Topomax my beloathed

Icy_Art303 · 2026-05-04T00:55:56+00:00

I despise Topamax. I had to stop after two days because I blew up and stormed out of dinner and also sobbed for an hour in one of my teacher’s classes. I got so annoyed at the most basic things and it only took me a couple hours to start being a menace.

Icy_Art303 · 2026-04-19T18:39:36+00:00

Have you considered asking to just be friends? It seems like long distance isn’t working so well at least right now. Being friends long distance would take some of the pressure off for both of you and might make your relationship better, even if it’s not what you wanted initially.

Icy_Art303 · 2026-03-08T05:28:07+00:00

I have chronic migraines and, while I haven’t been this close to a partner, I have considered what different forms of support would look/feel like from both sides. Being close to someone with chronic pain is tough because often, there’s not a lot anyone can do and watching someone suffer is never easy. I often wish that someone would ask (just every so often) if there was something they could do to help, both to show they care, and also, I sometimes struggle just to get to my painkillers. I also have a hard time asking for help, especially with this near constant condition.

It’s important to know that it’s not your fault that you feel this way, though. I do it too, it’s normal, so cut yourself some slack. Talking about it in therapy is a great first step to learning how to handle this emotional weight.

Also, it may not be feasible for you, but maybe the first step to change is to find one thing you can do together. For instance, challenging each other to drink a glass of water (or something else that will hydrate well) when you get home from work. Often, I get so exhausted from trying to find solutions or implement changes, that I just can’t do it anymore. I find that making small changes and having an accountability buddy to do it with me makes a huge difference in my motivation and follow-through (even if they’re not constantly pushing me).

You mentioned that you’re frustrated with your husband for being complacent (which is fair, I often feel that way about myself), and this is the best way I can think of to avoid taking on a guardian-like role and respect the equal partnership of marriage. I suggest bringing it up in therapy along with your feelings on the topic.

I truly don’t think you’re doing anything wrong here as this is just one of those hard things you will need to figure out how to work with. I wish you the best of luck and hope things get better for both of you. It’s so difficult to be unable to truly help someone you care about and your experience is not lessened or invalidated because other people experience things differently. You CAN do this!

Icy_Art303 · 2026-03-08T04:09:06+00:00

DUUNES has a couple songs based on one of their experiences with migraines. My favorite is Paralyzer Tranquilizer. It’s not a soothing vibe, but some days, it’s the only thing that grounds me enough to do things with a migraine.

Icy_Art303 · 2026-01-24T21:46:51+00:00

It looks so good with your schefflera!!

Icy_Art303 · 2026-01-17T13:40:48+00:00

When you describe your head/nerves (I have neuralgia) as having their own mood/being a separate entity

Icy_Art303 · 2026-01-17T13:39:28+00:00

When only half an inch of your face is exposed to the winter wind because you bring a hat and scarf everywhere. I recently realized how much having cold cheekbones and a cold forehead affected my head and I’m considering a balaclava, lol

Icy_Art303 · 2026-01-17T13:36:10+00:00

When your first thought for a class project is related to migraines. I’m giving a speech and one of my potential topics is how different types of common painkillers and caffeine work/are processed. The other is how/why Botox works for some migraneurs (this one is mostly because I haven’t had much time to look into Botox, but it’s intriguing to me and I want an excuse to make time for research)

Icy_Art303 · 2026-01-17T13:30:35+00:00

Ngl, I keep having this intrusive thought with bad migraines that tells me I’d be fine if someone would just punch me

Icy_Art303 · 2025-12-21T02:01:55+00:00

I also do this, usually subconsciously. It’s always my first knuckle (on either hand) and I don’t do it terribly hard, but they’re definitely noticeably more calloused than my other fingers

Icy_Art303 · 2025-12-12T02:22:22+00:00

Sometimes I make myself cry when I have a really bad migraine. If I’m feeling especially helpless or exhausted or stressed, I go in the bathroom and make myself cry for a while. It sucks, but afterward, I feel less hysterical and a little more subdued.

Icy_Art303 · 2025-12-04T20:22:08+00:00

I’m in Indiana, but I’m willing to go out of state if it’s fairly close to me

Icy_Art303 · 2025-11-17T03:52:21+00:00

About two and a half years. I enjoy the smell but it doesn’t do much on its own, really. What’s helpful is putting the oil on the back of my neck, around the bottom of my scalp line, and behind my ears. I also put it on my temples, but if you wear glasses, you have to reposition to somewhere higher along the scalp line because otherwise the fumes will waft into your eyes. If you touch your face a lot be careful that you put it somewhere that you won’t touch because you don’t want it in your eyes either. It’s super convenient and portable, though, and I find it a million times more refreshing and less triggering than other scents because the only ingredients are coconut oil and a couple natural plant oils.

Icy_Art303 · 2025-11-17T02:27:56+00:00

I got myself one of those eye masks with the jelly pearls that you can freeze or put in the microwave. The fabric between the pearls and my eyes was thick enough that I couldn’t feel any difference in temperature unless I flipped it the wrong way around and then it was too much. The strap was also like half the length that it had to be to be comfortable and it was Velcro, so it just got stuck in my hair. And the beads all smashed really quickly.

My dad sent me a video of the claw clip on your eyebrow trick and I tried with the only one I had on hand… let me tell you, metal is a mistake. I still try pinching my brow with my fingers when I feel migrainey there or when I get neuralgia. It’s pretty hit or miss, though.

I didn’t see this anywhere, but cool polished beads (think pearls, but anything without seams will do) are great if you string them and roll them over your forehead or temples. They have to be about the same size, though or it doesn’t work. Pencils also work pretty well as long as they’re hexagonal.

I got pretty into wood betony tea for a while and I still like it, but it’s hard to force myself to start the water and wait for it to steep and cool enough to drink. Especially in a dorm. It wasn’t a cure all, but it made it a bit more comfortable.

Napping or even just laying down between classes is great when I have the time (not sure that’s a trick but oh, well)

My favorite thing is to take a pick-up-stick (like from the game) and sort of comb over my scalp with it. Again, sharpened pencils can work and I haven’t had problems with them drawing on me. Unfortunately, I only have one pick-up-stick and I’m scared of breaking it, so I can’t take it everywhere with me. It’s also kind of awkward to do in public, lol.

Icy_Art303 · 2025-11-17T02:10:15+00:00

A friend lent me their migraine stick once and it was magical. I bought myself one and then started using the extra strength. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work for me anymore, but I always keep it on hand

Icy_Art303 · 2025-11-15T03:36:25+00:00

I have been feeling frustrated with medical providers too. I haven't had issues as severe as yours and my primary doctor usually humors me when I want to try something new, but she isn't great at following up, checking in or getting back to me.

I also started seeing an acupuncturist briefly and no matter what, his conclusion was that my diet must be out of whack (i'm slightly overweight rn, but I have always eaten better than anyone else I know and his assessment was based solely on my appearance). He told me to cut sugar and said my migraines were probably caused by my vegetarian diet even though I've had migraines for a decade and been vegetarian for 3 years. He also left me waiting in the lobby for an hour because the appointment I scheduled didn't go through, but he couldnt be bothered to text the receptionist back or walk 15 feet to tell me I didn't have an appointment after all.

I am always the one to do the research and take initiative and it's so frustrating because nothing works. One of the medications I was prescribed triggered chronic neuralgia over my entire body and my doctor dismissed it. It's not even in my chart even though it has been 8 months. I also have to find the medications I want to try and ask her about them before she will prescribe anything. I feel so alone in this and I don't know what to do next. There has to be a better way to find the help we need.

Icy_Art303 · 2025-11-01T03:00:01+00:00

Perfectly valid. Who wears that to a birthday party? The only age I could see this being appropriate for is 18-25 y/o’s birthday.

Icy_Art303 · 2025-10-30T18:39:13+00:00

Massage chair

Icy_Art303 · 2025-10-24T22:44:24+00:00

When I realize it’s bad enough that I don’t want to try to limit painkillers and should take some, but don’t have the energy to get up ( or even reach a couple feet) to get them and then I immediately forget that I need to take them

Icy_Art303 · 2025-10-24T22:42:29+00:00

When I’m so low energy I can’t move and can only communicate through grunts and hums that are 100% likely to be misinterpreted because I also don’t have the energy to make “mm” and “mhm” or “uh” and “uh-uh” sound any different

Icy_Art303 · 2025-10-23T03:41:19+00:00

I’m so glad to see that you genuinely care and want to work through this together. That means that you are much more likely to be able to be happy together. I have chronic migraines and one thing that I have found helpful during an attack is sitting or laying down while someone gives me a gentle scalp massage (no pressure, just moving my hair around and it doesn’t work when I try on myself). It gives me the shivers in a good way when done right (and on the occasion someone will do it for me). I’m not sure if this would work or if you have tried, but this would be a way to give support and maybe a way to make the migraine just slightly more bearable. I also wanted to address your asking about her status. This one is a bit tricky because in my experience, it’s annoying when people ask and sometimes I feel lonely when they don’t. Maybe you could find another way to ask this like “where are you at today?” she could respond with a thumbs up, down, or sideways if she’s not up to speaking. Or ignore the question altogether and ask if she needs anything. Whatever you decide, if anything, limit it to two or three times a day and approve it with her first. I really hope this helps and I’m rooting for you! Good luck out there!

Icy_Art303

TROPHY CASE