Sinus Buster

An employee of Sinus Buster saw my blog and sent me free samples of different formulas of the nasal spray, including the "Headache Formula" pictured here. It's similar to Sinol, but it has feverfew in it, which is also supposed to prevent headaches with regular usage. I've been using Sinus Buster twice a day for about two weeks. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped prevent any headaches yet, but I'm still going to keep trying it and maybe increase the dosage. It's much easier to use than Sinol - the sprayer works better (note for anyone who works at Sinol who may be reading this!).

Check out more info on Sinus Buster here.

My neurologist is letting me go off Lexapro, which I was originally excited about since I don't like being on antidepressants. I've been on it since late last year though. I split the pills in half a few nights and then stopped taking it for about two days. My neurologist had told me to wean myself off it, but he didn't get too detailed. I got SO depressed, so right away I took half a dose (5 mg) and have been taking that every other day and will keep doing that until I run out. It's scary that medicine can affect your emotions that much.

"Good gosh, are you writing a book?" Quote from my husband. It's Friday night, and it's been a rough week at work and my world of headaches (probably related to the work stress), so I'm going to listen to the hubby.

Nasal Sprays

So, I haven't been using Sinol very long and right now I have a cold so when I do use it, I can't even feel the sting, but...I'm going to go ahead and jump to the conclusion that nasal sprays aren't going to help my headaches. Maybe I should try a different one like the one suggested by a reader (see comment in previous post), but I think that my headaches are from hormones or something internal that nasal spray won't impact.

I hope I'm wrong. In the meantime, I'm going to keep using the Sinol and keep trying other new things I come across as well.

And of course, I'll note everything on here.

Sometimes I wonder, what if there's some crazy cure for headaches that nobody knows about because it's so random? Like if you stand on your head for 10 minutes each day, you won't get headaches. Or eating dirt can cure a headache. I'd try it!

Sinol

(From Sinolusa.com)

I finally found Sinol, with the help of a Sinol rep. He said that CVS does in fact carry Sinol, but it is not in the nasal spray section; it is in the headache/pain med section on the bottom shelf. With a $3 off ExtraCare Card coupon, I ended up paying about $12. I tried it about 3-4 times yesterday, and boy did it sting! It was not bad though, mainly like the sensation you get when you need to sneeze. It didn't help my headache, but the directions say to use it when your headache starts and unfortunately mine started at work before I had the chance to purchase the Sinol. My neuro said I may need to use it regularly before I see results, so I'm keeping this stuff with me at all times!

My husband thought I was dumb for trying something just because someone mentioned it on my blog, but I reminded him that I spoke with my neurologist first, and I told him that it's natural and made from peppers, and he said "oh" and gave me that "fine you're right" look. Haha.

Neurology Appointment Update

At my neurology appointment earlier this week I asked my neurologist about the seizure medication I mentioned in my last post, but although he seemed to be willing to have me try it last time, this time he said it wouldn't work for me because I'm getting tension-like headaches and not migraines (I could argue that the Fioricet stopped the migraines, but I don't argue with doctors...or anyone for that matter, except my husband). He thinks that since I haven't had a migraine in about a month, the Bystolic must be working. Speaking of Bystolic, a few posts down is a very encouraging comment from someone who is taking the drug, and - get this - it's WORKING! It's good to hear that actually happens - seriously!

Also at the appointment I asked my neuro about the glucose test and he said it wouldn't show anything and that everyone gets headaches when they eat too much sugar. I also showed him a printout about Sinol and he said he hadn't heard of it but he had heard of capsaicin, an ingredient which I believe is derived from hot peppers and is clinically proven to help headaches. He seemed very interested in hearing if it works for me. CVS no longer carries it, and I couldn't find it at Rite Aid or Whole Foods either, so I e-mailed the source to find out where I can find it. I'll probably have to order it online. They revamped their Web site; check it out if you're interested: click here.

My neuro put me BACK on 75 mg of Lyrica because he thinks it worked for me at one point, which I don't remember, but I don't remember any bad side effects either, so I'm willing to try it. However, I quickly discovered a side effect the last two days - drowsiness. I take it at night but it still makes me drowsy in the morning; in fact, I turned off my alarm in my sleep and was really late for work yesterday and today. I'll have to set a second alarm Monday. Thank goodness I have a nice boss!

Meds I'm currently taking: 10 mg Lexapro, 10 mg Bystolic, 75 mg Lyrica, plus my Mirena IUD and a daily multivitamin, and Butalbital (Fioricet), Aleve or Exedrin Migraine when I get headaches.

Nightmare side effects

Now that the Bystolic I'm taking has had a few weeks to sink into my body, I've noticed an interesting side effect - nightmares. I've tried other meds that caused realistic or wild dreams, but these nighmares are pretty intense. And by intense, I mean VIOLENT. I won't go into detail but I'm glad I'm getting off the stuff.

At least this side effect wasn't really in "real" life. It could have been much worse, and that's not why I'm getting off it. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped my headaches a bit. They've been awful and very persistent lately.

Tomorrow I have a neurology appointment, and I'm almost certain my neuro will take me off Bystolic. I'm going to ask to try Zonisamide, or Zonegran, which is a medication for seizures that my nurse sister recommended, and when I brought it up to my neuro last time, he said he was considering that one.

I really wish insurance would cover more than just drugs so I could try acupuncture or something different. I'll ask my neuro about Sinol tomorrow also. I have a list of the ingredients printed out. CVS no longer carries the nasal spray but the Sinol people said that Rite Aid does. I hope I can at least give it a try.

I'll post an update on my appointment sometime this week.

Although my headaches are a part of me and it seems like they will never go away, I'm STILL fighting this war, and I WILL get rid of them some day (even if I have to wait until heaven- they WILL be gone)!

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! :)

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!