http://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2016/1/26/patientsnotaddicts-campaign-launched-on-twitter

I intend to use my Cefaly nightly as directed to work as a migraine preventative and not just during migraine pain.

I feel this is a smart idea before I consider moving forward with a permanent neurostimulator (Omega Procedure, Migraine Treatment Centers)

Botox was Monday. The last two weeks before Botox are usually hell. As the magic juice runs low in the muscles, migraines go up, up, up! Mix low Botox with bad weather, high allergies and mid cycle hormone fluctuations, and you’ve got a perfect storm. Add to this a hacking productive violent cough for two months and, lord have mercy, I was a sad pup.

I asked Neuro Mariah for a steroid pack to help break this bad cycle. She obliged with no qualms.

Day 2 and my head is much improved, my sacroiliac is low pain and even RA is cooperating. All low pain levels. My cough has gotten on board too. Combined with an inhaled steroid, it’s also improving. If only ‘roids didn’t make you an irritable freak who eats everything in sight! Oh, and turn hour bones to dust, etc.

But I’m happy for their magic and a brief reprieve. It makes me feel…a little… Normal? Is that what I’m feeling? Or am I just ramped up and hungry? I don’t know.

Steroid packs don’t help break bad cycles for every migraineur… Some do well with infusions of magnesium, torodol, benedryl, an antiemetic or IV steroid, or meds like the ergot DHE. I’ve done those too and they aren’t all that helpful in my case. But a Medrol pack…that’s my golden ticket❤

I am wearing Axon Optics in this picture. http://www.axonoptics.com

They’re my migraine glasses that claim to help suppress migraine and photophobia. Photophobia is one of my most consistent migraine symptoms and I even experience it without migraine pain. I have photophobia ~90% of the time. The glasses are a really great migraine tool for me and particularly helpful indoors, with computer screens, fluorescent lighting and outdoor low sun days.

About not being okay… There is so much pretending with Chronic Migraine. I’m such a phoney. Who wants to really hear how I feel when all I feel is awful? Boring and stupid. I don’t remember Normal. What was it like? Did I take it for granted? Did I use it to its full potential?

But now in #ChronicThugLife, I have to pretend…my family needs me. I don’t want to be a burden to them, I want to be their wife and mother. I don’t want them to remember me sick. 😦

From http://www.cefaly.com

How does Cefaly work?

Most headaches and migraines involve the trigeminal nerve. Its superior branch ends at the exit of the eye socket, underneath the skin of the forehead.

An adhesive electrode is positioned on the forehead and Cefaly connects to this. Through the electrode, Cefaly generates precise micro-impulses in order to stimulate the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve.

Neurostimulation of the trigeminal nerve with Cefaly® produces a sedative effect. Regular repetition of this sedative effect helps reduce the number of attacks of migraine.

Does Cefaly hurt?

The sensation produced by Cefaly is strange and unusual, but most people get used to it quickly after a few sessions. However some people are more sensitive and may find the sensation produced by Cefaly painful. If this is the case for you, simply press the button during the session when the sensation becomes slightly uncomfortable to limit its intensity.

Only 1.25% of patients cannot stand the sensation produced by Cefaly and therefore are unable to carry out the treatment correctly.

Does insurance cover Cefaly?

From me: No freaking way! Cost me ~$400.00 out of pocket. Having a chronic illness is freaking expensive!!