Thursday, March 27, 2008

Rebound Headaches

I've had a headache almost constantly the last week. At first, I was taking medicine (Butalbital/Fioricet and Aleve) and it would go away, but I didn't want to take too much medicine so I didn't take anything at least one of the days. Unfortunately, I still got a rebound headache from taking too much medicine. Yesterday I had to quit "cold turkey." The headaches don't bother me as much when I can take drugs, but not taking anything yesterday just about killed me. My head hurt SO bad. Fortunately it didn't become a full-blown migraine, so I could still work.

My husband was really supportive. He's used to me having headaches and doesn't really treat me any differently when I have them, but he could tell I was hurting. Maybe I was exaggerating, but I told him that people go to REHAB or the hospital to get off drugs and I was doing it on my own and it was painful. Different drugs, but still...

This morning, I woke up several times with an awful piercing headache, but after hitting snooze a few times, I finally got up and felt better. I've had a slight headache all day (work was ridiculously stressful), but I feel 10 times better than I did yesterday.

I checked CVS for SInol (see comment two posts ago) so I e-mailed them today to ask if they are going to carry it. Yes, I can order it online to try it, but I'd rather talk to a pharmacist and make sure it won't interact with my medicine. I'll write on here once I hear back from them.

Btw - many medications for migraines don't cause rebound headaches but unfortunately the ones I've tried don't work for me...they actually make the migraine worse.

Tomorrow's Friday. Woohoo! :)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Med/Head updates

I've been on Bystolic for more than a week and haven't noticed a single side effect! I'm still on a small dose of Lexapro and have mild dry mouth from that, but that's it. However, I haven't noticed an improvement in my headaches. I had a bad sugar headache yesterday from my sister's bridal shower (I can't say no to cake...and chocolate, and punch, and cream puffs, and jelly beans and well you get the idea). Mom said I should get my glucose levels checked so I'll ask my neuro about that. I'm also going to find out more about Sinol, a new nasal spray that helps headaches/migraines mentioned in the comment (thanks Rebeca!) on my last post. If anyone's tried this, please share your experience!

Happy Easter everybody! I'm proud to be a Christian and worship Jesus who died for our sins so we can choose to follow him and live forever in heaven. God gets me through life, and I could not deal with many things - including my headaches - without him. If anyone wants to know more, just ask!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

New medication - Bystolic (Nebivolol)

Yesterday at my monthly neurology appointment, I asked my neurologist about seeing a nutritionist, and he said he didn't think I would find anything, but I could try it. I decided to save money and instead start writing down what I eat on my headache calendar for days I have headaches. I also asked about Zonisamide, which works for one of my sister's friends. He said he was considering that one, but first he wanted me to try a new medication, similar to Toprol but it shouldn't lower my heart rate down to the 40s (per min.) like Toprol did.

The new drug is called Bystolic, or Nebivolol. WebMD's description is here and Drugs.com's is here.

What's scary is it was approved last December...it's only March. It is so new that my pharmacist couldn't read my doctor's writing because they weren't familiar with the drug, and when I finally did pick it up at CVS, the description was non-existent. On the tear-off sheet that lists side effects, instructions etc. it says "This is a BEIGE, TRIANGULAR-shaped, TABLET imprinted with FL on the front and 5MG on the back."

I kid you not.

In addition to the research I did from the above links, I called my mom to see if she's heard of it (she's a nurse). I left her a voicemail, as I did for my sister, who is also a nurse. They must both be working right now. If they tell me anything earth-shattering about this drug, I'll be sure to post it! Guess I'll go ahead and start taking it tonight...I have a cold and a 100 degree fever, so maybe it'll knock me out. :o)