[woody62]

Originally Posted by elthia

Just got discharged from the hospital today. Was admitted by my neurologist for status migraine with intractable n/v. Given IV hydration, DHE, decadron, reglan, klonopin, upped the topamax again. Got MRI/MRA done. No aneuryisms, do have so microvascular changes in the brain??? Neuro says about 14% of the population have these changes, especially migraineurs. If I keep going into status migraine this frequently we're going to have to do a lumbar puncture to measure my CSF pressure. If my CSF pressure is to high, then we will have to change meds again. I was wrong, my admission weight was 12 pounds lighter than what I weighed in the clinic 2 weeks ago. I forgot to weigh myself at discharge to see if the hydration put some weight back on, . Also had follow up EKG, just cause I keep having chest pain when I vomit, EKG was good. It just feels so good to be able to walk outside during the daytime without feeling like someone is stabbing icepicks through my R eye, to be able to concentrate well enough to drive a stick shift, to eat without puking my brains out. Honestly, I could live with the headache, it's all the other crap that happens with the migraine that I can't stand.

I am so thankful I don't suffer from these types of headaches. In fact, I rarely have a headache.

Woody

[sharona97]

Welcome home! I'm glad you are feeling better.More importantly, I'm glad that you're neurologist hospitalized you and did a work up. I hope you don't need to have the sp.tap, but if it comes to that it tells me he is invested in helping you and is really appearing to be concerned, as we are!

Keep us posted, hope you can get full relief everyday!


Hugs
Sheri

[elthia]

Thanks. It's just so nice to be feeling better.

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better.

Please consider having your neurologist fill out the FMLA papers as soon as possible for you to protect your job. You don't have to take the full 12 weeks all at once. It can be in increments of a day (or days) at a time--- even hours if you can't work a full shift.

[jennifer_25_nurse]

Have you and your Neurologist every discussed Pseudo Tumor Cerebri? I was told I had a "migraine" for more than 2 years. No one would listen to me. They all thought I was a hypochondriac and I was beginning to beleive it too. It took me several doctors and losing my vision overnight for someone to finally listen. I thought I was going crazy when in fact my intracranial pressure was so high that I eventually lost my vision and I was scared to death. Maybe it's worth checking into if not considered already. And definately file for FMLA soon. I am in the same situation and a panic attack is always not far away if I don't get into the doc when I am having problems. I get very high strung when my pressure goes up and nothing makes sense. I get emotional quickly. My problems have resolved after really paying attention to the stress and lack of sleep. It is so difficult when nursing is your career to relieve those things. I have to work to keep my insurance to keep me on the meds and pay my bills. If I didn't have to work of course I wouldn't but it's not realistic. I do love my job but it just a constant catch 22. My vision is more important to me than what someone else thinks of me. It also helps to know that I have a diagnosis and although I feel I may die from the pain it really actually won't kill me and it will eventually pass. It just helps to know. No one knows what you are feeling only you know. I hate calling into work with a "headache" because it's not just that but because you don't have tumor growing off the side of your face doesn't mean you're not sick. Next time tell them you have a GI bleed with explosive diarrhea. That usually never get questioned! LOL. No you are not overreacting and don't feel guilty for trying to take care of yourself. It's just a curse of being in the medical field that you put others before you. We are taught as nurses to treat patient pain as reported but it's double standard when you complain of the same pain. DON'T FEEL GUILTY.
For more info go to www.pseudotumorcerebri.com and you can contact me through here if you have any other questions. Even if you really have migraines just constant education about your condition and current ways to treat it. Keep looking out for new things to make your condition tolerable.
Good luck. Jennifer

[elthia]

Originally Posted by jennifer_25_nurse

Have you and your Neurologist every discussed Pseudo Tumor Cerebri?

Good luck. Jennifer

So far my eye exams have been ok, but that is one reason why we will do a lumbar puncture to measure my CSF pressure if I keep going into status migraine.

I'm filing for intermittent FMLA this week.

Good news is I've been migraine free for over 24 hours at this point,

[Suesquatch]

I'm glad, elthia. Pain is the enemy.

[Templedoll]

Of course you are not exhibiting drug seeking behaviour. You have a pain that you want to be rid of. A few suggestions. First I think you need find out what is causing the pain. Try keeping a foods diary and see if these migrains come on after you have eaten certain foods. Also if it persists suggest to your Doctor that they investigate it further. Your back could be out of alignment and that can cause one to have migrains. These migrains dont occur for no reason. Maybe a visit to a naturopath, good luck

[Warpster]

I saw typical drug seeking behavior in post op patients whenever I followed Nurse Tylenol. People in real pain can and do display classic drug seeking behavior, especially when some martinet has refused to address their pain. The behavior wasn't because they were addicts. The behavior was because their pain had not been treated appropriately.

Pain is ridiculously undertreated in this country. Insurance companies are adding to the problem by trying to ration drugs in a one size fits all format.

You are having a legitimate problem and you deserve appropriate treatment. Go ahead and pitch a fit. Scream and throw things if you need to. Any of us who have ever experienced a migraine will understand. Find out if you can afford an emergency supply on your own while you drag that insurance company into arbitration.

Just don't give up. This isn't your problem, it's their problem. You're just the one who is doing the suffering.

[grandee3]

Forgive me if this was already mentioned, I did not have time to read all post.
What about a mail order of your Rx. Usually it cost less and you can get a 3 month supply. Not all ins co. have this option but it's worth looking into.
Hope you can find some relief.