I did not accomplish any of my goals this week, although I came close on the dress.
I am still sick. What’s worse, I discovered I’m not really sick.
I started taking a new (to me) medication for my migraines a month ago. This was not without a bit of trepidation, because the list of potential side effects from this stuff is about three miles long. But I figured it was worth a try.
It’s worked great on my headaches; it’s even zapped my muscle-tension neck pain. I was feeling great until I came down with this nasty cold about two weeks ago. But I was looking up something about the medication the other day, and saw one side effect I hadn’t noticed before: “flu-like symptoms.”
Are you freakin’ kidding me? Hmm, what a choice: headaches, or being sick all the time??? Not to mention, I have plenty to do at the day job too, and my family has been more than patient at home. They are truly a blessing. But forget doing anything creative, like writing.
This medication is definitely not for me, so I am talking to the doctor about going off it (it’s one of those you can’t just stop taking). So I hope to be back in the game by the next round of ROW80.
What about you – have you had any unexpected slowdowns forced on you lately? If you’re doing ROW80, how did you do you your goals? Will you be back in April?
Jennette Marie Powell writes stories about ordinary people in ordinary places, who do extraordinary things and learn that those ordinary places are anything but. In her Saturn Society novels, unwilling time travelers do what they must to make things right... and change more than they expect. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, and more.
Hey, I’m still hacking, too and I haven’t taken ANY medicine, so no side effect to blame. I hope you’re feeling better soon.
Can I blame the weather on my slow-down? I want some warm weather so I can go outside and walk. Treadmill just ain’t doing it for me. Plus, I’m lazy. 🙂
Stacy, this weather sucks, so you have my permission to blame it for anything you want! The calendar says it’s officially spring, but I look out the window and see snow! That’s just not right, even in Ohio! What gives, huh?
I’m really sorry to hear about your setbacks with the medication and your migraines, Jennette. I’m no stranger in this area. I take daily preventative medication and have the good stuff for when they come on strong. I don’t get the serious kickers like I used to. Thank goodness for that. I’m sure you noticed I’ve been out of the game for a while now, but I should be back soon. Family has been a distraction, and they have every right to be. I’m working on finding a schedule that I hope works. I hope you find your balance with health and daily as well, too.
What a terrible choice, Jennette! Is there any chance it really could just be a cold? (Though I’ll admit that’s a long time to have one.) There’s definitely something weird in the air. I’m just getting over bronchitis that started as bronchitis — I just woke up with gunk in my lungs one morning. Never had that happen. Anyway, hope you find a solution that keeps you healthy and migraine-free!
Oh no, Jennette. That sucks. I’m finally feeling better this week. Anything flu like is terrible. It knocked me out for over a week. My heart totally goes out to you. Take care of you first. We’ll be here next round ready to cheer you on.
So sorry you’ve been sick, Jennette, with migraines and now a two-week cold, which is probably side effects from the new meds. That sucks. I hope your doctor can prescribe you something that works well without awful side effects. Take care.
Debra K, I had noticed your absence and was hoping everything was OK! This medication is in fact a migraine preventive, and while its working great for that, it’s not worth these side effects. Thanks so much for the encouragement – that means a lot to me!
Debra E, I actually thought it was just a cold at first, but when they stick around this long with me, they always turn into bronchitis, and while this is similar, there are some distinct differences. Thanks so much for your good wishes!
SJ, glad you’re finally better! Here’s hoping I will be too by next round. Thanks for your encouragement!
Lynn, thanks so much! Your encouragement means a lot!
so sorry to hear the tale of medication – hope it is sorted soon – saps everything feeling ill:( side effects thta I had with medication end of last year seem to have died away – body getting used to at last – is there a chance your body can adjust to yours (I know its diff. medicine)
anyway you take care of yourself and dont fret – unless you are a perfect bitch all the time your family will still be patient with you – thats what families are about:) – take time away from creative allow your mind to wander – clever little brain will keep ticking over in silence until you are better:)
Oh that stinks! So frustrating when getting better becomes a trial and error kind of thing. I hope you feel better soon, Jennette!!
Oh Jennette, I’m so sorry to hear that you are under the weather. I have been sick myself, although I’ve been really sick, as in the creeping crud that’s been going around and last for about a month. I haven’t done a single creative thing either.
I hope you get your meds issue straightened out real soon and are back in the game again. Hang in there.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Oh no! I hope you feel much better soon. Sorry that you hit this speed bump. Best wishes finding a better approach to your migraines.
Alberta, the doctor’s office told me to stop the meds, and when I feel better, they have something else for me to try that’s supposed to be better as far as side effects. And the family says I’ve actually been very nice and appreciative. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
Coleen, so true! And thanks!
Patricia, I thought that’s what I had at first too, but it kept not getting better, and was a little different than bronchitis usually is for me. Thanks for the good wishes, and back at ya!
Julie, thanks!
I’m just getting over an 2-week allergy attack thing which, between getting ready for a trip and finishing first round edits for The Nun and the Narc, couldn’t have come at a worse time. I felt sucky and tired. Luckily, it did not progress into a bronchial thing, which usually happens to me, nor was it clogging my head (another thing that happens). One of my old allergy meds had the same flu-like symptoms you mentioned, Jennette, but I took it for years, wondering why I always got a several seasonal allergy attacks. When I discovered the side effect, I stopped the meds and didn’t have the seasonal attacks. It really is important to read ALL the info we get on med side effects and pay atttention to our bodies. Hope you feel better soon.
Catherine, much better after stopping that medication! I’d read about the side effects and was wary, but I really wanted to be rid of my headaches, so hoped they wouldn’t happen to me. You never know! Hope you’re doing better, too!
Jennette, I truly am very sorry to hear of your health issues. Headaches are the worst. I have a question for you. How do you feel around people who wear perfume? Or plug-in air fresheners? I know a lot of people who are sensitive to that stuff and it causes horrible headaches. Just a thought girl. I hate to know that you’re suffering like that. I hope you and your doctor can get to the bottom of this soon. And I totally understand how this could affect your creativity. How can you think when you’re in pain? Please take care Jennette! {{Hugs!}} 🙂
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