Nitpick: Yes, it is not true that you are “supposed to” have three per week. You are nitpicking the wrong post.
I don’t like eggs, though…eggs and I have had a long period of detente. I might them if they’re part of a cake, but otherwise no.
I’ve already had to give up Diet Dr Pepper as part of my dietary changes. That is sad enough. “OK, you’re feeling headache-y and miserable, let’s take away your only food vice.”
Two weeks on and I should follow up.
I’m on the maximum dosage of Prozac and Depakote. My migraines have lessened quite a bit; the 7 or 8 out of 10 headaches are now 4 or 5, and I’ve actually had some headache-free days. I was warned I’d want to eat everything in sight once I got to the top dose of Depakote, but that has not happened, even though I went to my favorite restaurant over the weekend.
The effect of the Prozac is more mixed. I’m not as depressed but I’m not as motivated either. It’s a “meh” drug. I’m still doing things like working or golfing and the like, but it feels like a slog. Overall things are going better, though. I have a lot to work on but there seems at least a way forward.
I’m glad things are starting to look up and your meds are helping some. You might find that in a month or so, your energy will pick up as your body continues to adjust to the new chemical order. I’m sure you know this but it bears repeating - do stay in touch with your doctors now that you’re starting to improve.
I’m glad your headaches are more manageable, too. It sounds like you’re on the right track.
Wonderful to hear, Duke. Keep it up.
This is one of those times where I wish we had the ability to mod or like posts, so I wouldn’t have to be the third idiot saying the exact same thing. Anyway, glad to hear you’re doing better.
I feel like I ought to resent that remark, but as the First Idiot, I’m not sure that fits my job title.
Duke, I have never had migraines in my life so it is hard for me to fully grasp the magnitude of such painful experiences. But, judging from what you’ve told us so far (I’m at the middle of page 2 reading this thread), it would seem to the neophyte that I am that your main problem could be caused by a burn-out brought about by overwork (you’ve never taken a vacation in FIVE years); you should take a summer break and start thinking more about your own well-being and less about that of others; I’m pretty sure your BP would drop, and the number of your migraines would be reduced. Once this has been taken care of, you could then start tackling progressively your other set of problems, with a clearer, less encumbered mind. In other words, one step at a time.
I wish you the best of luck, my friend. Hang in there. We’re all behind you.
Glad you’re having some success, Duke.
Several people in my family are on anti-depressants. Dosage is really tricky, and figuring our which drug you respond to takes time. And sometimes you ave to rotate through drugs as your body changes.
Keep with it, and I hope you’ll end up on an even more helpful combination.
-D/a
My migraines are really leveling off, which is a good thing. I’m not totally out of the woods yet, but there is a new normal at least, where a bad migraine is 7 or 8 on the pain scale instead of 9 or 10, and a typical one is 4 or 5. That’s good because 9 or 10 is incapacitating, so I haven’t been knocked out.
I am concerned that I have a significantly increased fear of crowds. Over the weekend we were in a gigantic mall and that combined with driving in traffic was an overload for me. I’ve typically been energized by time alone, but I’ve never had an active fear of crowds up to now. Very odd. I’m going to be presenting at a conference soon, so I’m a bit nervous about that, but I should be OK. Six weeks ago I might have had to cancel but now I’m holding together more.
The counselor has suggested low-impact exercise, so I’ve gone back to golfing after five years away. And already I’m doing better than I have in over 15 years…should be breaking 90 soon and my career goal of breaking 80 even looks in sight. Plus the kids have something to get me for my birthday, which golf is usually good for. I had a good visit with my dad over the weekend, and that improved both of our moods.
So all in all things are moving forward, which is very good.
I’m glad to hear of the improvement in the migraines. I wonder if the “fear of crowds” experience might just be a temporary side effect, maybe something that your brain is doing because it doesn’t have such a grinding, all-encompassing level of pain to cope with and is trying to find a new normal? Nothing scientific there, just wild-ass guesses. I hope you continue to get and feel better.
That’s great to hear! I hope everything continues to improve.
Great to hear, Duke. I wonder if your doctor would prescribe a lower dosage before conferences or speaking engagements if that’s an actual side-effect of your meds. (Note: I am not suggesting cutting your meds, simply asking your doc about it (which I know you knew, but I wanted to make sure).)
Yay improvement! I hope your golf involves silly clothes, the excuse to wear which seeming to me to be the main point of the sport.
I’m glad you keep bumping this back up to update us. We like good news. 
I am very glad you decided to stay and hang in there with the rest of us slobs.
This is GREAT news!
Quasi
I’d like to be the twenty third idiot chiming in the “YAY for improvement!”
Some further updates…
All had been going well until the conference. The conference itself wasn’t bad; I talked to a lot of people, made new contacts, and my lecture went well. But the heat and the flying and the break from routine might have tapped me back into a migraine loop. I had a pretty bad one last week that caused me to miss work (other than being in the hospital, the only time I’ve actually missed work in about four months) and I’m on day three of another one now. I’m trying a few new things as the medication doesn’t always work. Light exercise is one, even though it’s difficult when I’m really in pain, and meditation is another, though I have a habit of falling asleep. I feel thirsty, worn out, and sleepy most of the time; no matter how much water I drink or sleep I get, it doesn’t feel like enough. The psychiatrist thought this might be a side effect of the anti-seizure meds.
Mentally things are ok. Things are getting busier over the next few weeks as I start my computer classes and get ready to work on two more conferences. I’m having stress dreams like crazy (and also bizarre, fantastic dreams of places I know I’ve never visited but which feel familiar to me), so I know I’m getting antsy over them. Our financial situation has improved a little, which is helping my mood. But I haven’t been able to go out on $9 twilight golf lately, which has been not so good as I’m missing out on exercise and meditation. ($9 twilight golf…it’s cheaper to play now than when I was a teenager!)
But despite a few setbacks things are ok at the moment. I’m hoping I can get rid of the migraines before the computer classes start as I don’t feel mentally sharp with them.
I can’t remember–have you applied for an FMLA intermittant leave of absence? If not, you should do that ASAP. You have a legitimate reason to be missing work, so you want to make sure that everything is properly documented with your employer.
As a mental health professional I have been around depression for a few years now. It can be a lifelong battle, but it can be managed effectively with the right kind of help. A combination of meds and talk therapy works the best for most people IMHO. But most of all, its realizing that you are in control of your depression, which can be difficult.
I am going through my own struggles with pregnancy related depression at the moment and there are days when I cry and cry all day and wish I could stay in bed curled up in a ball. Depression and anxiety are co-morbid and so I have a lot of anxiety symptoms going on also. It can be really hard to seek support and everything will seem pointless and everything will seem like a bloody chore. But like everyone else has said, hang in there and reach out when you need to.
This is random…but I recently began reading “Man’s search for meaning” by Dr. Frankl for the second time…with my client’s this time (part of group therapy) and it is helping me quite a bit actually to analyze my own situation and some of my reactions to things and why things are the way they are. Find something that will work for you, even if it a small thing. I do appreciate your post and I want to wish you the very best.