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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

a minor set-back...



For whatever reason, my migraines decided to haunt me these last 2 days. Eyes went wonky yesterday morning... took a pill... laid down in the dark... up again and started baking.  Eyes went wonky again a little later, but got by without pill.  It's unusual for it to come back once it's gone.

These *elderly* migraines are a lot different from the awful head bangers I used to have at a younger age. Those usually sent me to the emergency room for a shot of Demoral or a Tylenol 4 with codeine... and they always lasted a day or two.  But these last few years they've developed into *ocular* migraines - the aura of light is still there and my eyes go wonky - can't see straight - but luckily they don't last too long (maybe 20-30 minutes) and even if I'm left with a dull headache, it's nothing like they used to be. I always figured it was one of the *good things about aging*. 

The trouble is that they come more frequently... not the 2-3 times a year as in the past, but now almost every 2 weeks. This one yesterday was unusual in that it returned twice and then later last night my head hurt above my right eye... so much so that I ended up getting my cold head wrap and wrapping it tightly around my head. But by about 3 am, I gave up and took another pill. 

Someone said that I should go visit the Neurologist because of the increase in frequency, but he'll want to run a MRI, then probably tell me something I don't want to hear... or put me on meds. I'd like to try to do without that as long as possible. The pill I take now that seems to work is only a 500mg Tylenol.  It's actually the only med I take... and I try not to take it too often.

Anyway, I finally got a good bit of my baking done today. Will continue tomorrow and hopefully get to mail out by Thursday. We also got our Christmas cards (with Jack's pic) yesterday, so I can include it with our Christmas goodies.





I love sending off packages of Christmas goodies. Don't really know if family and friends enjoy getting them, but I always did. My MIL (bless her soul, she's 97 now and no longer bakes) used to mail us these huge boxes of home-made pralines, candies, cookies, etc. and we were always so excited to get them.  So I try to continue the tradition. So far I've made whiskey balls, pecan tassies, PB chocolate chip cookies, Christmas tea cakes, and chocolate pecan graham cracker bark. Tomorrow I will do espresso shortbread and rum cakes. If there's time, I may do some trash cookies... which have chocolate, pretzels, and nuts in them. 




Happy Holidays!

18 comments:

  1. A dear friend used to send me a tin of cookies every year. Then she got a full time plus job and that tradition ended.
    Chronic conditions are not nice and chronic pain is worst of all.

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    1. My main concern is that the weather doesn't get hot during delivery as icings on Christmas cookies melt, etc. But we'll hope for the best. And regarding the migraines, as I mentioned, they aren't as bad as they used to be... so we can find comfort in that.

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  2. Oooh, hope the migraines don't plague you over the holiday season.
    You have been busy with your baking, I would love to get a parcel like that, I'm sure your recipients do as well.

    Diana

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    1. As for the migraines, I'm hoping that they have done their worst... for now. And as for the Christmas goodies, I hope the recipients enjoy them. I enjoy making them.

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  3. I went through a period of getting migraines about every six weeks or so for a couple of years. This was in my late 30's. Horrific. I would be out of commission for three or four days each time. Then they stopped. I had one ocular migraine in my 50's. I was at work and it was a bizarre experience, but I never had another one. I consider myself lucky, but I have the utmost sympathy for those who suffer chronic migraines.

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    1. Olga, I know... I'm so-o glad the bad migraines from the early years are gone... I can handle these ocular ones as they aren't so debilitating. But I never travel any long distances alone because of the fear that they will occur on the highway... when I can't see (or think straight).

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  4. I'm sorry about the migraines. The boys are sending you purrs and hoping that you stop getting them, or at the very least, so often. Years ago I worked briefly with someone who would lose her vision with them. Nasty. And scary.

    Kudos for the baking! I used to love to do it, as give-aways and of course to eat. I also used to enjoy receiving home made treats, but no one I know does that anymore. I think it's great you do and I'm sure all your recipients are deeply appreciative!

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    1. Regarding the migraines, the vision loss doesn't last too long... but it is scary (I sometimes wonder "what if it doesn't come back?" But it always does... in time).
      As for the baking, I enjoy it... and *seems* like a little more personal than going out and buying a box of Godiva (which is also good!).

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  5. I don't know how I would feel about getting a box of goodies like that, since it's all I can do to keep the extra weight gain down at this time of year. But I don't have to worry about it, my mom is long gone. My sister sent me a care package for my birthday, but it was hot sauce she made herself. I love it! :-)

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    1. I guess I don't think about avoiding Christmas goodies during the holidays. While I can easily skip store-bought cookies and candies, home-made ones (especially from friends or family) I wouldn't want to do without. And I loved care packages when I was in college!

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  6. Silly computer...it ate my comment! I hope your migraines stay away. Before menopause I used to be guaranteed to have one or two a year, but since I haven't had any...knock wood. I always saw an aura before it hit, and as long as I took a pill and got to lay in a dark quiet place I was okay. If not...it was miserable. For me, really good chocolate was a trigger so now I just avoid it.
    Speaking of chocolate, the baking sounds so good. I`m sure those who receive the gifts of the homemade treats are appreciative knowing they were made with love!

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    1. You are right, Eileen, chocolate can be a trigger... as well as raw mushrooms, nitrates, aspartame, red wine, stress, and glare... to mention a few. And yes, the aura always comes first... a fore-warning. Sometimes it's obvious what caused it, other times I haven't a clue.
      On a happier note: Got the baked goods off without a hitch yesterday... 10 canisters!

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  7. I am so sorry you have to suffer those migraines...I have friends that get them and they are awful. You have a wonderful and yummy baking list...I can not bake...I think only a chosen few are given this gift .:)

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    1. Thanks, Dee. Hopefully I'll not get any more migraines this month. So much to do. As for the baking, I really do enjoy it... ; )

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  8. my Gary used to get migraines, he cut out chocolate, cheese, caffeine and he hasn't had a migraine since, then he could slowly add back the cheese and small amounts of chocolate, I think at the time he was drinking a lot of cocacola and that and the excedrine migraine pills had so much caffeine it was affecting him terribly; hope your migraines improve

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    1. Linda, I also cut out coke (which is my *go to comfort* when I don't feel well) and did give up coffee, tea, and chocolate... for a while, but started adding them back also... which might be the reason for this last migraine.

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  9. So glad you commented and got me to visit. I do read before sleep and that does relax me and when I re-read the sentence I turn off the light and ALMOST drift off to sleep. But at least every other night I do not. I like your idea of a mantra or song. I will try that. Now, I am going to give you some serious advice. SEE your doctor. Whether it is something you want to hear or not...you need to see if it can be moderated or fixed!

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  10. I will see my doctor about the migraines... eventually... maybe after the holidays.

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