Blood Work, Headaches, and a little Good News... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

fisher1000 · 12-19-2007, 07:37 PM

I went to the doctor today because I've been having frequent headaches and a couple of migraines. The doc couldn't pinpoint a cause but gave me some migraine medicine that largely took the headache away. (Though I'm still feeling a little twinge up there...)

I thought it could be related to some nutrient or vitamin I wasn't absorbing properly, but my blood work happened to come back yesterday and they were able to show me the printout when I went in. Before I get to that, though, has anyone else been troubled with headaches? I don't know if they are related to WLS or not, but it's been a whole week, and I'm frustrated and cranky.

Anyway, the blood work was incredible. I wasn't low on anything and in normal ranges for iron, calcium, b vitamins, you name it. My A1C number dropped from 7.0 in August to 5.9--I'm officially off ALL DIABETES MEDICATION! (Still have to watch it though...) My cholesterol was 120! That's what it was when I was in the 7th grade! (Many moons ago)

So, to recap...I'm off the Diabetes pills, insulin is NOT in my future anymore, I'm off the blood pressure meds, and I can't believe this has happened in just three months.

The headaches are still a drag, and they gave me a pill called Frova (frovatriptan succinate) that worked marginally well, but didn't completely get rid of the headache. (But it did get rid of the optical issues I was having in tandem with the migraine...) The doctor said it could be viral, it could be sinuses or it could be meningitis. (Though if it was meningitis she didn't seem all that concerned...) I, being the hypochondriac that I am, went into the doc's office convinced I had a brain tumor. (With Arnold Schwarzenegger in the back of my mind saying, "It's naht a tumah." - from Kindergarten Cop)

Anybody have any good over the counter or home remedies for severe headaches that are good for WLS patients? I took a LorTab for the night...but I hate to just keep pushing the heavy duty pills in. I'd like to keep my liver intact.

Muchas gracias for your help. (and support!)

-Mike

Toony · 12-19-2007, 08:06 PM

Hi Mike! First - congratulations on the great labs! You're on the right path and doing so well! I gave blood today, and my iron is always "borderline (low)..." Whatever the number means: ok is 12.5 and mine was 14.5! I guess the vitamins I'm taking are paying off....

Second - I'm so sorry to hear you're plagued by the horrible headaches! My DH has migraines from time to time - and Imetrex (inhaler) works for him. I haven't heard of Frova! (will google it).

Maybe you just need a week or two off work and to see family... How convenient with the holidays here and your plans to travel!!!

HUGS and hope you feel better quickly!

Katie

coptergirl · 12-19-2007, 08:40 PM

Mike - way to go on your labs and being officially off the diabeties meds - that in itself is such a wow moment!! I am really sorry about the migraines - never had one myself (thank God!!), but had a girlfriend who could tell the type of headaches she was about to have by the way they started and she had an arsenal of meds ranging from Tylenol to Immetrex that she would take before she rode them out (I am talking 2-3 per week since she started puberty). I hope you feel better real soon!!

Cinerbelle · 12-19-2007, 08:54 PM

That is great news about the meds!! It sounds like we were a lot alike. I had diabetes and HP meds too before surgery. By the way, EVERY time I have a headache I say "it's a tumah"...with the accent!!

katzz87 · 12-19-2007, 09:12 PM

Woo Hoo Mike! Way to go! It only took 3 months for your labs to return to normal? Great...I've got something to look forward to.

Sorry to hear about your migraines. Not fun!! I get the very, very occassionally thank goodness! I'm assuming when the doctor said it could be meningitis that she was refering to viral meningitis...not contagious...but oh sooooo painful! My hubby (boyfriend) at the time was diagnosed with viral meningitis, head pain so bad he was vomiting. I just had the worst headache of my entire life...including migraines. Hopefully it's just allergies causing your headache. Good luck, take your meds and go to a quiet and dark room and put a cold rag over your head and sleeeeeepppppp!

Eseret · 12-19-2007, 09:32 PM

Mike,

I get horrible migraines...the kind that leave on side of your face feeling like someone hit you with a brick and then repeated it over and over. They affect my eyes, jaw, and neck. I generally have them for 3 days before I feel better with a "regular" headache. One thing I've noticed since GBS is that the nausea I usually have with my migraines has diminished.

I DO know certain foods trigger some of my migraines...chocolate, aged cheese, red wine (is that a food??

) Also if I'm exposed to dust or windy weather.

You might have a sinus infection that hasn't quite cleared up in the past. All it takes is a little pocket of infection left and the right conditions for the infection to start up again.

On another thought...have you every had allergy tests? They can pinpoint trigger foods and substances. Not a very pleasant test to go through, but worth it.

Hope you're feeling better soon and congrats on your blood work!!!!!

Teri

CanuckDiva · 12-19-2007, 10:04 PM

Hi Mike,

Congrats on getting off the diabetes meds! That's a great accomplishment and as you said, in just three months, totally awesome.

Sorry, I have no advice with the headaches. I hope yours subsides very soon and you're feeling back to your old self.

By the way, great picture on your Christmas card, you all look very happy and your daughter is an angel.

Best,
Kimberly

marine · 12-19-2007, 10:31 PM

Mike,

CONGRATULATIONS for the Hb1Ac values, and Chol values, that is amazing, you cannot image how much Quality of Life this will give you in the future, bringing each diabetes/high Chol/High BP from a very high risk for so many diseases) So well done !!!!!!!!

Headaches: first 1 good news: you are in the middle of the age range of migraines, meaning that overtime they will go away. 2nd: few doctors here also recommend either to do sport regularly (outdoor the best), or to have a other extra activity (outside professional/family) were you can really relax: all this if these headaches are not secondary to an other issue.

Again Congratulations, and hopefully that you will be able to manage your headaches/Migraines better in the future. If I get any idea, Iwill let you know.

Corrine · 12-20-2007, 05:44 AM

Fantastic news on the bloodwork Mike. To be off your diabetes meds in just 3 months is wonderful.

I've never had migraines so I'm not going to be of much help.

Since surgery I've had headaches which are a result of alergies (it's been a bad year for that in WA).

I hope they sort your migraine problem out soon - I have have a friend who's a life-long sufferer - you have my sympathy.

nextbigloser · 12-20-2007, 06:01 AM

Hey Mike sorry to hear about the headaches. That is one of the main reasons I am having the surgery. I have pseudotumor celebri which causes a build up of fluid on the brain. You get vision disturbances and horrible headaches. I was told that weightloss would probably take care of it.

My neurologist told me not to use tylenol because it can cause rebound headaches and I found this to be true. I would take it and feel better for about an hour and the bam it was worse. At first they were giving my Immatrex shots and that would take care of the headache but the visual problems would stay. Thats when they sent me to the neurologist and I was diagnosed correctly.

I hope you get some relief and if the meds they are giving you don't work I would consider a neurologist. Mine has been so helpful he even wrote a letter to the ins. com. and had my 12 month supervised diet waived so I could have the surgery sooner.