After yet another Lumbar Puncture procedure for IIH, results show that the VA shunt placed during the May surgery is not functioning correctly and further procedures are required. These news have been difficult to take. Please join me in a discussion of the present situation.
The Return
After a hiatus, I have decided to share with you not only the joy of ‘getting better’ but also the bumps on the road and the fall backs. Here I am again to give anecdotes and stories that may make you laugh, think, or perhaps even shed a tear. As always, many hugs to all of you!
IIH: Cough
My coughing attacks continue and getting worse. This saga is becoming a real issue and one that was completely unexpected and leaving specialists speechless. I am truly being tested physically and mentally. An interesting phase in my life and yet another outcome of a VA shunt that was completely surprising to me.
Pain
After my IIH VA Shunt surgery headaches and dizziness have returned. With a nicked nerve in the throat seriously damaging my vocal cords and impeding me from swallowing properly, I am quite frustrated. Yet, my old headaches returned, waking up in such pain again has really done me in. This chronic pain of pseudotumor cerebri coming back, on top of everything else is not something I ever expected.
22 Headache Update:
After my second Covid Pfizer vaccine I knew that I was experiencing lots more headaches than usual. Here is my experience. This is the beginning of what I was hoping would be an open discussion.
Welcome to my path to another surgery!
After a long time of resisting surgery, my body is giving strong indications (future video) that I need to go through yet another operation. I ask for all your support, positive vibes, and prayers (if you are so inclined) to wish me the best in this endeavor.
My plan is, with my hubby’s tech help, to give you as many updates as I possibly can. Please be aware that for the hospital’s privacy I will not discuss any names. Also, I will include a black screen at the beginning of any video that might contain possible sensitive material (bandages, etc.) I will not be videotaped with anything that is past a certain level of décor. This would simply be unfair to both of us, my privacy and your taste.
Again, thank you very much for all your support. I so appreciate your kindness, the love you send me, and all the support through all this years. Many kisses always!
21: Would you have this surgery for your headaches?
When doctors tell me that we have reached a dead-end road with pain medication for my headaches the next step proposed is a left side of my body VP shunt procedure with a possible septal fenestration. I am not too keen on this idea due to its risks. My question to you is: what do you think? Would you do this surgery if you were in my shoes?
As you can see, especially if you have seen some of my past videos, I am a bit lethargic. The pain is quite severe at this time. I have put on my best face but it is truly not easy.
19: Do you suffer from Cluster Headaches?
Cluster Headaches are also known as suicidal headaches. If you or a close family member suffers from these types of headaches here are some thoughts about the causes, diagnoses, common symptoms, and what I go through when an attack comes on to manage them.
As you can imagine having Cluster Headaches on top of Pseudotumor Cerebri Headaches (IIH or BIH), plus Occipital Neuralgia creates quite a myriad of pain waking up in the morning. Physically it is first and foremost completely exhausting. Psychologically it is not only draining (and yes, you can say depressing at times), but very debilitating. Probably the most frustrating aspect has been living with this pain while trying all that the medical community can offer, unsuccessfully. (We can discuss what I have tried in the way of other avenues at another time. And yes, I have tried! I am writing more about that on another web page that I am developing www.onemomentintime.life Appropriate name, don’t you think 😉
18: Do you suffer from Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia or nerve pain due to an injury or inflammation to the greater/lesser/dorsal nerves of the head can cause excruciating pain. If you or a close family member have found yourself suffering from symptoms due to this inflammation here are some thoughts about the causes, diagnosis, common symptoms, and what I go through daily to manage it.
17. Do you have COVID-19 symptoms & Pseudotumor Cerebri? My experience…
I began to experience mild symptom at first, such as: throat ache, diarrhea, and an overall flu-like sensation. These progressed over the weekend into body chills and aches, very severe and acute headaches (which are my weak spot having Pseudotumor Cerebri), and I went from no fever to a low-grade fever.
Having so many medical issues I am not one to panic. But I am also very aware that I need to safeguard those around me. Hence, I called my doctor who suggested, due to my symptomology, a COVID-19 test. Now mind you, I live under very strict precautions as I am high-risk. So, how would I have ever contracted a virus, any virus/bacteria? The question still remains. Curiously, and even though I was sure I did not have this particular virus, the wait for the results was my new understanding of the possible horrific outcomes and ramifications I might be facing. Is living in this ‘fear’ the new ‘normal’, I wondered?
Yet, fortunately, my test came back negative. Yippee! And also, yet, there was also a lack of care for whatever ailment I was dealing with, which was a another new outcome to me.
I share this video, and this experience, when I was still feeling quite ill, especially with a bad headache, wishing to get off camera and quickly as possible; but knowing that maybe this might help someone out there. May all your results be negative, and may you continue to search for health in this seemingly void of answers. Thank you for listening!