Once again as the colder weather approaches and we see the first frosts in the mornings the beast follows. It doesn't seem to matter if i have been attack free all summer, as soon as that cold nip is in the air it effects the left side of my face and triggers the clusters to begin. Its weird being a chronic i have never managed to find any sort of patter apart from the fact that they will always start to get worst at a certain time of year when the hot weather is pushed out by the colder seasons. Weather seems to play a huge part in my triggers as i have noticed when ever we have a low pressure patch above us i can feel it on the left side of my head like pressure pushing down on my face. In one respect its handy as i seem to know when rain or a storm is approaching but it can be annoying at the same time as i know i will have severe attacks at any moment. My attacks are still lower than they have ever been but i am still having to deal with them on a daily basis weather its a full cluster attack or just shadows which can be just as depressing as the attacks themselves as it feels like an attack is trying to start , constantly , all day long yet nothing actually appears. I have discussed this with my Neurologist and we have decided to try a low dose of the Pregabilin tablets once again to see if this will stop the small amount of attacks i am still getting. Anything is worth a try as i know as winter comes in , the attacks will become unbearable once again.
I am still dealing with the damaged nerve in my neck and my back on a daily basis. i know its going to get even worst over time but the longer i can try and deal with it with out the use of strong medication the better i will be in the long term as when i really do need to take the medication i wont have built up a tolerance for it over years of taking the same tablets and they will work better for me. I have to start thinking about long term management of my conditions and especially medication as taking tablets or different medications for a long period of time is not good for anyone. I am actually coming off all medicines that i don't HAVE to be taking as i feel the doctors were just prescribing things just for the sake of it. The doctor agreed there were 4 or 5 different things i didn't actually need to be taking so this is a good start. The less i have to take now the better i will be in future that's for sure. I am also coming of other stronger medication but this has to be done very slowly over a period of time as the body can react very badly to withdrawals so we have to be careful. When i am off these i will be left with only 1 or 2 medications i will have to take for mood and cluster management but that will be it. we will then be able to make a long term pan management plan as the nerve and the back gets worst over time.
Things have been looking more positive lately as i have been managing my condition. it hasn't been easy at all, far from it, its been a hard struggle but i have managed to hang on in there,. The pain levels in the back when just walking or standing is bad enough. When moving about you feel like screaming in pain but don't as you feel embarrassed so tend to hold it in and hide away the pain so no one sees you suffering. I have tried concentrating more on my fishing this year but even on my fishing trips i have found my self suffering with the back and the neck making everything hard work. Despite the pain i will never let it stop me from going fishing and doing the only sport and outdoor activity i can do now days. My fishing is the only way i hold on to my sanity. I am hoping with the introduction of the Pregabilin tablets it will mean i can get out and do some winter fishing this year despite the cold getting to my back and neck the pregabilin should help ease the nerve pain and keep it at manageable levels, Fingers crossed.!
