Travel Decisions

I am sitting with a head full of pain. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and got up to say goodbye to my Husband. My head was in horrible pain. I went back to bed and got up around 9:30 but I am still in much pain.

I have a number of things on my mind so I guess it is not helping. It is a lovely day, will go out in the sun.

We are going on a trip to Costa Rica. The resort is close to Liberia, in the north. We have been to Costa Rica before and actually I spent the week with a cold. I had a Hepatitis shot, the first part before I left. I did not get the second shot. My Doctor has given a prescription for another Hepatitis shot. She also provided a prescription for Dukoral also but said I should read about it before. I have never had this medication. As with most of us I am on medication. I also have I.B. but my stomach is somewhat OK now. I posted a question on the I.B. forum.

My Doctor also provided over the counter agents that could be used in case you get traveler's diarrhea. Immodium and Pepto Bismol. I have had traveler's diarrhea before after visits to Mexico and St. Lucia. I was able to overcome one bout with a few shots of brandy and I am sure cognac might help. I was not on medication then. One bout I had to get medical help and was prescribed Cipro. It stopped the diarrhea but it set the stage for my infection with C. Diff. I know better now to take probiotics when on antibiotics.

My thought is to take precautions with food and get bottled water to brush my teeth and drink. I am thinking I would take a good brand of probiotics that can be taken on travels. I may go the route with immodium if I need it and/or Pepto Bismol.

I have no intentions on visiting rain forests. I just want to relax in the sun and maybe shop and go to a spa. Will pack mosquito repellent.

As always, I never feel well enough to go anywhere but I am sure the warm weather may help.

Any thoughts?

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Post Edited (Loring) : 1/23/2015 12:28:14 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks Stacey.

I read a bit about Dukoral but it may make me worse. I know someone who finds it helpful but you don't know till you try. I was rather sick in Spain last year on my last day, throwing up badly. We went on to another Country and I bounced back in a couple days. My Doctor gave me a book to have a look at the page on Traveller's Diarrhea. The recommendation is for foods to be boiled, cooked, peeled or don't eat it.

If I could stop the headaches I would feel a lot better.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Hi Lj:

I was being treated at a Pain Management Department of a Hospital first. It was thought that the headaches may be a by product of the Osteoarthritis in my neck. I was put on NSAIDs and still take them. Then a Neurologist tried Topamax. It did not help, caused horrible pain going up my head. They were going to try botox but another Neurologist decided I needed long term Physiotherapy in a community setting. Said botox was not a long term solution. Another Doctor said there was no long term solution.

I then tried 3 Different Physiotherapy firms. The first used many machines and ultrasound on my neck. That helped some. They gave up on me. I went to another firm and there they used hands on treatment of pressure points. My head was always weird after. I then tried another firm. Accupuncture was tried. I do think it moves pain but sometimes from one place to another. I did stick with Water Therapy in a heated pool that has been discontinued. I then was referred to the Headache and Pain Relief Centre. The Doctor has a good resume. He is treating me with nerve blocks every four weeks and I see a Massage Therapist prior. It is mostly my back being worked on but my neck too. I don't feel pain when I get the massage but again my head is weird when I get up. The nerve blocks weaken the muscles and I have to start all over.

I did also go to an Anesthesiologist at a Hospital who damages nerves. It was a trial. You either were treated with a placebo or the real thing. If it helped enough treatment would begin, if not they could do no more. It didn't help, didn't stop my pain.

I know I have sinus issues. I use Neil med which washes out green mucous with blood attached. An ENT did a thorough check of my sinuses and had a CT scan done. Have a slight deviated septum but surgery not recommended. I have tried some nasal sprays.

I have read a book about headaches. I try to soak in the tub with Epsom salts and work on my head some but it doesn't help.

I am not taking anything for the head pain. I stopped Tylenol due to rebound headaches. It didn't stop the pain. I would need a lot more than 2. I use pain creams. It could be meds causing rebound headaches but I am not sure. The more I move the more pain I get myself in.

Meds: 250 mg Naproxen, 15 mg Baclofen, 90 mg Nortiptyline, HRT Premarin
Off: Topamax, Fentanyl Patch, Oxycontin, Omeprazole, a number of NSAIDs tried before Naproxen
Antbiotics or other meds when required
Supplements, Vit C, Multi Vit, Vit D, Magnesium Glycinate and Calm, Omega 3 +COQ10 and plant sterols (this has helped cholesterol levels)

Use Ice and Heat. I keep my Doctors informed.

Will look at EFT points. Thanks. I know I will have a good time once I get there.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Post Edited (Loring) : 1/21/2015 1:30:58 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks again LJ.

I have had it once, the pressure and ear pain but have candies if I need it. I once had shortness of breath on a plane. I thought, this is crazy, just breath. I didn't say anything but saw my Doctor on return. It was a complication from a Flu. I did get better with meds.

Loring

Hi Brenda:

I did speak to my Nurse Practitioner about stopping HRT Premarin. She said we will discuss at the next wellness visit. I really didn't have any desire to go on HRT. There is a history of breast cancer in my Family. I was 47 when I was diagnosed as being post menopausal. It seemed that as soon as I had a D&C to remove an IUD that was inside for 22 years, I went into menopause. I had a very easy menopause, no hot flashes, I would just get a bit of heat come over me around 10:00 every night. I have had some mornings that my head was in a sweat. My walls were very thin, dry and I was having much pain. I tried Replens and another product. I did read some info on the Mayo Clinic about HRTs and I decided to give a try. My N.P. said it is also good for your bladder. I used to get bladder infections but OK now.

We have had a week of very calm and sunny weather but it is so cold. Yes, stress can take a toll on you.

I just put on comment on a post. Wonder if my efforts this week to weigh and measure my food and cut out sugar could increase headaches. I will stick with it. The last Christmas cookies are in the freezer - out of sight out of mind.

Take care and thanks for sharing.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Thank you so much Michael.

As always, you are so inspiring. I hope you skip all the stuff about women's problems.

Have a nice weekend. Perhaps you have to work weekends. I know in retail my son seldom gets weekends off. It is no longer the norm, not working weekends for many people.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Hi Julie:

I don't have to worry about female time at 61 but in days gone by it also popped up on a trip almost always.

I had a cold the whole week when we were in Costa Rica a few years ago. They had a store at the resort that sold one pill at a time. It really is hard if you get sick. I have had a cold in two other places. One was in Europe and you have to get cough syrup from the Pharmacist. It is not on the shelves, not even cough candies.

Sorry that you are a headache sufferer. Do you have them under control in some way?

Thanks for sharing.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...