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I am hoping that this review (and all updates that...
I am hoping that this review (and all updates that follow) will give help to someone. That is my only motivation for putting my story "out there" in the virtual world. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions and I will be more than happy to reply. I NEVER want anyone to go through what I have been through!
First off, I have always had "headaches" but it wasn't until after the birth of my 2nd child that they became severe. A few years after that I had to get a complete hysterectomy. My Dr. told me that it would probably improve my condition. In my case, however, things only have gotten worse. (that was 10 years ago) I have been on most medications available. I have also popped 4 Advil at a time with most meds doing and trying anything for some sort of relief. My real relief came with Sumatriptan. The pills were the only thing I could really afford, as the shots were SO expensive. When I did have good insurance that paid for the shots during these past 10 years, I was like Gollum from Lord of the Rings...I would be holding on to my "precious." I would wait until the migraine was so bad that I wanted to die. (If you knew me, you would know that my kids are my LIFE & death is not anything I would EVER EVER do) As sufferers, I know you understand what I mean. Anyway, the problem with the pills is that when you are throwing up they do no good. I was put on Amitriptyline nightly for years, (plus I got better insurance & have been back to hoarding shots) but I am averaging about 16 migraines a month. I have had 2 MRI's that showed nothing too. My neurologist took me off the amitriptyline & put me on topamax. I was quite afraid of this drug, for my step-father was on it for migraines years ago and he ended up a zombie. A brilliant mathematician and when on it he could barely walk or talk. I was scared, but desperate. I am now on 100mg at night & I am fine. The only drug I have not tried is a beta-blocker, which I just received in the mail from my pharmacy yesterday. (however, I am NOT going to take it just yet)
Ok, so I was "approved" for the Botox treatment and went in for my first one yesterday. I have done a LOT of reading and research on it to say the least. (I am a p/t college professor, so I research everything lol) Anyway, the one thing that stuck out to me from all of my research was NOT to get it done if I had a migraine....and the God I did not have one. I went in & I had 40 shots given to me. He started around my left ear & up by my left temple. They were short needles, didn't go in very far, & not too painful. He went to the other side and did the same. (I had my eyes closed) Once that part was done he had me turn toward him, close my eyes, & he gave them to me across the forehead. He told me that was the worst of them & had me lift up my hair. He did some down both sides of my neck, across my hairline, and then a few in my actual head in the back. Truthfully the WORST THING was the noise it made...I could hear my scalp "crunching" with each shot. (Like biting into an apple) It was gross, but I did not care...my life with migraines is unbearable. I was sore last night, not a headache, but sore and tired. I am fine today. I know it is a "wait and see" process, so I will "wait and see." I have thought about trying to get on disability, but I am a fun-loving person & I WANT to be out there in the world working. (and I cannot afford to, to be quite honest) But I cannot live like this anymore either. These last couple of months have been horrible & depressing. I want to find a job working at home just so I can try to "deal" with the pain if I have to, but legitimate home jobs are not easy to find. I just want to be pain-free. I try not to [RS bleep] & complain because so many people have it worse than me in the world....but I am desperate now. Like I said, I will update this....feel free to ask any questions and I will be more than happy to answer them! I pray for any of you going through the same thing!
First off, I have always had "headaches" but it wasn't until after the birth of my 2nd child that they became severe. A few years after that I had to get a complete hysterectomy. My Dr. told me that it would probably improve my condition. In my case, however, things only have gotten worse. (that was 10 years ago) I have been on most medications available. I have also popped 4 Advil at a time with most meds doing and trying anything for some sort of relief. My real relief came with Sumatriptan. The pills were the only thing I could really afford, as the shots were SO expensive. When I did have good insurance that paid for the shots during these past 10 years, I was like Gollum from Lord of the Rings...I would be holding on to my "precious." I would wait until the migraine was so bad that I wanted to die. (If you knew me, you would know that my kids are my LIFE & death is not anything I would EVER EVER do) As sufferers, I know you understand what I mean. Anyway, the problem with the pills is that when you are throwing up they do no good. I was put on Amitriptyline nightly for years, (plus I got better insurance & have been back to hoarding shots) but I am averaging about 16 migraines a month. I have had 2 MRI's that showed nothing too. My neurologist took me off the amitriptyline & put me on topamax. I was quite afraid of this drug, for my step-father was on it for migraines years ago and he ended up a zombie. A brilliant mathematician and when on it he could barely walk or talk. I was scared, but desperate. I am now on 100mg at night & I am fine. The only drug I have not tried is a beta-blocker, which I just received in the mail from my pharmacy yesterday. (however, I am NOT going to take it just yet)
Ok, so I was "approved" for the Botox treatment and went in for my first one yesterday. I have done a LOT of reading and research on it to say the least. (I am a p/t college professor, so I research everything lol) Anyway, the one thing that stuck out to me from all of my research was NOT to get it done if I had a migraine....and the God I did not have one. I went in & I had 40 shots given to me. He started around my left ear & up by my left temple. They were short needles, didn't go in very far, & not too painful. He went to the other side and did the same. (I had my eyes closed) Once that part was done he had me turn toward him, close my eyes, & he gave them to me across the forehead. He told me that was the worst of them & had me lift up my hair. He did some down both sides of my neck, across my hairline, and then a few in my actual head in the back. Truthfully the WORST THING was the noise it made...I could hear my scalp "crunching" with each shot. (Like biting into an apple) It was gross, but I did not care...my life with migraines is unbearable. I was sore last night, not a headache, but sore and tired. I am fine today. I know it is a "wait and see" process, so I will "wait and see." I have thought about trying to get on disability, but I am a fun-loving person & I WANT to be out there in the world working. (and I cannot afford to, to be quite honest) But I cannot live like this anymore either. These last couple of months have been horrible & depressing. I want to find a job working at home just so I can try to "deal" with the pain if I have to, but legitimate home jobs are not easy to find. I just want to be pain-free. I try not to [RS bleep] & complain because so many people have it worse than me in the world....but I am desperate now. Like I said, I will update this....feel free to ask any questions and I will be more than happy to answer them! I pray for any of you going through the same thing!
Provider Review
Dr. Emad Estemalik