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This week has absolutely kicked my butt. Running out of my Bachlofen was much worse than I had imagined it would be. Not only was I not sleeping much but I got a migraine that refused to respond to my rescue meds. That hasn't happened in years...well, since I started taking the Bachlofen. Hmmm, could they be related Mayo doc who says it is not a migraine medication? I do believe so.
I remember those days...it was horrible. I would take my rescue medication cocktail (imitrex, Ketoprofen, Ativan) and either get some bit of relief or not, but then as the meds wore off the migraine would come right back. My insurance company would only allow 18 Imitrex in a month (this was before it went generic so I couldn't afford more) so there were always 12 or 13 days of untreated migraines. I always had a migraine - before one could resolve another one was triggered. The rescue meds only started working reliably when I started on the Bachlofen.
Anyway, with my appointment still more than 2 weeks away, a ton of family coming to town this weekend, a nasty migraine that won't respond to my meds I broke down and went to urgent care yesterday afternoon. I went armed with my migraine tracking log and the list of meds that I take. I told the doc all about running out and being between people who can prescribe it (blah blah blah). He was shocked at the information in my migraine log - I guess he hasn't seen many people like me. He said that they get quite a few people in who are looking for various medications but he thought that my situation was appropriate. He had no problem setting me up with enough Baclofen to last me until the 16th (my appt) and offered me a shot of toradal (sp?) to help me get past this migraine as I had already taken the maximum dose of Imitrex.
Twenty five minutes later, with tears in my eyes I was feeling a little better and on my way to the pharmacy for some more Baclofen. I slept so good last night. Even though I still feel pretty crappy and heavily medicated at least I'm on top of the pain again and have regained my confidence that I can handle whatever pains come my way.
I feel so panicked when things get as out of control as they had. The fear quickly overwhelms me and I end up an emotional wreck, sitting in front of some poor doctor, begging for some relief. I hate feeling this way even more than I hate being weepy in front of a doctor. I was nervous going in because I don't want to get labeled as a doctor hopper, or worse, a drug seeker. Fortunately, Bachlofen is a simple muscle relaxer with no addictive qualities - it's not even a pain med. for crying out loud.
I am so glad you sought help from Urgent Care! I'm also so proud of you for being prepared with your migraine journal! High Five! I wish you luck with the rheumy!!! I hope he/she is understanding, and realizes how much good this med does for you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better ASAP, and have a nice weekend with your family!
My head was killing me today...not a migraine...but my chronic headache with Occipital Neuralgia type of pain. I ended up taking 3 fioricets throughout the day, then a friend gave me a flexiril. That combo helped me make it though work. I must get back on muscle relaxers!
ReplyDeleteMy migraine specialist recommends either Zanaflex or Baclofen as part of a migraine treatment cocktail, so it annoys the heck out of me that your specialist is saying the exact opposite. It really does help!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any concerns about medication overuse headache. I just bring it up because none of my doctors ever told me about it until I was experiencing rebound headaches, then tried to blame me for the problem. It's recommended that you limit your treatment meds to three times a week to avoid it. You can read more here: http://somebodyhealme.dianalee.net/2006/07/medication-overuse-headache.html
Just thought I'd mention this in case it might be helpful. :)
I hope you'll be able to participate in the carnival this month. The deadline is one week from today and the theme is your favorite post since the last carnival.
I'm so glad you found some relief! I get so frustrated when urgent care docs *start* with the assumption that if we are there and in pain, we must be drug-seekers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many times I've said "I haven't been here for a year (or 8 months, whatever) - so if I'm I drug-seeker, I'm not a very good one!"
Once the doc figures out that I'm legit, even then they try everything else - usually stuff I have at home like anti histamines etc.... Only when all of that fails to work do they give me any real pain relief. It's completely crazy-making.
On the other hand, my husband was in ER this past weekend with an abscess. The first thing the doc asked him was if he wanted something for pain! So i guess the moral of the story is that if you Don't say you're in pain, they'll offer pain relief. How messed up is that!?!?