Meditation Study

I have been relatively quiet about entering a clinical trial through Johns Hopkins. It is a meditation training to see how it may benefit in the treatment of migraines. All of my paperwork has been completed, I am still awaiting approval from the institute, but all other approvals are done including FMLA. Oh yes, flight was $179. Not too shabby. Getting into the trial including a couple of initial phone and email contacts. It was only supposed to be for 4-6 weeks prior to the training, but I am to fill out a daily headache/sleep diary. It's been really helpful and given me a new aspect/respect.

If anyone knows me I insist on being an informed consumer on most things, especially when there is time. I have emailed Dr. Goyal on what I may do to "prepare" myself for this retreat. He suggested eliminating all music, tv, etc. at least the week before and to double-check my enrollment status. Upon doing that I also did a search for "Preparing" and came across some good information, Both positive and negative. I think it's good to know others' experiences whether positive or negative. My plan is to go with no expectations, but perhaps a new tool to assist me. I did a lot of reading today and continue to get more and more excited. It has worn me out.

It's been a while, so time to get back to posting

I am once again in status migrainus. This has been pretty consistent since late May. I had been doing fairly well where I didn't require much treatment other than pain meds, but in May some things changed. I remember going into the OR when I had the port to my Lap-Band replaced. It had been going on a few days, but up until a couple of weesks ago, it really didn't stop. I went to see Dr. Chapman and asked him about magnesium infusions... he's not familiar with them and doesn't understand why an oral supplement isn't good enough. After 30 years, he also questioned whether or not I was actually having migraines. I got really ticked, so when I got home, I got my hands on Dr. Purath's number, called and set up a consultation. The unfortunate thing, wasn't until 2 monhs away, now it is this coming Friday. I talked to Dr. Sweeney and he does magnesium infusion and actually has them done in his office. My migraine was so bad on July 1 that I left work early... later going in for an infusion. Unfortunately for some reason I got really dehydrated and he had trouble finding a vein. We got the magnesium in, but did not get any saline or vitamin C. The migraine was abated briefly, though not completely. I experienced far fewer side effects than when infused with steroids.

With my port replacement I have gone from 202-176. Another theory of Dr. Sweeney's is that perhaps my estrogen levels have gone wonky because of it being stored in the fat cells. My levels are 300% of my progesterone. He has placed me on prometrium as Dr Chapman has also increased my Topamax. One or the other or both have helped to the point that for about two weeks I was nearly completely migraine free. It was only last Sunday that I started getting twinges again, then they have hit!...

So, it is now 1 week to my consultation with Dr. Purath... I've actually heard mixed results, while she is an awesome doc, it's very difficult to get in when you really need to. I will reserve judgment.