Monday, February 17, 2014

Neurolgy Update

It has been a while since I updated and I saw my Neurologist the other day so here is the update.  My blood pressure was high so he added in another beta blocker.  For my headaches, depression, and"cognitive repair" as he calls it he told me that I need to take Vitamin D3, VitaminB2, and Magnesium Oxide daily.  The Magnesium Oxide helps with migraines, keeps the heart rhythm steady, supports the immune system and nerve function.  It also helps reduce neuronal hyperactivity, which reduces your chances of having nasty headaches.  Vitamin D3 helps to decrease general inflammation.  He said headaches could be related to general inflammation, people who have too little of this vitamin maybe at risk for pain that is not relieved by many pain relievers.  Vitamin B2 helps with the cognitive area of the brain, and also decreases inflammation.  Finding the B2 has been challenging so my pharmacist had to order it in.  Dr. Piker said that taking a B-complex vitamin is not enough.  More pills to add to my daily routine and it is tricky because the magnesium oxide interacts with my thyroid medication so I have to take my thyroid medication in the morning and then wait until lunch to take these three vitamins.  This is also an addition to taking a large beta blocker at night and taking a short-term beta blocker 30 minutes prior to exercise. Needless to say my phone is set to alarms to I remember to take all of these.  The Magnesium Oxide has helped already but it comes with its GI side effects that occur about one hour after taking the pill, but so far I have been able to tolerate it well and the pharmacist said that as my body gets use to it the side effects should decrease.