Warning sign's

When should you go to the hospital? It is hard not having a doctor to ask this kind of stuff. I have been having headaches with my eyes feeling like they are bulging. And also when its pounding hard, I can see my vision throbbing like a blood vessel. Occasional sharp pains in different parts of my head. A lot of pain around my eyes, just a lot of pain.
What would the warning sign's be, how do you know when you need to seek treatment? What kind of complications can occur from ICP?

Some of my history: I have a small 1.5 diameter syrinx, from C3 to T1 (so far) DDD DJD bulges, And my MRI shows no CSF flow between my postorior fossa and cerebellum. I also have a Tarlov cyst in my S2. with more bulges and protrusions in my lumbar.
  
Oh and selma, my thyroid test came back normal but all they would test was the TSH.             Stacey

[selmaS]

Hi Stacey,'

Sorry they only did the TSH......it is not surprising it appears normal.....was that an ENDO that rx'd the tests?Mayb ur PCP can redo the tests with all of the Free T 3 and T 4's included in about 6 months...otherwise I don't think ur insurance will cover it.


If u feel like u r in distress...call ur dr...they have a way to get in touch with them...and see if he suggests it....if u have difficulty breathing go to the ER straight away.

But do try some of the relaxation techniques....warm bath, low lights, soft music, damp cloth over eyes......

I hope u feel better soon.

"selma"

[Spaceystac]

I dont have any insurance yet, and the doctors I have seen said there is nothing they can do for me anymore. Even though they are supposed  to help people with no insurance. If I call the office it takes 2 days to hear back from them. I am at a loss.

[selmaS]

Stacey, I am so sorry I can not think of what else to suggest.

Have u applied for state aid?

Do they understand it is an urgent need?

"selma"

[Spaceystac]

I have been getting shortness of breath for some time now, off and on. Feeling like I cant take a deep breath and even pain while taking a deep breath. And yawning a lot.
I would take a bath but that is always more trouble than its worth. I would have to scrub the tub, then my hands get pruny an super sensitive and I dont want to touch anything because it feels like nails on chalk board. If I just take a shower, then I still have to deal with pruney hands, and getting dressed. Maybe tomarrow will be better.

[selmaS]

Well, at least turn the lights down, turn on soft music and use the damp cloth over ur eyes and try to relax.

DId u try for state aid?

[Spaceystac]

My evaluation for the state was yesterday and the doctor was very rude and rushed through my evam. She left the room durring my appointment to help someone who was "really sick". Then came back and said we only have 12 minutes left but we can finish it in that much time. Then rushed through my neuro exam. My arm reflexes in my right arm were nonexsistant. She went to my left arm and there was no movement the first couple attempts then finally it jumped a little. Then she went back to the right arm, and proceeded to hit it with her hammer until it moved for her. I am so mad at this doctor. I would just hope that she helps me get insurence so that I dont have to see her anymore.      


Quick question, do your hands go numb or tingle when you clap your hands?   I clap at my cats to get their attention and my hands always go numb after even one clap. Also bad numbness and tingling after chopping wood (which I dont do anymore) Anyone have this problem?

[Spaceystac]

I tried to contact my case worker about the doctor and I havnt heard back yet. I wrote out my experience while it was fresh in my head. I am just hopping it doesnt effect my chances of getting approved. I fear I am not disabled enough to get state coverage.

[selmaS]

Well it is medical aid u went looking for not disability...Yes?

I know it is difficult to deal with people that r in positions to serve those in need....they r often  aloof  and insensitive to those they r to be assisting.

I pray u qualify and can get the medical treatment u need.

Try an d relax...stressing can only make u feel worse.

"selma"

[Spaceystac]

Thats what I thought I was applying for (assistance not disability). But when the doctor came in she said, " Now tell my in your own works you you think you cant work" I was pretty dumbfounded. I started to tell that every time I bend over I get pain and pressure in my head, ect. and that is when there was a knock at the door. When my case worker gets back to me I will ask her about that, Im not sure If maybe the state only offers medical to people that are pregnant, a child, or disabled? Sounds like I should just get knocked up heh?

[*Stormy*]

Hi

I do get the numbness from clamping my hands, banging them on things and sometimes just from grabbing a door handle or something.

I know our medical care system is different from yours (going to the ER is covered under MSP which is mandatory coverage for every BC resident) but sometimes the only way to REALLY get attention to your condition is to do just that. If you are having trouble breathing and are in that much pain then I think it is justified that you go. Who knows you might get the right doctor to help you.

On the flip side, I have had breathing episodes like that and I have endured them with deep breathing and even just focusing on one word like "relax" over and over in my mind, in rhythum with my breathing. A tip I got many years ago was to put my hands on my chest and focus on breathing from my abdomen, most of us chest breathe when we feel short of breath and that makes it worse. It doesn't always work and I have gone through many a sleepless night battling it so I really feel for you. Do try and relax and I'm sure whatever you decide to do it will be the right choice. I hope that tommorrow is a better day for you!
Carolyn

[Spaceystac]

thank you Carolyn, visualizing RELAX is kinda soothing.   I am a singer so I am good a recognizing where I am breathing from. Breathing deeply is important and sometimes I find I am breathing very shallow.  I too have had to stop and concentrate on breathing right, a very scary feeling that gets worse fast if you dont relax. I am pretty good at keeping my emotions in check (most of the time).
  I think If my HA gets any worse I will go in to the ER, atleast I could maybe get a second opinion from a NS on my MRI's. The first one, with out even seeing me personally, said it wouldnt be causing any symptoms, get a follow-up MRI in 6 months.

[Spaceystac]

Oh, and I keep forgetting that my Grandmother (mom's mom) has a cyst ( not sure what kind) in the front of her brain.  I remember hearing about it a few years back at just forgot all about it until my mom mentioned it the other day. Apparently she gets CT's every 6 months.

[shanmomof3]

Stacey i'm SO sorry your hurting! All i can say is when you just cant take it anymore ... Thats when you go to the ER, but remember the lights and sounds are gonna drive you crazy and they may or may not be able to help with the pain. I'm sorry but those are the realities we live with. (((HUGS))) Shannon

[pdxmomof3boys]

I had some pretty serious breathing problems before I wIas decompressed and focusing on breathing really did wonders -- I would hyperventilate and have "asthma" attacks (I don't believe it's asthma anymore!) and it would freak me out. Dim lights, warmth and quiet help so much. I did the warm shower thing, but sometimes no energy! Get those gel packs that you can warm up in the microwave -- I'd put them on my neck/back of my head and it helped a bit. The worst thing is how scary it is -- once you understand what is happening and visualize yourself controlling the problem it gives you some control. I hope that you get some assistance! I know that in some systems, ERs have to help you and if you can't pay, then you can't pay. Can the doctor at least give you some meds to help the pain? They don't cost all that much if you have to pay out of pocket for them, and at least it will help you to get much needed sleep. I am thinking about you and praying you get some insurance soon!

Rosemarie

[Spaceystac]

The doctor I was seeing tried get me to try lyrica. I read the info on it and I think I will cope without that medication. My mom tried Neruton  (dont know the spelling) a long time ago and had a severe reaction. She ended up in the hospital with a severe migrane (migraine) the was making her vomit. They did a angiogram and saw a bunch it tiny swollen blood vessels in her brain. So I was not really wanting to try Lyrica because of that. I would rather take something more traditional that has been tested longer and isnt a antidepressant.

I am taking Baclofen (which I dont know much about) and have some Tylenol with caffine  I haven gone to the ER yet, but I have been thinking about it. The pressure in my head has been getting really bad in the evening and I dont know what to do about it.  Hopefuly I will hear from the state soon.