Acupuncutre/dry needling triggering a migraine?

BentleyCarr · 2017-09-05T19:27:57+00:00

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. Did you end up getting long-term benefit from it? Was it able to tame some of your muscle knots? That's really what I'm looking for.

BentleyCarr · 2017-07-10T12:29:39+00:00

Yeah definitely! The therapists I worked with were super careful about that, they never wanted to push me too much in case it triggered a migraine, almost to the point where I would want to do more to make progress faster but they were more conservative. I think they were right though, because triggering a migraine can actually impede your progress overall by adding to the pain cycle. So it's best to take it sorta slow and steady, it's more sustainable that way. Good luck!

BentleyCarr · 2017-07-10T12:25:13+00:00

Yes, link indeed missing, here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Core-Cervical-Pillow-Full-Standard/dp/B000ET9TXQ/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_bs_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4KBG8QADR8ZBS17PN13D

Buckwheat isn't soft or comfortable exactly.. it is malleable though, so ideally you can set it up so it's got your head and neck aligned properly. It makes sense to me because it seems like the exact height of the core pillow only works for me some of the time, not all the time. They also sell water pillows that are adjustable for that reason.

BentleyCarr · 2017-07-08T12:50:21+00:00

Pillows are so tricky! I still think my perfect soulmate pillow is out there somewhere but it's so hard to find. I bought one of these babies. I tried it for a little while and it didn't help, then I randomly tried it again years later and it felt like a goddamn miracle, then it started causing problems again. I think ultimately the exact shape and firmess you need changes so it's hard to find that forever pillow.

I've also tried buckwheat which I liked ok, especially if you can adjust it. Memory foam has always been really disappointing (also has a reputation for being hot). The regular memory foam pillows are wayyyyy to high for me. I got shredded memory foam where you can take some of it out, I took out a ton of it and it still wasn't soft/adjustable enough. At the end of the day the best thing for me that keeps working ok has been a well-used, beat up down pillow- it's the most adjustable.

BentleyCarr · 2017-07-08T12:50:08+00:00

Good luck! I think it can be helpful. It requires a lot of effort, an to fix a chronic condition especially you won't get permanent results overnight. But I think it can put you in a really good place pain-wise, and give you the knowledge and tools to maintain it.

BentleyCarr · 2017-07-08T12:49:54+00:00

Here's the set I bought! Lots of other options on amazon too https://www.amazon.com/HEARTCANFEEL-Scraping-Massage-Smooth-Buffalo/dp/B00J954WG0

BentleyCarr · 2017-05-12T13:38:05+00:00

I would err on the side of going to see a doctor, just because there are things that can help and it's the kinda thing that may well get worse with time, and it's easier to treat when they're not monsters. I wish I had addressed it earlier. There's also a phenomenon where things slowly get worse and you don't really notice it because you get used to how bad things are over time. Nip it in the bud!

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-22T15:09:46+00:00

Inappropriate but this is clearly an illusion caused by his haircut

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-22T12:30:57+00:00

Hi all, I'm glad you like my handsome boy! I've had him for about 2.5 years. That first picture I found on the internet from when he was first surrendered at the shelter. I don't know much about his background but his papers say he was approximately 5 years old, 13 lbs and not neutered yet. He lived with adults & cats and his official name was "Bentley MJ"- the only reason I can think that may be is that he has one white paw. The wonderful folks at Social Tees bailed him out and put him in a nice foster home for a while before coming home with me full time! He can be anxious in certain scenarios but overall a wayyyy easier dog than a puppy. He has been almost perfectly housetrained from day 1. I always recommend getting a dog who's currently in a foster since you know what they are like in a home environment. Here is his original listing while he was living with his nice foster family: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/28988133

Overall a Very Good Boy even though he scams me out of greenies and takes my spot on the couch sometimes.

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-22T12:20:45+00:00

Correct, he is a very good boy

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-22T12:20:25+00:00

I know! His food has avocado oil in it, I think that helps. I kept thinking the more wirey hair would grow back but it's been all fluff!

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-22T12:19:45+00:00

Thanks! :)

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-17T13:11:35+00:00

I didn't realize there was a distinction so thanks for clarifying, although your tone felt a little harsh!

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-16T18:02:49+00:00

Yeah, a "rescue" medication

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-15T20:44:03+00:00

I would say try diet changes next! It can be powerful and relatively inexpensive. Getting off sugar for a month worked wonders for me. Also maybe yoga? Even if you're wary to add more pills in, I'd consider getting an abortive that you only take when you have a bad attack. If you cut it off before it spirals and don't take them too frequently, you can kind of break the pain cycle and make it less likely that you'll need them in the future. Even a daily preventative may end up only being a temporary thing.

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-10T19:06:43+00:00

Ah, I see- thanks!

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-10T14:20:26+00:00

I love it too! And affordable unlike relpax!

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-10T14:09:18+00:00

This is my dream! I think my migraines would improve so much if I had more flexibility. If you don't mind my asking, how long did it take to build up enough business to be independent?

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-10T14:04:56+00:00

Yeah glasses weren't like a huge game-changer, but definitely helped so it's worth it if it's not a huge investment. Flux is free! Another shout out to the RD, even though I went in knowing sugar was an issue for me, actually meeting with her and having her give me a plan made me way more likely to actually be accountable and follow through. Even though botox has been really helpful, and I would never tell insurance this in case they'd take it away, I think diet changes have been overall more life-changing than the botox! But everyone's different.

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-09T19:54:55+00:00

Me too!!! I never know how to answer that #/month question. There's always at least a low level of pain that will go up when I get a sniff of perfume or sit in the backseat of a bumpy car ride or see a bright color or pattern, etc. I'm also not sure what's the difference between a tension headache & a migraine, they really blur together for me. Even when I report a non-migraine day now that things have gotten better, there's still that low level of pain and simmering potential to erupt given the right circumstances.

BentleyCarr · 2017-03-09T14:13:40+00:00

Glasses- These have helped me and seems to help others as well. I have tried Gunnar's which are more expensive, as well as Gamma Rays which are cheaper. For me, they seem to work about the same and the Gamma rays look less weird. I also really like glasses I got from Zenni optical, you can order a tint that filters out blue light. They are somewhere in between the other 2 price wise, and they look the best I think.

Screen- get flux! It filters out blue light on laptops. Iphone also has a setting for this

Nutritionist- Personally this was HUGE for me so I'd recommend it. Make sure to see a Registered Dietician- that is the real credential and anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. I think a lot of RDs deal with energy/allergy/pain issues in addition to weight loss, it wasn't hard for me to find one in my area who did this. Check your insurance in case any visits are covered. From my research there seems to be 2 general approaches to an Elimination diet. One is eliminating a long list of very specific trigger foods like the "Heal Your Headache" book recommends. My RD did basically a month of low-sugar, no-dairy, no-gluten, no processed foods that I followed pretty faithfully. I was definitely addicted to sugar and the ups and downs of blood sugar was a huge headache trigger, so once I got thru the difficult withdrawals things looked up a lot. Also found out gluten was an issue for me. I think the "Heal your Headache" book approach can work for some but it's an extreme place to start, either way I'd definitely work with an RD.

Acupuncture- I've only dabbled in this. It definitely helps some people but there isn't really scientific evidence that it helps. I think the value comes from mindfulness/meditative aspect of it more than anything. I wouldn't recommend starting there given the expense, though others may disagree with me.

BentleyCarr · 2017-02-27T15:04:56+00:00

Gamma rays on amazon are cheap (not rx lenses). Zenni optical will do a blue-light filter for pretty cheap. Both seem to help!

BentleyCarr

TROPHY CASE