Migraines

So, here's the low-down on what I'm taking, and how the meds effect me. 

I used to get migraines 5 times a week. Through a ton of trial and error, I've whittled it down to 2 a week, which is entirely bearable and a huge improvement. It would be amazing if I could get it to maybe once a month. 

I've tried just about EVERYTHING for migraines. The medications I can remember previous to the one I'm on now (Inderal) were Topomax and Bellergal Spacetabs. I've tried many others, I just can't really remember which ones. Topomax worked decently well, but it was a fucking NIGHTMARE because of its most well-known side-effect. It made me dumb as hell. Not even kidding, it was so horrible. I'd have trouble coming up with words, foot-in-mouth type of thing. A nice side effect was that it made me lose some pounds that I gained from other meds ;D but it definitely wasn't worth being a moron. 

You're probably going WTF in response to the Spacetabs, since it has one of the most ridiculous names a medication has ever had. It actually worked pretty well! The problem with it, though, was that I had to get it smuggled from Canada. Yes, really. It's not illegal in the US, it's just not patented or something like that. Luckily, I have a very good family friend who is an MD in Canada who could get it for me. I was on it for about 2 months and then it just started to become a pain in the ass to get. 

Inderal, so far, has worked the best. It's a blood pressure medication. Most migraine meds aren't made SPECIFICALLY for migraines, strangely enough. It isn't perfect, though. I still get breakthrough migraines (probably from changing other meds), however, not as badly as I used to. The issue with this medication is that it makes me sooooo tired, even more tired than I usually am, which is pretty tired. I usually can't go a day without a 2 hour nap, and I sleep for about 10-12 hours every night. I had mono when I was about 10, which is why I'm so fatigued now. The mono left me with an elevated level of Epstein-Barr cells, which give people Chronic Fatigue. 

Now, as for the non-conventional treatment of my migraines, here's where it gets interesting. 

Marijuana. It works. It COMPLETELY gets rid of a migraine, although the side effect is, you're flying high. I don't self-medicate with it, I try not to, since 1. it's illegal, 2. it's pretty expensive, and 3. I don't want to get mentally addicted. BUT, it DOES work. It dilates your blood vessels, and migraines make your blood vessels contract. It also gets rid of the nausea/vomiting. Unfortunately, you can't really take it every day, it's not a preventative. It's also, like I said, illegal. I'm trusting everyone with this knowledge to BE RESPONSIBLE! :D 

I've also tried biofeedback and self-hypnosis. I truly believe in those treatments. I had good luck with both, but my issue was that I could only get rid of the pain for about 5 minutes at a time. But, I believe that it would definitely work for others.

Also, I'm beginning acupuncture treatments, for the migraines, endometriosis, immunity, and energy. Of course, I'll be updating with results and reviews. I'll be posting again regarding endometriosis. 

My first post! :D

A little about myself, and why I've created this blog. 

Over the past few years, I've been diagnosed with 2 relatively common, yet some of the most mysterious conditions; endometriosis and chronic migraines. Since I was 15, I've been dealing with the effects of these conditions. I am now 18, and I'm still learning how to treat and cope. Endometriosis and migraines are so common. 1 in 3 women suffer from migraines, and about 90% of women have some degree of endometriosis. Endometriosis is when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, and is usually incredibly painful. Migraines can be misconstrued as just a really bad headache, but it's really a neurological disorder that has many cognitive symptoms, as well as excruciating pain. When I get a migraine, I usually become so stupid that I can't put full sentences together when I try to speak. Every once in a while, I go blind, or get tunnel vision. The endometriosis caused me, for many years, to have horrible cramps every 2 weeks, with the only relief coming from prescription painkillers. I'm now much better, due to a few changes in my life.
I had a laproscopy a year ago, and had most of the endometriosis removed. Until about a month ago, I had no pain at all. I'm also on the pill, which balances my hormones and helps with the cramps as well.
I'm currently on Inderal, a blood pressure medication, for my migraines. It's help a significant amount.
I also suffer from Chronic Fatigue, which just makes everything else worse, and makes my immune system incredibly crappy.
However, I really don't like medication, even if it does help, because it only solves the issues of the symptoms, rather than the condition itself. My goal is to be off as many medications as possible. I'm beginning acupuncture sessions, which have always been promising, and I'm going to begin to exercise and change my diet. I'd like to be healthier, stronger, more clear-headed, and energetic.
This blog is to help me record my journey, and to maybe help others who are suffering from the same things as I am. Since these conditions are so common, I figure maybe someone could get something out of this. There are no cures for either of them, so I think sharing as much as possible, tips etc., will help me and others.

I'll be updating with another post tomorrow, with much more details, about my medications, and plans/goals. It's pretty late right now, and I have a sinus infection, so I'm gonna get some good sleep and get back to this later. G'nite!