I have debated a while on this particular blog. How to write it, how to come across and most importantly how to make you have a better understanding of it. So, here it goes…
I have headaches, or what we now know as “Chronic Headaches” and Migraines. Sounds fun huh? All this really means is I have headaches more times than not and I also have the migraine thrown in there just for kicks. I thought this was all normal until about a year ago. Sure, people have headaches... You pop an Advil, or drug of choice, go on with your day and get over it, right? I became immune to Advil and the headaches became more frequent and worse, as did the migraines. Who wants to hear that you have a headache almost every day though? So for the most part I kept quiet about this, so do most people with it. I won’t get into all the personal details of our story, but we have had a journey over the last year. Many doctor’s visits, fun test (including late night Wendy Williams and Mani/Pedi) and lots of questions. In short, I take medication that is actually for seizures to prevent my migraines and some headaches, every night. I am not one to follow Doctors orders though! He say’s take the meds for ten days; I say “Cha, I’ll take them until I feel better!” Well, can’t do that with these, as I have learned the hard way. Through our journey we learned that over the course of the years all these headaches and migraines, if not controlled, can and will lead to head and back jerking AKA “Myoclonus” type jerks. Even though still taking the medicine I still continue to have these headaches and the occasional, what we like to call “sup” jerks. But, I have had very limited migraines, which is a HUGE success in my book. There are times where I would love to drill into my head or considered even using a hammer. No joke. But I’m not really one for induced pain, go figure.
My RX is a tricky little fella all in its own too. You know those commercials where they list the side effects and they sound worse than the actual condition? Yep, a lot of people have stopped taking it because of that. Tingling in the hands and feet 8-10 hours, to the T, after taking it. Not just little tingles, like ouch, what the crap? Ha-ha. The taste of food and drinks start tasting different (Coke and such), therefore losing weight... no complaints here though. Mood swings. Got a good little Cheddar's story to go along with that one... All I'm going to say is, when I want onion straws, I want them. That is the main reason I go there!
Most of this has been new to me. The medications, what I can and can’t eat or drink anymore, how late I should or shouldn’t stay up, the stress I allow myself to have and a lot of it is really just starting to add up now. I keep what is called a “Headache Journal”. My last Dr’s appointment I went solo and Danny is really good, of course, at keeping up with how often my headaches were coming on... so when he asked how often I was still having them, I had no clue… I just knew at least once a day-ish? So now, I have a journal in my purse to keep track of them. Kind of a tedious thing to do, but it’s all a part of figuring out how to control them.
The support I have got from Danny on this has been amazing. You have to understand something… For people with something like this, “Just everyday headaches” as some would say, we know it’s not a life threatening disease or anything like that. That is why we remain quite about it most times. Sometimes, those are the ones you have to watch out for the most though. It can be so mentally draining at times, but yet so rewarding others. Sounds a bit crazy? The days I don’t have a headache and the sun is shining, those are amazing. Even the days I do have headaches… I love to come home and be with Danny and Kasen in a calm environment. Who am I kidding; it’s never really that calm at our house! Him and Kasen see the good and the bad; the ugly and the beautiful.
I have a great group of close family and friends as well. My Mom went to every doctor visit at the beginning and, as much as I hated her seeing me like that, it was nice to have my "Mommy" there... Even if I was 24! Few really know about all that has gone on… until now that is. It’s not really like you know allll of the details either, I guess, even now..
June is actually “Headache Awareness Month”. The color…? Burgundy. There are a lot of causes I support for many reasons that are true to my heart. Cancer; Breast Cancer; M.A.D.D.; Autism; Alzheimer's; and I’m sure others that I am leaving out by accident. The National Headache Foundation is one that has been around for over 40 years and I want to start supporting this cause, not only for me. They support many studies done around the country and provide educational tools for migraine and headache sufferers’ like me. If you have a second, Google them, you could find out a lot about a lot. Do me a favor though… Don’t do it without an open mind.
So, that is it… That is me, and us. Here's just a little something I'll leave ya with... for kicks :)
~Ash~
