Migraines - some people just can't get relief

Migraines are such a nasty companion. They can sneak up on you or they can surprise you and drop in unexpectedly. They can make your life inconvenient or they can turn your life upside down. Whichever they do - they are distinctly unwelcome guests.

Why is it that we have so many treatments available and yet, there are so many migraineurs who can't find relief from their agony?

Some people are fortunate and can find relief with over-the-counter medications. They often have to combine this with lying in a dark room or some other similar action, but the pain will go away. Others are able to take abortive drugs, which means that if they feel the migraine coming on, they take this medication - if all works well - the migraine is stopped before it can take hold.

For those who can't use abortive meds and for whom OTC medications don't work, there are stronger prescription medications. There are also preventative medications, often medications for high blood pressure (antihypertensives) or depression (antidepressants). That's not to say that the migraines are because you're depressed - it's because the researchers and doctors have found that there is something in the antidepressant that can work on migraine pain.

If you're one that opts for alternative or complementary medicines, there is acupuncture, reiki, chiropractics, and others. And then, there's those who can't find relief from anything they've tried. I've considered using acupuncture for my migraines, I'm very pro acupuncture now - but I wonder if you have to go when you have one or you can go at any time in the hopes of preventing one. I'll have to look into that.

I am lucky, my migraines have dropped from almost every day, when I was in my early twenties, to only a couple of times a month - and some months it's only once. I'm hoping it's the hormonal thing we women go through eventually. :-) I'm not at that point yet, but I'm sure things are starting on the most basic chemical levels.


Today at Help My Hurt:

Ergonomics: a brief video of author Deborah Quilter
Pros and cons of ergonomic products
Random thought - why does predisone taste so bad??
Press release: Treximet (Sumatriptan and Naproxen Sodium) Approved by FDA for Acute Treatment of Migraine
Exercises to reduce the risk of RSIs

News for Today:

Kids' asthma rates up, symptom severity down: report
Vitamins A, E and beta-carotene increase mortality, not longevity: study
Low-calorie diet may help stave off skin cancer: study
Many factors influence preemie survival: study
Latest rheumatoid arthritis drugs compared
Low vitamin D levels associated with an increased risk of peripheral arterial disease
Women more likely to comply with stroke prevention despite being more depressed
70% of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Are Relapse-Free After 3 Years on Fingolimod
Considering Weight Loss Surgery? What You Need to Know
New Guidelines On Use of Psychiatric Meds During Pregnancy
Chemo May Not Affect Memory in Breast Cancer Patients

Setting up your office for pain-free work

Two weeks ago, I attended a workshop held by a professional writer's association that I belong to. One of the speakers was an ergonomics expert who really opened my eyes about a few things.

I think most of us know the basics of good ergonomics in an office. If someone asked us, we could tell them about good posture, positioning of the chair, etc, but how many of us are right? I was sort-of right with a few things, correct about a few, but totally wrong in others.

So, as part of Ergonomic week at Help my Hurt, I'm improving my work station throughout the week and we'll see how I do.

I started complaining of severe neck pain a few weeks ago after I stretched and something "popped." Although when I'm upright, my neck is fairly ok, when I lie down, it's very painful still. While I was listening to the ergonomics speaker, I realized that I probably didn't hurt my neck while I was stretching. I likely hurt my neck a long time ago and was just making it worse with my work habits, until it couldn't take the stress any more. Hopefully, my office changes will help that.

This is what I've done so far. I work exclusively on my laptop. I sit at my big computer desk, with a desktop off to the left and that part of the desk had a keyboard drawer. I had considered, from time to time, using it for my laptop, but it wasn't conveniently placed. It also wouldn't fit where I would have preferred it.

On Saturday, I went to Bureau en Gros (Staples in Quebec) and bought a new keyboard drawer, took off the old one and put the new one where I wanted it. I unplugged the keyboard from the desk top and plugged it into my laptop.

I adjusted my chair so my hands are even on the board - not angled and my footstool is keeping my legs at the right height. I also put my laptop on one of the thickest books I own, the Physicians' Desk Reference. I figured it would come in handy some day when I bought it. :-)

Yesterday, I went back to the store and bought a document holder to hold my papers up so I can see them. Today, to reduce eyestrain, I enlarged the type on my laptop screen so I could push it a bit further away.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!


Today at Help My Hurt:

Company’s calling - an RN speaks about her fibromyalgia
Self-evaluation for RSIs
Ergonomics: crafts and hobbies
Botox is 20 years old
Help My Hurt Ergonomic Week & a Contest!
Are doctors seeking the wrong target when treating back pain?

News for Today:

Older Australians at risk of sun-related skin cancer death
Quebec girls to be offered free HPV vaccine
U.S. hospitals warned about medication risks in children
Mouth may tell the tale of lung damage caused by smoking