More of the expat life...

Lots of paintbrushy stuff recently, I hardly post about my expat life here in Oman. Admittedly art has become a new passion of mine, whether teaching it, viewing it or making it. So forgive me if it's art-heavy over here. It makes me smile.

But the 'pedicures' side of life here continues. Not so many of those really. No time. It's not all relaxing by the beach or the pool, kindle or costa in hand. It's all about the kids now. Clubs every day. Rugby, guitar, football, sailing, choir. I'll fit my Gaelic football, golf and yoga in, hubby'll get to play rugby and bike ride at some point. It's none stop. I'm shattered. But it's through our own choosing. I am not complaining. I could quite easily stop the kids' club or not go to mine. But why do that? The kids have told me what they want to do, we've discussed limits and tiredness and making sure we have one quiet early night a week. We have a balance. Life's good.

But I'm still shattered. Weird feelings and pressure in my head. The meteoropath in me??

So I've decided to do something about it rather that make an action list to do something about it. Today I went to see a cranialsacral therapist. I'd heard of it as a young mum, great for babies etc. it was recommended to me for my migraines. So I thought I'd try it for my general 'unwellness'.

Interesting practise!

 

She basically manipulates and feels for the membrane between my head and my sacrum in my lower back and feels the vibrations and tensions. I didn't feel anything astounding or health changing but the fact she was noticing certain things in my body that I hadn't told her about told me that she was hitting the spot.

 

I'm still on the Topamax and after the neurologist increasing my dosage because the migraines hadn't disappeared as expected and this increase in dosage in turn coincided with another day with 4 auras, I knew I had to action my action list!

 

I can but try.

Artist of the Month - October

Ola Rek

 

A polish artist living in Edinburgh.

Here's her blog and her website. Another website that exhibited her work: http://www.kinblethmontgallery.co.uk/Exhibition3.html.

An interesting and eclectic collection of works in a variety of media.

 

I think the point of this post is not so much the artist as the theme of her art.
 

So my last lesson of the week prompted me to write about Ola Rek and meteropathy. She isn't specifically an artist whose only theme is meteropathy but she leans strongly that way. And it's through her I became more aware of that term. And actually since then it's become a feature in my life.

I was well aware that weather affects us in many ways, especially mood. I am becoming more aware of it recently as I think I am a walking barometer. My health seems to deteriorate (migraines increase especially) around March/April and September/October when 'the weather changes'. That's another stock phrase here I'm getting tired of hearing especially in relation to all the bugs going around. 

Let Me In from http://www.kinblethmontgallery.co.uk/Exhibition3.html

Meteoropathy: Meteoropathy (from Greek meteora, celestial phenomena, and pathos, feeling, pain, suffering) is a disorder, or physical condition, or symptom due to climate or conditions of weather such as humidity, temperature or pressure. Someone said to suffer from meteoropathy is called meteoropathic.{Citation...

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoropathy

The first who studied the link between health and climate was Hippocrates in the fifth century BC. However, until recently it was believed that a meteoropathic is the true representative of a hypochondriac, but today more and more scientists associate sudden weather changes with the general state of health. Wind, humidity, rain and climate change can actually cause various symptoms of migraine or asthma to anxiety and insomnia. The latest research has proven impressive data: 30 percent of the population is sensitive to weather changes. In other words, every third person feels broken when the sky suddenly becomes cloudy or starts to rain.

From http://wechoosehealthy.com/meteoropathy/

And just a bit more info if you're interested on what season you are(!). I've figured out I'm autumn.

Summer type of person, for example, indicates a person full of enthusiasm, extrovert, hyperactive person who has optimism and huge ambitions. The adrenal glands are working with these people more active than normal. The consequence of this is that the summer type is resistant to physical and climatic stress. This type of a person only does not like the excessive heat.

Then, there is a winter type, that is somewhat opposite of the previous. These people are lazy, phlegmatic, introverted and lonely. (Don't take it personally!) They look calm, but badly bear pain. They do not like contingency, they are very rigid with their schedule, they prefer to obey the orders. They are full of confidence but may be prone to depression. They do not like sports and their aversion to physical exertion may be associated with low activity of the thyroid and other glands. This type of person is sensitive to humidity and cold. Rains and low temperatures, for example, cause joint pain, fluid retention and weight gain. For them, therefore, is better to go on holiday to dry and warm areas, which will act on them therapeutically. However, it is enough a sudden rain, and they will immediately become terribly sad.

Spring type of person is uncompromising and extrovert. Their life is stressful as they are very aggressive in relation to themselves and others. They are difficult to comfort, do not accept reality and go to the doctor only when they have to. Their hormonal glands are overactive, which is why they always lead an unbridled pace of life. They usually do not get tired, but they also have their weak point, and that is they are never able to sit in peace. This type of person has extremely hot nature, to feel better, they should choose the mountain as a place where to spend  holiday. They get more nervous if they spend they time on the seaside, and they should care about wind, which affects the nervous system.

There is also the autumn’s temperament. These people are sentimental, hypersensitive individuals, pessimistic and proud. They hard bear the stress of climatic factors (extreme cold or very hot) so often get sick when the seasons change. What would be the ideal climatological therapy? To find an environment that will awake their bodies. Ideal would be a holiday by the sea, which will stimulate all their hormonal glands.

In fact, the change in weather causes physical problems due to poor functioning of our thermoregulation system, which is a sort of physical thermostats, biological system that helps us to maintain a constant body temperature. Meteorophatics practically react adequately to external influences (cold, rain, wind), fail to adapt and feel bad. Hormones secreted by the brain gland are responsible for that. The consequences vary from person to person, but usually restlessness, anxiety and insomnia prior to the change of weather conditions. Depression and fatigue usually occur when the humidity is high.(OK!!!!) But what climatic conditions are the most dangerous? Not cold or rain, but wind. For example, when really blows, the level of serotonin in the body increases, which affects our mood. Change in air electricity, which is sometimes sudden,  causes anxiety. But, with gusts of wind come headache, nausea or muscle tension.

I love how this website considered the word as a relative of the word hypochondriac. Funny. No one's going to take this seriously!

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood. 

“(...) the sky is low, the clouds are mean”

        Beclouded, Emily Dickinson

“(...) Winter dawn is the color of metal

        The trees stiffen into place like burnt nerves”

        Waking in winter, Sylvia Plath

“(...) we understand that melancholy is nothing but the internal equivalent of air

        pressure, that is to say the internal barometer of the organism.”

        American medicine vol.33, 1927

(Quotes sources from http://www.artscomplex.org/events/exhibition-ola-rek-meteoropathy)

Well...that could have gone better.

My evening:

* The neurologist denies any link between Topamax and kidney stones despite it being disseminated through the medical information on the leaflet in the medication box. But was kind enough to refer me for an ultrasound.

* I have a kidney stone. I knew it. I've been aching for days It's only 3.6mm. My last one was 1.8cm.

* The first hospital pharmacy don't have my prescription. But Scientific pharmacy in al Khoud should do and will honour my insurance.

* Finally found it but it is shut as its prayer time. Wait 20 minutes. They don't have it. Badr al Samaa do and should honour my insurance.

* Starting to get twitchy now. My battery is very low. GPS and 3G is not working. I get lost.  Majorly lost. Never been to Maballeh. At least it was the right end of town.

* Strangely and bizarrely and somehow will never know how, I pop out next to the road that leads to Badr al Samaa, so I make my way there.

* The Pharmacy assistant looks at my forms. Talks to his colleague. I need a doctor's stamp and a hospital stamp actually on the insurance form. I've been in and out of hospital these last few months and in and out of pharmacies and have never been asked for a stamp on that form.

* For the first time in my adult life, as far as I can remember, I make a scene. I raise my voice. I shout. I recount my whole evening to the poor assistant (although at that moment in time he is not poor in my eyes; he is doing this on purpose to tease this expat woman and wind me up). I snatch the form from his hand, wordless, and storm from the pharmacy. I even manage to slam the door open on my way out. I am seething. I am sobbing.

* At least I am not lost now but I still sob all the way home. Angry and embarrassed.

* I manage to calm myself down. I am concerned that I may not get the medication for some time, I don't want to be off it, for it to come out of my system and for me to have to go through the struggle of getting used to it again.

Next morning:

* Form stamped by Starcare.

* Enough time to get to Badr al Samaa before work. And chances are the staff last night won't be on shift.

* Two lovely ladies are behind the counter. Yes. I can avoid further embarrassment.

* I have to get get my file number from the front desk before she can do anything. Oh FFS.

* But I manage to avoid the queues and nip to the billing man and he kindly helps me.

* Back to the pharmacy. A voice on my left.."So you went back to the hospital last night then to get the stamp?" O. M. G. At least it's just one of the staff from last night.

* No, of course it's not. This is me you're reading about. I walk in and number one who spoke to me goes and joins his two colleagues behind the counter so all three of them are standing there. I apologise profusely and I'm not sure but the one I spoke to last night either does not speak a lot of English or he really is pissed off with me.

* The lady gives me my prescription and I'm done. I give a final big apologetic smile as I leave and he stands up and returns it.

I think I'm OK now. Really, was all that necessary....? 

Mantra for last night should have been 'This too shall pass'.

Much like my kidney stone, I hope.

Topomax and me...the update.

It's been 30 days now of 50mg dosage at night.

I had to read about the drug online after I left the doctor as he told me very, very little about it.

I've stopped reading about people's horror stories online, of how they feel psychotic, of their hallucinations, or how they woke up not remembering where they were, or how their hair was coming out in clumps, of how their goddamn diet soft drink tasted awful (of how many people was this an important health factor??) F*ck....

I've realised that these people are probably on a much higher dose and maybe have been put straight on to that dosage rather than being 'titrated' up. My new word....! Titration: noun, incremental increase in drug dosage to a level that provides the optimal therapeutic effect (Mosby’s Dental dictionary, 2^nd edition. 2008 Elsevier. From medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com

Within the first two weeks I was ready to come off them. I felt so uncomfortable. Extreme pins and needles in my toes and fingers (which I still get. Extreme, I mean, numbness lasting half an hour…it’s hilarious). I felt completely out of it and I think the first day, I went into work, saw one of the teachers about my son, giggled inanely for a bit and told her I thought I was stoned. Luckily she just giggled back at me. (It’s that kinda school). I felt dazed and unable to focus on words on a page. I like reading stories to the class if it can introduce the art topic in some way. So this was a nightmare. I almost resorted to giving them all a colouring-in sheet, put my head under the desk in the rubbish bin and be done with it.

Being the good patient that I am (but mostly having the bossy but logical husband that I have) I had to see the month through. And I am glad I have. The overriding feeling is that my head fog has started to clear. I had become aware that I was in a subtle but gradually worsening dizzy fog for the last two or three years or so. I wake up less tired and I have more energy through the day as a result.  I feel like some electrical pathway has been cleared in my brain, subtle but enough to feel different. Insomnia was a reported issue but actually I feel I sleep ok and maybe that’s why I’m less tired rather than any electrical impulse is being changed.

BUT having said that, I went to a GP before I was put on Topomax, regarding my dizziness and she linked it with migraines. I had never heard of this link so I did my research and it’s all over the internet, I’ve had migraines since a teenager and I had never read of this. I wonder if this is my body changing and my migraines are coming out in different ways now. Have I been suffering with migraines these last few years in this way as well as the classic way and have not treated it? So, therefore, it feels she could have had a point and Topomax has helped.

My only concern is that I have a history of kidney stones. Which the doctor failed to ask check about (I actually have little faith in him tbh…so my review with him this pm should be interesting. Let’s see if he sniggers at my questions today…last chance and then I’m off to the other hospital). Topomax is more likely to bring about kidney stones…wonder what his response will be. But overall, it’s changed me. Although I am dopey as anything and the memory certainly is affected.

Topomax and Me...it begins.

Tonight I start taking my prescribed Topomax.

I am not looking forward to this having read about the horrid side effects...memory loss (like I can afford to lose any as it is) and hair loss (ditto) amongst others. I have a history of kidney stones and these could be a side effect too. The pharmacist mentioned I may need to keep an eye on liver function.

I actually said to hubby that I really did not want to take them. But he reminded me just how low I've been and that I've been at my wits end this last week. I can but try. I really hope it doesn't affect my teaching.

My Curse

Migraines have been ruling my life again this last week. I had one on holiday and then exactly a week later they came flooding back. I had 9 auras in 3 days and one persistent headache. I have no idea why they've come on but it is flooring me. I've come to the conclusion they are hormonal as I have no other clue as to trigger factors. I was drinking coffee for months until recently (enough time has passed for it to be out of my system so withdrawal isn't a factor I think).

I think possibly it could be a build-up of toxins that eventually overwhelm my system and then come out as migraine.

But what I am struggling with is the aura. These days I feel I can handle the headache and get on with life but when I cannot see, when I hallucinate, or when things appear closer or larger than they are, life just has to stop.

I actually felt the lowest I have in some time. I had to pull over on the highway before I got to the appointment I was heading to because I became so overwhelmed with a horrible feeling of depression. I found myself wanting to just disappear...I couldn't even cope with conversations with family members or managing daily tasks and basics.

I managed to get to my facial appointment on Sunday with lovely Ann. I did however, had an aura when I got to the car park. Stress perhaps? Luckily I was early so I sat it out in the car. But then I had to go on eventually up to Tips and Toes in sunglasses and explain. She understood straight away and saw that I had been crying. She explained after that she has this type of migraine too and shared how she deals with it. I will definitely go back to her each month. She made me feel a lot better and maybe that's what I need each month.

On leaving I thought that had to be it. But no another one...sat in the car....thought I was ok...another one as I drive off. Hubby had to come and rescue me. That's what brought me down again, the lack of ability to function properly. They seemed to escalate and eventually stop.

So now they seem to have stopped (none for 48 hours) I am embarking on an action plan:

* neurologist at my local hospital has prescribed me Topomax and Imigran. Was kinda hoping he'd help me figure out why I'm getting them. Didn't have a great deal of faith in him especially when he smirked and shook his head at me when I asked what Topomax would do...!
* headache centre at Muscat Private
* kinesiology
* homeopathy
* failing all the above, I've asked my husband to shoot me.