I Swear I Have Two Brains

The first one is the one everyone else has.  The second one is in charge of my headaches and has a mind of its own!

Since 2013 I've had an adjustable shunt, it's changed me into a walking barometer.  Right now the sky is blue and the sun is shining, but I have a weather migraine.  Because of these migraines I usually know, with more accuracy than our local tv weather guy, if there's a thunderstorm approaching.

I'm betting there's going to be one later today.

My 'other brain' is responsible for: regular migraines, which I usually get after eating something on my 'do not eat-it will give you a migraine' list.  Until recently I couldn't eat cheese without getting a migraine two days later.  However, now I appear to be able to eat most white cheeses?  Why only white cheddar and not yellow cheddar?  Ask my 'other brain'.  How did I suddenly become able to eat pizza at all (including triggers of cheese, cured meats, etc.)? Why can I eat some pizza and not get a migraine and still get a migraine if I eat others? I'm not in charge of that.

I've also suddenly developed a sensitivity to gluten, which by-the-way only exists in wheat, barley and rye.  Why can I eat whole barley (as in the rice-looking grain) but not something made from barley?  Why can I eat some wheat bread and not others.  These gluten headaches appear immediately after I've eaten something that offends-you guessed it-my 'other brain'.

My 'other brain' has also decided I can't lie on the back of my head, or sit in a recliner without getting a headache.  I have to put a tiny pillow behind my head while in the recliner, and use a small travel tempur-pedic-like pillow to sleep with.  Just the sort of thing you want to deal with while getting a massage, or about to try to meditate your poisonous thoughts away.  Apparently the 'other brain' doesn't understand these headaches aren't relaxing, and they add more to the poisonous thoughts.😒

I don't think an 'other brain'- ectomy is available currently, but maybe with the advances in modern medicine, who knows anything can happen.  I survived infant viral meningitis, I'm thriving well for someone who acquired hydrocephalus as an infant.  I'm actually blessed.😇

A Treatment for a New Type of Headache

I went to my latest tri-annual neurologist appointment.  All appears well in my migraine world .   In fact apart from a spate of bad headaches over the past few days, and a week of them at the end of May, my migraines (all three types) appear to be diminishing. 😊

However, I've developed yet another rare type of headache; Occipital Neuralgia.  This headache is caused by a tightening of your Occipital nerve.  The nerve runs from the back of your skull all the way to your eyes.  However, I also feel the pain in my trapezius muscles, the back of my neck and my right eye.  😩

I tried all manner of home remedies; cold compress for my eye, warm compress for my back and neck, neck exercises to loosen the tight muscles, meditation, relaxation exercises and lastly taking muscle relaxers. Although I am careful not to take too many, remember the end of the movie Sixteen Candles? Woops, might've just dated myself there. 😮

My neurologist suggested I see a physician in Pain Management (been there before!).  The treatment for Occipital Neuralgia appears to be injecting a long-lasting pain reliever at the point where the Occipital nerve starts at the base of your skull.  Now doesn't that just sound lovely? 😒