Procedure Went Well

Hi guys!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but I was scheduled to have a dorsal ganglion injection today.  That's basically where they inject a local anesthetic and a steroid into a few nerves in my head and my spinal cord to try to stop the headache that I've had for over a year now.

Anyway, everything went fine, the only complication is they had a hard time waking me up, but I blame that on a lack of sleep.  I had to work last night (I work 3 PM to 11PM) and I got off late, then I couldn't sleep, and I had to be there very early.  I think I got about 4 hours of sleep total, so I was pretty tired, plus today was my first day off in a little while, so I was physically tired anyway. 

They injected my upper neck behind my left ear and the back of my head in the middle of my skull.  The injections were supposed to stop the pain immediately, but unfortunately they didn't work.  I actually ended up with a worse headache and man, does my neck hurt!

Oh well!  At least we know what isn't causing my migraines and that's some nerve issues (its pretty complex and I barely understand it, so I won't attempt to explain it because I'll only end up confused myself )  The headaches may still be hormonally related, which I will have to see a different doctor to diagnose.  The doctor that performed the procedure basically said that the only thing he could do for me at this point is to install a spinal cord stimulator which requires major surgery.  I told him that at this point I wasn't ready to do that yet because my headaches are slowly improving.  I may consider the surgery if I go through another period in which I can't walk, am throwing up all the time, etc. like I was a couple of months ago.  The doctor agreed with my decision and made it clear that I could always come in to see him and if he found any other treatments, he would be in touch.

I'm a little disappointed that it didn't work, but I still have options and I am getting better.  It's important for me to remember how bad I was and how much better I've gotten.  I went from being almost completely unable to walk without help to going back to running my tush off at work.  I think things will continue to get better and I will have pain-free days again someday.

Thank you guys!  I'm sure things will continue to get better.  The procedure did do one thing, it let us know what's *not* causing the migraines and that's a good thing.  There are so many possiblities, that sometimes it's good to weed out a few of them...I just wish we'd come across the cause since we've already discounted a lot of theories thus far, but oh well. 

I really appreciate the support, I don't know where I would be without it 

Well,Just hold on hun... We`re all here for ya! I hope you`ll know the cause soon,cause that must be a hell for you..all the pain and stuff...

Hold on hun! *all PD hugs emmet*

We`re here for you! *sends healing waves*

Awww!  Thank you!  I'm sure things will get sorted out.  I'm not incredibly concerned about finding the cause becaue it's probably a result of several things hormones plus muscle tightness, plus vertebrae degeneration plus a chiari I malformation, plus whatever else.  I only really care that we find a way to get rid of the pain.  Even though I'm working, when I get home, I'm pretty useless as the pain is pretty intense by that time, but at least I'm funtional for part of the day.  That's a big improvement and helps to keep me going.  I'm sure things will get better with time.  Thank you so much for the encouragement!

*hugs back*  You guys have all been so wonderful, thank you!

On Aug 31, 2006 10:49 pm, EvilBunnySlippers said:

I'm really glad you got though the proceedure okay!  I have a hard enough time with normal shots, I can't imagine recieving an injection in my head and neck, yikes!  Though when you are in pain like you are, I suspect you're willing to try almost anything to get rid of it.  I'm sorry this didn't work out, but like you said hopefully with time it will improve.  I hope you get better soon, best wishes and hugs!

Thank you!  Actually they gave me some really good medicine that made me fall asleep, so I didn't have to go through trying to stay still, having a major anxiety attack, squealing with pain, and then fainting as I'm sure I would have done.  I work with needles all the time at work, but I'm not a big fan of when someone wants to turn the needle on me.  Thankfully the only needle I had to deal with that day was the IV and the nurse numbed the skin before hand and did a great job getting the IV in, so I didn't feel a thing.  It wasn't untill after the procedure that I felt it.  That place in my neck where they stuck the needle is still sore, but oh well.  It's getting better everyday and the procedure was worth a try even if it didn't work, I guess (at least that's what I keep telling myself, we'll see how I feel about it when I get the bill for it )

Hi Emmet, forgive me for not saying anything before, I just wanted to tell you my heart is with you. I'm sorry to hear about everything you had to go through, and that  the proceedure didn't solve your headaches. But I hope you'll get better soon. I wish you the best hun.

Dag nabbit emmet,

I wish they could get a pin point on this so these headaches would stop. I can't imagine much worse than having to live with headaches; as you well know they can quite effectively disable you for a good amount of time.

So, you are planning on having some hormone studies done? Geeze, I really am praying for you, that something of a cure comes your way. Make sure to keep us updated (as you have!), and we're all hoping for a cure for you!

Heidi

I do too, unfortunately I don't think there's a single cause, but a combination of a few different things.  I think we're starting to really make headway with some of the treatments. 

I think the plan is to see a gynocologist later this year and see if he/she thinks I have enough symptoms of endometriosis to warrant actual diagnosis which requires minor surgery.  To diagnose endo, they have to make 4 small incisions in my stomach and take a peek inside my body to see if there's any excess tissue growth.  Sadly, there's no other way to diagnose it.  If I do have endo, they would start me on some medication that would hopefully slow or stop the excess tissue growth of my uterus and ovaries.  Endometriosis is pretty difficult to treat, but the idea is that if we can treat it, my hormones will stabilize, my headaches will get better, and I can have children if I want to someday.  Endo is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, so it would be good to know if I have it or not.

The neurologist said that if I do have endo, the gyno would probably start me off on a medicine that would initially make my headaches worse, but then they would get better as the endo gets better. 

We'll have to see.  A few doctors have suggested that I have endo given the symptoms I have (excluding the headaches), but since diagnosis is so invasive, they've just treated me with the assumption that I have it with birth control pills.  They seem to work pretty well, but not completely.

If I do have endometriosis, the neurologist said that it would change her treatment plan as migraines in women with endo are very difficult to treat.  She said that she would then have to try some combination therapies.  I guess that means she would prescribe some herbal remedies, muscle relaxers, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure meds all at the same time.  That would be a lot of meds for me to be on, but if it worked, it worked.  (Migraines are usually treated with either blood pressure medicines, anti-seizure meds or anti-depressants.  My blood pressure is too low to try those meds, which is a bummer because those are probably the ones that would work )

I hope that all makes sense.  I get confused too.  I have to wait to get the endo diagnosed because I don't have enough time-off yet since I just got back to work.  For now we're trying Seasonel (that's the birth control that you take for 3 months straight without taking any or the placebo pills), so that hopefully it will help keep a steady level of hormones in my body.  I've only been on it a week and it can take up to 3 months for the body to adjust to a new birth control, so I'm hanging in there.

Thank you so much for your prayers, thoughts, and support!  I'm so humbled by the support you guys have given me here at PD.  Believe me, it's helped! 

Karana, thank you so much for your prayers, I hope I answered your question.  You were probably hoping for a yes or a no and I gave you an entire essay for an answer, sorry!  You know me, I'm too long winded for my own good!