Originally Posted by KimA

Hi peeps,

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I thought I would give you a wee update to explain why. I apologise if I am repeating anything I already posted.

I previously mentioned that I have been having migraines every day. I have been to my GP a few times and they (I saw 2 different ones) suggested various things.

First, I tried sumatriptan. It didn't help. I phoned the doctor and he suggested a few days of ibuprofen at the maximum OTC dosage. Those of you who have migraines will not be surprised to learn that did not work at all. I knew it wouldn't help but I gave it a go.

I saw the doctor again and he gave me beta blockers (propanolol). Now, that did help to reduce the severity of the migraines but it didn't stop them.

I went back and saw a different GP in the practice. She suggested that a good night's sleep might help break the cycle. (Does anyone remember what sleep is?) She suggested sleeping pills. I had never taken sleeping pills before and honestly hated the idea. But migraines really suck so I agreed to try it. The first night I took one sleeping pill and it turned out that my pain was stronger than one pill, so I woke up through the night. The next night I took two (as instructed). As far as I can remember, I did sleep through the night. Wahey! It wasn't like a normal night of sleep though. I didn't wake up feeling rested and refreshed. I woke up tired and groggy. I suppose that may be normal with sleeping pills. I don't plan to take them again though.

The next day I had...yes...another migraine. It was a fairly painful one too. I have had a migraine every day since 20 March and it is getting very old. I get migraines with aura for bonus fun.

On my last GP visit, the doctor gave me a prescription for pizotifen (pizotyline in the US, I think). This is taken daily to prevent migraines. I used to take it several years ago and found it helpful. It caused extreme drowsiness at first (my lost weekend) but I was able to adjust to it well. So, yesterday I started taking that again. Fingers crossed.

In between my trips to the GP, I also saw a pain specialist. He gave me Cymbalta for the NP pain. I am currently trying to go from 30mg (no problem) to 60mg (horrible). So, with the Cymbalta, starting the pizotifen again and the migraines, I am super groggy.

I am not looking forward to going back to work and having people ask me what I did on my holiday. Now, I work with lovely, intelligent people; they really are terrific. But I think to anyone without a chronic illness the true story of what I am doing on holiday will sound like 'I spent my holiday off my face on prescription drugs'. Not cool, dude, not cool. Honestly, I think I underestimate them. The people are work with are genuinely fantastic. But still, I think I'll opt for something vague.

KimA