New use of an old migraine medication and Milo update

I know I have been nearly extinct from this website for a long while. I've been pretty vacNt from life in general. Long work days followed by long nights of school work has had me become a hermit. The good news is that I am very, very near completion of my school. I'm more than half way through my very last three credits. The crappy part is that I'm having a really hard time finishing as my migraines have been zapping my concentration.

The past few weeks have been pretty dark for me. I have major work milestones going on which is fantastic, but between work and school I really have nothing left for any minutes of life between. I am a crappy partner, a crappy daughter, a crappy sister, a crappy friend (only sometimes) a crappy dog momma and a really, REALLY crappy housekeeper. I had hired someone to help keep our tiny home clean but their products didn't get along with my head. I have a young woman that comes to walk the dogs so at least that is good.

I take stock of my life and see what a horrible turn it has taken. I am miserable. I miss working out. I miss eating foods I like. I miss driving my car on days I need to choose to medicate. I miss enjoying springtime. I miss being allergy free. I miss my whole way of being from before this horrible disease started to strip every ounce of me away from me. I miss spending quality time with friends. I miss being able to have a glass of wine or a drink without half dying. I miss reading. I miss my artistic side which has left me in my depression. I miss my zest for life and I miss that special spark in my eye. I miss being able to be pain and medication free on vacations. I miss being able to fly without getting the worst migraines of my life after each flight.

My job takes a lot out of me and my specialist think I should leave it. I am two years and nine months into it. I am desperately trying to reach five years so I can maximize my pension and then slow down a bit. School will take care of itself in a few short months. I may need to pay for an extension, but either way it will be done soon. I really look forward to having a bit more of a life. Or maybe just more time to sleep and feel down.

So, sorry to vent. I'm very low right now.

My pain doc has kindly ordered me the injectable form of ketorolac. I didn't try it tonight as I have a few more heavy days at work, but will on Thursday if my head is bad enough. Has anyone tried tordal IM for migraines? If so, what are you using it with and what dosage? I was thinking I'd start with a 15 mg first dose and then repeat it in 60 minutes if it didn't work. I'd rather not poke myself twice but things are bad enough at this point that I'll do whatever I can. I'd love to be able to use the tordal instead of a narcotic.

Has anyone had luck with this? I hear it is hit or miss but when it is a hit it is a very big one.

Thanks so much for reading my vent, being my supports and friends. Thank you for being that understanding listening ear. The years have got me down and I really hope this will eventually pass.

milo

Milo:
I believe that all of us have felt the same way about this disease. The loss of life, of joy, of energy along with the constant suffering. Anyone with an IQ of even 90 would realize this is not living for us, it only survival from one day to the next. I read some stats the other day, that only 19 million goes into research for Migraines and 107 million to research for diabetes. 68% of the world population have migraines and only 42% have diabetes. This is so unbalanced. Migraine is underfunded, underdiagnosed and undertreated.

I have never heard of the medication you are mentioning, but I do hope you are one of the people it will help. My life has been in the "toilet" since March. 22 days of migraine out of 31 and April is 12 days out of 15 so far. I am not sure how we survive this kind of trauma to the brain.

We are still trying to find ways for me to have the Migraine Nerve Decompression surgery, sent in 3rd appeal to insurances denials. Hoping this will be the one.

Keep in touch and good luck finishing up this last term at school. Kudos to you for sticking with it! I was half way through my Masters and had to drop out because of the "monster".

Trinity

Sorry you are feeling burned out. Hang in there. School will be over soon and then you will be amazed at all the free time you suddenly have.

Sorry you've been struggling so much. Hang in there! You are so close to being done with school, and it sounds like that will be a big improvement. Is there any chance to cut back on hours at work at your position?

For example, if you are working overtime, ask to limit to 40 hours/week. I was able to work that out with my boss, without even disclosing it was for medical reasons (I said it was due to family obligations). I can't believe you're dealing with work and school and chronic migraine.

I have tried IM Toradol at home. I didn't find it helpful. For some reason I got a vasovagal reaction each time too (dizzy & nauseous). Although I'm prone to them, I didn't have the issue with other injections I've given myself. It also burned really bad going in, so I had to inject it very slowly.

Between the issues and not noticing relief, I only ended up trying it a few times. Like other migraine meds, its best to take it as early as possible. Double check with your pharmacust, but it can be combined with a Triptan and/or narcotic if needed too.

I actually found the nasal spray form more helpful for headache. I've read a few other folks say that too. I think they stopped making it though (Sprix). It also wasn't convenient for me as it had to be refrigerated (and I take as needed meds at work most of the time), and had a horrible taste/numbing effect with post-nasal drip. So, back to Imitrex, Oxycodone, and/or Diclofenac (oral) for me.

Its something good to try, but should really be limited due to the risk of stomach problems (my doctor didn't want me taking it more than 6 times a month or so). I don't remember what dose I was given, but I think 30 or 60, not 15.

Did they show you how to do the IM injections, or have you done them before? Have you had it before (like in the ER)? It can be rough on the stomach for some folks, although IM is better than oral. I hope you find it helpful. Best wishes.

I've had it many times, but at my primary's office, not as a home injection. They usually give me 30mg of toradol and 50mg of promethazine, one in each hip. It seems to change, but one of the two usually does sting or burn going in. That combo will usually put me to sleep, and things are better when I wake up.

Hi,

So sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time right now. Fortunately, we have all been there at sometime- don't worry about venting here if you need too. Believe me, I'm not sure what I would do without y'all.

I have one question- do you have a disability qualification for school? If not, you should get one- there is no way I would have survived college without one. You will need a letter from your dr stating that you have migraines and what accommodations might be best. Mine allowed for the ability to make up work missed due to migraines and leniency in attendance. Could you talk to you teachers and hopefully work something out. I hope this will take some of the stress off.

I know you are doing your best- and I'm sure that your family knows it as well. Hang in there.

What kind of work do you do? I'm sure it takes a lot out of you. (Between the headache and fainting, I can hardly manage volunteering twice a week and I am looking for some sort of part time work.) Have you thought about looking for a similar position in a different place? Maybe a change in environment could help?

As to Toradol injections, My neuro just prescribed them for me as well. He gives them in the office and it has helped some. It is worth a try, and I hope it gives you some relief.

Hang in there.

Pain free days,
sconesail

I started with 15mg to see how I tolerated it. It didn't take the full edge off so I gave the second 15mg. It worked with two emtec!

I had a day without but then one snuck back in around five PM. Pretty good. I will need to find out how many time I can take them. They are about ten bucks a shot and are not covered but I will manage.

As for work, I'm in a very specialized field of work so my ability to change jobs is very complicated. I need to try to make it to five years (2 years and 3 months left to go. I'll survive, I just don't know at what cost.

Thanks for the support and suggestions. Since this is my very last course, I won't be asking for disability status, though I certainly could have with my specialists support. He talks me out of school and work but I refuse to let this disease win!!!!