I really want to climb in this bed (right now!) and draw the curtains. They are lovely curtains, and I would admire them a while and then hopefully fall sleep for four days straight. You see, I've been feeling rather un-well the last couple of days.
*
Besides still having a cold (since December 18th), my headaches are acting up. I've been on a new med since just after Christmas which is causing insomnia. In the hopes that side effects would dissipate, I've continued taking it, only to become exhausted over the past week, from lack of sleep. My chronic tension-type headaches had still been steady but yesterday at work I had a migraine aura (scary visual disturbances) which lasted 30 minutes, followed by a pretty bad migraine. I laid on the couch all last evening.
*
Today I woke up exhausted and feeling hollowed-out and raw. Like a good girl, I came to the office. Let's face it, if I took days off every time I felt crummy, I would never be here.
*
But the scary thing is, I had another aura this morning! In my colleague's office, while we were deep in a technical discussion! I suddenly felt dizzy and lost vision partially in my right eye and had holes in my field of vision. I didn't panic, but it is upsetting when you're in the middle of a conversation to have to excuse yourself for no apparent reason (or having to awkwardly explain what is happening and why you are nursing your eyes and rubbing your forehead and looking around the room and putting a hand over each eye to see if the aura is in both eyes or just one...and then running off!). If you ever had an aura, you will know what I mean.
*
So I sat there and carried on the conversation (I am an excellent faker...being in pain all the time I am accustomed to appearing normal). But the aura was very persistent and intense and weird and I wasn't sure if it was an aura, or something worse, especially since it was the second time in 24 hours! I eventually excused myself and came back to my office, where it went away after about 10 more minutes.
*
I do have a migraine component to my headaches (e.g. occasional one-sided pain, sharp pain in right eye), but I only have had visual auras about once a year and moderate migraines after them, usually in my right eye. So the last two days have really upset me. The auras were aggressive and the pain more intense. Oh, how I just want to sleeeep!
*
Right now, I have a migraine in my face and eyes. I want to go home. But I have to prepare for technical meetings tomorrow. I came over to read blogs for a second (which I am trying not to do at work, which is why you may notice fewer comments from me these days!).
*
Two days in a row is odd for me to have a real migraine, on top of the chronic regular tension-type headaches! What's going on with me? Is it the new drug, or exhaustion? I hate to stop the new drug because I am desparate to find alternatives.
*
I will let you know how it all goes. I am seeing the company doctor tomorrow and will discuss with him. I also have a call in to my neurologist to discuss this new drug and the insomnia.
*
Until then, here are some scenes I like, from Shoot Factory. I like their visual simplicity. They make me happy!
gosh, terri, that is scary! have you had migraine auras before? (<---sorry i know that's a stupid question, i just don't know).
ReplyDeletei've gotten an aura when driving, but luckily my auras don't involve (or haven't yet) blindness or partial blindness. that could be very bad. maybe your doc would have a recommendation about the medication?
here's hoping this passes quickly.
Oh, my Terri! That is so scary. I'll pray for some solutions and relief for these terrible headaches. I couldn't function, you are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis just might be your signal to say good-bye to your job and start a new, more simple and stress free life! I'm not recommending that, that would be a giant decision, but I am just saying... sometimes you need to take a step back and re-evaluate. Painful as that can be for so many reasons. Not that it will solve your headaches, but headaches and a job you dislike, yikes, you poor dear! You are coping amazingly well under all of your stress, do take care of YOURSELF if you can. That cozy and calm bedroom looks like a great idea.
xxoxo
Deat Terri!
ReplyDeleteI am sending u some comforting hugs, I work night at my job and it is no fun at the moment. Boys are not very quiet and they play loud music and do not respect my wishes of a quiet house when i want to sleep.
I want u to get well.. I Shall try to sleep, at the same time worried for my oldest that is feeling depressed and tired of school, not fun, I did so much for her, to feel happy, now I do not know any more ways.. shool is bad, teacthers are bad, our town is bad bad bad...I think we need proffessional help, from someone who knows..
Lots of hugs fr a tired KaT
I just happened upon your beautiful blog. I was moved as I read your journey with headaches. I prayed for you to sleep, find relief and have a productive appointment with the MD.
ReplyDeleteKathy b
Sorry to hear you have these bad headaches. Have you ever had a dentist look at your jaw, I know it sounds weird but some dentist specialize in TMJ disorders, and helping those helps with the headaches.
ReplyDeleteTake care Terri! Hope you find relief soon
ReplyDeleteOooh Terri, this sounds awful. Please do what you can to take care of yourself. You sound like such a responsible hard worker... but I hope you'll put yourself first on this one. Let us know how you're doing.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I do feel for you.
ReplyDeleteHang in there with the new medication, hopefully it will settle in time.
My medication was changed about 18 months ago, I could do with something a bit more effective but I am reluctant to change it because like yourself you have to go through a bad bit before you can find out if it is going to have any effect.
Racheal x
Poor you! You seem to have a very bad migraine! It must be difficult to try to live a normal life when you often have headaches.
ReplyDeleteI hope the doctor will be able to help you!
A big hug from Poppins
These auras sound very unpleasant and downright frightening. I have never experienced one, but my sister has...she refers to them as focal migraines??? Hope that you find the way through this without having to fake your way through. Geeze, this is the 21st Century...surely it's time for a cure.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful night's rest with sweet dreams and no pain. (Don't worry about visiting blogs...we're not going anywhere.)
good to hear from you :) but sorry to hear you're having more problems than usual, even. :/ i know bad sleep is one of the most common triggers for migraine. i hope thing improve soon for you!
ReplyDeleteand don't worry about commenting; i know you're busy.
Oh, Terri...I am so sorry you're going through this! I wish for you a good night's rest and relief from your pain. The auras do sound very scary. Take good care.
ReplyDeleteOh Terri, I hope that you have found some relief since this post. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you (hugs).
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for you...there is little worse than a blistereing headache. I have had only a few horrendous ones in my life, and yet I'm sure they were not as bad as what you describe. I honestly do not know how you continue to function in a job of your calibre. I worry thay you are pushing yourself too hard: no one can be expected to work under those conditions. I know you cannot do much about it, but surely you can use up some sick days and rest your weary body? I truly hope you do...
ReplyDeleteI pray that your doctor can help you through this. Take care...
Linda
xoxo
I hope your doctors can help figure out a new medication that minimizes the headaches. I suffer from occasional migraines and cannot imagine life with daily headaches. I have purplish/pink blinking lights in my field of vision and no one knows what causes it. One doctor wondered if it was a pre-migraine aura but I don't think so. When I get migraines I take some strong stuff that knocks me OUT! My son used to get severe migraines; he'd cry and scream for an hour or two, throw up and then fall asleep. For him they were mostly stress-related and once we reduced his stress, then it became more of a seasonal thing. Spring and fall. I sympathize with ANYONE who suffers headaches!
ReplyDeleteHow are you, Terri? I worry about you. ♥
ReplyDeleteYou know I told you my husband has migraines 3 to 4 times a week. Twice in one month, I had an aura - without pain. It started in one eye - it was a visual disturbance and gradually got bigger and bigger in my field until it pass out of my field after about 10 minutes. like an electric zig zag kind of vision in my field. Anyway, it scared me to death, but I googled it and there it was - pretty common. How are you doing these days?
ReplyDelete