Live Well

Ever since my mom passed in October, I've made a lot of changes in my life. When I reflected on where I was at in my life after she passed, I realized that I needed to take further steps in my effort to live well.
It wasn't just enough to see a Neurologist. I became more proactive in my health, especially after watching my mom's health fail and wondering to myself what else could of been done. What else could be done for me? With migraines you always feel like you are in a catch 22. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't, especially when it comes to exercise. Eating healthy seems a simple one, but it isn't. It is a fine balance between sugar, fat and protein.
I decided to go back to my Neurologist and talk about adding Elavil, the antidepressant know to help with migraines. I knew I was going through some grief induced depression and that I was having a hard time wanting to get up and get going in the morning. Let alone sleeping well. Anyway, we combined it to my mix of Verapamil and Levothyroxine. I am unable to take Topamax because I've had a couple of kidney stones.
I also decided that I needed to get active. I've always feared exercise because I usually ended up with a migraine when I did. But, I had gained weight and felt sluggish. I also wanted to feel stronger and live well. I watched my mom become weaker over the years. She had suffered a lot, and not by her own doing, but getting active was a struggle and it would of helped her. I understand the depletion of energy that disease and depression bring, so I know how hard it is to get up and go. So, I decided that I wasn't going to worry about whether or not I got a migraine or whether or not I was tired. I was going to do it anyway. What could it hurt. I had been getting three migraines a week and if the doctors are right, then the exercise would eventually pay off.
I also knew that I had issues I needed to work out and that talking to a counselor could help reduce some of the extreme tension I was feeling. Another reason I wanted to talk to my Neurologist.
With all three elements combined, I was able to got three weeks without a migraine! I can't recall the last time that happened. I love exercising. I go three times a week and I only got a migraine my first time. I look forward to it and definitely feel stronger and less stressed. I've also worked on my eating habits. The Elavil and counseling where also a huge factor in reducing my stress and migraines. My husband and I are committed to living well and I'm so glad that I took that risk to get up and exercise.