Addicted to ice packs

Is it a bad thing to be addicted to???  It seems I can only go a couple hours without using one for the past few weeks.  I guess I jinxed myself saying I didn't have bad days all of the time.  I need an ice pack that stays attached to my head all day long!  Can't wait to meet with the new doc and see if he can help.

Going to NC

I finally have my appointment to see the dr in North Carolina that does the occipital nerve stimulator implant.  I am so excited!!!  Only now I have to wait a month....

Ironically I am having a bad pain day today :-(

Bad days

Yesterday was a bad day for the HC.  I spent the day on the couch feeling like I would pass out every time I stood up.  Fortunately I do not have that many days like yesterday, but unfortunately I cannot control when they come whether it is inconvenient for other people or not.  If I did have days like those all of the time I don't think I would be so tolerant of unsympathetic people.  They suck!!!

Things I have tried

Well I have been making a list to bring to my doctor's office with me tomorrow of all the things I have tried for the head pain since 2009.  I was surprised when I got to the end because I had forgotten how many things I had tried.  I am quite sure I left things out though since my memory isn't all it used to be.  Anyway, just thought I would share my list. 

On an exciting note at this appointment I am bringing this list and a referral sheet for a doctor I found in North Carolina that does the occipital nerve stimulator implant!!!!  Hopefully my dr can get me referred and I can get in to see him soon.

The list:

Antibiotics given by Urgent Care doctor when headache first started for "sinus" problems, although no sinus symptoms present

Ice

Heat

Triptans

Excedrin

Advil/Motrin

Aleve

Tylenol

Aspirin

Migranal

Topamax

Steroid Dosepak

Botox injections

Imitrex injection

Chiropractic care

Indomethacin - the only relief but caused GI ulcers, at first diagnosed with Crohn's disease by Gastroenterologist thought to have been triggered by the medication

TMJ dysfunction treatments:  bite split and bite splint adjustments, muscle relaxers, Valium

Radiofrequency thermoneurolysis for temporal tendinitis

Elavil (amitriptyline)

Panlor DC

Lortab and Lorcet

Esgic Plus

Ergonovine - caused severe chest pain, constriction/coronary artery spasm per Cardiologist

Zonegran

Trileptal

Nubain

Occipital nerve blocks

Gone to Eye Doctor yearly to make sure eye strain not a factor

HeadOn OTC topical treatment

GelStat migraine OTC sublingual

MigreLief (magnesium, riboflavin, feverfew)

MigraDefense (riboflavin, magnesium, feverfew, guarana, butterbur, white willow, griffonia, actisorb [black pepper extract, ginger root extract, rosemary leaf extract, turmeric extract and cayenne extract]

January 25, 2012 edit:
Now I have also tried these medications:
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) - did nothing
Nucynta - did nothing at several different strengths
Celebrex - did nothing
Methadone (severe nausea and vomiting and inability to stay awake) but did nothing for the pain
Diamox (side effects of tingling hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, severe drowsiness) two week trial ending today- no effect whatsoever on my pain
Kadian (my present pain management) at least takes the edge off pain so I can get out of bed

I also had a cervical epidural which actually helped symptoms in right hand and arm that I thought were carpal tunnel, but no effect on head pain at all except for reduced pain that lasted 3-4 hours

Chicken coops are dangerous

Well I finally got an answer to a question I have had for years.  I always wondered if I hit my head really hard on something if it would magically cure my head pain.  NO!!!!!  It does not.  I hit my head (on the pain side of course) really, really hard on a beam while tending to chickens in the chicken coop this morning.  Trust me I did not see stars.  I saw nothing at all for a few seconds!  Now the pain is worse so there goes that dream.  Oh well, at least now I know!