Thursday, October 22, 2009

another migraine


Struck. again. This time, I believe I know the cause. I'm blaming my insurance company. For almost two years, my doctor and I have been fighting them to keep a drug that has been keeping the monster at bay. Keeping it in a sleeping mode. Keeping me home, away from the life I was living in the hospital.

On Friday, the monster came knocking. HARD. I was taking the medication, Namenda, every other day, winding down my dosage to it's inevitable end. I gave myself a shot in the hip of Toradol, my only abortive, it graciously took the edge off. But on Saturday it was back with a vengance, and I was down for the day. I tried my abortive, but it just wouldn't deliver any relief.

By Monday, I was done with the Namenda and the monster was in full gear - wreaking it's anger and wrath on and in my head, my stomach, my back. Everything hurt. Nothing was working to relieve he pain. Tuesday evening, I started getting spasms in my spine, thru my back and out my eye and the top of my head - like a spike was being thrust thru me. Today, the pain was worse. I couldn't sit or lay down, only walk thru the pain, to release some of the tension. I couldn't wait to get to the infusion center today, to start the onslaught of drugs that I'm hoping, will break the pain.

Once there, and the iv started, the spasms started again, this time after I had received Benedryl and Mag sulfate, so I was a bit groggy and not about to walk anywhere. Thankfully, it didn't last as long as it did lastnight or this afternoon. I stood at my chair stomping my feet, trying to beat the pain out of my spine and back.

For anyone who thinks a migraine is just a bad headache; I challenge them to hang with a migraineur on a bad day. or a good day, even a good day with one of those low-grade migraines, come and hang out with me, you'll see it's not just a stinking headache. No, it's much worse. It doesn't involve just my head either; but my stomach wants so badly to just hurl anything. But most times, I cannot eat TO hurl. Oh, and let's not forget about the visual spirals and geometrical weird stuff that I see and hear. Yes, hear. The screaching, screaming, sirens, everything is louder than it should be, and brighter than bright. Nope, definitely NOT just a headache.

We are now contacting the pharmaceutical company for the drug I need. Letting them know my insurance company sucks. out. loud.

Well, I really hope you are pain-free
Deborah

4 comments:

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

So frustrating to have something you KNOW works and not be able to get it. Good luck with the pharmacy company! So sorry the insurance company is putting you through this....

FIGHTER said...

so sorry for you pain....it would be so nice if we could just kick the Monsters but....i am thinking of you....:)

Harriett Broughton said...

Oh yes, I agree: Spend some time with a Migraineur on any sort of attack day. If you don't have Migraine, you'll discover a gratefulness you've never known before.

And yep, Migraine is a full-body disease. Only when you take "headache" out of Migraine does it really make sense.

Betsy Blondin said...

Oh, Deborah, I am so sorry to hear this. I tried Namenda last year but could get samples long enough to help me get out of the rebound cycle, etc., and I don't know if my ins co would have covered the drug or not (probably not). Are you going off it only for the reason that your ins doesn't cover it?

It is a crime that in this great country we do not all have easy and affordable access to whatever medications are helpful to us! I feel your pain and frustration, although I think your migraine attacks are much worse than mine. I hope you are better soon!