Down the Hatch

Several months ago I mentioned that I've been plagued by the chronic, hideous migraine.  Since then, I've taken several preventative meds, as well as those for acute symptoms.  Unfortunately, all to no avail.  I'm now going (on average) at least 15 days each month where I have a migraine of varying levels of pain (typically ranging from a level 4 to 9 on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the worst).  I was going to a neurologist that was touted as being "one of the best in Dallas" - I beg to differ.  He never ordered any tests to be run, completely ignored my wishes, much less what I tried to tell him about the drugs he prescribed not working, and he had the most arrogant bedside manner...so I had to fire him.  I tried the holistic approach - chiropractic visits, which inclued a 30 minute massage on my "trouble spots" (neck and the constant pinched nerve in my right scapula); accompanied by a host of vitamins meant to help with migraines.  After working on me for a few months, my chiropractor decided that he had pretty much done all he could do, and there was no sense continuing since I wasn't improving (go figure - a doctor with a conscience!).  So, he sent me to a neurologist he works closely with, who sent me for a c-spine.  Diagnosis: I have a degenerated disk which is protruding at the C5-C6 level.  Awesome!  An actual reason for all the pain I've been experiencing!

Well, the joy has been short-lived.  Just before Christmas I received a cervical epidural injection to see if that would alleviate the pain.  It wasn't the most pleasant experience, not to mention the cost (over $1600 for one little poke - the entire appointment was less than 15 minutes!) but the results have been pretty good.  I can now turn my head to each side with minimal pain, and can almost touch my chin to my chest - that's no small feat, let me assure you!  The sharp pain I used to have when turning my head, and the burning sensation I had pretty much all day, every day, has all but subsided.  However, there are two caveats: 1) the pain is starting to return in my neck/shoulder/scapula, which means at some point in the near future my body will be longing for another shot, for which I do not want to shell out the money; 2) my migraines have yet to decrease, much less disappear!  I'm going on day 19 of head pain for the month of January alone.  I have moments where the pain is so bad I want to just ram my head through a window or into a wall.

Solution:  Depakote.  What's that, you might ask?  Well, it's a drug which was developed for a number of different ailments (epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder - maybe it will help with a few of those issues as a sidebar!), that just so happens to help some individuals with migraine prevention.  Hesitation:  in some instances the active ingredients in depakote have caused life threatening liver failure!  And, if that wasn't bad enough, here are a few bonus side-effects, of which I cannot wait to experience (read with LOTS of sarcasm): hallucinations; unexplained weakness with vomiting and confusion or fainting; depression, anxiety, or other emotional changes (great, I have enough of those already!); extreme and rapid weight gain; and here's the kicker - hair loss.  Super.  So, I'm doomed to be fat, bald, confused and anxious!  I can't wait!

I know that those are just possible side-effects, and they don't happen to everyone, but from the different message boards, etc I've read, the weight gain and hair loss are pretty common.  Now I have to ask myself which is worse or more important - being headache-free or having my sanity, hair and decent figure?  I started taking the drug last Friday and I'm giving it 3 months and then I'll decide.  I figure I can't not try them for fear of what might happen, when what might happen is my head ceasing to ache!  Ah...that would be pure bliss.  If only there were a magic pill for random tantrums thrown by otherwise happy 3 1/2 year olds, then I'd really be in business!