Update On Family Dr Visit! Re migraines etc.

[Udkas]

Hi Guys,
Well I decided to go to my GP today because all my symptoms are getting to me!  And I felt so confused!  I am not sure if I am any less confused but I do feel happier for off loading my burden and my GP doesn't think I am crazy so this has made me feel better too.

My Dr said migraines usually cause some numbness, pins and needles before the headache but not like what I am experiencing, so he does not think my stuff is from the migraines but probably from the TM!  So I guess I should stop searching for cures, answers or reasons and just put up with it!

I did think about trying the migraine med he suggested but I need to research it more as if my probs aren't migraine chances are it won't work anyway.  I have a migraine diet to try too.  I have asked for a hormone test to see if I am menopausal as well, i suspect i might be and thought that might be the reason for my migraines.

My hip and thigh have been awful lately, so stiff, I thought perhaps I had arthritis but he says not so I guess maybe that has something to do with my TM as well, does spasticity make you stiff, i get spasms in my thighs? I can't do the tandem walk.... whatever that means.

I didn't get any answers about my twitchy eye etc. but he listened and told me I am not crazy so that in itself made me feel a bit better.  My nerve pain has been crazy but

I guess I need to shut up, stop whining and get on with it.

Cheers,
Udkas.

[Udkas]

HI there,
Yep my reading didn't give that great a report on the Atenolol either, so although Drs should know best I have decided not to take it for the very reasons that you have given and also my GP said that it would knock me about and I can't afford to be like that at the moment with work being so busy.   My general Dr has prescribed this, so I will talk to my neuro more about it when I have my next appointment (which is not until March).

With the Gabapentin I was started on that dose by my neuro and it worked a treat and I had no real problems with it.  I have been on it for ages but then when I had my burning I rang my MS Nurse that I am allocated who works with my neuro and he bumped it up to the 1800 but it never helped my burning in my privates but obviously this was not neurological, so that is why it didn't help! But I am off it for a while as my pins and needles are not as bad...? well maybe that is why I am having trouble..perhaps I should go back on the Gabapentin.  I am hate taking tablets.
I read almost every post on the expert neurology forum on migraines the other night and not once did the drug I have been told to take was recommended. Hmmm.

Cheers,
Udkas.

[PastorDan]

Atenolol seems like an unusual choice for migraine, from my limited reading.  Propanolol is reportedly the only drug proven to help prevent migraine in children, but atenolol is said to be generally unable to pass the blood-brain barrier.  Aah, what do I know?  I'm just a poor preacher with his own neuro problems. ;>)  I was on atenolol for a short while in the '90s, for cardiac arrhythmia (PACs), but I couldn't tolerate even half the smallest tablet.  It slowed me down waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy to much; I literally slid out of my office chair onto the floor one day.  BP was like 70/40, pulse 35 to 40.

Also IMHO, 900 mg sounds like a large starting dose of gabapentin (did you actually start there, or ramp up to that level?), but 1800 is not a bad maintenance dose, for most.  I kinda wish I could get the okay to bump mine up another capsule a day, but we'll stay with the 1200 for now & see how it goes over time.

Here's a funny one: I was on 300 mg capsules 4x/day, then the neuro-ophthalmologist changed it to 400 mg capsules 3x/day.  Same manufacturer.  Go figure.  I have enough trouble remembering those 3, so I'll take it and give thanks.

Peace & blessings.

[Udkas]

Thanks for your encouraging comments and allowing me to whine, I have been a tad down lately, I guess I have been sick of just feeling very ordinary, but I know there is worse off than me!!

Yes Karen my privates are not burning, it is such an amazing feeling to not have this nagging burning pain, so the Urethral dilatation worked!  My hip. thigh area is bad at the moment some days I am struggling to walk it feels tight, so maybe this is spasticity?  I am working very hard, it's warming up and I am walking all day. It's time I looked for a new job. Oh and Karen perhaps I should try icecream, blankie and a cuddle with the cat.

I really do hope your fatigue improves.. this must be debilitating in itself.

Pastor Dan I was on gabapentin, originally 900mg a day and then increased it to 1800mg a day to try and help with the burning I was experiencing, when the neuro told me that the burning was not neurological (well not that burning) I stopped it but perhaps I do need to go back on it. Atenonol is the migraine med but I have decided not to take it.  I want to talk to my neuro about it as I trust him better with this kinda stuff.

Karen and Wobbly I do hope neither of you are in flares.  It is always so scary.
Wobbly did you ring the MS Nurse, maybe once you build up a relationship with them and they become familar with your case etc. they might be more approachable. Mine is lovely, knows my name, maybe I nag the daylights out of them but it helps me heaps.
Thanks Guys for allowing me to vent
Udkas

[Wobbly]

Hey there is nothing wrong with venting things out...hey I do it all the time here... I'm glad you went to the Dr and he confirmed with you that it's not in your head...and your not crazy...we all knew that, but we are not Drs..

hang in there.. I get hip and butt pains, deep SORE, pains.. almost everyday.. lasts on and off... for a few minutes or more. Then they move to my thigh area...feet, calves, back.  

we know how you are feeling and you can chat anytime with us here.

take care
wobbly
dx

[Karen99]

There is nothing like a good whining session when needed.  If it's not one thing it's another.  Your migraines and TM will keep you guessing what is what.  Glad to hear your procedure has helped you.  Are you still feeling better in that area?  

I too am having hip/buttock pain.  Very deep pain/cramping feeling.  It is where the femur bone connects to the hip bones.  There are a lot of nerves in that area, I understand.  My chiropractor has helped me with this by stretching the area but I've slacked off visiting him.  I need to go back.  Also I've noticed that now I have what feels like a stretched tendon behind my knee.  It is concerning me because the other side is starting the same thing.  I wonder if it's sciatica (no back pain) or if it is due to spasticity. Also having feelings of tremendous fatigue in both legs on occasion.  This concerns me a lot.  

I am wondering if I am having a flare because my fatigue is off the charts and am taking nose dives to bed unexpectedly.  I'm considering installing a diving board at the foot of my bed.  At least then I can deposit myself in bed with style and flair.

So here's my whine, I want my blankie, my cats curled up with me a bowl of ice cream.  

Take care of yourself.  It wouldn't hurt to give that migraine medicine a try.  It might help and eliminate or lessen some of your symptoms.  

[PastorDan]

May I be nosey and ask what migraine med he suggested?  Also, I'm wondering if you are on anything (sorry; if you mentioned it before, I can't recall) for the nerve pain?  I'd think gabapentin would help, based simply on my own experience and what I've read about it, but with TM I am really out of the areas in which I'm really conversant.

Either way, we'll keep praying that your symptoms subside.  God bless.

[Lulu54]

You can off-load the emotions here any time you want.  Whining is permitted here, you know?  I'm so glad to hear the GP validated your experiences.  

See, you are not crazy - it really is in your head!  LOL

be well,
Lulu