A Homage To Physical Therapy
I'm a migraineur, I have been for 13 or 14 years.
At first I thought they were sinus headaches. but one day I was in a doctor's waiting room and took a little test I found in a pamphlet entitled " Do you have migraines".
Lo and behold I did. And being a huge fan of self diagnosing I reported my find to the doctor and he wrote me a script for Imitrex, a medicine that has served me well.
Until the rebound headaches started and I had to take one every day. By the time the big gun headaches hit, my system was so used to the meds they didn't immediately work, leaving me in big gun pain for many hours, sometimes a couple of days.
So against my will I went to a neurologist and she prescribed a 6 day course of steroids with no Imitrex or even Advil to relieve the pain. To start the next day. ( Insert laugh track here, this would be a last resort for me).
I asked for a script for Physical Therapy. My right shoulder and back were chronically sore and doing what I do for a living, repetitive motion with a knife, hauling 5 gallon buckets of water and flowers around, plus what I do for fun, weeding and digging, just made it all worse and I would feel my shoulders and neck get ultra tense and then came a headache.
She wrote it and off I went. At PT we discovered that I basically had no lat muscles on the right side of my back.(maybe having to do with dislocating my shoulder while two stepping one night?) And my pecs and neck muscles did all the work for the lats.
2 months into it and I go 6 or 7 days without a headache, 1 day with a migraine, easily stopped with a pill, then another 5 or 6 pain free.
They massage my neck and shoulders, give me luscious heat wraps and then I stretch and work out with bands and weights to build up the missing muscles.They also play great music, have a steady flow of fun chatter and understand how the body works. And there are no drugs involved.
It's working, it's a miracle, and I haven't had to take the steroids.
If we listen to our bodies and believe what they tell us, there can be happy endings.
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Or at least gardenias.
That's wonderful new! I used to have chronic headaches and went through the rebound thing too. Chronic pain is exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI had physical therapy (shoulders) and was really impressed. You were smart to ask your Dr. for a scrip, and I think it's a great thing to raise awareness about. I went to a couple different's and found one suited me more than the other--something to keep in mind.
Thanks Jen. Now i don't feel so self indulgent nattering on about my head and shoulders.
DeleteAre your headaches under control now?
Yes. I think mine were mostly tension related. One thing that really helped was the Alexander Technique--a way of walking, sitting standing. I took a class at the Y.
DeleteEminently sensible, Jane.An old friend(many years ago) managed to get a place in a college and trained as a physiotherapist.She'd been a nightclub dancer and had pulled a muscle, but kept on dancing. You can guess the result!
ReplyDeleteLike the gardenias.
I love stories like this. Awesome job with actively participating in your healthcare. Sometimes I feel like I ask to many questions when I visit a doctor, but I'm just going to carry on. They are not mind readers. My husband had a shoulder issue he thought he might simply be stuck with and a physical therapist has recently helped him get it back to close to 100%. Cheers to no-drug solutions, whenever possible.
ReplyDeleteI know, that's why I like seeing a PA if possible, they have all the time in the world to answer and ask questions.
DeleteJane, Migraines are no fun. I am so glad you have found some relief with physical therapy. We most definitely are our bodies best advocates. And...your gardenias are beautiful. I can smell them from here.
ReplyDeletexo
DeleteUgh migraine. It's been the bane of my life. Using Imigran (as it's known in the UK) means I can make plans without having to worry about cancelling and has transformed my life. I'm so glad you have identified what causes yours xx
ReplyDeleteBest drug ever isn't it? Yes I can plan vacations, dinner parties, even work and rarely if ever have to miss a day of my life.
DeleteSo pleased for you. Our bodies often know what they want/need. We just need to listen!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to trust ourselves tho isn't it?
DeleteI think I need a scrip . . . thanks for this post . . . Happy your dreadful migraines are in the less column!
ReplyDeleteIf you do get a script, get the pills not the inhaler. pills are magic, inhaler useless.
DeleteWonderful. And yes, I'd agree that maybe listening more to our bodies and less reliance on drugs might be a sensible way forward. I used to have horrendous jaw pain after a back tooth was crowned, and re-crowned, and re-crowned.... It wasn't a TMJ problem, the dentist couldn't understand it, and eventually, suspecting something muscular elsewhere, I saw a chiropractor, who did horrid painful things to my neck - and lo! a year of agony and daily painkillers ceased. On recurrence, all I had to do was press hard on two spots at the base of my skull to relax the tension, and after a few such episodes, the jaw pain went away for good.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a happy ending to a pain filled story. Everything is connected isn't it?
DeleteI feel your pain. It's odd that these migraines go in cycles. Back in my twenties, ahem maybe a few years ago, I went through an awful time with them until I found out a lot of them were triggered by allergies. Now I know, for the most part, what to avoid...except last Sunday. UGH! Poison ivy and spider bites on my arms - the itching is driving me nuts! I have found that ice in baggies helps control the itching a little bit when I am not supposed to put any more cortisone or itch spray on. Of course, my Lucy cat wants to sit on me and then her fur sticks to everything. I'm an itchy furry mess. Anyone have any more suggestions because I know from past experience this is going to last several weeks?
ReplyDeleteI have another question: How do you keep your cats from nibbling on your cut flowers. I had to move a glass of flowers to the mantle shelf after Molly started munching. Molly just sat there staring up at them.
Ouch, that sounds miserable. Can you go to the doctor> Of course they'll probably give you steroids but I've seen poison ivy disappear with a shot or a pill or two.
DeleteMine don't eat the flowers, they just like to rearrange them. Fair enough.
Maybe plant some oat grass for her, seems she wants a little green in her diet.
For poison ivy ... if it is in a place that you can get under a faucet (eg., arms) hold the affected area under the absolutely hottest running water you can stand. Hot! If you can hold it long enough, you will have a 'histamine release' that will flood your system with histamine. It will relieve itching for 6-8 hours.
DeleteI am told that it's the same mechanism as orgasm - just a different hormone! And, it feels damn near as good if you are itching. Just beware of scalding your skin.
I just read on another persons blog, that using a hair dryer to blow hot air on the areas with poison ivy will instantly relieve the itching. Must be the same heat release webb is talking about.
DeleteWebb, you devil, you! What a great read, this entry and entire thread. I had to go through PT years ago for a work-related injury and even at a Workers' Comp. clinic, all the therapists were indeed, beautiful. Luckily for me, they were as beautiful in spirit and attitude, as in phys. appearance. One of the most productive experiences of my life and I learned so much!
DeleteI just remembered something else...I worked with a woman that was having similar headaches because of muscle problems in her neck and back due to an injury. It was a vicious cycle because of the muscles seizing. Anyway, she finally got Botox shots in the muscles which deadened the muscles until they could heal and the headaches vanished. Her biggest problem was getting her insurance to cover the treatment!
ReplyDeleteI have considered the Botox route.Seems a little creepy but better than steriods.
DeleteNot at all TMI! I am so happy for the outcome.
ReplyDeleteThank you :-) You can see how I might worry though?
DeleteJane, I gotta ask ... are all of the people there - therapists and patients - insanely good looking? Years ago I fell down the Pentagon City Metro escalator and shattered both of my feet. I went to a PT clinic in Chevy Chase. My husband went with me on my first day, and when we walked in it was like walking into a fashion magazine. It was so obvious that James leaned over to me and said, "are you sure this isn't genetic therapy?"
ReplyDeleteAnyway, over the years I've asked people about their PT experience and they too have observed a clinic full of Beautiful People. Naturally I have developed a vast conspiracy theory about the whole thing. That said, I am thrilled that they have helped you so much. They do great work, if you keep up with your end of it. You do a good job of taking care of yourself. We could all learn a few things from you!
I wish I could say yes, but it's not so. Some of the therapists are beautiful and they all shine with good health, great hair and cute outfits.
DeletePatients? Not so much. Some really fit athletes with an injury, others ordinary people with problems. Chevy Chase VS Arlington. Enuf said.
You fell down the escalator and shattered both your feet? Jesus Carrie, what a nightmare.
Your husband is funny:-)
Jane I'm so pleased to read that you have found a solution to your headaches that doesn't involve medication. I have gone down a similar route, avoiding hospital operations, in a slow process of self knowledge about my body. I have found it very empowering to be in control and moving towards better health. I've changed my diet quite a bit since being ill and I wonder if you have looked at the foodstuffs that can trigger your symptoms.
ReplyDeleteYour physical therapy classes sound excellent - heat wraps and nice music! And those gardenias are superb!
So glad you are finding relief. Am a big proponent of PT. Those guys really do understnad how the body works. And, mine was drop dead gorgeous. I'd do anything he told me to do!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you still hve gardenias. Mine are long gone. Hang inthere. xoxo
Hi Jane,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to find something that helped you! I've had migraines for about 20 years. I was doing better for a few years, and going to a chiropractor, but the last year they've been getting worse. About a month and a half ago I ended up in the hospital for six days with the worst one I've ever had, I couldn't even stand up. It lasted for several weeks, I'm doing better now, but still have a headache, and I'm totally freaked that the debilitating one will come back. Anyway, the neurologist suggested biofeedback and looking into some relaxation techniques. I think I get tension headaches that morph into migraines. I'm so glad to hear the physical therapy helped, I will definitely look into that. My neck and shoulders are sooo knotted up. I'm also a florist, with my own business, and I'm constantly stressed out, and I've had a really hard year personally, so I really feel like I'm falling apart. Thanks for sharing your story, it's great to hear about some good results!
Oh dear god, what an awful, painful experience.
DeletePlease try the physical therapy. It's such a win, win situation.
Will you stay in touch and let me know how you are doing?
my email is flwjane@verizon.net
You will be in my thoughts.
xo Jane
I will definitely try it! Thanks so much, and I will email you. I so enjoy reading your blog, thanks for sharing.
DeleteReading well back, I see things have changed with you, Jane, since I dropped away from the internet awhile. I hope you are as well and chirpy as I'm glad to see you often sounding in recent posts, and I'm glad I came back in at such a positive glow of health from you. Lots of good wishes to you. xx
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not going to blame your absence on the changes in my life, but....let's see what happens if you keep blogging.
Deleteyou have been missed. xoxo
So glad I stopped by and read this post! I have similar problems but have never had to be hospitalized or take anything other than caffeine to get rid of my migraines. However, I have long thought it may be due to neck pain. Thank you for posting and sharing this information, it has been very valuable!!
ReplyDeleteJane,
ReplyDeleteI always say this, but I love the way you write. I just want to turn the page and continue the story. I even love your title and I'm always one that re-writes titles for books in my head. Anyway, happy to hear you are better without the drugs. Whenever I hear a drug commercial and then the possible side effects...yikes! PT sounds much better. Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
annie
Thank you Annie. That's the way I feel about your photos.
DeleteI know about the commercials, I thank god I don't have to listen to verbal side affects of allegra, prempro and whatever else I take on a daily basis.
Don't tell me!
After nearly destroying my shoulder doing fun things like hauling bags of rocks, creating a rain garden, etc plus the stress of dealing with 12 year olds and their micromanaging parents all day, I also ended up in PT. Red roses and candy for Valentines Day? No way! I want a heat pack, shoulder/neck massage and ultrasound, please. When I listen to my body it tells me to eat chocolate and watch Daniel Craig movies so sometimes I have to ignore it a bit. ;o) I also garden in noVa. Love this blog and am glad you've mostly beat your headaches.
ReplyDeleteI have just followed the trail of chocolate to your blog and spent far too much time there touring your garden.
DeleteI'm hooked and your newest admirer on bloglovin.
All those dogs....
Oh, if only something so wonderful were available here!
ReplyDeleteMighty happy happy for you that you're feeling better :)
Oops, an extra happy crept in there, I was busy thinking about gardenias!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic. We use the services of a fantastic Japanese remedial massage therapist - she is a miracle worker too! But it doesn't come cheap so we don't go as often as we would like, really only when it feels urgent.
ReplyDelete