So, I have The Boot attached to my right leg. I have the crutches. I was given Vicodin, in hopes that I'd be able to get some sleep. (I really haven't slept well since I injured myself, as I'd wake up every time I turned over - that's how bad it hurt.)
Friday night, I took the Vicodin. It kicked in while I was watching a movie ( Love's Enduring Promise, based on a Janette Oke book) and I was dismayed that I wasn't going to be able to complete it, as I was really enjoying it. At one point I dozed off, and woke to see a commerical, touting the entire series of movies - six in all - to be shown the next day starting at 11. Wonderful, I thought to myself, I'll watch the entire series tomorrow, since I'm stuck in bed. And I turned over and went to sleep.
I woke at 4 to excruciating pain in my head but I was disoriented from the Vicodin and didn't know what was going on. I tried to doze, but wasn't able to, and realized about 10 minutes later that I was, quite possibly, experiencing a migraine. I wondered, briefly, if it was going to get worse, but then I fell back to sleep.
To wake at 4:47, grab for my crutches, and make a run for the bathroom. To toss my cookies in a most unpleasant way. And then to repeat the entire circuit 8 more times before 11 a.m. The last time, I laid (lay? collapsed! ) on the bathroom floor for ten minutes, completely out of it and knowing that I needed to get to a doctor, but not having any idea on how to accomplish that. I ended up calling my girlfriend to watch my kids and my mom to take my sorry, puking, crying and oh so unpleasant to be with self in to urgent care.
It's bad, I think, when you fall onto the waiting room sofa, face down and contorted as only a person on crutches can be, not caring one whit how dirty said sofa might indeed be.
While checking in, I told the receptionist I thought I was going to puke. She looked at me with a look that can only be described as disdain and replied, "Oh, no you're not. Not here, anyway." I looked back at her and threw up in her garbage can. My, but I'm a difficult patient. She had to call for a "biohazard" and everything. While talking to the doctor, he inquired, "Are you sure you're throwing up? You've been here for 45 minutes and you haven't thrown up at all!" Ten minutes later, he got his wish.
I left with a couple of shots and a referral to see a Neurologist. Enough is enough, says I. Headaches be damned, these are getting worse and worse and coming approximately every three weeks.
The worst part is that I missed the ENTIRE set of movies. But, the great thing is, I know now EXACTLY how fast I can move on crutches. AND February, the worst month of the year, is GONE.
Man, and I thought my sinus pressure was awful! I'll say extra prayers for you Carmen, you definitely need them!
Posted by: Beth | March 01, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Girl, you've got to get a DVR!!!
Posted by: Patti | March 01, 2009 at 05:56 PM
carmen i feel your pain. Both of my girls suffer from extreme migrains to the point where my husband threatened to move into a hotel. Oh and if i take painkillers it makes it so much worse......
still praying for you
Kelly
Posted by: kelly | March 01, 2009 at 06:22 PM
When it rains.... there's a monsoon?
My gracious! Well I was expecting the vicodin to be the culprit- it's just not fair to have a migraine too!
Hugs-
Posted by: KG | March 01, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Sounds just like my vertigo attack I had last August, only everything I looked at was moving. I puked my guts out, and I didn't care who I was doing it on. They gave me a multitude of meds to help curb the nausea, but most of them gave me a bad headache, so I quit taking them. I take Vicodin for back pain, Im a mechanic, it goes with the territory. Im still praying for you, hang in there.
Posted by: ggroszek | March 01, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Sending healing thoughts your way! Take it easy!
Posted by: Melissa | March 01, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Good grief. Your body is trying to kill you.
Posted by: Annika | March 01, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Amen, February is gone!!! I couldn't say goodbye to it fast enough, what with all the sickness it has brought to our house. I hope you feel better and can get some fast answers to the migraine problem, and that it's nothing serious. Take care, bloggy friend, and just rest! Read some good books, and watch some great movies!
Posted by: Melissa | March 01, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Good grief, Carmen! I hope March is way better than February! And, I really hope you get some answers about these headaches, friend. Rest, rest, rest.
Posted by: Heather | March 01, 2009 at 08:18 PM
I'm so glad that February is over. Such a Short Month can cause so much crap. These 3wks headaches, do you think by chance they could be "cyclical?" maybe something hormonal? Massive Progestrone DUMP? or something? I hope they can find you some answers.
hugs!
Posted by: kyoot | March 01, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Oh my gosh, I'd want February gone too! I hope the neurologist is able to sort things out and that you're feeling better soon!!
Posted by: Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com | March 01, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry. Hope you feel better soon!
I'd totally watch the kids for you!
Posted by: Headless Mom | March 01, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Topamax saved my life - went through a very similar cycle to what you are talking about. Migraines that came with increasing frequency and totally took over my life. I take it twice a day everyday and when I do get a headache now, (which is rare) I can manage it with motrin.
Get better! I simply can't imagine dealing with a migraine on top of another injury. Sending tons and tons of good thoughts your way.
Posted by: Maureen | March 01, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Carmen, I love the show Mystery Diagnosis, but I truly do not want to see you on it!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 01, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Vicodin makes my sister throw up and have migraines.. do you think it might have triggered it?
Posted by: Jennifer | March 01, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I vote for the Vicodin. That stuff makes me puke forever!
Posted by: Philippa | March 01, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Yeah, vicodin makes me sick as a dog. Something in it, probably the codeine, does not mix well with me. Did the doc even ask about the meds you were taking, and consider that the problem? I mean, if you have migraines frequently, then it probably wasn't the vicodin, but maybe it was? I hope you feel better soon!
Posted by: Holly | March 01, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Oh my gosh, you poor thing! How awful!
At the risk of sounding like something out of Absolutely Fabulous, perhaps Oxycontin? Serious stuff there, so be careful. But it *works.* My husband had knee surgery recently and had it. Lookout though, it made him ridiculously crabby.
Or maybe Morphine? Ahhhh, sweeet morphine. Gift from the Gods.
Ok, this comment has probably gotten a bit weird. Apologies. But I hope that March is so much better for you! I enjoy your blog and am glad that you're well enough to even tend to it lately.
=-)
Posted by: Urban Mom | March 01, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I am allergic to codiene, the good stuff in all nice painkillers including vicoden, It makes me PUKE like mad and feel like shittle. I just take advil and tylenol at the same time...woo hoo you need better than that. I have had a morphine drip, those are great! LOL
Posted by: mary | March 01, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Definitely allegic to Vicodin. The constant vomiting is the result of that. It is horrible. My mom is also terribly allergic to anything with codine in it. I would guard against the Oxycontin since we know someone who became horribly addicted to it and is still dealing with the aftermath of that addiction. I am so sorry for all of these health issues. Life is complicated enough without this. I hope that they can find a safe painkiller for you.
Posted by: amy | March 01, 2009 at 11:51 PM
First of all, I agree with everyone who diagnosed an allergy to Vicodin and probably to all things codine (sp?). The vomiting is exactly what happens and it is horrible. That may have also triggered the migraine. I would STAY AWAY from Oxycontin as that stuff is absolutely addictive and we know someone who is still dealing with her addiction to it. I know there are safe drugs out there, but the very best thing would be for you to heal and be well very soon.
Posted by: amy | March 01, 2009 at 11:55 PM
OH - I am so sorry. I went on a rant and thought that my first comments had disappeared and instead you get both of my comments. How rude of me. Please forgive....
Posted by: amy | March 01, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I recently watched the entire series through Netflix -- LOVED them! Now I'm working my way through BBC multi-part miniseries set in England in previous series such as "Aristocrats" and now "Wives and Daughters."
Posted by: Brenda | March 02, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Carmen, How awful !! My DH suffered from migraines fro years. So I understand how you are feeling. Hoping you are feeling better soon.
Posted by: Marie | March 02, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Another vote for the vicodin, the stuff makes me feel worse than whatever I was taking it for. Try darvocet, not as strong but at least it doesn't make me sick and I don't drop into the sleep of the dead either.
Hope you feel better soon!
Posted by: Katie | March 02, 2009 at 07:59 AM