February 20, 2006 (Press Release) --
Savage student hopes most of headaches are behind her
By Bill Vander Weele
Even though she doesn't know when her next headache is coming, Savage's senior Kodi Herbert still has a smile on her face.
Herbert, who participates in music and athletics in Savage, began experiencing constant migraine headaches during September of her freshman year in high school.
"I had them 24-7 for 14 months," Herbert said.
After local physicians couldn't come up with a cure for the headaches, Herbert sought medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She and her parents, Craig and Doreen, didn't receive many answers there either.
They were advised to seek help at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. Founded by Dr. Seymour Diamond, the Diamond Headache Clinic is dedicated to the personalized treatment of migraine and headache pain. Herbert made the trip during the fall semester of her sophomore year.
"I was hooked up to IVs, and they tried to get my chemical balance up," Herbert said.
Physicians there found painkillers to help relieve the headaches for Herbert.
Since that time, Herbert discovered her diet could play a role in her health. A few days before Christmas, during her sophomore year, she ate chocolate and then suffered from severe headaches. "Chocolates are a trigger for my migraines," she said.
Currently, she's taking anti-depressant medication along with three different prescriptions of painkillers.
"I've been having constant headaches for the past three weeks, so right now I'm taking the painkillers every eight hours," Herbert said.
She usually takes the painkillers once a headache comes.
"Right now, I'm in a slump because we can't figure out what's wrong," Herbert said. "So they're having me take painkillers every eight hours. Then, we'll just go from there."
During her freshman year and early sophomore year, Herbert said her headaches ranked in the eight or nine range for pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most painful.
Despite the pain, Herbert continued to be a standout student in Savage. Her grade point average of 3.65 is second highest in her class.
"It was kind of tough, but I managed to keep my 'As'," Herbert said of the times she was at hospitals.
She has performed at state music festivals for both band and choir. Her talents playing the tenor saxophone have earned her selection to the honors ball. In addition, she is the senior class vice president.
Despite the headaches, she stayed active in basketball and volleyball. "It was just a bit harder on me," Herbert said.
This season, she served as the manager for the girls basketball team after a volleyball injury forced surgery on her ankle.
In the classroom, her favorite time is serving as an aide for kindergarten teacher Terri Miller. There are four kindergarten students and two preschool students in the class.
...
editor@sidneyherald.com
By Bill Vander Weele
Even though she doesn't know when her next headache is coming, Savage's senior Kodi Herbert still has a smile on her face.
Herbert, who participates in music and athletics in Savage, began experiencing constant migraine headaches during September of her freshman year in high school.
"I had them 24-7 for 14 months," Herbert said.
After local physicians couldn't come up with a cure for the headaches, Herbert sought medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She and her parents, Craig and Doreen, didn't receive many answers there either.
They were advised to seek help at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago. Founded by Dr. Seymour Diamond, the Diamond Headache Clinic is dedicated to the personalized treatment of migraine and headache pain. Herbert made the trip during the fall semester of her sophomore year.
"I was hooked up to IVs, and they tried to get my chemical balance up," Herbert said.
Physicians there found painkillers to help relieve the headaches for Herbert.
Since that time, Herbert discovered her diet could play a role in her health. A few days before Christmas, during her sophomore year, she ate chocolate and then suffered from severe headaches. "Chocolates are a trigger for my migraines," she said.
Currently, she's taking anti-depressant medication along with three different prescriptions of painkillers.
"I've been having constant headaches for the past three weeks, so right now I'm taking the painkillers every eight hours," Herbert said.
She usually takes the painkillers once a headache comes.
"Right now, I'm in a slump because we can't figure out what's wrong," Herbert said. "So they're having me take painkillers every eight hours. Then, we'll just go from there."
During her freshman year and early sophomore year, Herbert said her headaches ranked in the eight or nine range for pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most painful.
Despite the pain, Herbert continued to be a standout student in Savage. Her grade point average of 3.65 is second highest in her class.
"It was kind of tough, but I managed to keep my 'As'," Herbert said of the times she was at hospitals.
She has performed at state music festivals for both band and choir. Her talents playing the tenor saxophone have earned her selection to the honors ball. In addition, she is the senior class vice president.
Despite the headaches, she stayed active in basketball and volleyball. "It was just a bit harder on me," Herbert said.
This season, she served as the manager for the girls basketball team after a volleyball injury forced surgery on her ankle.
In the classroom, her favorite time is serving as an aide for kindergarten teacher Terri Miller. There are four kindergarten students and two preschool students in the class.
...
editor@sidneyherald.com

Even though she doesn't know when her next headache is coming, Savage's senior Kodi Herbert still has a smile on her face.
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