wise words
NAME: Paula Dill RESIDENCE: Moraga, Calif. CONDITION( S): Tension-type headaches FIRST DIAGNOSED: Early 1970s
Photography by Anthony Lindsey
How do you manage your condition? It depends on the degree of headache. I know my body enough now to know what I need. Twenty-five milligrams of Imitrex ®( sumatriptan) is usually enough to knock out my headache. I take it with a third of a Phenergan ®( promethazine) suppository, [ which is used to treat allergies and motion sickness ]. It helps to get the queasiness out of my stomach. If the headache is really bad, I just take another Imitrex. Then I lie down with a cup of tea and try to get some sleep. I usually only sleep about five hours per night, but that’ s the way I am. If my headache is still really bad, I’ ll crawl back into bed with a cold compress.
In the early years, I felt that doctors thought headaches were just a female problem. They wouldn’ t pay attention and would tell you to just suffer through it. But I think doctors are a lot more tuned into headache sufferers now. If you can get someone to listen to you patiently and really help you, I think that’ s the answer.
What is the most frustrating thing about your life? I’ m retired now, but when I wasn’ t retired, I had to drag myself around to do things whether I had a headache or not.
What are you most thankful for? Life. I’ m thankful that I’ m able to get up in the morning and enjoy my family and spend time with my husband. We can do things now we weren’ t able to do before when we were both working. Now we’ re able to take walks together, which are very helpful for my headaches. We have our first grandchild now and I’ m delighted to spend time with her and watch her grow. I’ m thankful that I’ m able to see the sunshine every day.
What’ s your favorite book? I just read a biography of Peggy Guggenheim. Usually I like short stories because I can read them before bed and pretty much get to the end. I read before I fall asleep; it helps relax me.
Where do you get the greatest support? I have had a great husband through the years and he’ s given me a lot of support. He can just look at me and say,“ You have a headache. Why don’ t you go lie down?” He’ s very patient. He’ s been a wonderful companion.
What is your idea of happiness? Happiness is waking up in the morning and not being sick, and being able to live through the day and enjoy the beautiful California weather. I’ m very fortunate— I’ ll go knock on some wood right now.
Paula Dill is a retired public health nurse and a proud grandmother of a one-year-old girl. She was also the lucky winner of the annual raffle at the 2012 National Headache Foundation fundraising benefit.
40 HEAD WISE | Volume 2, Issue 4 • 2012