Oh these cats! Gus has one job around here and one job only: to get me up in the morning early enough that I can let him out, feed Lucy, let her out, let him in, feed him some crunchies, let him out again and still have time to ice a latte and go back to bed to read till 7:00am.
Of course by the time I get out of the shower Lucy is perched on one window sill or another meowing hysterically because clearly, this time, I have snuck off and left her in the wilds, alone.
Recently Gus has been sleeping in and I'm on a course of muscle relaxers that my doctor hopes will break up my ever present migraine cycle.
So neither of us is bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning.
I've been forced to set the alarm on my phone and as soon as it goes off Gus is up and ready to go, while I am fumbling and stumbling to turn off alarm and get to the front door ASAP.
The only day of the week he is guaranteed to wake up at 6 or earlier is Sunday, swear to God.
How does he know that's my day to sleep in?
The only time Lucy wakes me up is if I'm sleeping after 7 and Gus is out and she is in.
And that is with a gentle paw on my face. Not jumping up and down from my body to the floor, from the floor to my body, over and over like a feline robot.
Let's all keep our fingers crossed that this drug regime works because when I got home last night I had a letter from my insurance company stating that as of January 2016 they will only pay for 9 sumatriptane tables a month.
This is the medicine I take for my migraines and I take the full 27 that have been allotted me, there have been years that I needed a second different prescription for back up.
If I only have 9 pills a month, I would possibly spend up to 15 days in bed with an ice pick through my head, unable to eat, think, work or let the cats in and out.
I'm a little rattled. Strike that, I'm totally freaked out. I suppose I could pay the full price for 27, close to 200.00 a month, though that seems daunting financially.
I had success with physical therapy but it didn't work the last try, maybe acupuncture? Has anyone tried that?
Any suggestions?
We/I have two months to solve a problem that has haunted me for years.
And perhaps there will be will be an answer that will make me shake my head in amazement that I hadn't tried it years ago.
What a drag it is getting old-er.
on a happier note here are two quick shots of what the pampered pets are doing as I am writing this.
Truly my raison d'etres
Oh so sorry about the migraines! I would definitely try all the "alternative" approaches, acupuncture, aromatherapy, anything. Not cheap, but more pleasant than medicines. I do hope you find a solution.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the inn in Maine will be the cure<3.
Right! That good Maine air yes?
DeleteEssential Oil: Lavender on your wrists and the back of your neck. Oh, I do hope you can end the migraines.
ReplyDeleteWill get some at Whole Foods, thanks you. xo
DeleteI suffered for years . . .
ReplyDeleteI found red marinara sauces, chocolate and yellow cheese were not my friends . . .
It helped to eliminate those foods . . . I missed the chocolate.
Emitrex shots when one arrived . . .
I have outgrown them . . . finally . . .
Oh lucky you. Imitrex are the pills I take, took(?)
DeleteHow much older do I have to get!
you might check to see ifthe company has any "scholarships". have heard they do that for some of the high dollar drugs. thinking good thoughts for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Webb, I will investigate.
DeleteI am sorry about your migraines. :(
ReplyDeleteGracias Alicia.
DeleteI loved your "conversation" about the cats. I have two cats who are like children to me - very spoiled children. I'm sorry that you have to deal with migraines. I have heard from others occasionally about how terrible they are. And I've been hearing lots of examples of insurance companies not wanting to pay for medication. It's so sad.
ReplyDeleteI could write about the cats all day. They are that entertaining to me.
DeleteNot happy with my insurance company. Not happy at all.
I'm sorry about your migraines. I,luckily, have never suffered from them. My brother gets them but they are every once in a while and he gets by with Motrin. My aunt used to get them and swore by Chinese tiger balm; the house stunk to high Heaven but she felt ok. I hope someone can help you.
ReplyDeleteI remember when they only came on occasion. They were still unbearable. I thought they were a sinus infection.
DeleteI like Webb's plan.
Me too. I hope she's right.
DeleteThat totally sucks. I had no idea that you suffer from migraines, and to such a degree! Why do I not know this? Long shot--but there is usually a way to appeal those type of decisions. I'm sure you'd need a letter from your doctor--but it's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't know because I haven't had one get on top of me for about 3 years now and that was when I had the female Colonel as a roommate.
DeleteShe left the Pentagon, came home, took me to my chiropractors,brought me home, put me to bed, went to the store got me ginger ale and saltines, went back to the Pentagon for a couple of hours, then came home and was just quietly there for the rest of the time, Bringing ice cold towels for my head when asked.
wasn't I lucky?
Has it really been three years since the Colonel? And then there was Superman... Hope you are feeling better, dear Jane.
DeleteI've got crap joints and chronic pain, but if I had headaches like yours I think I'd be in tears all the time. So sorry Jane.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Shelley, but the Imitrex keeps them at bay, I just shudder to think of daily life without it.
DeleteAnd when I have one I am often in tears, hoping that will relive the pain.
But three years pain free is a good three years.
Damn... I'd be freaked out too. I've had some killer headaches in the past, but I don't think they'd classify as migraine, definitely not what you describe from 3 years ago. Luckily I haven't had one in a while. Any chance of getting to see a more holistic medicine type doctor and exploring diet, lifestyle--the whole Jane--mind, body, spirit, etc.? Sorry if I sound like a hippie Californian...I just don't want you to experience that pain again. I haven't personally seen a doctor with this focus, but I have thought about it... xx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your migraines Jane! Take care!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend.
Madelief x
Jane,
ReplyDeleteWhen I had migraines, I would get in the shower and stand under the cold water. It will slam those capillaries shut so fast! Mine weren't that often, but each time they presented differently; light, sound, smell, projectile vomiting....always pleasant! Here's to a relief from suffering for you!
D.
About to hop into shower and try your remedy now. Xo
Deleteoh sweet jane i feel so bad for you. i've never tried acupuncture but i have friends that have and they had good results. it really is a drag getting older. i have a slew of aches and pains i didn't have just 2 years ago. your family of cats is so adorable! x
ReplyDeleteThat they are. My pride and joys.
DeleteI don't have any advice on the migraines unfortunately, but you do have some very cute cats!!
ReplyDeleteJust made me smile with that regard.
DeletePoor you - migraine is a terrible affliction. No harm in trying acupuncture (I rate it highly so long as you see a traditionally-trained practitioner), thinking about possible medication rebound (if you've been taking medication regularly for a long time), and, as Denise suggests, having a holistic doctor look at your lifestyle and diet. All worth considering, I think. x
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, it is rebound. Trying to break cycle seems imperative. Have good suggestions for acupuncturist. I just need to talk myself into trying.
DeleteLike the rest of your blogging pals I'm so sorry to learn that you are suffering from migraine and hope that they will soon stop. I'm presuming you've explored any possible links with diet. I'm a bit of an old crock myself following a nasty car crash two years ago. I practice chi kung/ qi gong, call it what you will, to improve both my physical and mental health. I am told to exercise 'with a smile' even if I don't feel like it! Perhaps it might help?
ReplyDeleteI have tried changing my diet. To no avail. I would gladly give up cheese....well maybe not gladly!
DeleteI worked in a pain clinic for many years. What helped a lot of patient's was Botox.
ReplyDeleteI have used acupuncture for neck pain and can attest that it works miracles. It's worth giving it a try.
ReplyDeleteAll right, I'll make an appointment. Looking for a miracle.
DeleteI had spinal headaches for months after a lumbar miliogram. Back test anyway, sounds silly but putting my feet in a bucket of ice water, keeping them there for 5 min. Then dry and put on warm socks helped. Hope this helps, eventually they did go away... feel better, love,Diana
ReplyDeleteReally? I wonder how you got to this solution? I'll try anything. This. Xo
Delete