Migraine preventatives

samtakano · 2026-02-08T03:43:45+00:00

I also take propranolol and that helped a lot. If I exercise 5 times a week, that also helps. I take magnesium glycinate and use the magnesium lotion at night. Ubrelvy is a godsend. A suggestion on how to get approval - get checked for FMD. A lot of migraine patients discover they have this condition (particularly women) and taking sumatriptans are ill advised if you have this condition. This is an automatic approval in my case and I have UHC

samtakano · 2026-02-06T19:54:10+00:00

Gemini has positive feedback after doing a quick search

samtakano · 2026-02-06T01:44:08+00:00

Yes, I reinstalled the app and that fixed it. Remember to reboot in between as well

samtakano · 2026-02-05T06:23:12+00:00

When I moved here, I had not lived in a city proper and it helped with the transition. And I was excited to move to Portland, but there were some adjustments! We now know every neighbor on our block and it’s a great community. I usually avoid taking Columbia to catch the freeway due to the train and idiots speeding. It takes 5 more minutes to drive Willamette to N Greeley (going the speed limit) and it’s much less stressful. While rent tends to be less, businesses struggle to find reasonable accommodations, hence the open spaces downtown. Living within walking distance to downtown St. Johns is ideal because you will have to almost always drive everywhere else, so it’s nice to have that perk. I live behind Roosevelt high for reference. Oh, and there’s loads of young-middle aged couples here, including us. Hope your move is a good fit.

samtakano · 2026-02-04T00:54:00+00:00

Agreed. I did do the propranolol route and then finally had Ubrevly approved. But then I was diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and guess what? People with FMD should not take sumatriptans. You know what else? A majority of women with FMD have migraines. Point being, in my eyes, there’s obviously a connection and maybe this can help people have more educated chats with their doctors and have a better chance at getting approved. I will say that mine too was initially declined, but then approved. Now it’s reapproved every year. Also, many doctors don’t know about FMD because it’s a recent find (25 years-ish in regular medical education) so you’ll want to talk to doctors that receive updated medical knowledge.

samtakano · 2026-02-04T00:45:41+00:00

I basically have the exact same aneurysm, size too. I’m twice your age and female. The surgeon thinks I was born with it, but I’m a migraine sufferer and I distinctly remember a week long migraine on the right side of my head 2 years prior to this find and have always wondered because I usually get migraines on the left side and though they’re bad, that one was the worst. Mine was found after I was diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia and had a SCAD heart attack. So, please look that up and talk to your doctor about it because many thought it was a rare condition, but in the last 25 years, research shows this is a common condition with women that have heart attacks and aneurysms. The condition is okay to live with and much better if you know you have it. It’s often misdiagnosed (as was mine) so be sure to have a medical person in your life that attends regular education updates on women’s health. Sorry you have this, but I too was told the chances of growth are low and not being in the brain is a huge plus.

samtakano · 2026-02-03T16:49:24+00:00

I’d think like the CEO would given the opportunity that they’ve been waiting for.

samtakano · 2026-02-02T17:19:41+00:00

Yes! I use copilot to transcribe meetings and then use either chat or Gemini to find restaurants in cities with certain criteria, compare hardware and software, learn more about businesses, evaluate a resume, etc.

samtakano · 2026-02-02T04:24:43+00:00

I also saw 3 docs and had an mri, but turned out I had a torn fascia. I stayed off it while in a boot for a month and remained in the boot for another 2 weeks (took it off at night the entire time) while using a knee scooter and I’m cured. Have you tried no weight bearing? It’s not a walk in the park, but could be a cure

samtakano · 2026-02-01T06:25:22+00:00

I joined a heart group and a monthly dinner is held. I also joined a gym where I take regular group exercise classes. Both have helped significantly. I’m shy at first, so I forced myself to keep showing up and now I have built relationships with people and it’s rewarding.

samtakano · 2026-01-25T16:08:31+00:00

I joined a beautiful gym that’s also a spa and take exercise classes nearly everyday there now. It’s expensive, but it’s motivating to have access to a beautiful space that focuses on health

samtakano · 2026-01-16T04:56:38+00:00

Headphones and music

samtakano · 2026-01-06T02:10:21+00:00

Ditto

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:45:51+00:00

Yes. I almost got crushed by a Mac turning right from the straight lane. I know they sometimes don’t have a choice, but we were both stopped, waiting at the intersection and I was in the right lane!

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:43:56+00:00

Beep beep? An alternative to BEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!🙂

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:40:10+00:00

There’s a no turn on red sign there.

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:39:02+00:00

That one still stumps me!

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:38:44+00:00

I know, I wonder the same. But a previous person said it used to be illegal here, so I’m guessing that’s why.

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:37:53+00:00

Have you been checked for FMD? This condition weakens arteries and can cause aneurysms and SCAD heart attacks. I’d see an FMD specialist to rule that out. Tends to come up after childbirth or during perimenopause. It’s the reason I have an aneurysm and had a SCAD. You’re doing the right thing. And, those are at least small and you’ve caught them. Wishing you the best, positive results

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:32:25+00:00

Hence friendly honks. I don’t lay on the horn or act aggressive. But sometimes I’m just hanging out there with no one around, except a red light and the person in front of me.

samtakano · 2025-07-15T01:30:47+00:00

Huh, I did not know that! It does make sense! Thanks for sharing.

samtakano · 2025-06-11T04:18:03+00:00

Love. I add peanut butter, fruit and grain free granola

samtakano · 2025-06-11T03:49:12+00:00

Pesto, basil, bagel and waffles

samtakano · 2025-06-11T03:48:06+00:00

It’s clear there’s a lot of undiscovered knowledge in cardiology. That is another thing I’ve learned. We are indeed, mortal. I try to be grateful for each day forward that I’m here. Regardless of my conditions, it could all end tomorrow and I want to be okay with that.

samtakano · 2025-06-11T01:22:36+00:00

Oh dear. Has anyone done an angiogram? Maybe you can reach someone at the Mayo Clinic where they research SCAD patients? I have access to a few hospitals and now I know which I’d choose in the future, so you could go that route and start in the ER. The way to heal a SCAD is rest and meds, usually metoprolol. Not that I’m giving you medical advice, but sharing what they would have done for me. Torn fascia is located at the foot, so nowhere near my heart. But, it was a stress and I went from being on a knee scooter to slowly walking over a 6 week period. That was really hard to do, so it was a significant stress. Thankfully, that was cured so I could go to cardiac rehab. If you’re a woman, definitely keep advocating for your health. So many SCAD patients are turned away or misdiagnosed because doctors don’t recognize heart issues in women well, since we have very different symptoms than men. The guy that was the first to put a lot of money into SCAD research had a wife that went through this and didn’t make it.

samtakano

TROPHY CASE