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 😉
Intro: approximately three and a half weeks after my lumbar puncture, as I had mentioned on a previous video, I am discussing what, in my experience, I consider to be an optimal spinal tap. By this I am not aiming to focus at results, although these are discussed, but I talk about what I consider to be some of the indicators that would make it for an easier patient experience.
Video 13: Lumbar Puncture – Hospital protocol (2/5)
The second video in this series is dedicated to discussing the hospital itself: the protocols before, during, and after. This discussing is not yet focused on personnel (doctors, nursers, transport staff, etc.), as I would like to dedicate a special segment to those people that care for patients.
Video 14: Lumbar Puncture – Patient services (3/5)
The third video in this series is dedicated to patient services in the hospital: the nurses, the transport and other staff, etc. These seeming external dealings can actually be a crucial part of making any medical procedure a more comfortable one.
Video 15: Lumbar Puncture – Medical (4/5)
The fourth video in this series focuses on the medical aspect of this lumbar puncture procedure day. I am specifically discussing on what occurred during the actual spinal tap, what instruments were used, equipment, etc., to facilitate the outcome. This segment is particular poignant to me as my doctors have asked for a smaller gauge needle to be used to minimize the need for a blood patch after the procedure.
Issues discussed in this videos and, honestly, my personal hopes and suggestions for a successful and comfortable procedure are: 1) the avoidance of touching a nerve; 2) the proper use of fluoroscopy so that the needle is only inserted 1 time accurately for CSF removal; the use of an atraumatic needle, or a 22 gauge needle (smaller than the typical needle used), to try to minimize the need for a blood patch; 3) the correct physical position of the patient for a lumbar puncture procedure; 4) step-by-step detailed explanation of what is being performed. In other words a communicative doctor in terms of procedures, results (including opening & closing pressure), etc.; and 5) a proper prep, including iodine sterilization procedure.
Video 16: Lumbar Puncture – Results (5/5)
The last of this video series on the subject of all the possible aspects of an optimal lumbar puncture includes the miscellaneous: what can be expected the day before, day after and subsequent days, and lastly, a discussion on the actual results as I have learned them to be ‘understood’ by the different doctors I have encountered throughout my experience; and as I have read them in numerous journals articles. This is by no means the last word, nor should it be taken as medical advice.
Furthermore, as I explained in the video, I completely understand that your personal specialist might have a different opinion and this is what you should listen to. Lastly, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) has a myriad of symptoms. An LP result, elevated or not, should not may taken for diagnosis in isolation. It is, usually, a telling factor, but the biggest telling factor in this condition are the eyes. This is why consultation with a neuro-ophthalmologist is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Two days before a spinal tap, I am emotionally raw. I am sharing my feelings as I go through a challenging time, not just with the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension symptoms, but with the Covid-19 awareness times.
