Give the April Pain Blog Carnival a Read

A recent Somebody Heal Me post is featured in the April Pain Blog Carnival at the How to Cope with Pain Blog.

April Pain Blog Carnival

Please go check out this month's selection of posts on issues related to pain management when you have a chance. There's some really good stuff there.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Yuck: Flu and Migraines, Migraines and Flu

Whew. I came down with a nasty flu last week and it totally kicked my butt. It peaked on Sunday, but I'm still trying to recover and get back to my (sadly low) normal level of energy. This thing completely wiped me out.

One of the worst parts of the whole illness has been that coughing so much encouraged my migraines and occipital neuralgia to flare up each and every day. I was able to treat the migraines, but man, I did not need more migraines than usual on top of the flu. Thank goodness for my helpful, comforting husband.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

My 'Right Now' List: Spring 2009

• dandelions

• my beautiful new white leather purse

• many books - The Boleyn Inheritance, The Body Broken, the Twilight series (gulp), My Lobotomy, Innocent Traitor, Into the Wilderness

• TV's guilty pleasures - The Tudors, The Amazing Race, Dollhouse, Eric Schaeffer's I Can't Believe I'm Still Single
  

• vacation planning

• walking the dog

• buying tickets to see my favorite comedian, Kathy Griffin
  

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Question For the Readers: What Would You Like Me to Write About?

What types of posts and what topics are you interested in seeing more of on Somebody Heal Me? I write about all these topics and will continue to do so, but I'm curious to know more about what you like and what balance you would like to see between these categories of posts.

What types of posts would you like to see more of on Somebody Heal Me?
	personal stories
	news
	educational
	other (please specify)
pollcode.com free polls

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

New Diagnosis: Occipital Neuralgia, Connection to My Migraines

My local neurologist Dr. C has diagnosed me with occipital neuralgia. He is referring me to a pain specialist in Kansas City, Missouri, who he thinks might be able to help me with both this condition and the chronic migraines. In fact, the occipital neuralgia may be the main trigger for my migraines that we haven't been able to identify or tame.

Dr. C said it's a good sign that the first occipital nerve block provided pronounced, if short lived, relief. I've received a total of three sets of occipital nerve blocks and have had less improvement each time since that first injection. It would seem to make sense to look for other options. Dr C said there are more extensive and/or newer options that this other doctor knows about.

I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I'm anxious. On one hand I'm excited there may finally be an explanation for the frequency of my migraines and that it may be something we can address. On the other I'm nervous about taking more extreme measures like surgery and worried that going down that road might be a big, expensive, painful mistake.

Technorati Tags: occipital neuralgia, doctors, prevention, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Medicare for Disabled People

If you are unable to work because of your health problems you may not have health insurance coverage. Most Americans receive their health insurance benefits through their employers. Some of us are lucky enough to have spouses whose employers cover us, but what are the rest of us to do?

One option that may be available to you is Medicare.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage for people who are either over the age of 65 or who are considered disabled by the Social Security Administration. (Incidentally, it also covers people with end-stage renal disease.)

In order to qualify for Medicare as a disabled individual you must have been disabled according to Social Security's definition for two years.

Of course, being eligible is just the beginning. You then have to select from among a number of different, somewhat complicated options for coverage. You can opt for Medicare Part A (hospitalization coverage), Part B (additional medical coverage, but not including prescription benefits), any of a number of Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans, Part D (prescription benefits) or Medigap plans (plans through private insurers meant to cover the gaps in Medicare benefits).

Medicare Advantage plans are coverage through private insurance companies. They cover everything covered by Parts A and B and typically provide additional benefits that vary greatly from plan to plan, such as prescription drugs, dental or vision. These plans offer the most complete coverage for those who are able to afford them. Medicare Advantage plans are also more convenient for patients than other options because all benefits are coordinated through one company.

You can learn more about Medicare by visiting the government's official Medicare website:

Medicare.gov

If you have any questions about Medicare for disabled individuals feel free to post them here or e-mail me and I'll do my best to address them.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

News: Telcagepant to Be Abandoned by Merck?

File this headline under something I definitely didn't expect to see.

Merck Suffers Blow Developing New Migraine Drug

Telcagepant has been eagerly anticipated by many of us in the migraine world as a possible alternative to triptans and ergotamines for treating viscious migraine attacks. Now it seems Merck has decided against its long-held intention to seek FDA approval of the drug this year. Some speculate it may even completely abandon the product.

What happened?

The problem: some patients participating in an exploratory study gauging whether the drug could be taken daily to prevent migraines developed high levels of liver enzymes. The company stopped the study and is reviewing data from another study, said Peter Kim, Merck’s research chief. Meantime, it is moving ahead with studies of the drug’s intermittent use to treat migraine attacks.

It is completely unclear at this point what this news might mean for the future of CGRP-related research and drugs intended to target this neuropeptide released by the brain during a migraine attack.

Related Posts:
Telcagepant & The Future of Migraine Prevention
Possible Genetic Explanation for Migraine
Migraine News Roundup 34

Technorati Tags: news, research, policy, fda, medication, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Migraineurs at BlogHer 2009?

Is anyone else going to the 2009 BlogHer Conference in Chicago?

BlogHer 2009: In Real Life

I wish I'd brought this up earlier because the tickets are all sold out, but I
just wondered if anyone else was planning to go. If any of my fellow migraineurs or other readers are attending it would be great to plan a time to meet up.

There is a session dedicated to patient blogging, too, so I'm super excited
about that.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

What are Migraines? What is Migraine Disease?

If you're reading Somebody Heal Me, you may already fully understand how a migraine attack and migraine disease are characterized. However, I know many people come upon my blog through Google searches or other paths who are looking for basic information or who are unsure if what they or (a loved one) are experiencing is migraine or something else.

According to the International Headache Society Classification, these are the common features of a migraine:

• A headache lasting 4 - 72 hours when left untreated or when unsuccessfully treated;
• The headache causes moderate to severe pain;
• The headache is one-sided;
  
• Nausea or vomiting; and
  
• Sensitivity to light or sound.
  

A migraineur may have migraine with aura or migraine without aura, so the absence of an aura does not mean the person does not have migraine disease. Aura is a set of neurological disturbances that occur before a migraine attack. This can include visual disturbances, fatigue, yawning, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light and sound.

For more information on important migraine-related topics, read the essential articles I have collected at this link:

Essential Migraine Articles

I also recommend the My Migraine Connection website for answers to all your questions.

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

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Excellent Discovery Health Channel Video on Migraines

This Discovery Health Channel CME video features three physician experts who really get the devastating effects of migraine disease on patients.

Migraine: Relieving the Pain

If someone in your life seems to misunderstand or underestimate the impact of migraine on your life, you might make some headway by asking the person to watch this video. So many people think a migraine is a synonym for headache. We have to try to make the people in our lives understand that it is much more than that.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Censorship? What Bullshit

What is the deal with censorship on the My Migraine Connection forums?

I ordinarily curse in my every day life, but I try to save it for my LiveJournal because I know many people don't appreciate it.

I just tried to respond to a post I really strongly related to on those forums, and my reply was cast out into some void of prior restraint because I apparently used a word they don't care for. It must have been the word "sucks" because that is the worst thing I can think of that I said. Is that a curse word now? Are we honestly so delicate and innocent that we can't read the word "sucks"?

Cause you know what? Migraines do suck. Actually, they fucking suck. There, I said it.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Doctors, Failing Treatments & Guilt

Guilt is a strange emotion. It comes easy to me, but rarely has much, if any, basis in reality.

I knew I felt guilty about my wasted education and the seemingly futile investment of time and money in my once-promising future. About my inability to contribute to our finances or do what needs to be done to keep the household functioning. About breaking plans with family and friends, never shaving or having sex with my husband, being late to so many appointments I can't count them anymore and not giving as much time to my pets as I should.

I didn't know, however, that I feel guilty about having to tell my care providers the treatments we're trying aren't working. Isn't that something? If anything shouldn't my doctors be disappointed they can't help me? But somehow that seems unnatural. Yes, my mind is that twisted.

I don't think I felt that way when I first started having chronic migraines six years ago. I felt so sure we would find the right option that ruling a medication out just felt like an opportunity to check something off the list and move on. Slowly my doe-eyed optimism began to wane.

By the time I'd tried dozens of medications and every therapy imaginable, I started to feel like there must be something really wrong with me that I'd not been helped by any of the things that fix so many other people. I began to worry my doctors would think I didn't want to be helped. With time, exam rooms became host to the same scenario over and over again:

Doctor: "How are you doing?"

Me: "The same. Terrible and experiencing three to four migraine attacks a week."

I hate giving that answer. It never gets any easier. My stomach flips over and I often stare at the floor like a child being reprimanded. It's hard to make eye contact when you feel like you're letting someone down.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Check Out the New Christians with Chronic Illness Blog Carnival

If you're a Christian who's looking to give your soul a little boost you might be interested in exploring the Christians with Chronic Illness Blog Carnival. The first edition was published today at the Chronic Illness and Pain Support blog.

Christians with Chronic Illness Blog Carnival - # 1

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Music as Makeshift Therapy: Taylor Swift

Music is widely acknowledged as a therapeutic mechanism for people suffering with a wide range of different health issues. From time to time I like to share the music that helps me cope.

I recently started listening to Taylor Swift, and I'm hooked. For the longest time I heard her name all over the place, but pretty much completely ignored her music. A couple months ago I listened to a bunch of her most popular songs and joined her very long list of fans. Her music is fun and relaxing. Perfect for when you need a boost.

Taylor Swift - Fearless

What are you listening to?

Related posts:
Music as Makeshift Therapy

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

April 2009 Headache & Migraine Blog Carnival

Welcome to the April 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 opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest and importance to us.

For the April 2009 carnival I solicited submissions your favorite blog posts from the past month.

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

James Cottrill presents The Latest on Tezampanel, A New Migraine Drug posted at the Headache and Migraine News Blog.

Rosalind Joffe presents Errors and Living with Your Chronic Illness at Work posted at Working with Chronic Illness.

Kelly presents Letters to Myself posted at Fly With Hope.

Megan Oltman presents My Brain Doesn't Like My Life posted at Free My Brain From Migraine Pain.

Mary Kay Betz presents Basilar Migraine Diagnosis in a 16 Year Old Male posted at Headache Adviser.

Rena Sherwood presents Ear Raisins posted at Dealing with Headaches.

Joseph Alban presents 5 Reasons Acupuncture Works to Treat Migraines presented at the Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic blog.

Submit your blog article to the May 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 May 2009 carnival will be "Talk about where to find support: Where do you find it & Where can other migraineurs find it?"

Entries are due by midnight on Friday, May 8, and the carnival will be posted right here at Somebody Heal Me on Monday, May 11.

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

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Found: Be Kind to Your Brain

Migraineur brains are extra super sensitive. Maybe if you give yours a little love by sporting this I Heart Brains necklace it will show you some love in return.

Etsy: Beatblack 'Brain' Necklace

The necklace probably won't make a difference, but it's definitely fun.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Last Call: April 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Announcing last call for submissions to the April 2009 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival. Submit your favorite post of the past month.

Submissions are due by the end of the day today, Friday, April 10th.

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

The carnival will be posted on Monday, April 13th right here at Somebody Heal Me.

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

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Occipital Nerve Blocks: Mixed Results

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?!)

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Generic Version of Migraine Preventative Topamirate Approved by FDA

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday that generic forms of Topamirate (aka Topamax) manufactured by 17 different companies have been approved for distribution in the United States.

Generic Topamirate Wins FDA Approval

The availability of generic Topamirate is excellent news for all the patients who successfully use Topamax for migraine prevention and for all those who will be able try it for prevention without spending an arm and a leg for a name brand version.

From what I can tell by reading through related news releases, generic forms should be available right away.

Related Posts:
FDA Finally Adopts Suicide Warning for Antiseizure Meds
Topamax Troubles: Why is it so hard to be honest about side effects?
Topamax, Migraine Preventatives and Weight Gain
Topamax Linked to Gout, Kidney Stones, Heart Disease
Follow Up: Antiepileptic Drugs & Suicidal Thoughts
Migraine Prevention News: Depakote, Topamax Better Than Placebo
Antiepileptic Meds Linked to Suicidal Ideation
Topamax Linked to Language Difficulties

Technorati Tags: news, prevention, medication, prescriptions, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Promising Research: Mapping the Genes of the Brain

I flipped out a little inside when I saw this Wired Magazine article on my Google Reader feed Friday evening.

Scientists Map the Brain, Gene by Gene

The first thing you might notice if you follow that link is the photo of a man slicing off a piece of brain like it's a loaf of bread.

The second thing you might notice is that the article is really long. (six web pages)

Why in the world do I find this long, cumbersome, kind of disgusting news story about mapping the genes in the human brain so exciting?

Well, this kind of sums it up:

When the project is completed in 2012, at an expected cost of $55 million, its data sets will list the roughly 20,000 genes that, switched on in the exact right place at the exact right time, give rise to this self-aware tangle of neurons. And because the vast majority of mental illnesses and disorders, from schizophrenia to autism, have a significant genetic component, scientists at the institute hope that the atlas will eventually lead to new methods of diagnosis and more effective medical treatments. To map the brain is to map its afflictions.

Migraine disease, my friends, is one of the many afflictions of the brain with a strong genetic component.

Can you imagine the kinds of preventative therapies scientists will be able to dream up when they fully understand why we experience migraine attacks? The idea is completely delicious.

No more taking stab after stab in the dark with medications dreamed up for other people's diseases, trying to shoehorn them into being an effective remedy for our disease. We could have medications that are specifically designed to disrupt whatever happens in our brains that causes us such intense pain, nausea and sensitivity to our surroundings.

I know this is one of those lofty, far off dreams that we have to try to patiently wait for. But when we elected our first African-American president last year I felt like I finally knew what it was like to experience that kind of dream come true. This could be even more satisfying.

Technorati Tags: news, research, heredity, genetics, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me

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Content by Diana E. Lee.