Sleep study results

I had my second appointment at the new headache center this week, and I got the results of my sleep study.
I don't have sleep apnea, but I did have a few leg twitches and it took me a while to fall asleep (I was in a strange place and had wires stuck to my body). But she did say that I woke up an average of 10 times per hour, particularly in the first stage of sleep.

Here's the extremely disappointing part, and I'm more mad at myself than anything. She put me on Lyrica and said that helps people get more restorative sleep and it should help me. I've tried Lyrica before. But did I tell her this? No. Why, I don't know. Up until that point, the appointment hadn't gone very well, because my memory sucks and she wanted me to tell her about my headaches without looking at my headache diary, and I can't count how many were mild and moderate (I remember the severe ones of course), they just all blur together, and she was saying there was a disconnect and it seemed like she was accusing me of lying. Plus, she had given me two medications during my first visit that I had tried before, and when I had told her that, she told me to try them again. So I figured she wouldn't care this time.

So, now I'm on the following:

- Lyrica
- Iron because my blood test showed I have low iron
- Maxalt because I told her the Imitrex made my throat tight - I've tried Maxalt before too, and I took it yesterday and it didn't help, but whatever.
- Regular Magnesium (magnesium oxide) instead of Magnesium Potassium Sulfate because my neuro recommended trying a different kind if it was giving me stomach issues, although she said that it's not common for any type of magnesium to give people stomach problems.
- Vivelle dot (fake estrogen/progestin or whatever patch) - I put it on Monday afternoon and took the Nuva Ring out - goal was for me to have a regular period and then tomorrow morning, I start the Nuva Ring again, and this time, I shouldn't have constant spotting. Problem is, I didn't start the normal period until just now, and it's not going to have enough time to finish before the Nuva Ring stops it. At least I don't think it would. But I'm going to follow the doctor's orders.
- still on Lexapro and I still have the "emergency" migraine concoction; however, my neuro said I CANNOT take Butalbital/Fioricet again because of rebound headaches. :(

I did some quick online research on sleep disorders and didn't find anything that fit my symptoms. I don't snore, I don't have trouble falling asleep, and I don't have trouble staying asleep. I rarely notice waking up throughout the night, so I don't know what's going on.

I may see a sleep specialist in the future, but I just spent $450 on medical costs so I'm not adding on to my medical bills any time soon.

I'm extremely frustrated. My husband told me yesterday that he wouldn't mind all my medical bills if there were results, but there aren't any. My headaches are getting worse. And I feel like I'm running out of options.

Wishing I could say, "April Fools!"...

New Headache Clinic Visit Part 1

My kitchen table is covered with papers and pill bottles. I had my initial visit at the new Headache Clinic this past week, and my headache regimen has been completely altered.

First a little bit about the appointment. It was at a hospital and was a really big new building. I met with the neurologist and another doctor/neuro (an intern I guess), both women, for an hour and a half. There were three parts. The first part was an interview that covered everything about my medical history, emotional state and of course all aspects of my headaches. The second part was a physical exam. The only thing odd they noticed was something about my throat - they said they couldn't see it. The third part was developing a game plan to fight the headaches. Then at the very end, I went to a separate part of the hospital to get my iron level tested (and one other thing I can't remember). Because they drew blood in the same vein as last week, the vein collapsed and it left a nasty mark and I haven't been able to lift anything with my right arm.

My neurologist diagnosed me with "chronic migraine" - she said that what I'm having is migraines, but some are worse than others. She thinks I have a sleep problem, and that's why I'm getting the headaches. I don't have trouble falling asleep, and I don't usually wake up much in the middle of the night, so I had always assumed my sleep was fine. However, I'm always tired, and no matter how much sleep I get, I never wake up feeling refreshed. My dad has sleep apnea, which can be hereditary, and I apparently have a throat issue... Sleep apnea is common in overweight men, but me?? The neuro told me that it's not a well-known fact, but it's also possible for tall, thin women (like me) to have sleep apnea.

Side note, I learned that apparently it's common for kids who sleepwalk to later develop migraines - and I sleepwalked a lot as a kid.

My neurologist also thinks that, based on my answers to the emotional questions, I have low serotonin and one other thing that, of course, I can't remember. Sorry. It was information overload!

So, for the game plan, including my laundry list of new medications, check back for Part 2!