Breaking up with Imitrex

6.  Not a bad number for the month.  Especially when you consider the months prior.  However, when 5 of the 6 migraines have occured in the past 10 days, and when they have lingered for hours on end despite copious amounts of medication, it's no good.  It kind of makes me want to type things of an unlady-like nature, but I digress. 

Earlier today, in the wee hours of the morning (2:30am) I took my Imitrex and woke up to my alarm (is it always that loud???) four hours later at 6:30.  Now, usually I am pretty much pain free four hours post medication. 

However, I'm pretty sure my body broke up with Imitrex this morning and the conversation went a little like this..."Enough is enough!  I'm done with you making me feel like crap.  I'm done with you making me dizzy, nauceous, foggy, numb, sore and you make me have to pee constantly...plus I don't just have to deal with your side effects every once in a while, it's multiple times a week.  It's over.  Oh and another thing...you take your pretty little time to work.  I can see taking an hour, maybe even two, but six, eight or even ten hours later you still haven't done what you're supposed to do??  After 10 years of commitment this is how you treat me?  Rediculous."  Yeah, it was a pretty stressful break-up.

I really wish my body would call it quits with my migraines, but they seem to have quite the attachment to one another in spite of their unhealthy relationship.

So I called my doctor's office and they put me on Maxalt instead of Imitrex.  That's the good news!  Here's the not so good news...when I was on the phone with my doctor's office, I asked about my bloodwork from a couple weeks ago.  They had to redo my bloodwork for liver function because back in August at my annual check-up my liver function was elevated.  They assumed it was a result of my Imitrex use, but retested again and it's still elevated.  Therefore, they are sending me to get an ultrasound on my liver.  I tried to research it but it only freaked me out so I had to stop.  Prayers for the whole thing to be just a fluke and nothing big.

Recipes Galore!

Last night I took some time to link up all of the recipes I have posted in my blog.  So if you look up and to the right, you will see a tab labeled "Recipes".  All of my recipes are listed in alphabetical order for my readers.  I hope this makes your life easier and maybe you can find a new recipe to try out for dinner tonight!  Currently there are 59 indexed. I will be adding more links as I blog about more recipes. 

Enjoy!

Out of all of the recipes I've tried this year, Creamy Shrimp and Mushroom Pasta is my favorite!



Back in the saddle

So I have fallen off the proverbial horse these past couple of months.  I've gained 2 pounds back, which puts me at a total 28 pound loss for the year.  Don't get me wrong, I am EXTREMELY happy with that weight loss, but at the rate I'm going it won't stay off for long.  I'm actually surprised that I haven't gained back more because I've been eating pretty much whatever I want (thankfully what I want still consists of strawberries, raspberries, spinach salads, sugar snap peas, milk, oatmeal and flax seed).  However, I also want Oreos, pumpkin bread, pasta, and ice cream sandwiches, especially now that I've found out that food isn't my main migraine trigger.  Those foods in excess combined with little exercise would be the 2 lb. weight gain culprits.  Since my 10K over a month ago I have exercised a total of 4 times.  IT IS TIME.  So this morning I got up early, went to the gym and swam laps for a half hour.  Whew.  I am beat and have SO much respect for swimmers.  I really miss running too.  I miss being sweaty from a good workout.  However, I've only had 4 migraines this month.  I'm really thinking my migraines are sometimes triggered from heart rate elevation.  Three of the migraines were this week...boo!  I woke up all three times with serious jaw pain and sore neck and shoulder muscles.  They were so tight that they were twitching...no fun.  So I went to my TMJD doctor and he treated me.  Thank goodness.  The nurses there lifted up my hair and said, "Whoa, the back of your neck is so swollen!" That was before I even had a chance to tell them how much pain I was in.  Now I am supposed to take Ibuprofen every 6 hours for 3-4 days to reduce the swelling.  "Have you been under a lot of stress, Laura?",  they ask.  They know me so well there.  Apparently, stress creates tense muscles as well as teeth grinding and ultimately, migraines.  Fun stuff.  So I need to work on more exercise, better food choices, and less stress.  I think that is America in a nutshell.  At least I'm not alone.  Seriously though, it's so important to be proactive about my health.  Exercise produces endorphins which help with energy and stress levels.  Also, food plays a HUGE role in whole body wellness.  If you eat crap, you will most likely feel like crap, and feeling like crap is stressful.  So if I eat well and exercise frequently maybe, just maybe my stress level will decrease and so will my migraines.  Worth a shot.  I just need to get in the right frame of mind.  Let's do this!

Just keep swimming!

Since it's "No Run October" and no intense exercise month, I've decided my main form of exercise will be swimming.  My old swimsuits are definitely too low for lap swimming...by the time I swim to the end of the pool, there is way more of me showing than anyone at the gym needs to see.  So I heard about a great swim gear website www.swimoutlet.com from my fellow blogger Abby over at http://backatsquarezero.com/.  They have an amazing "Grab Bag" deal where you just choose your brand, type in your size and then then they send you a $70 suit for just $30!  Sweet!  You don't know the color you are getting so it's kind of fun.

 So here it is!   My grab bag suit just came in the mail.  I really like the color and it looks fast!

I also got some goggles.  They are pink and I love them!

Officially ready to dive in...pun definitely intended :)

Happy to be home

Today was the first day all week that I left school at a decent time.  Staying at school 10-12 hours definitely wore me down this week.  It's been one of those school years where I just don't feel like I can keep my head above water without staying until 6 or 7 o'clock at night.  However, because of my extra effort, the next two weeks are planned, copied, filed and ready to rock. 

Another positive I found from staying late this week is that I'm REALLY thankful, I mean seriously feeling blessed to get to come home.  Usually, I don't think about blessings such as having a sturdy garage to park my car, a warm house to find shelter in, a cozy couch to rest my body, a fridge full of food, an indoor toilet, or a bed to snuggle up in.  The list could go on and on. 

Instead of just running through life taking my blessings for granted, this week really opened up my eyes to the blessings overflowing in my life.  It's not that I didn't want to come home before, I definitely breathe a sigh of relief as I pull into my garage after a day at work, but I didn't realize how awesome I have it.  I love seeing Tom every day and being able to kiss him hello, eat dinner together and live life together, but this week I couldn't WAIT to see him.  I couldn't wait to get home and hang out with him. 

My home has been a refuge this school year and I am so incredibly thankful for it and everything in it.  I've learned that just because I am going through a rough patch in one area of my life doesn't mean that all areas of my life have to be affected by that one aspect.  Also, my prayer life has definitely flourished these past couple of months.  I know that God is with me and has a plan and purpose for my life.  He is my ultimate rock and my ultimate refuge.

I am proof that when you seek God with all your heart, He will be found and He will be found faithful. 

Painting It Forward #3

This will be my third "Painting it Forward" bidding event.   So far, $55 has been donated to charities through these events.  Thanks to all who have placed a bid and helped a cause! 

Since the first and second paintings were a success, I've decided to put another piece up for auction.  I've had requests for this painting to be the next one to bid on so here's your chance to have your very own and support your favorite cause at the same time!

 

The name of this painting is "Fall Breeze".  This is an original painting by me on canvas using acrylic paints and inspired by the colors of the season.  The dimensions are: 8 x 10.  Frame is not included. 

Estimated value is $23.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm tomorrow night (10/12/12) and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on Sunday (10/14/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

No Run October

As you are well aware, these migraines of mine are sticking around.  I track them and can't make sense of them most of the time.  I've had one so far for the month of October and I am VERY happy about that.  Interestingly enough I haven't been running in the month of October.  Correlation?  Possibly, but hopefully not.  Afterall, I have been getting migraines for 15 years and have only been running for 6 months.  However, I have implemented hormone therapy as well as TMJD therapy in the meantime, which are both supposed to aid in migraine prevention.  I have found that I get a migraine about 50% of the time after I run.  It's quite possible that there is no correlation between running and migraines because I had been running 3-4 times a week and getting an average of 2 migraines a week.  I may have had those migraines anyway regardless of whether or not I was running.  The migraines and running may have nothing to do with one another, but I can't know for sure unless I stop running for a period of time to see if the migraines still come regardless of my activity. 

Now, this doesn't just apply to running.  I used to think I got migraines after I went to Jazzercise and when I did other  high intensity activities such as Zumba.  So really, "No Run October" should be more aptly named "Low-Intensity October".  A doctor once hypothesized that my migraines could be caused by a sudden rise in blood pressure triggered by high intensity exercise.  So this month I am going to do low-intensity exercise like Aqua Zumba, slow and steady lap swims, flat course bike riding, walking, and yoga to see if my activity level makes a difference. 

I kind of feel like a scientist with all of my experimentation with my migraines, except I feel like I am just grasping at straws in the dark.  One day I will figure out these migraines.  I am determined that with prayer, common sense, consistancy, and persistance, I will figure out my triggers and be able to better manage my migraines. 

Motivation, come out come out where ever you are!

You know how I was rocking the motivation from January through July?  Well, it's long gone now.  I have had zero energy to exercise and have been seriously lacking in the eating department.  What happened?  I don't know.  Maybe it was starting back up with school.  Maybe my motivation just ran its course.  We joined a gym and ever since, I have had very low motivation to exericise.  Running is something I love, but I get migraines sometimes when I run.   I'm just sad.  I suppose motivation, like many things in life, has its mountains and its valleys.  My motivation was there for a long long time and it was powerful.  I was able to abstain from all sugar for 7 months.  I know I can get it back.  I will get the motivation to eat healthier and go to the gym on a consistant basis.  And when I do, watch out! ;)

I've been looking for you.

 

Monster Cookies

Tomorrow is our church picnic and we are supposed to bring a dessert to share.  So I busted out my favorite cookbook that my mom made and added to at my wedding showers.  I flipped through and found this great recipe my friend Molly gave me for Monster Cookies. 

Aren't they just mouth wateringly gorgeous?? 

These were baked on my Pampered Chef baking stone.  This batch turned out the best.

Here's the recipe for you just in time for Halloween:

Monster Cookies

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 T. corn syrup

1 1/2 c. peanut butter

3 eggs

3/4 tsp. vanilla

3/4 T. baking soda

4 1/2 c. oatmeal

1 c. chocolate chips (or 1/2 c. chocolate chips & 1/2 c. mini M&M's)

Combine sugars, peanut butter, butter, and corn syrup in a mixing bowl until sugars are dissolved.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly.  Add baking soda and oatmeal and mix just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips and M&M's (if using them).  Form into one inch balls and place on cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 for 18-20 minutes.  Yields about 36-40 cookies.

Perspective

As you know, over the past few weeks, life has been getting the best of me instead of me getting the best out of life.  I decided that something needed to change.  Actually, I decided that something needed to change like 6 weeks ago, but nothing really did.  I just got more stressed, cried a lot, got cranky with my husband, and threw pity parties.  But nothing changed because I didn't change.  I expected my problems to change on their own.  They didn't.  If anything, unresolved issues get worse, not better with time.  So the root of my problem was not the issues themselves at all.  The root of the problem was me.  The problem was how I reacted to them.  I needed a change in perspective.  I realized that I needed to not only change my perspective, but change my actions from reactive to proactive.  This morning I woke up feeling refreshed with a sense of freedom after last night's Bible Study....

Last night's Life Group was centered around outlook and having the attitude of Christ.  Christ's was a perspective of unselfishness and complete trust in God.  He trusted in God's plan even to the point of death on a cross and praise the Lord that He did because our sins are washed away with the blood of Christ!  What an incredible promise that no matter what, we can trust in God.  We only see a fraction of our lives from moment to moment, but God sees the bigger picture.  Every morning I drive down a road with a canopy tree cover and for a few minutes I can only see a tiny part of the sky.  I'm reminded that my view is so tiny compared to the entirety of the big picture.

 I feel like that's how my life is.  I can only see a tiny part of my life, but my future is out there and even though I can't see it, God can.  So even when things are overwhelming and stressful, I know that there is someone who is in control, and all-knowing who I can trust my life with.  Who better to trust with my life, than the creator of it?

After mulling over those thoughts on trust, I decided to go for it and trust God with my whole day.  I put my day into His hands on my way to work this morning and decided that this was God's day.  No one and no thing was going to ruin my day because no matter what, I can trust that no matter what happens, at the end of the day I am deeply loved.  I am deeply loved by God who is love and it doesn't get better than that.

So, I was talking to a co-worker on my way into work this morning.  I explained that I wasn't going to let anything ruin my day and she told me that she agreed and she has a strategy to help her do just that.  When people are mean, crabby or during those times when you feel you are about to be mentally and emotionally beat up, imagine a shield in front of you.  Once that shield is up, nothing can get you.  Just smile and keep going.  It reminds me of putting on the armor of God, one being the shield of faith (Ephesians 6).  So all day I placed my trust in God, imagined my "shield of faith" in front of me, and guess what?  It worked!  I ended my work day feeling positive, renewed, and happy.  Stressfree?  No, not completely, but the stress didn't ravage my thoughts and emotions like it usually does.  Will I never have a bad day again?  Yes, I'm sure I will have plenty, but I know now how to tackle each day and try to get the most out of life more easily and effectively.  The keys?  Get a new perspective by being proactive instead of reactive, place my complete trust in God, have faith in His plan, and use a little imagination :)