Owww.

I just had the WORST SHARP PAINS that I have had in weeks. Literally.

Just 5 minutes ago, for about 3 minutes straight, I stood against the wall in the kitchen (just because that’s where I was when it hit) and grabbed my head and keeled over.

As fast as it came over me, it went away.  I’m exhausted from it, as if I am a battery that had power zapped from it.

I can’t go to bed yet, however… I still have some pain, and I can just feel that it will be too hard to fall asleep with it… I’ll just have to “wait it out” with the tv/computer and distract myself for a little while until the pain lessens and I can try to slip into bed and to sleep before the pain grows (I could watch tv in bed until I fall asleep, but my boyfriend is already goin to sleep - he has to wake up early for work).

This type of post is the type that i don’t normally expect to be able to post right after the fact…  I’m glad I’m able to share this experience, especially for those who aren’t familiar with NDPH.  I guess tonight’s “quick sharp pain” can be compared to a migraine, but I just didn’t have any of the “extras” that go along with it - no aura, no nausea, no sensitivities to anything, etc.

It just comes whenever.

This is why it can be so hard to make plans, to know when I can really drive a long distance, or how I’ll feel for a whole day walking around our favorite city. I have NO IDEA if I’m going to have a problem, very similar to my migraine friends.

And… yeah. It’s messing with my concentration right now. I think I better wrap this entry up.  Just wanted to share so others could get a feel (at least not literally) of what can happen 1+++ times during my day. Everyday.

 

Time to make the donuts, time to change the dosage…

I’m at about the 1-month mark for the lowering of the Topamax  (200-150mg/day).  At first, I didn’t really notice too much difference in the pain level - the main point of lowering the dose was to help with the memory issues that it causes.  I really haven’t noticed any improvements.  After a little while, however, my headache has become more apparent and now I’m taking rescue meds almost every day (as opposed to barely 1 time/week before).  The doc who called me back from my headache doc practice (who, by the way, I have never heard of before - but he was very nice, luckily) suggested that I move up to 175mg/day until I see my new doc (July 12)… if that doesn’t work though, I will have to just go back to 200 for the time being.

Never a dull moment…

P.S.  I’ve been coming across more and more headache blog friends, and even though it’s unfortunate that we are in this situation, it’s been so helpful to know that there are others out there who are doing their best to share what they can.  So, thank you to all my new friends

 

Back to School, Back to School (soon…eek!)

For about 5 weeks, starting the 1st week of July, I am going to re-enter the classroom. I will be a student for the first time since May 2006 (I took a “distance learning” course with some of my coworkers this year but it was all on our own, no teacher, no class). I’m still in the midst of taking my teacher licensure tests, and so once those are passed, I will be fully licensed to teach. I would prefer, however, to get my Masters before teaching, and with all the headache junk, I have had trouble passing the tests (which has in turn delayed my graduate school time). So, I’m going to be taking “Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum” for non-degree Graduate credit at a college in my area - and it’s a school that I wouldn’t mind going to for my Masters. The class is even included within their MAT (Masters of Teaching) program, as it typically is at a lot of schools.

I’m just hoping that it’s not too intense, work-wise. I know that my doctors always talk about the summers as a good time to try new things with my medications, but I essentially lost most of my summer last year because of that. I spent the bulk of the summer on the couch in front of the TV, crying to my mother. I was even at my beach house at that time, and I barely saw the beach. Pathetic. I basically don’t want that again, even though I obviously want to find things that will help me feel better… it’s something that us “headache people” seem to fight with daily. Soo frustrating.

Luckily, the course is 2 days per week, and it’s only from 10-1. I tend to feel better in the earlier part of the day, so hopefully that will help. I’m just hoping I can get all the work done in time!

I’m starting to feel a buildup of pain, so I should probably sign off. Feels like a good ole night tonight… ugh.

 

What a week. Decreasing meds = not fun…

So, I have been wanting to update since at least Wednesday, but have been having a tough week, pain-wise. Last weekend, I decreased my Topamax by 50mg (per doctor’s orders) because we had discussed my frustration and difficulties with my memory and whatnot. We’re trying to see if a decrease in the Topamax will still help me out (as much/little as it is) with my headache, and also see if there’s a decrease in my memory issues. I take Top. at night, but for the past bunch of days have been needing to take some of my rescue meds after work or in the early evening - seems as if the decrease is already showing its face…

Stress at work doesn’t help my pain, but doesn’t bring it on either (luckily!)… the middle school is winding down, and next week is our final week - we only go through a half day on Thursday. I will miss seeing the kids everyday, but I certainly need a break (especially now with this medication change business)!

On Tuesday, specifically, I ended up barely getting through making/eating dinner for the two of us and then I collapsed on the couch… and slept from 7-9 unintentionally. I had also taken a rescue med. I woke up at 9 to the sound of my cell phone, but couldn’t recognize that the sound was coming from the phone… my boyfriend kept saying, “Joanna… your phone… hello?! Are you gonna get your phone?” I really woke up so out of it and still ended up going to bed 45 mins later with almost that same amount of pain. It was upsetting because I haven’t had to really “shut down” and waste an evening and still be in pain when I woke up in soo long… ugh.

Nothing too big planned for the weekend, so hopefully some relaxing time…

Hope anyone out there in my boat is having a better end to their week!