It's been a big month. Mid-April, we
took the kids to Disney World on a surprise vacation. I was very
nervous preparing for the trip. I wasn't sure what flying was going
to be like for me and how I was going to manage the long days with
lots of walking. I'm happy to say I'm still alive and I was even able
to have a good time!
The pressure changes on takeoff and
landing were painful. It reminded me of how weather can affect
headaches, but on a quicker and sharper scale. I was wiped from a
lack of sleep and the long days, but it was so rewarding to have that
family time. The kids loved every minute of it and it was awesome to
enjoy it with them.
After we got back, we had some other
stuff going on and I just haven't felt like I've caught up yet. I'm
still wiped out and having some pretty strong headaches every day. I
hope I can get a few days of rest strung together so I can recover
soon!
I saw a new neurologist this week. It's
been almost 3 years since my initial concussion and we felt like it
was time for a fresh perspective. His name is Dr. Meyer and he works
at the Brain and Spine center. He went over all my history, ordered a
brain MRA (like an MRI – looks at the blood vessels in the brain
also), and some blood tests. I see him again next week to go over all
the results.
It was pretty overwhelming to gather
and examine everything from the past 3 years. I looked at every test
I've had done, every medication I took, every symptom I felt. I have
definitely come a long way. I'm so grateful for the support I've had
in my life. There were lots of times where I could have given up, but
there were always people there to encourage me and keep my fight
alive.
Thanks! Please continue to pray for me
and my family. God has been glorified so many times through this.
Even though I've had to go through this, I know He's been holding me
the whole time.
The MRA results were clear - no aneurysm or clots and my blood vessels are what they should be. My blood-work was good as well. I'm glad this stuff is good! I saw the neurologist again and he ordered a brain MRI and a bubble echocardiogram.
ReplyDeleteThey will be looking at my MRI to just check my brain out, because it's been almost 3 years since my last one.
The bubble echocardiogram will look for PFO in my atrium. Here is some information I found on why they are doing this test:
"There is speculation that a PFO (a patent foramen ovale), which is a certain type of abnormal passage in the heart, might be related to migraine headaches. The foramen ovale is a passage through the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) from right to left. This passage is normally present before birth and then usually closes after birth. It continues to remain open (patent) in an many as 25% of the population. This causes a circumstance in which venous blood is able to bypass the lungs and cross directly into the left side of the heart, thereby entering the arterial circulation."
http://www.headache-treatment-options.com/PFO.html
I do these tests next week and then see him again in 3 weeks.
I also started on 125mg of Depakote (an anti-seizure medication) for preventative migraine treatment. If there is no difference when I see him he will double my dose, but if that doesn't work he will take me off it and try something else.