Announcing March 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Entries for the March 2009 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival on the theme of "Advice for Creating a Migraine-Friendly Living Environment" are due by the end of the day on Friday, March 6th.

Posts may be submitted through the form on the carnival website or directly to me by e-mail.

The March carnival will be posted on Monday, March 9th at right here at Somebody Heal Me.

For more information about the carnival visit this link: Headache & Migraine Blog Carnival.

Please let me know if you'd like to be added to the e-mail list for the carnival, if you're interested in hosting a future edition or if you have suggestions for future themes.

Technorati Tags: headache & migraine blog carnival, blog carnival, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

FDA Warning for Reglan (aka Metoclopramide)

The FDA has issued a strong warning for Metoclopramide, the generic version of a drug called Reglan, which is used to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with migraine attacks.

Frequent use of Metoclopramide can cause something called tardive dyskinesia, involuntary, repetitive body movements that continue after the medication is stopped.

The FDA says the elderly and people who have been taking the medication for a long time are at the greatest risk of developing this condition.

If you take Metoclopramide please discuss this information with your doctor and follow your doctor's advice.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

No More Zomig for Me

I've successfully used Zomig Nasal Spray for years. It has been my second choice to the Imitrex StatDose system because the delivery mechanism works so much faster and easier for me than triptans in pills form do. But I don't think I can use it anymore.

When I used it yesterday I ended up feeling like my entire body had been mowed down by a truck. It hurt so bad I questioned whether it would have been worse to put up with the mild migraine or the side effects. As all of you know, that's really saying something.

This had already been happening when I used Zomig ZMT (the melt-in-your-mouth tablets), but today was the first time it happened when I used the nasal spray.

It's dissapointing because my insurance only covers four doses of Imitrex injections a month, which is not nearly enough for someone with chronic migraines. I can only hope this doesn't start to happen with that medication because I have no idea what I'll do then.

Yet another thing to discuss with Dr. Krusz next week.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

February Pain Blog Carnival Posted

The February 2009 Pain Blog Carnival is posted at the How to Cope with Pain Blog. Check it out when you have a chance!

February Pain Blog Carnival

The March Pain Blog Carnival will be Wed, March 25. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20. You can submit your blog posts for consideration here.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

On Hold: Trying Sansert for Migraine Prevention

Even though I had decided to try Sansert for migraine prevention, I wasn't able to do so because it is no longer being produced (in the U.S., anyway).

I'm going to talk to Dr. Krusz about the possibility of having it compounded as we do with my Ketamine nasal spray when I go back to Anodyne the first week of March. But in the meantime we're exploring other options.

After doing some research my local neuro Dr. C had next suggested Pizotifen, an antihistamine, as a possibility for prevention. Unfortunately it is no longer unavailable, either.

Dr. C gave me a prescription that I could have filled through a Canadian pharmacy, but since I'm close to my visit to Dallas I plan to wait and discuss my options with Dr. Krusz before making any decisions.

I'm not terribly interested in diving in with trying any of my remaining options right now. After trying so many things I know the odds of finding the magic bullet are stacked against me. I still want to try, but I'm being deliberate about it.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Just Talking About Negative Feelings Helps Control Them

A UCLA psychology researcher says the process of putting negative feelings into words minimizes the impact of those feelings.

Cross Words: Talking About Bad Feelings Helps Control Them

The therapeutic value of talking about our problems has been recognized for a long time. But this research has clarified that it doesn't matter whether talking leads the person to greater self awareness or to take action related to his or her situation. Just talking about those feelings diminishes their power.

Talking aloud about your problems isn't the only way to put this theory into practice. Writing about your feelings in a blog or paper journal or writing poetry can help you do the same thing.

In addition to this blog, I keep another, more private electronic journal where I open up about many of the challenges and frustrations in my life. I've always known it helped me immensely, and now I know why.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Excellent Article: The History of the War on Drugs

A post on Daily Kos the other night alerted me to a fascinating, brief history of the federal government's long war on opium.

The Opium Exclusion Act of 1909

It's well worth reading if you have an interest in the issues surrounding appropriate pain management.

You might be surprised, as I was, to learn that the first laws were not a response to violence or safety concerns, though they have certainly helped bring these concerns into existence with time.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

More News on Weight & Migraine Disease

We have already known that obesity is associated with more migraine attacks. A new study suggests it makes a difference where you carry your extra weight.

Migraines Linked to Size of Waistline

Carrying extra weight in your waist area in particular is associated with an increased number of migraine attacks.

Where there is a cause and effect relationship between being overweight and having more migraine attacks remains to be seen, however.

Related Posts:
Being Overweight Linked to Migraines & Headaches

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Support Funding for Headache & Migraine Disorders Research

The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) has a second Headache on the Hill lobbying event planned for later this month.

The AHDA hopes to capitalize on the momentum of the new president and Democratic majorities to increase funding for research into headache disorders.

You can help support the February 23rd & 24th event by signing up to receive e-mail updates from the AHDA. You will receive action alerts when the time is right to contact your representatives in Congress to ask them to support the requests for increased funding in the 2009 budget.

Visit the AHDA website for more information and to sign up for e-mail updates:

Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy

You can also learn more by reading Teri Robert's My Migraine Connection Share Post on the topic:

Migraine - We Need Your Help to Get Better Migraine Treatment

It will only take you a few seconds to get involved in this project, but we can collectively have a great impact on funding for headache research.

Related Posts:
Act Today to Support Headache Research Funding
Reminder: Act to Support Headache Research Funding
Take Action for Headache Research Funding: Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Is Lil Wayne a Migraineur?

I recently read that rapper Lil Wayne expressed his view that marijuana should be legalized in a pre-Grammy's interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric. He also said he smokes it for medical reasons, such as treatment of migraines.

Highlights of Lil Wayne Interview with Katie Couric

I happen to agree with his view on the legalization of marijuana, but I must admit I'm treating his claim about migraines with a healthy dose of skepticism. It sounds like a pretty convenient excuse for indulging in the use of a popular illegal drug to me.

Could Lil Wayne perhaps be a fellow migraineur? Anything is possible.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Sex & Migraines: February 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Welcome to the February 2009 Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.

The Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival has been created to provide both headache patients and people who blog about headaches with unique opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest and importance to us.

For the February 2009 carnival I solicited submissions on the topic of "Sex & Migraines - having a sex life despite migraines, migraines caused by sex, when sex can help with migraines - anything goes!" I also welcomed entries of general interest to headache and migraine sufferers.

Please continue reading for this month's collection of posts.

I have prepared an entry on this month's topic called Can Sex & Migraines Coexist? posted here at Somebody Heal Me.

Megan Oltman presents Migraine Consolation posted at Free My Brain From Migraine Pain.

James Cottrill presents Migraine and Sex: The Pain Connection posted at Headache & Migraine News Blog.

Jasmine presents Tonight Dear! I Have a Headache posted at Jasmine's Cove.

Rena Sherwood presents Sex, Orgasms, Headaches posted at Dealing with Headaches.

Mary Kay Betz presents Headache During Sex posted at Headache Advisor.

Rosalind Joffe presents Rocco or the Ram? Which are You? posted at Working with Chronic Illness.

Fighting Fatigue presents Addiction to Prescription Opiods Not as Common as Once Thought posted at IC Disease.

Submit your blog article to the March 2009 edition of the Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival using our carnival submission form or by e-mailing your submissions to me directly.

The theme of the March 2009 carnival will be "Advice for Creating a Migraine-Friendly Living Environment". Entries are due by midnight on Friday, March 6, and the carnival will be posted right here at Somebody Heal Me on Monday, March 9.

Past posts can be found on our Headache Blog Carnival information page.

Technorati Tags: headache and migraine disease blog carnival, carnival, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Can Sex & Migraines Coexist?

How do you have a fulfilling sex life with an intimate partner when your life is dominated by pain, nausea and other debilitating symptoms commonly experienced by migraineurs?

As part of Oprah's Best Life series, Dr. Laura Berman recently appeared on the show to talk about how to have a better sex life in the new year. Berman is a sex therapist and an expert on women's sexual health.

One of her recommendations was that couples make sex a priority by setting aside time for it at least once a week. I've always thought the idea of scheduling sex sounded completely unromantic and kind of sad, but after discussing the idea with some close girlfriends I've come around to thinking it's a worthwhile idea.

When migraines rule your life, you don't get to have sex as often as you'd like. It takes a difficult toll on any relationship. I don't know about you, but I find that the less often we have sex, the less inclined I am to want to do it even when I'm feeling well enough. So the idea of having a time set aside to do it if I'm feeling well enough sounds like a great strategy to me.

What other strategies help you and your significant other maintain an active sex life despite the burden of migraine disease or other chronic illnesses in your life?

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Last Call: February 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Announcing last call for submissions to the February 2009 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival on the theme of "Sex & Migraines: having a sex life despite migraines, migraines caused by sex, when sex can help with migraines - anything goes!".

Submissions are due by the end of the day today, Friday, February 6th.

Posts may be submitted through the form on the carnival website or directly to me by e-mail.

The February carnival will be posted on Monday, February 9th right here at Somebody Heal Me.

You can get more information about the carnival at this link: Headache & Migraine Blog Carnival. Please let me know if you'd like to be added to the e-mail list for the carnival, if you're interested in hosting a future edition or if you have suggestions for future themes.

Technorati Tags: headache & migraine blog carnival, blog carnival, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

New Feature: Essential Migraine Articles

I have added a new feature to the Links page of Somebody Heal Me: a collection of articles on migraine disease that are essential reading for all migraineurs.

Links: Essential Migraine Articles

I highly encourage all of you to read these articles as you have time. I started compiling this list when I noticed I was pointing other people to the same articles time after time and decided to share it with all of you because I think they are extremely important for everyone to read.

Also, please let me know when you come across other articles you consider essential reading. We're all in this together!

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Next Up: Trying Sansert for Migraine Prevention

I had about 10 really good, migraine free days after I got Botox on December 31st, but I'm back to my old migraine pattern.

I had an appointment with my local neurologist Dr. C yesterday. He wants me to try a preventative medication called Sansert (Methysergide) that I'm not too familiar with.

Sansert has some really scary potential side effects. I will have to go off it for 1 month after 6 months even if it helps. I will also need to have chest xrays and abdominal scans done after 6 months because it can make you develop fibrous growth type things. That is rare, but obviously a scary prospect.

I was really impressed with today's appointment because after he initially brought up this medication he took at least five minutes to do some research and brought back information to help explain why he thought it was a good option, the efficacy, the side effects and the plan for using it. He was very thorough, informative and patient with my questions. So many doctors I've had are not that way at all.

I think I have decided I will try it, but I haven't filled the prescription yet. I plan to do that today so I can get started and give it a shot.

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.

Winter Me: All About Needles

I had hoped that my next post-Botox migraine situation update would be a glowing report. Unfortunately, the migraines have not stayed at bay.

It has been one month since I received the second set of Botox injections. They gave me a little over a week of complete, blissful relief. Not one attack during that time frame.

After that period passed, the attacks returned and settled into the same pattern I've been managing for the past few years.

At first I think I was in denial that all I got was a single week of relief. I kept searching for evidence that my pattern was even a little bit better. It's not.

I've been spending a lot of time reading and the rest of my time knitting. My migraine attacks have kept me close to home, but at least I've been able to do the things I enjoy while I'm stuck here. So what if I'm only able to do repetitive, simple knitting patterns. Who doesn't like a nice, warm scarf?

Technorati Tags: depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

Subscribe to the Somebody Heal Me feed: Subscribe in a reader or subscribe by e-mail.

Content by Diana E. Lee.