test results

I saw Dr. Alt-Medicine today and got my results from a blood test, hair analysis, & biological terrain assessment. I'm not sure what role any of this has in my headaches, but the hair analysis showed high levels of Aluminum, Cadmium, Uranium, & Titatium. I'm a bit alarmed about the U result! The Dr. said that he doesn't see that too often, so I'm wondering where I was exposed to it. The narrative that came with the results said that U can be in drinking water, root vegetables, and phosphate fertilizers. Hmmm... there's no way to get it out of my body, so I guess I am not going to worry about it. For the other heavy metals, he recommended chelation therapy. I can't do it because it is too expensive, too time-consuming, and I'm not entirely convinced that it is will help anything. He also suggested allergy treatment by total body modification. This I am considering at least a try... It is also pricey, but not as time consuming (or as expensive). Since I think my headaches are allergy-related, I am willing to go out on a bit of a limb for that one. I'll let you know. Other results- I have high cholesterol! Isn't that great that a vegetarian of over 14 years can have high LDL. My mom said it runs in our family, but I still think I will watch my saturated fat intake. BTW, my mercury levels are miniscule...

I think it's allergies...

Well, I've been back in Small Town for a whole three days and now I feel like I am getting a headache. My allergies have been bothering me since I got back (yes- I took my Allegra) and now my head is not feeling so spectacular. We'll see what Dr. Alt_Medicine says tomorrow. He already told me that I should have all of my silver fillings replaced because they leak mercury, but I am not convinced that this is the cause of my headaches (it seems seasonal to me). Not that I feel good knowing that mercury is leaking into my body, but I don't think it is giving me migraines. I'll let you know what he says...

first day of spring!

I haven't had a migraine in the last week, but I did have an all-day headache on March 8th. We drove about 5 hours to a conference and the headache continued most of the day. Maybe it was stress? I took a trip to Mexico City after that and had not even one tinge of a headache there. I found that kind of interesting, because the air quality was pretty bad and my sinuses were not very happy. However, no headaches. I also ate plenty of cheese on that trip, so I don't think mine are linked are cheese- unless there are additives in the U.S. that bother me that they don't use in Mexico. Back at home, my allergies have returned (and I forgot to take an Allegra last night), so we'll see how I do today. I had a sleeping-too-long headache yesterday, but no migraine.

We're celebrating spring with a winter storm warning!

From Weather Underground:

*Winter Weather Statement*

Expires 8:15 PM EST on March 20, 2006

Statement as of 10:56 AM EST on March 20, 2006

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 11 PM this evening
to 7 PM EST Tuesday...

A mix of snow... sleet and freezing rain is expected to develop
after midnight tonight. This wintry mix will change to snow early
on Tuesday. Total snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is expected
by Tuesday evening.

Remember... a Winter Storm Warning means severe winter weather
conditions are imminent or highly likely.

falling off the chocolate wagon

I've been trying to eat healthier, but had a nice helping of Dutch milk chocolate today. I've never noticed a connection between my chocolate consumption and migraines, so I should be fine. Other food:

• breakfast- whole-grain cold cereal with Silk
• lunch- Indian buffet!
• dinner (still full from Indian)- sandwich (fake meat, cheese on whole wheat)
• other- chocolate (above) and hot cocoa (Dutch cocoa, organic sugar, vanilla Silk) Do you notice a theme, here?

I'm not expecting a headache, so the blog may go a bit off-track for a while! I'll post more later about an alternative medicine Dr. I saw recently.

migraines over(?)

It has been my experience that I usually get into patterns of getting migraines day after day and once I am out of the pattern, I am fine for a while. I am hoping that I am now out of the pattern. Not even a hint of a headache yesterday.

More food tracking for yesterday:

• breakfast- sesame bagel with hummus, decaf coffee
• lunch- leftovers (tofu casserole, penne with vodka sauce), yogurt with bananas
• dinner- Thai food (spring rolls, spicy green bean tofu, vegetable curry)
• snack during a movie- popcorn with nutritional yeast and one beer (Sam Adams)
  

I probably didn't drink enough water yesterday- I really have to make an effort when it's cold. I'll try to be better today! Oh yeah- also walked 3.5 miles yesterday!

welcome to the weekend

I got through yesterday without a migraine, so I am quite happy. I ended up drinking a half-caf soy latte (I usually drink decaf ONLY), since I felt like I was fighting a headache early in the day. No headache, but I felt pretty crazy yesterday afternoon! I think I'll stay completely away from the caffeine for a while. I quit drinking it last Spring and think it has made me feel much better in general- no jittery, shaky, starvation feeling before lunch. I still drink tea and coffee, but stick to the decaf.

What I ate yesterday after breakfast:

• small snack of edamame
• lunch- leftover tofu enchilada casserole & tofutti cutie for dessert
• half-caf soy latte from Starbucks
  
• dinner- vegetarian burrito from Qdoba

I don't know if my headaches are food-triggered or not, but I'm trying to keep track, just in case!

so far so good today

I am feeling a bit light-headed, so I know I am not out of the woods, yet. I had a nutritious breakfast of oatmeal, topped with sliced almonds, cinnamon sugar, & flax seed meal and I am trying to drink lots of water. I also took an Allegra, since my sinuses have been acting up (damn this mild winter, we're having!). I have to go into school later to watch student presentations, but I hope to take a quick walk on the treadmill first.

I'll keep you posted!

recovered in time for lunch

Well, that was a doozy. I spent most of the morning in bed, including some time sleeping (I'm sure I'll never get to sleep tonight) . I didn't take a second Imitrex. I really don't like taking medication and only do it if I am feeling really awful.

One other thing I remembered about yesterday's eating: I had lunch out (Mexican- cheese enchilada with rice & beans).

OK- back to work (since I lost all morning!)

headache started around 8:45 AM

I've known for some time that I should keep a diary of my headaches to see if I can figure out what triggers them. I'll try to use this blog that way. I am about to take to my 2nd Imitrex and I have an ice bag on my head.

Possible Triggers:

• weather change- pressure is rising, temperature is falling
• allergies- I seem to be having allergy symptoms lately
• hormones- it's about that time of the month
• food- nothing out of the ordinary today or yesterday

Nothing obvious here, but maybe the hormones... I had a nasty migraine in late December that was timed in a similar way. I have a lot of work to do, but looking at the computer is feeling pretty bad. Maybe after I take another pill.

More later...