This Blog is now Closed

I’m closing this blog “Lady with the Migraine” and merging with my other blog “Living in Stigma“.

 

My “Living in Stigma” blog was started in 2007 mainly to promote mental illness stigma.  I wanted to launch a separate blog “Lady with Migraine” that would connect people with chronic pain due to invisible illnesses.

I struggle with both mental illness and chronic migraines, and with news articles, social media, research and my valued readers sharing comments and opinions on this blog and Twitter, it’s a reality that invisible illnesses such as fibromyalgia, lupus, headaches, Lyme disease, recurring back and leg pain, and so many more are also a vast portion of invisible illness stigma.

There appears to be a link, in numerous situations, where people are also experiencing chronic pain, as well as, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, a connection to PTSD or feelings of suicide. We sit in isolation, put on a fake smile, and feel as if we are a burden.

WordPress will be transferring all of my followers from this blog to “Living in Stigma“.  I hope you remain a follower, you will be delighted with the enormous content on my other blog.

Thanks so much for supporting me and I welcome you over there.

Cheers!

Deb McCarthy

Living in Stigma (where 444,000 people have stopped by)

10 Reasons Why an MRI Scan is Valuable

(Image: Para-sagittal MRI of the head, with aliasing artifacts (nose and forehead appear at the back of the head)

MRI Scans Explained

What is an MRI scan?

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning is a medical investigation that uses an exceptionally strong magnet and radio frequency waves to generate images of your body.

Why would I need an MRI scan?

An MRI scan is one of the most sophisticated diagnostic tools available to help a referring clinician understand the cause of your particular health issue.

What can be diagnosed by an MRI scan?

By scanning the relevant sector(s) of a patient’s body, an MRI scan can help to diagnose the following:

Botox highly effective for more than easing Chronic Migraine Pain

Chronic migraine is defined as having migraines 15 or more days a month.  I was amazed that this treatment eases migraines, as well as, other disorders.  (The image above shows Botox injection points)

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology suggest that Botox can be used as a “safe and effective” way to treat chronic migraine headaches, among other neurological disorders.

Botulinum toxin is normally used as a cosmetic treatment to smooth out wrinkles, but it can also reduce muscle contractions and the transmission of pain signals by blocking the release of neurotransmitters from nerve endings.

The authors of the updated guideline reviewed scientific studies on the four preparations of botulinum toxin available in the United States.

Chronic migraine is defined as having migraines 15 or more days a month, the study authors explained.

Spasticity has many causes, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and head or spinal-cord trauma, according to the guidelines. Simpson is with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

What is Hashimoto’s disease? (thyroid gland)

Hashimoto’s disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells and organs. Normally, the immune system protects the body from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful foreign substances.

In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation and interfering with its ability to produce thyroid hormones. Large numbers of white blood cells called lymphocytes accumulate in the thyroid. Lymphocytes make the antibodies that start the autoimmune process.

Hashimoto’s disease often leads to reduced thyroid function or hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone for the body’s needs. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism—the way the body uses energy—and affect nearly every organ in the body. Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body’s functions slow down. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States.

What are the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease?

Pregnancy Often Leads to Changes in Migraines

Women who suffer from migraines may notice changes in their headache patterns when they’re pregnant, experts say.

For example, many women will have fewer migraines during pregnancy.

“If you suffer from migraine, there’s a good chance your migraine attacks will improve during pregnancy,” Dr. David Dodick, chair of the American Migraine Foundation, said in a foundation news release.

“Research has shown that 50 to 80 percent of women who have migraine before pregnancy may notice a reduction in migraine attacks, especially in the second and third trimesters, likely due to a rise in estrogen levels,” said Dodick, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in Arizona.

Women who have migraines associated with menstruation are particularly likely to have fewer attacks during pregnancy, the study authors pointed out.

Consider this Way to Relieve Chronic Pain

Some of the earliest medical acupuncture texts have survived since 200 B.C. and are still being used to teach students today. When you consider the fact that acupuncture has been used to treat patients for nearly 3,000 years, microsystems acupuncture is a relatively new practice.

Ear acupuncture, or (auricular therapy), is a type of acupuncture that approaches the ear as a microsystem of the body. Similar to reflexology, it treats this one body part in an attempt to treat symptoms elsewhere.

It was popularized in the 1950s by a French doctor, Dr. Paul Nogier, and was created as a bridge between Eastern and Western acupuncture. These days, most acupuncturists will use it in tandem with full-body acupuncture.

Practitioners insert very fine needles into set points in the ear, often prompting quick — sometimes immediate — results. Ear acupuncture can be used to treat chronic pain, isolated injury, stress, addiction, and more.

Let’s dive into this new variation on an ancient healing practice:

How does it work?

Do You Have Nighttime Leg Cramps? Find out Why

Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by a strong cramp in your leg that felt as if it was going to tear your muscle apart? A nighttime spasm or tightening of a muscle is a common, usually harmless, occurrence that most often affects muscles of the calf, thigh or foot.

I can vouch for the agony of nighttime cramps, occurring for me at times, waking me up and leaping out of bed.  Awfully painful.

It can cause a lot of pain and steal away a chunk of your precious sleep. Although no one is immune to them, cramps are more common in older people, and about 1 in 3 people over the age of 60 experience them regularly.

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent the cramps and ease their onset. In some cases, it’s also important to look for the underlying cause and address it.

What Causes Muscle Cramps?

7 Ways to tell if your Poop is Healthy

Sometimes I wonder why I’m fascinated with these odd topics, but when questioned, it’s always worth investigating.  Today it’s the topic of poop written in an article posted on Prevention.com!

7 Things Your Poop Says About You

1.  If your poop is…Hard, in pieces, and you have to strain to pass it

It may mean: You’re constipated—but you probably already knew that. “However, some people assume that if they go to the bathroom every day then they’re not constipated, but if your stool is consistently hard and comes out in pieces rather than a soft, single piece that passes without much effort, you may be constipated,” Sheth says.

The most common culprit is inadequate fiber intake. The average U.S. adult only downs about 15 grams of fiber a day—a fraction of the recommended 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. Read labels and keep a food journal for a week to track how much fiber you’re actually taking in. If you’re falling short, bulk up your diet with additional fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.

2. If your poop is…Black or bright red

It may mean: Something in your G.I. tract is bleeding. “Most of the time blood in the stool is due to something as benign as hemorrhoids,” Sheth says. Since it could also be due to an ulcer in the stomach or colon cancer, it’s crucial to alert your doctor anytime you notice blood in the toilet bowl.

Certain over-the-counter medications, such as Pepto-Bismol, can turn your stool black. It occurs when sulfur in your digestive tract combines with bismuth, the drug’s active ingredient, and forms bismuth sulfide, a black-colored substance. The discoloration is temporary and harmless and may linger several days after you stop popping Pepto.

Can I get Migraines from my Cell Phone?

Are you constantly on your smartphone during the day? What about the Internet, PC or tablet during the day then perhaps keeping you from going to bed at a decent hour at night? This may be triggering your migraines.

Where’s the link between cell phones and migraines?

Close to 5,000 young adults (around 20 years old) participated in a study, completing surveys asking about screen time exposure (glow) on devices such as PCs, TV, cell phones, or tablets if they noticed headaches (either migraine or non-migraine) occurring.

Results revealed when screen time increased, so did the odds of experiencing a migraine (without aura). Results showed no connection with non-migraine headaches.

Why is screen time linked to increased migraines?

It’s tough to pinpoint the exact biological link, as it differs for each person.

For some, it could be the blue light from a television or phone screen or the brightness or the shining glow of the light which could be a trigger for a migraine. Even more complex, linking screen time may reduce an overall migraine threshold, therefore, exposure to other migraine triggers could trigger an attack. It’s the vulnerability if you are susceptible to migraines.

Words Can Hurt ~ Think before you speak

My mother is a narcissist.  Heartless words that spewed out of my mother’s mouth growing up remain with me to this day.  My mother’s own advice was “think before you speak”, yet somehow she never captured this wisdom and applied it to herself.  I believe my mom doesn’t regret any of her cruel words.

As for me, I’ve said some nasty words to people over the years that were hurtful, must have stung and I feel regretful, however, I’m wondering if it stems from my childhood?

The article below is from PsychCentral Embracing Balance, (written by Nicole Lyons):

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt Me.” is a little ditty that I have not and will not sing or say to my children — not ever. I understand the context of this children’s rhyme and the effect that it is supposed to have, throwing it out there is saying that the taunt has no effect and I’m choosing to ignore it and remain calm. While I agree with teaching my children to remain calm in situations where bullying can be present, this rhyme does absolutely nothing for their confidence and self-esteem because, in reality, it’s a lie — words hurt.

What’s better for your pain?

For my migraines, cold packs are more effective.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure …What to look for ~ or is it just Allergies?

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

People often mistake the symptoms of mold exposure for other things. They might think they are experiencing seasonal allergies, like hay fever. They might wonder if they are allergic to pet dander. They might think they just have a cold or sinus infection since mold symptoms resemble those common conditions. Of course, if you realize you have a mold problem in your home, you might suspect your symptoms are related to mold.

Many people don’t realize they have a mold problem until they start getting sick, though. That’s because mold often grows in places where it’s hard to spot, like inside walls, inside heating ducts, and under flooring.

We encountered mold in an apartment we lived in for about 5 years.  The building was about 40 years old, and although the property and building were well maintained, the carpets in the bedrooms appeared old. We used to watch T.V. in one of the rooms, however, my husband has asthma and always had huge breathing problems while living there.  We’ve moved from that building a couple of years ago and his asthma has improved greatly in our new place.  Makes you question, what was lurking in those walls or under the carpets?

Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The most common mold symptoms are similar to symptoms of exposure to other environmental allergens, and include things like:

• A runny nose
• Sinus congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Headaches, migraines
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Asthma attacks. Follow this link to learn more about asthma due to mold

Want to know 7 other pains worse than childbirth?

As a chronic migraine sufferer who has never given birth, I’m incapable of comparing pain. On a scale of 1-10 (as doctors insist on using), my excruciating pain sometimes exceeds 10+, but, I can envision childbirth close or equal. Let’s face it, any horrible pain is a horrible pain.

7 Horrible Types of Pain (not in particular order)

1.   Toothache

2.   Migraines

3.   Trigeminal Neuralgia

4.   Gout

5.   Serious Burns

6.  Pudendal Neuralgia

7.  Cluster Headaches

I’m only including this image of the ‘pain scale’ similar to what docs have used to measure my chronic migraine pain.  It irritates the crap out of me because, how can you assess your pain accurately on a scale?  When my neuro asks me, he peeks at my chart from the last visit and says “oh, we’re worse than last time“.  Me:  “So doc, any suggestions?“, Doc:  Stunned look, clears throat.

1.  TOOTHACHE

Indescribable: Fibromyalgia ~ Chronic Pain

This describes many chronic illnesses, too many to list.  We’re used to appearing “well” on the outside, yet on the inside, it’s indescribable hell. Please don’t judge us.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Complication of DVT can result in pulmonary embolism which happens when a fragment of a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and travels to the lungs thereby blocking a pulmonary artery. Check out ways to treat deep vein thrombosis and how to recognize the symptoms.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.targetwoman.com

You Know You…….and invisible illnesses

YOU know you are strong inside despite what mental or chronic illness has dealt you.

YOU know you are doing the best that you can, with what life has handed you.

YOU can pat yourself on the back right now, for a job well done. Mastering and surviving each day with an illness, in my eyes, is a full-time job.

Only YOU will know when it’s time to return to the working world; if that is your goal. It’s alright to be coached and nudged, but you are really the best judge.

Only YOU know the blackness felt during depression – how the pitch black mud swallows you up and is unforgiving, or the isolation.

Maybe YOU don’t know how very precious you are, and that you didn’t ask for this illness, and you didn’t choose to be ill, and that mental illness is not a character flaw.

YOU will find society’s thinking and attitudes on invisible illness stigma still remain, but with education, perhaps people will alter their opinions and/or judgment.

But YOU know YOU, and that is all that is important.

Written and copyright by Deb McCarthy/2017

Originally posted on my blog “Living in Stigma“

Headaches after Exercising? Tips to avoid

Avoiding an after-exercise headache

You have a great work-out, then BOOM! – the dreaded after-exercise headache hits. Sometimes it’s right away, sometimes a couple of hours after you’re done exercising.

What’s causing it?

There are a number of things that can cause after exercise headache. If you already suffer from migraine, chances are that your exercise is triggering the migraine chain-reaction. It may be that the symptoms are a little different than what you’re used to – don’t let that throw you off. Chances are, it’s still a migraine.

Quote for Today

To

‘Aint that the truth!

New Discovery for Fibromyalgia Could Aid Diagnosis

Researchers discovered a neural signature that identified fibromyalgia with 93% accuracy, according to a 72-patient” study.

These results build off of other important previous work and have to be replicated using other samples of fibromyalgia patients. They represent a natural step in the evolution of our understanding of fibromyalgia as a disorder with an important brain component.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.painmedicinenews.com

Eye Care 101: Warning Signs Of Disease You Should Look Out For

Eye diseases tend to be insidious, which means that by the time you notice that something is wrong with your vision, the disease has progressed so far that it may or may not be possible to reverse it. Here are some warning signs of eye disease that you should look out for to prevent and…

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.yourwellness.com

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that typically develops in people who have skin psoriasis. Both are autoimmune diseases, meaning the immune system attacks parts of the body. With psoriatic arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, usually in fingers, toes, ankles, knees, and wrists. Some people have very mild cases of psoriatic arthritis, while others experience it more severely. The disease can also go into remission, giving you periods where you feel “normal.” Both men and women are equally at risk for psoriatic arthritis, and it usually appears between the ages of 30 and 55 in those who have psoriasis. 

Because psoriatic arthritis shares many symptoms with other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Your doctor will want to know what your symptoms are when they started, and whether you have a family history of the disease. Although there isn’t a cure, there are a few different medications for psoriatic arthritis that can help you manage the symptoms.

If your psoriasis isn’t severe, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (like Motrin and Advil) or naproxen (as Aleve) may help. More serious cases usually require stronger drugs, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic agents (DMARDs) or biologic therapy.

Sources of article, and more on symptoms, treatment etc. http://www.health.com/psoriatic-arthritis

 

How do survivors pee after the pain of Female Genital Mutilation?

Image:  Wikipedia  A campaign against female genital mutilation – a road sign near Kapchorwa, Uganda.

**This article may be upsetting for some readers

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. Country based surveys on the rates of FGM suggest that 200 million women have undergone the procedures in 27 countries in Africa, as well as in Indonesia, Iraqi Kurdistan and Yemen, with a rate of 80–98 percent within the 15–49 age group in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sudan. The practice is also found elsewhere in Asia, the Middle East and among communities from these areas in other countries.

This article appeared today on BBC News.com Magazine

Some 200 million women and girls across 30 countries have been affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). But how do survivors live with the pain of peeing, periods and childbirth?

“The first time you notice your physicality has changed is your pee,” says Hibo Wardere.

Hibo, now 46, was subjected to what is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “type three” mutilation when she was six. This means all of her labia were cut off and she was then stitched together, leaving a tiny hole she compares to the size of a matchstick.

Low Back Pain Emergencies Could Signal Neurological Injuries

When physicians pick up a chart in the emergency department and see that the chief complaint is low back pain, most have a similar reaction: not another lumbosacral sprain, not another drug-seeker, or not another patient nothing can be done for. Most often, the cause of the low back pain is benign, and many physicians feel ill-equipped with the tools needed to help these patients in any significant way.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.acepnow.com

Leg Pain and Numbness: What Might These Symptoms Mean?

Leg pain and foot pain is often caused by a condition in the lower back. Learn about the various leg pain symptoms and what they may mean.

Sourced through Scoop.it from www.spine-health.com

Testimony: Living with Lupus

December 8, 2014. It was the first day at my first big girl job. I remember sitting in training and I started having this unbearable chest pain. I took some Aspirin and waited for the pain to subside. I’ve had chest pain before, but it was nothing like that. A few days later, I […]

via Testimony Series Part 5: Living with Lupus. — Padishia Smith

Wednesday’s Thought

One of my favorite quotes.  It especially applies to my struggle with mental illness (major depression), as well as, daily chronic migraines.

Which weather changes trigger migraine headaches?

Which weather patterns or changes in weather might trigger your migraine attacks depends on you.

Every person with migraine likely has a unique set of triggers which may include stress, certain foods, alcohol, and other factors. In the same way, some people with migraine are likely sensitive to one weather factor, and others are sensitive to other factors.

An American study found that some people with migraine appear to be sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Another American study found that higher temperatures increased the number of patients with migraine who went to the Emergency Department with headache. Barometric pressure may be another factor.

One study looked at whether falling barometric pressure seemed to trigger headaches during a time when a typhoon hit Japan. It found that 75% of people with migraine had migraine attacks associated with the drop in barometric pressure while only 20% of people with tension-type headache experienced an attack.

The amount of sunshine may also be a factor. In a study from Austria, sunshine on more than 3 hours a day increased the possibility of a migraine, and a Norwegian study found that migraines were more likely during the long summer days in the Arctic.

31 Honest Answers to ‘How Are You?’

I was hoping an article about this very subject would appear.  Whenever meeting someone for lunch, a colleague that I haven’t seen since 2011 or a gathering, I’m usually fumbling around for words.

This article appeared in The Mighty.com written by By Sarah Schuster

When someone asks, “How are you?” do you answer honestly?

This question is often thrown around as a casual greeting, so much so that we default to “I’m good!” or “I’m fine!” — even with our closest friends and family. And while we’re maybe less hesitant to open up about a stomach ache or that we’ve come down with the flu, our true emotional state can feel like a dirty secret — we don’t want to give it up.

So we asked our Mighty community — people who experience disability, disease, mental illness, parent children with special needs and more —  how they’re really doing. What we got was a collection of honest, inspiring and heartbreaking answers.

How are you? This lovely article continues @
http://themighty.com/2015/11/31-honest-answers-to-how-are-you/

originally posted on my blog “Living in Stigma”

*Mine would be: “No it’s just another day with a migraine, my head is throbbing so badly right now I just want to go to bed”.

Blister Packs for Medications ~ Not just for Seniors

My doctor recommended this method of taking medication and it’s been pure bliss! Here I assumed it was a courtesy for seniors only.

As far as medication goes, remembering to take the required doses morning, noon or bedtime was causing chaos. I would neglect to take this med or that med, refilling prescriptions on time, and every medication had its own pill bottle. Stuffing that 14 or 7-day plastic organizer every week was a pain in the neck.

My pharmacy fills the organizer bi-weekly without a fee, (some pharmacies charge) and either my doctor calls a prescription in or the pharmacist calls my doctor for refills (preventing trips to the doctor). I pick them up, all organized, sealed and distinctly marked. How much simpler is that?

I still have to remember to take them!

Image source: google.ca

More on blister pack usage @

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blister_pack

originally posted on my Niume.com blog

Survivors Reporting Chronic Neuropathic Pain Struggle to Retain Jobs

Cancer survivors who reported chronic neuropathic pain 5 years after diagnosis suffered more job-related difficulties.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.oncologynurseadvisor.com

B12 deficiency: a silent epidemic with serious consequences

Migraine or Headache?

Migraine and Headaches are two terms that are sometimes used without knowing which is what! In this article it seems to me really important to make sure that when we say “apple” we do not mean “orange”! Both of the above situations refer to a simple fact: PAIN in our head! Since headache means exactly…

via Migraine or Headache? — Good Medical

Essential Oils for Headaches

*I use peppermint oil for migraines and it helps at times, and purchasing a diffuser is also effective (plus your house smells like Christmas!)  Also, I purchased a separate peppermint oil in a roll-on form using it on the back of my neck (can be useful on the forehead by hairline).  This didn’t help at all with my severe migraines.

I found that some grocery stores sell essential oils in their pharmacy product section and are much less expensive than stores set up that sell only oils.  Also, on the internet, there are big savings also.  I purchased the diffusers via Costco.

*To note also, my husband has asthma and finds the eucalyptus oil beneficial in a diffuser.

Have any of these oils benefited you?

Migraine Meds Help Some Children More Than Others

When kids suffer from migraines, amitriptyline and topiramate are often prescribed. A study proves these medications are effective for many children but reveals a strong placebo effect.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: health.clevelandclinic.org

Chronic Pain + Medication: The Big Debate

The opioid crisis is gripping the American people this year. News stations are constantly reporting on deaths, addiction statistics, and doctors’ role in prescribing narcotic pain killers. There is a real problem of over-prescription. That being said, there is also a stigmatism attached to pain medication which I believe to be unnecessary and inaccurate. A […]

via Chronic Pain + Medication: The Big Debate — Have Heating Pad; Will Travel

Lavender Lemonade Recipe May Get Rid Of Anxiety & Headaches

Lavender oil is a remarkable essential oil that has a great amount of benefit to your health.

It has a gentle and beautiful smell, and its powerful taste makes it a household favorite.  It has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active constituents, which explains its effectiveness at helping with a lot of health ailments.

Some of those properties are the amazing anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifier, hypotensive, and sedative effects it has on our body.

One of the many ways to use lavender oil is to flavor your lemonade with it and get a tasty and healthy drink with multiple medicinal benefits.

This is how to prepare it:

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup raw honey
• 12 cups pure water
• 1 drop lavender essential oil
• 6 lemons, peeled and juiced
• Lavender sprigs for garnish

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and chill. Add more water or raw honey if needed.

Info source: http://www.sejat-jasmani.com/2016/10/this-lavender-lemonade-recipe-will-get.html

*I’ve never tried this recipe, mainly due to my dislike of lavender!

Do You Harbor Resentment?

Do you harbor some resentment?  I hate to confess I do; feeling embarrassed with a character flaw such as this, it becomes awkward to discuss.

Resentment, or the strong and painful bitterness you feel when someone does something wrong to you, doesn’t have actual physical weight, but it feels very heavy and can last a long time. Forgiveness is one way to get rid of resentment.  — Source: Vocabulary.com

Resentment can occur under any circumstances although some people’s resentments are deep-rooted, but the best example for me involved a work situation.

I recollect years ago, another woman and I were up for a similar promotion.  We weren’t chummy friends; so that didn’t enter the picture, however, we did work in the same department.  Both of us shared equal qualifications, and employed there longer than her, I assumed I would get the position hands down.  Well, guess what – I didn’t.

You know that reaction when they ultimately drop the bomb, you politely smile yet you are seething inside ready to secretly attack the winner! In retrospect, I was so cheesed off at myself for sitting there meekly accepting my loss and must have had the word “resentment” written on my forehead.

Other examples of resentment are from people who have made commitments to you and not followed through.  In some ways, I would resent the fact of being let down.

I feel resentment = bitterness = anger.  The anger I hold derives from my childhood growing up as the daughter of a narcissistic mother.  It’s easing as the years go by, yet it still leaves remnants to a degree, and it all boils down to resentment.

I’ve come to the realization that this resentment towards the people I am angry with has little or no effect on them.  It’s all me.  Easy to say, but what is the point of all this?  Letting go of resentment is easier said than done.

Hurt and blame enter this also.  Those are challenging emotions and mindsets that I’ve carried for years and tough issues to just toss into the garbage can. They seem to emerge, again and again, but everything appears to tie into PTSD and the depression I have struggled with for many years.

I also resent having a chronic illness.

 

Written and copyrighted by Deb McCarthy/2016

Originally posted on my blog “Living in Stigma”

 

I’m not getting enough Sleep with my Fibromyalgia Pain. Why?

Patients coping with the complex (pain disorder) fibromyalgia often have difficulty sleeping, and a new study published in The Journal of Pain reports that despite the negative quality of life implications, poor sleep is not a significant predictor of fibromyalgia pain intensity and duration.

The complexity of fibromyalgia as a pain disorder is rooted in the variable, patient-to-patient, influence of physical, psychological, social factors that contribute to clinical pain, and their influence often is difficult to understand. Previous research has shown that variables such as negative mood and the number of localized pain areas are significant predictors of clinical pain in fibromyalgia patients.

Many fibromyalgia patients complain about poor sleep, and studies have shown that interrupted sleep experienced by individuals with other pain conditions is predictive of next day clinical pain.  Also, sleep duration has been shown to predict clinical pain in healthy adults.  For this study, a research team from the University of Florida hypothesized that decreased total sleep time would predict higher clinical pain in a sample of patients with fibromyalgia.

Seventy-four adults with fibromyalgia were recruited for a University of Florida study and they were observed for 14 days.  Subjects rated their clinical pain every evening and completed sleep diaries describing the previous night’s sleep.

Results of the analysis showed that four sleep measures evaluated in the study failed to significantly predict clinical pain.  The authors noted that the effects of impaired sleep, such as fatigue and inactivity, may play more significant roles in clinical pain than measures of sleep duration or insomnia.

Source:  ScienceDaily.com

Originally posted on my blog “Living in Stigma“

Horrible Headaches? Could be Chiari Malformation

I’m always looking for other reasons that cause migraines or headaches and came across this:

Chiari Malformation

Chiari malformations (CMs) are structural defects in the cerebellum (the portion of the brain that controls balance).

For the most part, the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit in an indented area at the lower position of the skull but above the foramen magnum (funnel-like opening to the spinal canal). But if part of the cerebellum is below the foramen magnum, these are Chiari malformations.

Causes

~ Structural defects in the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy, possibly genetic or absence of proper vitamins or diet

~ Excessive draining of spinal fluid from area of the spine

Symptoms (just listing some)

1347. There is a loneliness in this world so great that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock. ~Charles Bukowski

Excellent post on living with chronic pain.

Sacred Touches

Of pain you could wish only
one thing: that it would stop.
Nothing in the world is so
bad as physical pain.
In the face of pain there are no heroes.
~George Orwell

This is not a plea for sympathy. Nor is it a cry for help, nor a need for response, nor an abandonment of hope for better days. Instead it is a bid for understanding of a place where some have never been, at least not for very long, a place that has to be believed to be felt because chronic pain comes with a terrible price and aching loneliness. Because I’ve lost another whole day of my life to the chronic pain that has dogged my days since I was 25 years old, I’ve been struggling to cope and understand as well as to find the strength to endure both the pain and the aloneness of it. In…

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PAIN IN THE NECK? IT MAY BE CONNECTED TO YOUR JAW!

Temporomandibular Joint (in short TMJ!) PAIN IN THE NECK? IT MAY BE CONNECTED TO YOUR JAW! We all suffer from neck pain from time to time. For some of us it is a regular problem & others it can be intensified when we are feeling stressed. Let’s take a look at the anatomy of our […]

via Pain in the neck? It could be coming from your jaw! — The Mobile Massage Therapist.

What are ‘Thunderclap’ Headaches

Picture this….You’re relaxing in your favorite chair, or out with friends for coffee or perhaps enjoying a delightful soothing bath, when unexpectedly, BAM!!, you’re struck with this horrendous pain in your head; the worst headache pain you’ve ever felt.  It’s different from a migraine, and termed a “THUNDERCLAP” headache.

During the warmer weather, two years ago, for a couple of hellish months, I’d been lucky to dodge migraines for a few days here and there.  But, no time for celebration, as I was suddenly contending with these sudden ‘BAM!’ headaches as well.  The pain was directed in the middle of my forehead, top of my head and covering my entire face, not a typical migraine for me, which are bilateral.

The Early Stages of a new Hemiplegic Migraine Treatment

 

Recent genetic research has identified some possible new treatments for hemiplegic migraine – treatments which may also work for other types of migraine in the future.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: headacheandmigrainenews.com

Migraine Doc: Was he my “Captain Miracle”?

Isn’t waiting for a specialist (doctor) appointment enough to frost your socks sometimes?

Preparation, tolerance, frustration and waiting are all involved in this entire process.

Firstly, the wait for the family doctor’s appointment and specialist’s referral, followed by a phone call from the specialist’s office, where you now have a scowl on your face due to the clerk informing you that the initial appointment won’t be for at least six months.

I’m uncertain about you, but when the secretary calls, a pen is rarely handy to write down information or directions on how to get to the appointment. Ending the conversation they say “we’ll be sending you some written instructions in the mail also.”

The written instructions arrive, however, they are terribly confusing. Illegible pages photocopied at least 100 times over, you will feel doubtful walking into the hospital with this crappy information, for fear of ending up in the laundry area. As for the road directions, best to utilize your own maps.

Now the wait for the specialist appointment, followed by the big day of the actual appointment…and then wait is on. Where you wait in the waiting room….and wait….and wait…and wait some more……

You recognize you are in a dilemma when, after driving two hours and upon arriving, the receptionist slides open her plexi-glass window, takes your name, shuffles through files twice mumbling, “Were you scheduled for an appointment today?”. “Yes, at 11:00 a.m.”, “Hmmm…How do you spell your last name again?” “OK, just have a seat and we’ll be right with you”. A commotion develops by the filing cabinets, receptionists are in a huddle, peer up at you, once, twice, when suddenly, “yes, you are booked for 11:00 a.m., but he is backed up a bit”.