It's crazy how similar some of our symptoms are. My headaches are also the stabbing kind of headache. I told the dr. I wouldn't even classify it as a headache it's so bad and feels unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I'm so glad you've gotten them to a somewhat manageable level at this point. It's so important to find a caring doctor who listens to you. I do have a fantastic neurologist whom I just saw. He suggested to wait a couple weeks to see if they get better for me (which they have somewhat I guess). If not, he thought Topamax would be the best bet for a migraine med at this time. So I'm just waiting it out right now to see if they improve any more. Glad to know the Topamax seemed to work well for you at first and didn't cause your vision problems after all.
I have also always been a very carefree, light-hearted person, and this has definitely affected that somewhat. It's not that I constantly worry all the time, but any new ache or pain and I'm like "Okay, is this from the PED, is it a stroke, a migraine, etc"?!! I know I annoy my husband b/c I tell him every time I have something going on. Not to complain, but just to let him know in case something happens! So funny b/c my husband says the same thing to me as yours does. He's so calm and always like "It's going to be fine". And all I can think is, if this were you having this going on, it would be a totally different story!!! Lol. I just don't want this whole ordeal to change my outlook too much or bring me down. I love to travel and try new things and I don't want that to change.
It is nice to be able to talk to others about our experiences b/c no one else really understands what we're going through!