Questions about Pseudotumor Cerebri (IIH)

[alwayz_stephie_1angel]

I was recently diagnosed with PTC Sept 5th 2013, I am on Diamox and Depakote which neither seem to be helping. I continue to get debilitating migraines almost daily. I have had to go back to the ER twice to get shots the pain gets so unbearable, I needed to go tonight and was just there last night. All I do anymore is sleep, when I am awake maybe 8 hours in the day I am dizzy, nauseous, and have blurred and double vision. I do not know what to do anymore I am so tired of being in pain and sleeping my life away. I have 3 children and a husband, I desperately wanted to get back to work but do not think I will be able to hold down a job. The doctor says to work out and weight loss will help but I wonder how am I going to get to that point if I can't even stay awake or clean my own home let alone have a full workout? Is anyone else having these issues?

I am scared to have any of the surgeries such as the shunts after reading through posts others have posted. My ventricles are too narrow going to my heart so I would have to have the lumbar shunt and it seems it needs replaced ever couple years.

[alwayz_stephie_1angel]

The neurologist that I currently see said it is from the spinal fluid not being absorbed fast enough or something so they doubled my Diamox and upped my Depakote to 1 and half pills twice a day. Do you still feel I need to have these other things looked at to see if they are what is causing it? I know I am anemic I have always been. Also do you feel it is smart to get a second opinion? I know my husband said that is what he would like me to do before I have a shunt done but I told him if it is an emergency situation I probably won't be able to just wait...

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Apart from treating the headache, your doctor needs to find the underlying cause: thyroid or parathyroid gland disorder, adrenal gland problem, lupus, chronic renal insufficiency, Lyme, anemia etc. If there is underlying cause then treating the cause helps reduce the pain. Otherwise-shunt and decompression surgery is the only way to reduce the pressure inside the brain. Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.