Going for an MRI

[willowtreewren]

I have been having a bit of a hard time and haven't been posting much lately.

I thought I had Lyme disease in April, but it turned out to be a different tick borne disease. It was pretty bad and I missed a couple of weeks of school and was pretty weak. I passed out a couple of times and hit my head.

Well, I don't know if what I'm going through is related or not. but here it is.

I have had a pretty bad head ache that is located on the side of my head that I hit pretty much. I have trouble talking. I often cannot think of what word I want to say. And when I try to talk it makes my head hurt really, really badly! Like a super migraine. Ouch. Typing is easier, but gets to me after a while. I have trouble coming up with words then, too, but no one realizes because I can take time....

I cannot be in the classroom to teach because the noise of the children talking is more than my head can stand. I do chores in the office to help out. And after the children go outside or go into the lunch room I do things in the classroom to prepare for them. It is isn't much, but it is a little help. I feel so useless.

I can't drive. My husband has to take off to drive me to all my appointments.

One of the medications I am taking is causing depression (as if I don't already have enough reason to be depressed!) I find myself crying at the most inopportune times!

So, I have had a head ache since I whacked my head on April 3. It got worse after I had three teeth pulled on April 26. I go in for my MRI on May 18, but I don't see the neurologist until June 7. I was originally scheduled for June 14, but after an hour of calling all over two cities (and crying) I finally found a neurologist who would review my MRI sooner than June 14! I don't think I can maintain my sanity with this kind of pain for another month! Three weeks will be enough of a stretch.

So, I apologize for whining, and not being there to cheer folks on as much as usual. EVen typing this much has been a stretch. I'm pretty scared about the whole thing. I told Carl that if anything happens to me he has to get on FaceBook and post.I'm not planning on that, but you never know.  He would have no clue about how to come on IHD and post, though. 

I still try to come on a read the treads and welcome folks, but that is getting pretty hard to do, too. So, unti I get back on my feet, I'll probably be pretty quiet.

Aleta

PS I was very annoyed by the Hello/Goodbye thread and that is what prompted me to take the time to write this. Goodness. I can't imagine surviving some of what we have all been through.....

[Joe]

Sorry to hear that Aleta, thoughts and prayers your way. I can relate with your reaching for the right word to say, I had that really hit me last month when I was presenting at a conference. I couldn't get the right word out to save my soul. And I haven't hit my head. I'm not sure, but I'm afraid it has something to do with our renal condition.

Again, take care and visit when you can.

[jeannea]

That all sounds really rough. Take care of yourself. I hope you got a good neurologist.
 

[MooseMom]

This is very worrying, and I have to admit that I wish you'd go to the ER.  I truly do not think it is safe for you to wait any longer with symptoms such as these.  My apologies if I am being alarmist, and I certainly do not want to add to your stress, but I would feel much better if you got Carl to take you to the ER.

[smcd23]

I agree with MooseMom on the ER thing. But I do know that my sister in law has a few tick born illnesses, and at times she feels like her brain is "in a fog" I don't recall from your post what illness you had (I think anaplasmosis right?) and one of the symptoms is confusion. Have they rechecked to see if the treatment is working or did work? I know she's been battling it for quite some time but she has some other complications, like allergy to the antibiotic of choice.

[AguynamedKim]

Aleta, I'm so sorry you are having to battle through these other challenges.  While I will miss seeing your posts, please take the time to rest up and focus on getting better.  Don't hesitate for a second to ask for any kind of help.  After all the wonderful support you've given, it's the least your IHD family can do.  I hope your head injury is diagnosed soon and puts you on the road to recovery.  I will say, 3 weeks is an weful long time to suffer and I'm not sure you're in a safe state to do that.  The repeated passing out is surely enough to warrant an ER visit, especially along with the rest of your symptoms.  I sure hope you get well soon.

[Chris]

No appologies needed , just get well!

[Darthvadar]

No apologies needed, Aleta....

That's what friends are for...

I'm with the others... When you have your MRI, ask for a disc of it... Then turn up in ER, and get sorted!...

Thinking of, and praying for you....

Love...

Darth...

[Traveller1947]

I'm so sorry all this is happening to you , Aleta.  It seems too long to wait until June 7 to have some answers.  Your symptoms are alarming and warrant a visit to the ER.  Please do that right away.  I'll be praying for you and keeping you in my thoughts.  All the best to you and Carl.

[paris]

June 7 is still a ways out --- I know you want answers now.  How can you get anyone to understand this is a STAT case?   Sorry for what you are going through.

[boswife]

oh Aleta, this is worrysome and i say go to ER now.  It doesnt seem like a 'wait and see' thing.  We (well hubby) has had to just GO IN at times when the wait could just be dangerious.  I doubt that if it were your hubby yould wait??? TAke care of yourself as you have him.  I wish you well and saying prayers........ cause thats what 'i' do    We're all here for you, please get well and w/o hurting yourself, keep in touch... 

[Traveller1947]

Finally, it's June 7!  The day of your appointment with the neurologist...I'll be thinking of you and praying for you, Aleta.  All the best to you.

[WishIKnew]

Hope things get sorted out today.  Praying for you.

[monrein]

Oh Aleta, I'm so sorry that you're having such a horrible, rough time and I hope that the MRI can discover a cause that's easily remedied.  Unfair just seems to be everywhere sometimes and you guys need and deserve a period of calm.  I'll be thinking of you and sending my strongest wishes for better times ahead.
Much love to you.   

[willowtreewren]

I see the neurologist in a little while.

On May 23 I went back to my primary care doctor and got a new "cocktail" of pain meds that worked pretty well for about a week. Oh, that was a lovely time. Over the past week, they have been wearing off long before the next dose, but at least I can still function. I'm actually eager to see the doc this morning.

I'll let you know what I learn....

 

Aleta

[willowtreewren]

Well, it is time for an update after seeing the neurologist this morning. I am in for a real ride!

It appears that the spirochetes from the tick bite have settled in the membrane around my brain. You would have thought that 30 days of treatment against them would have been enough! Okay. The inflammation from the little buggers is enough to create pressure that causes the intense headaches. Now for the good part - NOT.

I need to go cold turkey from the pain meds I am now taking ($85 for Lyrica down the drain). But, the pain is going to be so bad when I do that, I'll probably be throwing up for about 24 hours. That is because of the rebound effect I'm going to get from going off of them. Looney bin here I come!

I have a new batch of meds better designed for the underlying problem, but they will not be enough to get me through the next couple days. Oh, joy! Wish me luck as I board this new roller coaster.

 

Aleta

[paris]

This has been fascinating.  Who ever heard of such a thing?  And going cold turkey??  Oh my!  Not fun.  Can they give you anything for the nausea before the pain takes over?    I am sorry you are dealing with this.  I am hoping this is the right path and things will get better from here on.   

[willowtreewren]

This has been fascinating.  Who ever heard of such a thing?  And going cold turkey??  Oh my!  Not fun.  Can they give you anything for the nausea before the pain takes over?    I am sorry you are dealing with this.  I am hoping this is the right path and things will get better from here on.   

Paris, I have this nifty little pill that is for migraines. If the going gets too rough I dissolve it under my tongue. 

And dear Monrien, thank you for the sweet note. 

I'll get through this.... I'm kind of tough. (just don't add "old bird" to that!) 

Aleta

[cassandra]

So sorry you have to go through all this Aleta. Wishing you strength, and will be thinking of you, and hoping those new meds will do the trick.

Lots of love Cas

[jeannea]

That sounds truly awful. Wishing you the best. Just hold on. I'm so sorry you didn't get better news.
 

[billybags]

Aleta, wow this all sounds so awful. I am wishing you well, hope it doesn't take too long.

[okarol]

Good luck with the treatments. I am so sorry you're experiencing this. How long do they think it will take for the new meds to be effective?
 

[amanda100wilson]

At least you know the cause for definately now, although I'm sure that doesn't help a lot.  Thinking of you.