finally, a rescue (medication)

Since getting my first Botox injections two weeks ago, my pain levels overall have decreased, even though my ongoing migraine still hasn't quit. My base pain level is now a 2 out of 10, rather than 4. I still spike as high as an 8 weekly or so, but overall I'm feeling a bit better.

This weekend was not so great, between intense sunlight, gross smells from neighbors' apartments and a broken elevator, meaning 4 flights of stairs. Sunday afternoon, DBF and I went to run some errands and by the time I got home - climbing up all those stairs - my pain was at an 8 and holding steady. Ice packs weren't doing anything.

So I decided to try some Relpax, which was the third time I took it. Both times previously, it had made me more tingly on my left side and sort of woozy, but I was willing to try it again.

Once again, it made me tingly. Very tingly. And then part of my face went numb. *sigh*

So I called Dr E's office first thing on Monday morning to let him know I was having trouble. He called me back toward the end of the day, and after a 10-minute discussion, he called in scripts for Amerge - as a "gentler" triptan option if I'm not tingly - and Fioricet - as a rescue if I am tingly.

All I could think when I got off the phone was that finally I have a doctor willing to prescribe me a rescue medication. My last doctor's attitude was "pain pills don't work", end of story.

I tried the Fioricet last night, only a few hours after picking it up from the pharmacy. It brought my pain levels down pretty well, so I'm happy to add it to my arsenal. It's not likely something I can take at work, which still leaves me without something to take if I'm tingly and in pain and at work. I haven't tried the Amerge yet.

I'll be calling my doctor again next Monday, to give him an update on the Botox progress. I should be able to let him know how both the new meds work out for me, too. I'm happy to finally be making some progress; I just wish it didn't take so darned long.

*sigh*

I have much more to say, but it will have to wait for another evening. So, for now, check out June's Pain Blog Carnival.


Be well,
MJ