Well that was enlightening.
I changed doctors, this time to one who specializes in migraines. They have gotten much worse in the past couple months, including me getting two weather-induced ones. That’s never happened before, so it was a touch concerning. Also, my current medication isn’t working as well as it used to. I’m not sure if I’m getting multiple headaches, or just one long one that is outlasting the pill. I’m already at the maximum dose, and I already experienced an accidental overdose of that medication once before. It almost caused a collapse, and I’m glad a couple of my students were right next to me and able to steady me against a lab bench. Not fun.
The first order of business is to keep a headache journal, so I can pinpoint any triggers besides the ones I already know (hormones and bright fluorescent lighting). Second, my meds are being switched! No more sumatriptan! The doctor said that medication was a miracle drug when it first came out, but now there are more targeted therapies that work better with few side effects. Don’t get me wrong…the sumatriptan kicked the pain, but some of the side effects were almost as bad as the headache. The new one targets the specific nerve that misbehaves during a migraine and calms it down. From a research and medical standpoint, it is so cool how much migraine treatment has advanced. As anyone who has these delights…they can and will wreck your day.
Here’s the real freaky part. My doctor thinks there is a possibility that my migraines might be related to the car wreck that I was in. In 2008. Yes, you saw that right. A wreck from about eighteen years ago could be causing issues today. I did have whiplash (though being T-boned, spun, and flipped by someone going 60 mph will generally do that), but little other physical damage. My doctor asked if an MRI was done, and while I did have some kind of scan that day, I don’t think it was an MRI.
So guess who’s getting an MRI in a couple of weeks? This author! My doctor said he orders one for all of his migraine patients as a rule, but this will also let him see if I do have lingering damage from the car wreck, or any other problems like closed off sinuses. It will be an experience…I’ve never had one, and the Anatomy teacher in me is curious as to what they are like. He also recommended some PT to address the tension in my neck and shoulders. Gee…why would I have tension? It’s not like my job is stressful.
Oh.
Wait.
Never mind.
Hilary