I feel like I'm losing it.

[MamboMom]

I'm sorry this isn't about chiari too much, but I feel comfortable here. Quick update on my EMG, he didn't do it right at all (I swear it lasted not even two minutes) and I didn't get any answers. He made a big deal about needing to bring the MRI disk, and never even looked at it. Supposedly I'll have answers in 2 weeks when I go back. Hm. Pretty much, I'm completely stressed out. Let alone the chiari, my son is 8 and has a lot of dangerous psych issues. He's not in any danger right now, but I'm worrying he might have to go back to the hospital. The delusions and some hallucinations are coming back, the anger is all over the place, he's starting to show signs from before the meds. I just want him to be happy. I also might be getting cut back days at work (I requested to go back to work), so my insurance, my sons insurance, and my bill money will drop or be gone. Idk really what I'm trying to say here, maybe if I can get some words of encouragement, Idk. I'm crying while I'm writing this, but I really should be sleeping since I have to work in a couple hours...sorry its so long.

[MamboMom]

Thanks Iris and Viva...I am better today, just can't focus on more than today. No, he hasn't been checked for chiari, but he has a regular appointment soon about his thyroid, so I'll ask about it. Just trying to keep everyone calm today..

[Viva001]

I'm sorry for this stressful time for you.  It's hard enough being a Chiari patient, but I would feel like losing it too if I had a sick child too.  Has your son been tested for Chiari?  It can definitely cause psychiatric symptoms.  (my NS sent me his outcomes on ~300 pts in a huge spread sheet).

FWIW, my EMG was very painful& showed nothing.  (they said I was "a good patient" though; gee thanks, where's my sticker?).
How do they decide where to stick the needle?  If they had stuck it in my fingers, they would've seen how numb they were.

I hope today's abetter day!

[irislita]

oh...reading ur story also almost made me cry. i just wanted you to know that we are thinking and praying for u.it sounds really stupid...but i also had a hard year and thought its never going to be better and it somehow got better...although it will take time, but things can and do get better.i send u a lot of hugs and hope u r a bit better today

[MamboMom]

Thanks so much everyone <3 I feel a little better now. It's just hard when everything builds up and builds up until it's completely overwhelming. I will try to just look at everything one day at a time. @Selma, hopefully the results will give me answers, but I swear he could've done the test by poking me with the back of a pen (he didn't do the pulses or anything, just stab stab stab with the needle super fast). @Dana, it sounds like we might have to adjust the meds again, I just feel horrid hearing him so sad because he "wants to be a good boy" (probably didn't help that his therapist had to cancel today...@Rhea I actually did those breaths as soon as I saw you suggested them, and they did help :-) Thanks again everyone <3 --Ashley

[RheaAnn]

I have to agree with Selma and take things one day at a time. I understand it's difficult not to look at all the things that could be affected down the road, but if you stress, then your Chiari symptoms feel worse. And if you feel bad, you tend to stress more, so it's a horrible cycle to be caught up in. Venting it all helps! We all know what you are going through.

Something that helps me to de-stress is diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe through your belly. Put one hand over your chest and one over your belly. When you breathe, try to only move you belly hand. This avoids using the neck muscles and gives you a great source of oxygen rich air from the bottom of your lung lobes, which in turn sends more oxygen to your brain. Oxygen in your brain is good for healing! Good luck with everything and we are here!
Rhea

[Sexybare]

I wish I had the words for you. One day at a time, as selma said. It will all work out. Do what u need for your son and take care of u at the same time. I'm so sorry u r going thru this. But it will get better. Maybe his meds just need some adjusting? Keep us posted, I will be praying for u and your dear son. Hugs, Dana

[selmaS]

  Hi, I am so sorry u r having such a stressful time...EMG's are not a fun test...mine was very painful and it did show that some of my issues were chiari, I did have some nerve damage from a surgery yrs earlier...but overall, the Dr that did mine said he was sorry the entire time,...lol...he was nice.

Now, as for all of ur issues with ur son and work....do not think of the big picture, deal with it all one day at a time and one issue at a time to help getting overwhelmed...which is so easy to do.

Focus on ur son...and know u r not alone and vent all u need to....that is what friends are for...I just wish I knew what to tell u....

((hugs))