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Although the occipital nerve blocks have yielded mixed results, I'm making other changes in my life that have helped me feel like I have some control again.
On my first visit to the anesthesiologist he only did the injection on the left side because my neurologist had (correctly) indicated that is where most of my problems occur. That injection really seemed to help. I got about four days of complete relief from neck and head pain.
On my second visit to the anesthesiologist I asked him to do an injection on the left and right sides to see if I could get rid of the right sided pain I was having. After the numbing agent from the injections wore off my head was really sore from the injections, but otherwise my head and neck pain was significantly reduced.
Unfortunately, those results were short lasting. I had about two days of relief and have had a left sided migraine with my typical neck pain every day since.
I'm discouraged, but not surprised. I'm still working my way up to therapeutic doses of Periactin and Depakote, so there is always a chance I could see some significant relief with those preventative options.
In the meantime I'm trying to lose some weight and get in better shape. I started tracking my nutrition and fitness habits and I'm already seeing results.
Just keeping track of what I'm putting in my mouth helps me make better choices. Even though I can't handle anything more strenuous than walking right now because of my migraines, I can do that most days. I've just been choosing not to. I have migraines whether I exercise or not, so as long as I feel well enough to do something I'm going to try to do it. Enjoying the breaking springtime and giving my dog the exercise she needs doesn't hurt, either. (Isn't my baby girl cute?!)
Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me
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Content by Diana E. Lee.
7 comments:
First off, yes, your baby girl is oh so cute. Secondly, it's fantastic that you're working on your health and will start tracking your food and exercising more (even though the pain is there). I know first hand how difficult that is to do, but I also know in time the results will come.
Thanks, Jasmine. I truly appreciate your support.
Sorry the blocks didn't give you more relief!
Hurray for working on your health and exercising. I really need to do more of that, but it's so hard to motivate myself to do it... Maybe now that it's warmer out, I'll actually be able to take a walk.
Getting started with the exercise is the hardest part. If I could just get two weeks in without migraine interruption, I'd have it going.
I took depakote for about 9 months. In the long run, for me, it didn't help. I have no personal recollection of that time, only what my family tells me.
Good luck to you, I pray that this works for you.
It's good to recognize that you have the Migraines with or without the exercise. It sure is hard to get motivated to move with a Migraine but it makes us feel better about ourselves, and also raises our serotonin levels. It does seem like a lesson I have to learn over and over!
Good thing you have Maisie who I'm sure wants to have opportunities to show off her sweater!
- Megan
Most "experts" seem to agree now that diet is what helps us lose weight (the familiar caloric equation being key), and that exercise -- while totally beneficial in many ways and necessary for overall good health -- doesn't have any significant measurable impact on weight loss.
When I heard that, I relaxed considerably about only being able to handle light yoga and walking as a result of my chronic illnesses (fibro and scoliosis-exacerbated degenerative disk disease).
Keeping a food log is a great way to get a handle on diet. Great call.
What a sweet pup! At least those eyes will be a good incentive to go out and exercise. Sorry the nerve blocks had mixed results.
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