End Of the Road!!!

With everything I have been going through the past 2 almost 3 years, my motivation for treatment is really starting to fade. I feel like I am at the end of the road, with no turn off for help visible. I hate telling people, "I don't work. I'm on disability." Telling people why is the hardest... "Oh it is just a headache" is the response I get ALL THE TIME! Ummm, actually no. It isn't JUST A HEADACHE!!!! They never seem to realize that and think I am just using the system.


I don't know whats wrong with me. I guess I am just still overwhelmed, and under appreciated. I'm scared most of all that I'll have to live with this condition for the rest of my life with no help in sight. I feel like I'll be in constant pain for many years to come...

So I guess this is just another bump in my long road, I'll get over it. I know so! :) Until next tuesday.....

Exercise Me

Well its official! I have finally gotten my butt into gear, and finally started an exercise regime. I am so excited!!! I'll be blunt, I am not skinny by any means. I am a big girl and always have been for as long as I can remember. I don't think I am obese, but yet I've got a few extra pounds. I am almost 5 foot 9, and a size 16. You get my drift now...

Like I have stated before, I recently moved at the end of March. With this fabulous new apartment, I have the access to an in ground pool. Well, that it just heavenly to me!! ok, ok, back on track here.... I have been swimming my little heart out, every day that it gets over 70 degrees. (also the water temperature has something to do with it too!) I basically get out all of my frustrations, and do laps. Its something I have never pictured my self doing! But somehow I just DO it!

The best part is (other than already loosing 10 pounds!) is that I FEEL better! I haven't had a "horrible" headache in 2 weeks! Who would've thought that taking my Doctor's advice, and getting my butt into gear would pay off?? I'm kidding...

Also the other good news is that I have been prescribed Oxygen, and it has been FANTASTIC!!! It really seems to help, and that amazes me. The only issue I see is that I have to catch the pain within the first 2 to 3 minutes. If I do the pain will go away after 15-20 minutes of Oxygen inhalation. If I don't I am in trouble. The pain wont go away, and I am up a creek without a paddle.

T Mobile... Why I Despise Thee...

Ok as you may know, I am a cell phone blogger. Just me and my Sidekick, make this all happen. Well lately all hasn't been going to well with my T-Mobile reception. Since we moved to the country I've been getting NONE! My phone will read "Emergency Calls Only". So that's the reason why I haven't posted.

I called the customer care bimbos, and she didn't know why I wasn't getting reception. Umm huh! That's a hard one right there... Could it be that in the country, there's no CELL PHONE TOWERS?? Jeepers, that's what comes to my mind! What amazes me is she actually workes there and she doesn't even come to that connclusion!!

So, now I have a "technician" comming out to look at my phone. Then they'll diagnose the problem. Wow! Wish I could work for T-Mobile. Seems like a hard job!!

In The Twilight Zone

Yes, ok I'll admit it, I've been lacking in the posting department... but you have to understand being in pain will shut someone down. Especially (like me) for months on end. When I get like that, days just pass, ever so slowly. I haven't the faintest idea what day it is, or what month. It just seems like I am in my own world of life crushing pain. Hence, the Twilight Zone...

So what's been going on for 2 months other than pain?

1. New drug (S)
Go frickin figure!! Lets try #30 on the med count shall we? Does it take effect? Care to take a guess on the outcome? Yup, that was a NO GO. Moving onto # 31... ok fine, at this point its like whatever, another one? SURE!! Somethings got to work sometime right?? I give it a big ol fat NOOOO!!! The new drug, Oxcarbazepine is GIVING me CLUSTERS!! See anything wrong with that?? I do!! But the frickin nuerologist says "Its ok, lets just see in 6 weeks if it stops them from coming." Yeah ok... BITE ME!! Im not taking a drug that gives me MORE daily pain, to see in six weeks if it STOPS it or prevents them. What the fricking hell are these quacks thinking? Do they want me to suffer?? And this is a new doctor too... an overpriced joke.

2.The Move

Without upseting people, and going into detail, we were forced to move. We had less than a months notice to be all out and gone. Awesome! So we packed up a three bedroom house, and moved it into a quaint 1 bedroom. I love it here though! My "landlords" have a hot tub, and a pool that's free game! Ya better believe it I am soaking it up!!

3. Pregnancy Scare

I was on Indomethacin and didn't get my period. So needless to say I was freaked out! If you don't know, a lot of so called "headache" medicines can cause fetal harm. So, I had a blood test on a Friday, and the results wouldn't be in til Monday. Ok that weekend sucked! Not because I didn't wanna be pregnant, but I didn't want there to be harm to the baby. I just kept thinking Id have to have an abortion. Oh! Here comes the greatest part! Hold onto your seats... the nuerologist who ordered the test didn't even call me!! I had to call her, then get the results on that following WEDNESDAY!! Why didn't I see something wrong with them then??

4. Pill Popper

For some reason I can't find anything about this new doctor I like. Here's another reason why I detest these people... THEY ACCUSED ME OF BEING A PILL POPPER!! Hold on, im trying to maintain my sanity here.. I'll explain... As I have stated above, there has been endless drugs (31 of them to be exact) tried and not one has worked in preventing my attacks. So yes, if I am in constant pain, you better believe I rely on pain medication to get me through the tough days. Ok I DON'T take them for MINIMAL PAINS or ALL DAY LONG. I swear on the nearest Bible I still have a bottle of Tylenol #4 from November 2008. So please tell me how I can be an addict?

I take them when the pain is unbearable, and that's all. Got it? Good! I WON'T be going back to see her... this time I mean it!!!!

5. My Own Disease

I saved the best for last.
According to this same nuerologist, I (insert my name here but im not going to) have my own disorder. It seems that I have a vast array of different kinds of headaches all culminated into one miserable person! Yes its true. So needless to say they don't know how to treat me. They're only focusing their attention on the clusters. Which is all fine and dandy with me, but I am in constant pain! Helping the clusters only help half the problem. So what do I do now?

On a sad note..

We have all heard about flight 3407 that crashed outside of Buffalo, NY. Well it definitely comes to close for comfort for me. I live less than an hour from where it happened. My location is straddled by international airports; Rochester to the north, Syracuse to the east, and Buffalo to the west. In my past, I spent many a summer in a small college town south of Buffalo. The best part of the drive, besides seeing my Granmother, was seeing the planes land over the thru-way. Litterally as you are going 65 miles an hour, and if fate has its way, you can see a plane decend and land right over your head. The best part was at night when the runway lights are all lit up. All those times I never thought what if a plane misses the run way and hits the thru-way? I guess I've taken it all for granted. I can't tell you the countless number of times I've driven through that area. I can't tell you the countless times I hear planes overhead descending, slowing their engines, making their way to Rochester. It all seems unreal that this happened in our "back yard." I guess it just goes to show how fragile life is, wether your a known celebrity or not. They are all connected now, lives ended in the blink of an eye. No one to tell about the heroics of the piolet. No one to describe the life ultering experience, and be reunited with loved ones.

Cluster Buster Buddies

I have been home on disability dealing with this ferocious conditon for a little over 1 year. Along the way I've aquired some prerequisite compulsion like tools for trudging through those long days. Whether it be an inadamant object, human, or canine. Its kinda like when your a kid home sick. You have those certain things you crave, because somehow they just make you feel better.

Friends/family

Obviously my support system. I like to have less people (the better) around me when im seeing the fires of hell. Mostly to be silent and let me get through it, and to wait on me if I need something. (Not that I like being pampered)

Nina the Shih Tzu

I swear this little Ewok knows when I am in pain. She always seems to be in my lap, or on the floor next to me looking up with her big eyes. She's an old lady herself with minimal aches and pains. How she can feel mine I'll never know. But having her come over to me everytime im in pain (even if its hardly any) will never get old.

Chuck the 2 Buck Duck

He's a stuffy (stuffed animal) that my husband so lovingly purchased for me last Easter for $2. He's just the cutest, perfect huggable sized, softest duck in the whole wide world. He's heard his fair share of deafening shrieks, and has been soaked tears.

Crocheted Shawl

This is just a shawl that hangs on the back of our couch, that I crocheted. Its lacy, but warm. Its just perfect to throw over my shoulders, to add an extra bit of comfort!

3 chenille couch pillows

Perfect for those "have kinda annoying pain" days. They're molded to fit my head, and so soft too!!

Blankets

Duh! How can ya be comfy without a warm, blankie in snowy upstate NY??

Tea

I know caffine isn't the best choice for a chronic headache sufferer, but dammit I still crave the stuff! It can be any kind (hot or cold) but I prefer Red Rose hot!!

The dreaded fattening taco salad feast

I know, I know... but taco salads are AMAZING!! Just to show how anal I am, I only eat them from Mikey's pizza shop. Deep fried shells, taco flavored hamberger, shredded mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, black olives... insert drool here.

Ice packs

A well known favorite to my face and neck. I have 4 of them. One that's squishy, 2 that are hard (actually they're lunch ice packs with Hello Kitty and Disney Princesses on them!) and 2 that fold into thirds. I buy them whenever they're on sale, you'd never know when one will bust open.

PJ's

Any and all, flannel, fleece, hoodies... Ahh massive comfort cannot be taken for granted.

Tv/ internet

When your home all day everyday life gets kinda repetitive. I like to break up the day reading (if cranium allows) watching tv, and going on the internet. I love to research anything! I am just a knowledge whore. The more the better!! I also love to read other blogs, the Gosselin gossip (I hate that woman, but she does have a nice name! ) get my daily news and weather. Pitiful yes I know. Mind you this doesn't happen everyday either. Im lucky if go on 10 mins a week! If the pain is non exsistant I could be online for upto 2hrs a day!

The Demons

I have always said there is a demon, or a unrelenting demon seed living in my head. Now that the clusters are gone, I've decided to go in a different direction. Besides describing them I want to try to get into the grinding gears of their mechanics. Seeing as though I already have a close, almost intimate relationship with the shady loser. Hopefully my speaking of them won't unleash the beast!! (knocking on wood...)

The demon/seed= the cluster headache.

I swear to all that's holy that there is this little horned devil guy running an amuck in my head. He pokes, he prods, he bites, tears, and leaves a excruciating, throbbing and burning trail. He's a homeless little glob that comes and goes as he pleases. Not only does he reside in my head, he picks up housekeeping in my eye, sinus, cheek, temple, jaw and ear. He's a sneeky bastard! Not even the cops (meds) can catch him. But what to name this hostile, mean, cruel, homicidal maniac??? I got it! The Ripper! Sounds like a bad WWE professional wrestler. He's stage moniker is farting! Oh my we've hit a new low...

The chronic daily headache:

Its still painful but nothing like the clusters. This guy is kinda dull, annoying, boring, a little lazy but has a fiesty side. Kinda reminds me of a realxed, sun burnt surfer dude that tends to get fired up over a thunderous wave. This is harder than I thought. I can't think of any names. For boring? Fiesty? Truely has to be writers block. Either that or the dull pounding in my head... maybe I'll finish tomorrow. Like I said plenty of times I DON'T KNOW