you can pass along.
Bell

[Mei Mei]

Hi!   I'm home from my third accupuncture treatment and am feeling good.   I didn't have any headache last night, but did have a headache when I came home because I made the mistake of working for too long on some forms to fill out and after an hour of filling out the forms my neck was stiff again and then I went outside to walk the dog and the headache started.   This was my fault.   I should have come home and rested and relaxed, but I saw these important forms in the mailbox and started working on them.   Well, I took the Motrin and Tylenol and the headache was gone within half an hour.   

At the Accupuncture Clinic they massage the sub Occipital area  after taking out the needles.  The needles are in there for about half an hour and I fell asleep during the session.  It was very relaxing.    I asked my aunt on a phone call to Beijing about it on Sunday.   She is an internist in a hospital there.   She said you have to give accupuncture a long time not just a few sessions.   So I have to commit myself to this.   I am lucky that I have found a clinic that takes my insurance and that I have good insurance.   I don't know what I'd do without it.

Just remember if you ever have accupuncture, to come home home and stay off the computer or sit and write at a table.  You'll strain your neck and undo the wonderful things you just accomplished at the session.

I'd better log off right now.   Catch up with you later...

Mei Mei

[Lizard]

Mei Mei,
We have to remember to make ourselves listen to what our bodies are telling us.  I haven't painted my toes since before the surgery because that is just one of those activities that causes me great pain.  Remember to relax and refresh the body especially after treatment.  It is however good to hear that the meds kicked its butt quickly.

Liz

[Mei Mei]

Thank you, I am home relaxing and heeding your advice.   It's hard being the head of household and recuperating at the same time.

News to share:   I finally saw the neurologist that I have been waiting to see about the headaches this morning.   The first comment he said after listening at length and examining me was why didn't I have Gamma Knife, they have Gamma Knife at Hopkins.   He sounded rather frustrated because my tumor was only 1 cm.   He moved to say that he was going on a limb to say that he thought it was nerve damage during the surgery and now I have cluster headaches but not in the same place as the usual cluster headaches.   He ended the appointment by prescribing me Verapamil which is a Calcium Channel blocker and will take about three weeks to start taking effect.   He told me to come back in a month and if this doesn't prove effective he would give me a nerve block in his office.   He told me to continue the PT and accupuncture as I am doing.

That's all I have to report right now.   Will let you know how Verapamil works for me.   I haven't read of anyone else on the forum using this.

Mei Mei