Friday, May 02, 2008
side effects
so far, this has been the most bothersome of the side effects i've experienced. my headache doctor just (at the last visit) bumped up my emsam patch dosage to 12 mg. it is an anti-depressant that is, in this case, acting (or supposed to be acting) as a migraine preventative.however, it's messing with my already low blood pressure and giving me dizzy spells, especially first thing in the morning, and when i get up from sitting or laying down. i do a fair amount of 'sit down before i fall down' these days, which is annoying. but better than fainting and bonking my head. i also drink as much water as i can stand -- the nurses at the hospital said that helps.
really, i am lucky -- when i think of the dozens of pills and things i have tried for preventatives over the years, my side effects have been few. some nausea, a little weight loss, some weight gain.....but this has been the most annoying. it's been less than 2 weeks now, so i'm hoping my body will still adjust itself to the dosage and the dizziness won't be a permanent part of taking this dose!
Labels: meds, migraines, side effects
link | posted by Emily at 11:40 AM
Thursday, June 28, 2007
well, no HCJ pictures today; but soon, very very soon.today is just a migraine update. i'm still taking the longer-acting painkiller, but it doesn't work very well. it may knock a little bit off the top, but not nearly enough. *and* it comes with side effects (of course) -- the only one that's stuck around after the first week is the woozy/tiredness. it's like any time of day i could just nod off for a nap. the wooziness is kind of like, have you ever found yourself staring at something (like really nothing) but you can't pull your gaze away? that's me.
so i got all ready to go out and get my grocery shopping done this afternoon. the pain was pretty bad, but i figured i've gone grocery shopping w/worse than that before! so off i go. and as i'm driving along the freeway, i realize that i'm not feeling really safe to drive. i'm having trouble focusing. needless to say, i get off the freeway and drive home posthaste.
looks like i'll need my chauffeur (spencer) to help me out on these errands. it's just frustrating to feel like i can't get anything done on my own.
Labels: frustration, meds, pain, side effects
link | posted by Emily at 3:50 PM
Friday, June 22, 2007
med update -- because what is more interesting than reading about someone else's health problems?
my body seems to be adjusting to the new meds pretty well. i only have bouts of dizziness and wooziness. most of the time, i feel pretty normal. the nausea comes and goes, but is gone more than it was!the pain control is still nothing to write home about. it's better than nothing, but not as good as i'd like.
aaaaaand i had a 1/2 a cinnamon roll w/breakfast today (courtesy of my SIL jenny), and my migraine almost immediately took a turn for the worse. everything else this morning has been completely routine, so i'm thinking maybe too much sugar triggers them? or worsens them?
i'm going to start tracking sugar in my diet, and how it affects my pain levels.
that's all for now - it's been so fun having my SIL jenny visiting. i'm going to miss her when she goes to school! just a couple more days left w/us.
Labels: family, meds, pain relief, side effects, sugar, triggers
link | posted by Emily at 12:16 PM
Friday, January 19, 2007
DRYMOUTH.
this is something i'd never really thought about.until it happened to me.
which it has.
it's like my mouth is furry and i am THIRSTY all the time. but 10 seconds after i drink something, my mouth's all dry again. what the heck?
it's just another friendly side effect brought to you (ok me) courtesy of Desipramine.
man, i LOVE trying new drugs out. love it!
Labels: dry mouth, meds, side effects
link | posted by Emily at 3:58 PM
