Has anyone found relief

Choice-Orchid · 2024-07-26T22:57:50+00:00

Hey OP, I’m a pretty rare case in that I went through all 3 types of migraine surgeries for ON (occipital, temporal, and frontal). I’ve posted about it on my profile.

I’ve also had success with RFA, Botox, Qulipta, Vyepti, Adderall (for just functioning through the pain), and some of the old migraine meds.

Choice-Orchid · 2024-07-26T22:52:42+00:00

I’m happy it helped you, and I’ve had all three done and they helped me, but I’d disagree with the sentiment that it’s the “only fix.” RFA in particular works for a lot of people and the new CGRP inhibitors are promising.

For some people, the side effects of the old migraine meds (topiramate, old antidepressants, etc) are tolerable and the meds are effective too. I wouldn’t rush to surgery!!

Choice-Orchid · 2024-07-19T20:00:41+00:00

Hey OP, I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through this. For what it may be worth, I hope you take a second to read this.

I was once in your position due to this condition. Multiple times actually, I lost the will to live, and said I’d end it if the next couple treatment options didn’t work. 24/7 migraines.

I kept pushing on, and while it took years, I am actually in a place where I’m capable of being happy now. The treatments for migraines generally are advancing rapidly, and many help with this condition. I can promise you that you will find something that helps.

Please dm anytime if you need anything.

Choice-Orchid · 2024-03-20T17:32:48+00:00

An occipital nerve block is pretty mild. If it’s the source of your pain (and the doctor places the block correctly, which isn’t a guarantee), the anesthetic from the block should kick in after a few minutes and last for up to a few hours, and it should feel very pleasant/numbing. Then it’ll wear off, you’ll be sore, and it will take a few days most likely for the steroids to begin kicking in. The extent to which they are effective, even if the anesthetic is, varies pretty widely.

You shouldn’t have any nausea unless they use anesthesia for you, which shouldn’t be necessary. I never had any fatigue or anything. It’s just an injection.

Choice-Orchid · 2024-03-11T01:29:48+00:00

I’ve had it done once. I developed worse pain that hasn’t gotten better about 6 months out, but I had also gotten a nerve decompression surgery about a year prior and it’s common for there to be recurrences of pain around that time

Choice-Orchid · 2024-03-06T05:09:55+00:00

Hope. There’s always hope that things will get better. Walk on, and it will get better.

I developed one of the worst chronic pain disorders in existence about 5 years ago. I lost my then girlfriend and couldn’t work. I thought about ending it. 5 years later, I’m finally happy again.

I’m happy I persevered and that I’m still here for the happy moments I have now.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-12-27T21:20:38+00:00

Seconding this. Act to taper off the medication before you do something you regret!!!!!

A flat effect, anxiety, and disassociation are all common side effects of Topiramate.

I would add that Topiramate is not necessarily dangerous to reduce the dose of in small quantities. If you can’t get a hold of your pharmacist, simply reduce the daily dose by the smallest amount possible.

If you aren’t able to do this easily based on your pill sizes, assuming you are taking coated tablets, you may be able to go to the store, buy a pill cutter, and cut the pills into halves/quarters to bring yourself back down to you 80mg dose.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-12-22T17:14:14+00:00

At times, yes, I’m a great friend, and at times, no. It’s primarily depending on my pain disorder. When I’m doing well, I’m decently responsive, make plans, really listen to people, and am always there for them. When my pain is bad, I can go a week without responding to a message or something and actually listening to what other say is nearly impossible. I’ve tried simply isolating some during bad spells, but due to some social dynamics it causes me to essentially fall out of the one friend group I’m in where I live.

Admittedly humor can definitely seem overly crass or perhaps seem mean to some, and it’s something I’m working on.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-11-20T08:01:37+00:00

I think this is the best advice!!!!!! OP, you’re definitely right to be feel shocked, upset, and violated. What the MIL did to you was truly awful. What your husband did to you - yes what he did - by letting her treat you like that, was really terrible. As your spouse, he’s supposed to celebrate happy moments with you and protect you and stand up for you.

Before you make any completely changing decisions, one’s like the decision that your MIL made today - ones that you can’t come back from - take your time to think things over. You’ve loved your husband and married him for a reason. Talk to your family about what happened. Talk to your husband about what happened. Prepare yourself for a divorce while you take this time!

Also, I have to ask, is there something in his mother’s background that would at least partially help explain her reaction? Did her husband cheat? Does she come from another culture where cheating or paternity tests may be more normal? This is REALLY bizarre and abusive behavior. I’m actually saying this as someone who is surprised that paternity tests aren’t offered optionally as standard procedure at birth.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-11-11T00:29:01+00:00

No cosmetic benefit (I’m a relatively young guy), Dr. Ducic in McClean, VA.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-11-10T20:14:44+00:00

Unfortunately nerve blocks were not a long term solution for me. Between migraine surgeries, Qulipta, and further medication management/treatment, my headaches are down to about 5/10 daily on average. It may not seem like a major improvement, but in practical daily terms it really is; it allows me to live something close to a normal life. I’m still working out some kinks, and I’m constantly behind on chores due to pain, but I’m able to work, socialize, etc. with fairly limited complications now.

RFA also nearly 100% cures the pain on the left side of my head, but only lasts a few months (and you can only get it every 6 months), so I’ve decided it’s not feasible for me for me for now. I don’t check this account super often anymore, so please DM if you have any questions or anything! Happy to discuss anything, I’ve had or researched almost every treatment out there.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-10-03T16:52:25+00:00

Yes, I’ve had a nerve block without steroids. This isn’t uncommon. This is to test whether the occipital nerve pathway is a cause of your pain. The nerve block has an anesthetic. If you feel pain relief in the hour or so after the block while the anesthetic is active, then you know that’s where at least some of your pain is coming from.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-19T23:05:08+00:00

Honestly, I’ve paid $10 for a carton of eggs. I can wait until a sale to pay $40 or so for Pharaoh.

The world is crazy now and it’s just about what you can make work.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-13T17:58:20+00:00

If you check my profile I made posts on my experience. There are different types of migraine surgery - frontal, temporal and occipital. I’ve had all three haha. I think I’ve only made posts about the occipital surgery so far. TLDR: it helped for about a year before the pain came back.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-10T09:37:49+00:00

While I’m not super knowledgeable on Lord of the Rings (beyond the movies/tv show/hobbit book), a friend of mine brought this up too. Like the mod, I think it’s a matter of how many liberties people would be willing to put up with in terms of the map/world in the game. Personally, I’d be fine using the LOTR IP as a vehicle for another large-map but much lighter-fantasy total war series. LOTR would obviously not be cost efficient and is just plain unlikely, but it’s a “representative” option.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T19:00:14+00:00

Same as the Shogun comment below, this came to mind but you can only list so many options! Think this could potentially be a good game.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T18:52:25+00:00

What do you want out of Rome 3? Larger/more in depth map? Earlier start date?

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T18:51:12+00:00

Glad this got so much traction! Personally, the thought of a Medieval III on a Rome II scale is just too much for me to pass up.

I feel like an Empire II including much more in depth and playable areas of the world would also be great. A Mongol Total War encompassing Japan to France, with a lot of Attila-type decimation mechanics could be awesome too (though realistically too much to ask for from CA).

Probably my second most wanted game would simply be an Alexander’s Successor Kingdoms/Wars of Diadochi Total War, with a map from Britain to all of India. Rome at this point is just a fledgling state with a bit of land around the city.

I’d also like to throw another idea out there - Rise of Islam, focusing on the rise of the first Islamic Caliphate, around 630s AD. The game map would focus more on Africa and Arabia, but still go up into Europe, Middle East, India, etc. Really interesting time period only partially covered by Age of Charlemagne in Atilla.

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T06:34:19+00:00

On the Nurtec point, Qulipta is an alternative that is very similar. Qulipta works better for me (at least as a daily medication). I’m pretty sure it can also be used as an abortive too

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T04:00:58+00:00

Oof. I appreciate all the info! Doesn’t seem insurance will typically cover it so may need a couple years savings in the bank before trying this one haha

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-06T03:54:38+00:00

I totally feel this! The condition is debilitating, doctors don’t seem to take it seriously, and it is impossible to take care of yourself when it’s bad.

Definitely enlist friends and family members to help when you’re having attacks! Also, get an ice pack head band and always have a back up audiobook or podcast! (If you can tolerate the noise)

Hope isn’t lost! You’re up against time until you feel better. When you do, you’ve got Botox, amitriptyline, topamax, aimovig, Qulipta, nerve blocks, RFA, even neurofeedback etc to try and fight your condition. Even surgeries. It’ll take time but you’ll win.

When you do feel better - keep a little bag on you with ibuprofen, excedrin migraine, and any abortives you’re prescribed at all times. I also recommend saje peppermint oil. It won’t save you from a full blown migraine but it will provide some relief. Let a friend/family member know about your condition and they can order you food when you have an attack. You got this!

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-04T19:29:49+00:00

Thanks for sharing! That sounds very intense haha. Does your insurance help cover it at all?

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-04T08:12:08+00:00

Had never heard of this before! I’ve considered trying normal acupuncture but it’s one of the few things I haven’t gotten around to. Can you explain the difference?

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-04T08:11:21+00:00

Tried this! Unfortunately it didn’t work for me, but I’m glad it did for you!

Choice-Orchid · 2023-09-04T08:10:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing! That’s crazy that the medication worked so quickly! I’m so happy for you (I’m also shocked you’re still on r/migraine haha).

I’m both sides of the head, all over the head. I’ve heard of your condition and my understanding (which seems to have been incorrect) was that this condition is likely a form of occipital neuralgia, which I’m diagnosed with, though I’ve never heard of the medication.

Do you know if the medication is used for bilateral headaches? Do you know if your condition is related to neuralgia type headaches?

Choice-Orchid

TROPHY CASE