My Excedrin® Migraine NYC Media Event plus the 2 Winners of my giveaway!

Back in November I was invited to New York City to attend a truly special Media Event put on by Excedrin® Migraine.  This was the very first media event that I have ever attended and holy moly was it incredible!  Right from the get go they told me that they wanted this trip to be "As Headache Free as Possible".  And from being picked up at my door, driven to the airport, picked up at the NYC airport and driven to my hotel I was off to an amazing start!  Door to door service is not something that I am used to but goodness, I could sure get used to it quick! Lol.  After checking into the hotel I was then treated to an amazing Swedish Massage at the beautiful Oasis Day Spa inside the Affinia Dumont Hotel.

a relaxed and happy Amie after my massage

After a quick shower our entire Blogging Ambassador group plus the PR crew and the people of Excedrin Migraine went out for dinner and a meet and greet.  It was so much fun getting to know all of the other people in our team!

a few of the new friends I met on my trip

After dinner a few of us weren't quite ready for the night to end so we headed off to Times Square to play around and have some fun!

My Times Square buddies were Kristin from Our Ordinary Life, Jennifer from Double Duty Mommy and Toni-Lynn From Delightful Chaos. 

Can you believe I also actually randomly ran into my brother-in-law in the middle of Times Square who was also visiting for business?  What a small world!

Then it was off to bed, we had a big day tomorrow!  Normally I have a difficult time sleeping alone.  But this bed had to have been the best night of sleep I have ever had in my entire life!  I even got to sleep-in and ordered my first room service.  Great start to my day for sure.

11:00 it was time to meet with our group and head over to Harold's Square for the Excedrin® Migraine Media Event.  It was a gorgeous day- very cold, but the sun was shining and not a rain cloud in the sky!

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Our entire Excedrin Migraine Ambassador Blogging Team,

Sign welcoming us to the media tent, the huge area set up with complimentary massages and one of the massagers, beautiful downtown NYC with Macy's very perfect slogan "Believe", and me with  a well know Internist Dr. Peterson who also is a migraine sufferer making her thrilled to be working alongside Excedrin Migraine.  

And now for the best part... The very special guest for this event was none other then the singer, actress and Broadway performer, Jordan Sparks!  Jordan's mother is a chronic migraineur and much of Jordan's childhood memories are of her mother ill in bed, surrounded in darkness and taking medication in hopes to ease her painful migraines.  Migraine disease is a genetic disorder and unfortunately Jordan has begun experiencing migraines the past few years herself.  When she was approached to join the Excedrin® Migraine team she jumped at the opportunity.  It is something she very strongly stands behind and hopes that there will one day be a cure for al of us sufferers.

yes that's right, as you can see, me and Jordan are BFF's now

Jordan was an absolute delight!  It is no wonder that her talents have gotten her so far in her young life. She was not so caught up in fancy life to take time and chat with us after having our pictures taken with her.  And let me tell you, she is even more beautiful in person then she is on screen- talk about perfect skin!

Jordan spoke to everyone about her own migraine pain and she told us how much the Track Your Migraines app from Excedrin® has been so helpful in keeping track and staying under some control of her migraines.   When she was done speaking she graced us with a beautiful and very moving song Faith done acapella.   What a special thing to be in the front row for!

And guess what?  I recorded her so all of you can enjoy her as much as I did!  She comes on right after Dr. Peterson.  You will love it!

Wow what a whirlwind this trip was!  Although it was only two days it is one I will truly remember!  The lovely people of Excedrin Migraine were so very gracious and did everything they could to make our stay and this event a special one.  And for that I thank them all so much!  It really was awesome.

Now I am home and have continued testing out the Know Your Triggers app for the past month.  And honestly I have found it a great tool.  Life sure gets busy around the holidays and no matter how much I try to keep myself relaxed it can become a challenge.  And for me, added stress, weird weather (changes in barometric pressure) and hormones are my leading causes for migraines. Well perfect timing really, I have been using the app from Excedrin® Migraine A LOT.  And unfortunately it was due to increased headaches, both migraine and my ON and TN attacks.  But at least I had a fun new toy to help make the most of it.  I understand why they did so much to make our trip last month a memorable one.  It really is special. The more I used the app, the more helpful charts and diagrams I was getting from my information I was entering.  It would show me that other triggers along with the ones I already know are also to blame for my pain.  Lack of sleep, or poor sleep also can bring on a migraine when coupled up with the others, making them hit me faster or last longer.  I will be meeting with Dr. D in a few weeks and I can't wait to tell her all about this.  It is right up her alley. Then I can set up for all of my charts to go directly to her.  I know she will find it helpful for not only me, but for her other migraine patience as well.

If you haven't already done so,please go and download the app at MigraineResource.com or from the iTunes apps store (don't forget, it's FREE!) and visit the Excedrin® Facebook page to continue your journey to a pain-free life.

And now for the winners of my giveaway!!!  I chose TWO winners using the Random Number Generator at http://www.randomnumbergenerator.com and the winners are:

RANDOM NUMBERS -

Random number between 1 and 13 10 Random number between 1 and 13 4

Congratulations to both Mindy Utz and Bulldoghiker!

Bulldoghiker, I do not see your email attached to your profile, unfortunately if you do not get back to me within 48 hours I will have to choose another winner.  I look forward to hearing from you!!  You two are going to love this stuff!



I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, one iPod Touch to test the app was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine. Along with compensation, the Excedrin Migraine® Relief kit and travel and accommodations to attend the Jordin Sparks media event was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

Being True to Oneself ~and my 1st Giveaway! Giveaway is now CLOSED!

Wow, it is amazing how life can take a turn on you when you least expect it. For the past five and a half years I have been living in frustration and anger that I had to be the one to suffer in this way, with these headaches. I've kept it a private matter for the most part, really only talking about it with my closest friends and family, and even then I tried to keep things to myself. I never wanted to be looked on as a Wendy Whiner, one who complaines and is always "woa is me." But I've realized it was wrong. By doing this I wasn't being honest. I wasn't opening up myself to those who love and care for me- and for those I may be able to help along the way. Honestly I have probably made my road a much more difficult one.

If you have been following me here you know that since the beginning this blog was created as a way for me to come to terms with my chronic illness.  I wanted to not hate that part of me, because I knew that this did absolutely no good.  Sure it sucks!   But I needed acceptance on my part so I could move forward on this journey.  Until I did this, I couldn't truly allow others inside- I was critical enough of myself as it was.  So along my way I have also found myself getting closer to God.  Prayer isn't just reserved for Sunday mornings at church or laying in bed at the end of the day.  I pretty much have an inner constant dialog with Him.  I ask for strength, for healing of course and also for me to become brave enough to let others inside.  I couldn't do it alone anymore.

Little by little I opened up about my illness.  I would allow it to come out in conversation.  Well guess what?  More and more people would say "You too?!"  So many others out there also were struggling with migraines, daily headaches, or maybe even another chronic illness of their own but felt very much the same as I did.  It felt so good to know I wasn't alone and to be able to share some of the amazing resources I have found along the way.

The more I opened up the more I found that things were opening up for me as well.  You may have noticed that little badge on the right hand side announcing that I am now an Excedrin Migraine Ambassador!  Excedrin® Migraine is the #1 neurologist recommended over-the-counter brand for migraine relief. It offers convenient and effective relief for migraines and was the first non-prescription medicine approved by the FDA to treat all the symptoms of a migraine.   And they wanted me!!

When they contacted me and asked if this was something I would like to be a part of, without even needing to spend anytime in thought my answer was a huge YES!  Here was my opportunity to share with all other sufferers out there that they aren't alone and that there is a new tool out there to help them reach a healthy and headache free life.  Holy Moly!  Talk about an answer to my prayers!

The makers of Excedrin® Migraine developed a new app, My Migraine TriggersTM, with a leading neurologist that is available for free on iTunes. With this app, migraine sufferers can track their migraine triggers and gather the data put into reports and charts that can be easily shared with physicians.

How cool is that?! Pretty much one of my other main reasons for writing this blog was a way for me to track my symptoms and triggers to be able to better discuss my treatments with my doctors. Even though I was trying to be concise, I wasn't ever being as thorough as I needed to be.  I tend to vent here more then "track".  According to a recent survey from the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, a large majority of women who suffer from migraines agree that with a better understanding of their triggers (90%) and the right tools to track their triggers and symptoms (83%), they can better manage an attack.   That is definitely true for me!  I was never good at keeping a handwritten headache journal- I didn't always have it accessible when I really needed it.  But I always have my phone on me!  That is where this app is even more helpful.  It is always there when I need it.  I have only just begun using it and already I know it will prove to be an awesome tool.  I am excited to share with you all of my follow up feelings on  the app at time goes by.

Do you keep a "headache journal" or have a way to keep track of your triggers or how often you are getting your migraines? Does it work for you?  I would love to hear your ways of coping so please share them with me in the Comments section!

If you would like to give this app a try, please visit MigraineResource.com to download it. Also please visit the Migraine Center at the Excedrin Facebook page for great information, share tips, and to connect with other Migrainers just like us.

I have some other awesome news! The wonderful people of Excedrin Migraine have provided an Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit for TWO LUCKY WINNERS! This kit contains items that will help us manage some of our common migraine triggers (i.e., irregular sleep habits, loud noises and stress).

To enter Leave me a comment below telling me how you cope with your own migraines.

Get a free second entry by publicly following me, Racing Through my Brain in your Google Reader.  Be sure to leave me a second comment telling me you did so.

IMPORTANT!  I need to have a name in the comment field and if you don't have an email attached to your name, please leave that for me in your comment as well.  Remember, I have to be able to find you if you win!  I am sorry, but No Name, No Entry.  

Giveaway ends December 8 at 10:00 pm.  Winners will be selected randomly.

Enter for a chance to win the 

Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit! 

Sleep Mask 

Noise cancelling ear buds 

Branded Stress Balls 

Herbal Compress 

Branded Water bottle 

$15 iTunes gift card

You are all seriously going to love this stuff!!!!

This journey has already been such an exciting one, and I have SO much more to tell you about!  This past Tuesday and Wednesday I had an opportunity to fly out to New York City to meet with the entire Excedrin Migraine Ambassador Team. This was a once and a lifetime media event that I will never ever forget.  I have tons of pictures to look back on the wonderful memories and the great new friendships made there as well.   Lots, lots more to come.....

I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, one iPod Touch to test the app was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine. Along with compensation, the Excedrin Migraine® Relief kit and travel and accommodations to attend the Jordin Sparks media event was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

KAPLOW!

This cartoon is pretty gross.  But then again, what about migraines is pleasant- NOTHING!  And how many times have I said during a migraine I feel like my head will explode? Every. Single. Time.  I completely relate.

Maybe not everything.... but helpful

Am I the only one I know....

Oh how I can relate to this song "Migraine" by Twenty One Pilots. Not my type of music AT ALL, but the message and lyrics are right on.  In the midst of a migraine I have never ever felt more alone. I try to pray when I am in the middle of such pain, but I can't keep any sensical running thought in my head except "I think I am going to die. I think my brain is going to explode in my skull. Or maybe my Skull will explode because my brain is swelling larger then my skull can hold." I have these thoughts every single time. Now I just try and remember to at least add God to my sentences. "God please don't make my head explode. God I think I am going to die. God, please don't make my brain explode inside my skull." Rational thought is almost impossible in the middle of a migraine. This is the best I can do.

You don't really want to know, do you?!

Eye pain a lot today and yesterday.  What did I tell you- I say I am feeling OK and I start to slide back down hill.  It blows.  I guess it was the calm before the storm.  Bummer.  Funny picture though!  Makes me smile every time I see it because it is so, so, so true!!  Anyone else relate?

Almost OK.

Things have been good.  Really good actually.  I almost am afraid to put the words to paper, in that saying it aloud will jinx me and I will get walloped hard and awful.  But I've been feeling pretty OK for a while now.  My ON has really, really calmed down, to the point that I hardly even notice the shocks and ice pick stabs anymore.  I know I am still getting them, but they have been numbed down so much more considering how I was just even a few months ago.  On one hand- It. Is. Amazing. I finally am getting the relief I have needed for so long.  But on the other hand I almost feel like I can't get myself too excited, go out and do too much or almost walk on eggshells in fear of triggering an attack.  And now that I have been feeling pretty good on a day to day basis when I do get a headache, it knocks me out cold.  I have a harder time pushing through the pain and putting on that happy face like I was so good at before.   When I get a "headache"  I get

a HEADACHE.  

I have been noticing that my TN has been the thing that I have feeling more and more lately, which is new for me. I always had symptoms, but nothing too debilitating. Nothing like those people you see on youtube have. But for the past month I have been affected in my jaw big time. I actually dropped my fork when I took a bite because the pain was so intense. This was no toothache.  Every chew sent electric shocks through my mouth, jaw, and ear.  Over and over and over.  It got to the point where I was afraid to eat.  And then it was gone.  G-o-n-e.  And then the "sunburn" feeling came back across my cheeks each time I would use my blush brush.  I don't even have a tan, let alone a sunburn.  But the lightest touch of my soft blush brush would make me jump and twinge like I had beet red cheeks from sitting in the sun too long.  I also got that crazy electric shock in my tongue like I told you about a while back.  It came back just this week; again in the middle of the night.  But it isn't every time.  Not enough for me to feel like I can even really complain when i look at my quality of life one year ago.  I am doing so much better over all.  It just makes me a little scared when new symptoms pop up.

I saw Dr. D last week for my 6 week follow up (we were able to push my 4 week ones to 6 weeks, so I must be improving somewhat).  It went well.  We are keeping me with the dosages of all my current meds (carbamazepine 1200mg, Celexa 20mg, cyclobenzaprine 5mg 3x a day and my birth control of course).  I did ask her to change my abortive because Imitrex just hasn't been working for me like it should.  I asked her about Maxalt since I got a sample from her and it worked in 15 minutes(!).  She said she loved the stuff and wrote me a script.  Got a call from the pharmacy after I dropped it off telling me that for 30 pills it would cost me $200.89!!!  Ok, so there is no way we can afford that.  I asked how much 5 pills would be hoping it would get me al least through the next few months or at least until I saw her next and jest 5 costs me $39!.  Absolutely ridiculous.  A 100% not fair.  I need to call Dr. D back and see what she thinks would work well instead.

So yes, in one way I am doing better, and other ways not so much.  My biggest complaint these days- I'm tired. I am just so freaking tired of taking pills 3 times a day. I wish I could flush them all down the toilet. (I won't because I'm not stupid.) But being chronically ill just freaking sucks.