Yesterday, I felt some of the side effects of the migraine medication. First off, the neurologist told me I would be groggy in the morning. I usually am groggy, so I did not think it would be a big deal. However, that grogginess was present the whole day. I even had afternoon coffee and was exhausted. Another side effect I had was intense abdominal pain/cramps. That is seen as a severe side effect and may be caused due to an interaction with fluoxetine. That made the decision for me: I’d rather have these headaches than suffer the side effects. Usually my headaches are just annoying, like the constant ringing. I’d take that issue over the intense fatigue or increased fogginess (the side effect of the other medication he was going to prescribe). I also looked up the drug interactions between the muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, fluoxetine, and simvastatin. The muscle relaxer and fluoxetine have a severe interaction — can cause serotonin syndrome. Therefore, I have decided to forgo the muscle relaxer as well.
This morning Roger woke us up late — 7:30! I am virtually pain-free today in my neck area and right arm. My left arm has discomfort from the ulnar nerve issue. However, this may be a big indication for me to forgo ACDF surgery. I have the second opinion next week and, after our weekend away to Galveston, I will stop the anti-inflammatory to see how my body is feeling. I cannot be on an anti-inflammatory long-term, so if the pain is manageable sans medications, the surgery decision is made.
Spinning Wheels 