After having my teeth removed I definitely felt a change in my headaches/migraines. A good change! Then I was put into braces...
I started in invisalign back in November, (I'm now in tray 10). I've been experiencing worse migraines and terrible TMJ. So bad that I've really not had to much relief from the Botox. Although I can't imagine what they would be like if I didn't have the Botox as an aid. The pain has changed as well as the areas where I used to get them. I brought this up to my neurologist, who ordered an MRI, which all came back normal (Thank goodness!). So now I'm left wondering...was the pain I had before from the wisdom teeth? The pain I have now, is it from the braces? After I'm done with braces will I have no pain? It always feels like I have way more questions than I do answers with these migraines.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Quick update
I wanted to give an update on my migraines because I've had
a change. I underwent oral surgery to
remove my wisdom teeth along with 4 additional teeth (to make room for braces).
My migraines were of course, out of
control after the surgery, but after about 7-9 days after things started to
heal and all the stitches came out, I noticed my migraines and headaches had
improved. Now, a month later, I've noticed a huge improvement. Even though
my Botox wore off before my surgery, my daily headaches and migraines have been
at a tolerable level (which is new to me). I still have daily
headaches, which now are at a 5 or 6 on the pain chart, which has been a pleasant
surprise. And I haven’t had a migraine
since. It also has helped my TMJ, which
I know is a trigger for a migraine for me. I am now in braces (invisalign), and I just received
my Botox injections on the 6th. I already
feel the positive effects of Botox (for me it usually takes 2 weeks or
more), so I’m hoping that maybe this time it will work even more, if not, I’m
happy with where I am right now. And who
knows, maybe I won’t need any more Botox, (not crossing my fingers but hey).
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
My experience with Botox
My experience with Botox has definitely been a good one. I have benefited greatly from it, with both my chronic migraines and chronic daily headaches (it helps with the tension in my shoulders and neck, and with my TMJ). I do still get migraines and daily headaches, (the daily headaches which are from my P.O.T.S.). The difference is, now when I get a migraine I can continue with what I am doing, they don't immobilize me like they used to, and they don't come as frequent. I first started getting Botox back in 2010, since then I go once every 3 months (4 times a year). The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes, most of the time is prep, all the shots go pretty quick. And yes it is a little painful getting them. When it gets injected into my muscles, I can feel the liquid going in (and sometimes hear it) and it burns! It goes away after about 5 seconds, and its nothing like a migraine so its bearable.
Immediately after Botox I get pretty sore, and after about an hour I get sleepy. When I go to bed that night I find it hard to find a comfortable position because of the soreness and the location of the injection spots. That can last anywhere from 4 nights to about 2 weeks. Within 2 days, I'll start feeling like I have the flu which can last me 3-12 days, coming and going. I also get worsening of both my headaches and migraines, which slowly improve over the next 2 weeks to a month. I do get darkening around my eyes as well, that goes away in about 3 weeks, (that is why I love me some concealer). That's about it for negative side effects on me, other than not being able to move my forehead (or my eyebrows, they can stay where they are) but to me that's a positive. It can take my Botox anywhere from 2 weeks to a month for me to feel any change with my migraines. And it usually lasts for 2 to 2 and a half months after it starts working. But it isn't always the same outcome. Sometimes it works sooner, sometimes it lasts longer, it just depends, (and for some lucky people you only need 1 set of injections and it knocks your migraines out completely).
People always ask me the same questions once I've told them I get Botox for my migraines (don't take it the wrong way, I don't mind when people ask me questions, I actually appreciate it). The first question everyone asks me is, "does Botox really work?". Well you already know the answer to that one. The second question I get is, "where do they inject you?". Now that one takes a little more time to answer. I can't say I know 100% where they are all injected, (since it all goes pretty quick and since I can't turn my head like an owl) but I do have a good idea.
As you can see I am not an artist when it comes to drawing. But you can get an idea of where they are all injected. I get 22 injections total, but that does differ depending on the doctor.
As long as I'm talking about my experience with Botox, I thought I might share some tips. First and foremost, I think it would probably be a good idea (if you're getting Botox for the first time) to take someone along with you. Not only if you have a reaction but if you need someone to step in and help you, (I actually need someone to drive me back after). The doctors say you can continue with your day without a problem but its better to be safe than sorry. Secondly, you want to wear loose fitting clothes or something comfy, at least on the top half of your body, (ladies, be careful with those lovely bras too) the last thing you want is something putting pressure on your injection spots. You can ice the spots afterwards but the ice can act like a brake petal for the Botox, (says my Botox doctors). So what I like to do is ice it for 10 seconds and then take if off for about a minute, and I'll repeat this a few times. The last tip I have is, be patient! It takes some time for Botox to kick in and start blocking your nerve endings. When I got my Botox for the first time it didn't really help that much, but by my third set of injections I could definitely feel it helping. If it doesn't help right away, don't freak or write it off, give it a little time. And it does differ from appointment to appointment. So for those of you trying Botox for your headaches and or migraines (or for those of you who already get Botox) I wish you good luck and better migraine days!
Immediately after Botox I get pretty sore, and after about an hour I get sleepy. When I go to bed that night I find it hard to find a comfortable position because of the soreness and the location of the injection spots. That can last anywhere from 4 nights to about 2 weeks. Within 2 days, I'll start feeling like I have the flu which can last me 3-12 days, coming and going. I also get worsening of both my headaches and migraines, which slowly improve over the next 2 weeks to a month. I do get darkening around my eyes as well, that goes away in about 3 weeks, (that is why I love me some concealer). That's about it for negative side effects on me, other than not being able to move my forehead (or my eyebrows, they can stay where they are) but to me that's a positive. It can take my Botox anywhere from 2 weeks to a month for me to feel any change with my migraines. And it usually lasts for 2 to 2 and a half months after it starts working. But it isn't always the same outcome. Sometimes it works sooner, sometimes it lasts longer, it just depends, (and for some lucky people you only need 1 set of injections and it knocks your migraines out completely).
People always ask me the same questions once I've told them I get Botox for my migraines (don't take it the wrong way, I don't mind when people ask me questions, I actually appreciate it). The first question everyone asks me is, "does Botox really work?". Well you already know the answer to that one. The second question I get is, "where do they inject you?". Now that one takes a little more time to answer. I can't say I know 100% where they are all injected, (since it all goes pretty quick and since I can't turn my head like an owl) but I do have a good idea.
As you can see I am not an artist when it comes to drawing. But you can get an idea of where they are all injected. I get 22 injections total, but that does differ depending on the doctor.
As long as I'm talking about my experience with Botox, I thought I might share some tips. First and foremost, I think it would probably be a good idea (if you're getting Botox for the first time) to take someone along with you. Not only if you have a reaction but if you need someone to step in and help you, (I actually need someone to drive me back after). The doctors say you can continue with your day without a problem but its better to be safe than sorry. Secondly, you want to wear loose fitting clothes or something comfy, at least on the top half of your body, (ladies, be careful with those lovely bras too) the last thing you want is something putting pressure on your injection spots. You can ice the spots afterwards but the ice can act like a brake petal for the Botox, (says my Botox doctors). So what I like to do is ice it for 10 seconds and then take if off for about a minute, and I'll repeat this a few times. The last tip I have is, be patient! It takes some time for Botox to kick in and start blocking your nerve endings. When I got my Botox for the first time it didn't really help that much, but by my third set of injections I could definitely feel it helping. If it doesn't help right away, don't freak or write it off, give it a little time. And it does differ from appointment to appointment. So for those of you trying Botox for your headaches and or migraines (or for those of you who already get Botox) I wish you good luck and better migraine days!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Your typical ER visit with P.O.T.S.
When you have a chronic illness you've more than likely had your fair share of visits to ER, and you've more than likely ended up with a not-so-nice doctor. When I've gone into ER for a migraine I've been told that I was there because I was trying to get out of school (it wasn't until I threw up all over that they kinda started to believed me). And even now with P.O.T.S., I still get laughed and snickered at by ER doctors (or doctors in general), that I "don't really have a heart problem and I shouldn't worry". I can't began to count how many times I've been told that it "was all in my head" or it "was anxiety". I also can't began to count how many times I've been treated down right mean by a doctor or ER staff. My family didn't believe me until one of them came with me and saw how some of these "professionals" act. It's especially annoying because I know what I need when I have a P.O.T.S. flare-up. All I need is a bag of IV fluids, but apparently to some ER doctors it's like asking for a new blue ribbon pony.
So my friend found this funny little video about real experiences with doctors/ER staff. BE WARNED IT DOES HAVE SOME BAD LANGUAGE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg7YvKousDM
So my friend found this funny little video about real experiences with doctors/ER staff. BE WARNED IT DOES HAVE SOME BAD LANGUAGE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg7YvKousDM
Thursday, May 15, 2014
A penny for your thoughts
Do you think people would have more understanding and compassion for migraines if they experienced one, or would it depend on the person?
P.O.T.S.; my new struggle
Wake up, dizzy again..."fun, this is going to be a great day" I think to myself. Walk to the bathroom lightheaded. Stumble my way into the kitchen...grab something quick and healthy. Shovel it down so I can take my salt tab. So I can start my big mission for the day...building fluids.
Unfortunately, this is very familiar to people who suffer from P.O.T.S. (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). And this is just the tip of the iceberg. A lot of the time people don't take this condition serious. Even though it causes a long laundry list of symptoms, from sever to minor (I realize there are worse conditions out there, and thank the lord that I don't have any of them, yet). I really wanted to sit down and write what it's really like living with P.O.T.S. but I found it extremely difficult. I just couldn't do it justice, so instead I thought I'd just give a brief description.
Living with P.O.T.S. can be very difficult, it's like being trapped in your own body unable to really control it. And that is very scary to me, and probably to most people. It feels like your body is an airplane and the captain and co-pilot left the cockpit and left the plane on automatic pilot. Which makes simple daily activities nearly impossible at times, (you do have your good days and your bad days), not being able to shop at a store, or get together with friends and family. It definitely has affected the social aspect of my life, but thanks to a few people who have stuck by my side, have accepted me. Since you don't have obvious signs of a problem people don't take you serious. The symptoms I have the most problems with would be, dizziness; lightheaded-ness; mental fog; memory issues; feeling like I am going to pass out; and weakness, (might I add all the peeing I do! I feel like I should go into the toilet paper business!). (It's almost worse than having migraines). I have yet to find a helpful medication, (having only tried one; stated in my last post "new year, new med, new me"). I am hopeful that I will find something that will help me with symptoms, since there is yet to be a cure for P.O.T.S. I take one day at a time, and focus on the positives.
Unfortunately, this is very familiar to people who suffer from P.O.T.S. (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). And this is just the tip of the iceberg. A lot of the time people don't take this condition serious. Even though it causes a long laundry list of symptoms, from sever to minor (I realize there are worse conditions out there, and thank the lord that I don't have any of them, yet). I really wanted to sit down and write what it's really like living with P.O.T.S. but I found it extremely difficult. I just couldn't do it justice, so instead I thought I'd just give a brief description.
Living with P.O.T.S. can be very difficult, it's like being trapped in your own body unable to really control it. And that is very scary to me, and probably to most people. It feels like your body is an airplane and the captain and co-pilot left the cockpit and left the plane on automatic pilot. Which makes simple daily activities nearly impossible at times, (you do have your good days and your bad days), not being able to shop at a store, or get together with friends and family. It definitely has affected the social aspect of my life, but thanks to a few people who have stuck by my side, have accepted me. Since you don't have obvious signs of a problem people don't take you serious. The symptoms I have the most problems with would be, dizziness; lightheaded-ness; mental fog; memory issues; feeling like I am going to pass out; and weakness, (might I add all the peeing I do! I feel like I should go into the toilet paper business!). (It's almost worse than having migraines). I have yet to find a helpful medication, (having only tried one; stated in my last post "new year, new med, new me"). I am hopeful that I will find something that will help me with symptoms, since there is yet to be a cure for P.O.T.S. I take one day at a time, and focus on the positives.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
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