Adventures in chronic migraines, Sketchual Healing, and lipo-lymphedema treatments.
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
Well, look at that. It is now afternoon. I am pretty sure I opened this page to start a post before noon. Around 11 am, actually. Oops…
Nothing exciting is happening in my life right now. I have migraines 5 days a week, which tend to fluctuate between migraine and headache. Yesterday, I had a 2 am blackout when going to the bathroom and came to with a migraine. It didn’t waver at all, so I ended up in the ER.
My doctor appointment frequency has finally slowed down.
I no longer feel caught in a tornado of medical terminology and waiting rooms.
I have an ultrasound scheduled to look at my thyroid on the 26th. I’m taking levothyroxine, a baby dose, to help start balancing my levels. My deeper memory recall seems to have returned. I don’t need prompting nearly as bad as I did previously. Thank goodness!
I’ve started drawing using technology! I have the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is the phone with an S Pen for drawing/writing. It comes with the PENUP app built in for drawing/coloring.
Lastly, treating my lymphedema has been wonderful. You would not believe the amount of weight I lost just by using sequential compression to get my lymphatic system moving again.
Having brain function back since it is no longer backed up is amazing.
I Think I Can… I Think I Can… The Migraine That Could Not Stop
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
I get migraines 5 days a week on average. Sometimes I will get a migraine that will last multiple days. They often fluctuate, and I find rest, darkness, and very neutral sounds (like soft music) will help.
They do not pass using sumatriptan, which is frustrating. Really frustrating. So I always ride them out, locked away from the world.
I have a prescription for Nurtec, but we are waiting for insurance to approve it.
Then yesterday happened.
It is like my head knew that I wasn’t going to get relief at home. It just knew that I would suffer until it decided I suffered enough.
I had a weird blackout moment at 2 am. I went to the bathroom and regained consciousness, unsure of where I was or why I was looking at a wall. After a few moments, I realized I was on the toilet and also realized I had an intense migraine.
I crawled into bed and managed to fall back to sleep. Waking at 6:30 am, it was still there. It was a little more intense, too. I crawled back into bed again and woke around 11 am, still miserable.
This darn migraine was NOT giving me a break. My doctor suggested the ER, and I went!
They gave me the migraine cocktail of Toradol, Reglan, and Benadryl. I’ll tell you what, it knocked me into unconsciousness! I slept hard and felt so much better. What remained was pressure. I felt pressure, but I didn’t hurt.
Then I woke up this morning sans pressure and head pain. The numbness at the base of my skull was gone, too. I was much better.
I hope my insurance gets its stuff together and approves Nurtec soon.
Is That Levothyroxine Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
May we please take a moment to be grateful for thyroid medications?!
I saw my doctor on Friday, last week. I started the medication on Saturday. I gradually noticed that my moods are better, I’m friendlier, my antisocial nature is easing some, and I no longer have issues with memory recall!
Treating my lipo-lymphedema helped alleviate much of my brain fog, but recall still required prompting. I now have a clear recall, along with the fog lifting! The gratitude is quite real.
I still have issues with cold/heat. That fluctuates. Sometimes I have cold intolerance, and sometimes it is heat intolerance. Either way, intolerance. I’m not perfect on a baby dose. I’m seeing some improvements, though.
I thought that was worthy of noting because, for me, it is a darn celebration!
Digital Sketchual Is Still Quite Healing
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
Yesterday, in the migraine aftermath at the ER, I thought about how my phone is set up for artists. Having the latest Ultra means it comes with the S Pen, which inserts directly into the phone for storage.
When I got home, I decided to try out my bit of Sketchual Healing using PENUP. It offers the kind of guidelines I need for my mandalas. It is less messy and space-consuming.
Of course, the button on the S Pen means easy transitions between pen and eraser functions.
I’m not trying to sell you on a Galaxy phone, but I saw a benefit to my work. I think the biggest benefit is the removal of the “middle man.” I don’t need a scanner if the art is already digital!
I am particularly fond of working on my art this way. I am so fond of producing line art this way that I am looking into Galaxy Tab options that are affordable, but reliable for regular drawing use. You know, plenty of RAM, higher microSD capabilities, etc. I do want a Samsung Galaxy option because I have a Samsung Galaxy phone, which means cross-device capabilities.
I’m doing a lot of research and considering my options. I’m doing comparisons and value for price. Nothing is definitive, but I do like digital art creation a lot.
Do any of you use a tablet for your art? Comment and let me know what your favorites are. I can use all the suggestions I can get!
The Life-Saving Sequential Compression Device In My Life: Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
Ah, yes. You do not know unless you know. Treating lymphedema is like night and day. It really is.
I am studious with my SCD use, and I can tell it helps.
- My legs have gone down by inches.
- My weight keeps going down despite no diet changes.
- My brain fog has lifted, and I can think clearly all day long.
- There is a literal reduction in my baseline chronic inflammation.
I constantly feel like I am trying to sell the devices.
Hi, ma’am. I don’t have vacuums today! Today, I am selling you a sequential compression device that will literally save your life! You don’t have lymphedema?! Who cares! Buy this today!
That is why I say you don’t know until you know. I had gotten really bad before I realized lymphedema was my issue. The relief in my processing was enough for me to buy a cake and throw a party.
I’m still waiting to receive my leg wraps. Those are to be worn whenever I am not lying down or wearing my SCD leg cuffs.
I do my best to strategize the frequency at which I use my machine. I also strategize so they are used most when I sit the most. When the wraps come, it will likely help reduce any retention between compressions. I do notice that backflow does build up fast without my wraps to wear.
Of course, it is also a benefit for my lipedema (as it softens the fibrous tissue) and it helps with venous insufficiency, which developed due to untreated lipo-lymphedema.
Friends, may this serve as a warning to get treatment for these things. I cannot help that I didn’t know what it was to seek help for it. However, if you know about the potential and you see signs, it doesn’t hurt to ask!
Today’s Small Business Etsy Shop Feature: Rotten Rabbit Cafe
♡ This is an affiliate link, a no-cost-to-you feature that helps pay my bills ♡
This seller is a personal friend of mine. She makes some of the cutest, spooky crochet goods. October will be here in less than a month, and she is the shop that just begs for a feature!
Her work is unique, fun, and the perfect addition to any creepy, cute collection. Seriously, her work is worth collecting.
Product Feature: Seymore S’mores Zombie Bunny
This guy gets a feature for multiple reasons. Let’s start with the fact that I offered ideas on his design!
I was still crocheting and selling my work at the time, and I had the honor of giving my input.
What says fall more than s’mores anyway?
Let’s Wrap This Burrito
Intro → The Migraine That Could Not Stop → Levothyroxine Thyroid Discussion → Sketchual Healing → Lipo-Lymphedema Discussion → Outro
At “Angela J. Shupe: Probably Overthinking This…”, I share my lived experience with invisible and chronic illness to remind fellow wellness warriors they’re not alone. My goal is to turn struggle into strength, offering self-care tips, mental health reflections, and wellness insights that encourage balance and resilience. Every post is part of my journey to heal out loud and help others find comfort in community.
Angela J Shupe: I'm Probably Overthinking This... 
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