update, botox qestion

Hi All,

I have had a really bad migraine for the past week or so. The past few days have been horrible- due to the migraines, fainting, and family stuff. We also had a leak in our ceiling recently and they are repainting today- not helping the headache.

I had botox injections done on March 7 and have been doing fairly well until now. the headache is back with a vengeance- not much that I have is doing much, but it keeping it down in the 8.5 range. I am on Ultram, Tylenol 3, klnopin, and benedryl for the pain. THe stimulator is working as well and I turned it up this morning. I am wondering if the Botox is beginning to wear off. I have a follow up appointment with the neuro next week and am scheduled for another round in June.

Right now, I would just like to curl up somewhere and sleep, but that isn't really an option today. I have to clean the apartment up.

It is messier than usual and Mom came by to see the leak damage actually she kind of blew in like a hurricane. (The entire ceiling outside the linen closet had to be stripped, dried and then they had to sheet rock it.) However, she went crazy because it was so messy- said a lot of mean things. Anyway, the end result is that I have to get this place pristine by Sunday. (My parents names are not on the lease and I reminded her of that. However, I do occasionally need their help with transportation and such. She basically said that if it wasn't cleaned up she wouldn't help me.) I am also kind of stubborn- if you tell me I can't do something, I will usually do it just to prove them wrong. I also feel like I have to prove once again that I can live independently and I want to be as independent as possible.

Needless to say, but I think this is also contributing to the migraine right now. I know that my roommate and I can and will get it done, but I hate having to prove myself over and over and over again. She did this once before- shortly after I moved in and everything turned out fine- and she left it alone until a few weeks ago when they came over for a seder/easter meal. Afterwards, it seemed like the fact that the shelves were messy was more important than anything I did. Since then, she hasn't left the issue alone. I just hate it when this happens. I love my family and I do not want to lose them. I also know that I am lucky to have parents who have gone to bat for me with the migraines and the fainting, but this is ridiculous. I know it is probably a mom thing. but it is still frustrating as all get out.

the only thing I can do is clean for a bit, rest for a bit, clean for a bit. Kat/s mom is coming to help us tomorrow. I am sure things wull be fine in the end.

Sorry, I know this turned into one big vent. but i'd love to hear any ideas you might have.

Pain free days,
sconesail

Perhaps you could set up a time to sit down and talk with your mother about your medical condition. Obtain some material from online about migraine, that explains the seriousness of the disease and how it impacts patients' lives. There is a lot of misunderstanding about migraine and other forms of chronic headache. Most people have had headaches and they think it's just something you take a couple of aspirin for. They don't understand it's a debilitating condition. Educate your mother.

Once your mother has the knowledge and understands what you are coping with, you can have the expectation that you will be treated by your loved ones like anyone would who has a disabling medical condition of any kind. If she still can't respond with appropriate compassion and consideration, that is abusive, and you will need to set boundaries to protect yourself emotionally. But one step at a time.

Platypus wrote:Perhaps you could set up a time to sit down and talk with your mother about your medical condition. Obtain some material from online about migraine, that explains the seriousness of the disease and how it impacts patients' lives. There is a lot of misunderstanding about migraine and other forms of chronic headache. Most people have had headaches and they think it's just something you take a couple of aspirin for. They don't understand it's a debilitating condition. Educate your mother.

Once your mother has the knowledge and understands what you are coping with, you can have the expectation that you will be treated by your loved ones like anyone would who has a disabling medical condition of any kind. If she still can't respond with appropriate compassion and consideration, that is abusive, and you will need to set boundaries to protect yourself emotionally. But one step at a time.

accepting...!!!

Heya sconesail, you can do this. You always do. Don't let your mom get you down. You have been getting along ok without her. I know your relationship is strained when you are at your worst and that she never seems to "get" it. I know you have done a whole lot to get your parents to understand. You can only put so much energy into getting others to "get" what we go through. Hang in there ok.

As for the Botox, I have been on it regularly for years now. I typically get a response from week three to week eight. It is great to see you had a response, just too bad it was short. I find it doesn't just stop though, the frequency builds as it wears off.

I hope you find relief and can move past the stress of the cleanup. Hang in there!!!! ((((Hugs)))))

Hi All,

We managed to get the apartment clean. It wasn't as clean as my mother would have wished, but it is clean and we have managed to keep it that way. I know this is one of those things that has to be done- it is just hard. I am going to get a cleaning service to come in about once a month to help with stuff I have a hard time with.

As to my mother- she is a retired physician. So she does understand what is going one. It has been harder for her to accept the fainting. I think this is because she is a doctor and my mother and she wants very much to "fix it" but she can't. She has been with me and fought for me many times through this journey, but we still lock heads a good deal.

I saw my neuro for a botox follow up on Friday. He did agree to do the IVs of Depakan. We are also going to do another round of Botox in June. But that is about all anyone can do for the headaches right now.

Pain free days,
sconesail

Glad you got it done. I have sincere compassion for you AND your parents knowing their backgrounds and agree this is one of the reasons she gets frustrated. It is not with you. It is because she is frustrated that she can't fix you herself.

I'm glad you are doing well enough to get the cleaning done.

Hang in there!!!

Wow Scone, sorry to hear about the rough patch.

With cleaning, and I'm not good at doing file cleaning (bathrooms get done 2x a week and so does the bed) but papers, etc. is my weak spot.

Do what you can. Each day pick spot to attack. That way you can break a task down and not get sucked into the cleaning "black hole."

My big issue is with medical reports and info. It's either scanned or it's filed and put in a banker box--nothing is throw out regarding medical care as it can be used in the future if needed.

good luck.