Sooo... any doctors in the house?

[Gilly]

Family Practitioners? Neurosurgeons? Radioligists?


Anyone specifically with information pertaining to an ACM?

[Gilly]

Pooh. Well, I was hoping. ;)

[Eros]

What's the problem Gilly? I have some close friends that are nurses?

[PantyFanatic]

I'm a brain surgeon/blacksmith and will always be happy to hold up your skirt, I mean,… hold your hand with any problem you have Gilly. If you are referring to my extensive research and development with Acetate Crotch Munching, …… please step into my office and I’ll help you disrobe and answer any requests, I mean, questions you have:D

[BigBear57]

Dr PF, Sir, never one to contradict an expert, I'd like to suggest the possibility that in this particular case we may be dealing with Aggressive Clitoral Massage. I've heard it's an amazing treatment for many different ailments. It's hard to make a clear judgement from here but just looking at her pics I'd say there's prime territory for it. I'd be happy to assist in any examinations or if necessary make my own 2nd opinion exam. Purely in the spirit of helping a Pixie in distress of course.

[Gilly]

ACM- Arnold Chiari Malformation. It's a rare hereditary defect that affects the nerves in your neck, and how they interact with your brain. Basically, people with ACM have it pinched off, causing problems. Blood flow gets staunched, as well, causing headaches from blood rush. It's something like that.

Nothing's wrong yet, per sey, but I have to go in on Thursday and talk to a doctor about symptoms that (in my mind and family history) are leaning that way.

[BigBear57]

Best of luck Gilly, hope our litle BS didn't offend. We tend to believe if Ya can't dazzle with brilliance... we baffle with BS..... all in fun. Keep us posted. We do care.

[Gilly]

-rofl- Didn't think twice bout it ;)

Fun is good :)

[Slow Ride]

I hope you get a good report Gilly (((hugs)))

[Gilly]

fingers crossed, I will. Just makes me wonder because my mom had an acm that was operated on last year. I guess from reading up on it, she still has it. The surgery is a decompression, to aleviate the pain, I guess.

Can't really find anyone who can (or will) ansewr my questions, though. I really shouldn't worry about it unless it's diagnosed, I know that. Still can't help thinking about it when I think of my symptoms, though.


{{HUGS}}

[PantyFanatic]

I would so love to treat you for my specialty of ACM, but unfortunately, Arnold Chiari Malformation, isn’t it.:(

I do hope you are able to garner some definite answers on Thursday to at least establish the situation. Sometime uncertainty can be more concerning than the issue itself. DO please keep us informed and good luck babe.:)

[nikki1979]

(((((((((HUGS )))))))))))) good luck hun let us know how it goes

~nikki~

[dicksbro]

Was not aware of ACM. Thanks for helping us to become more familar ... and, like the others have said, the very best to you. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

[Gilly]

Thanks :)

Fingers crossed, all I have is nasty migrains.



I can hope, can't I?

At the very least, I know it's not anything that will be diagnosed right away. It took my mom over 2 years of misdiagnosed things before she had a Nurse Practitioner of all things, figure it out. My appt on Thrsday is with that same NP.

[Irish]

Gilly---Try WebMD.I don't know if they have information on that,
but my daughter(youngest)has sent me information,from their
website,on other medical things that have pertained to me. Irish

[hungry]

hi gilly.

It is a condition that can run in families. The condition shoud be diagnosied via a CAT scan or MRI. Usually it is diagnosied in your childhood, laer symptoms can occure and include headache and pain or weakness down an arm. Ask about other congential conditions like spina--bifida or syringomyelia they can be seen with it but not 100% of the time. At your age migraines are most likly the cause of headaches especially if the triptians ( imitrex ) work. Good luck..and let me know if there is more i can do.

[Gilly]

Never been given migrain meds, and two doc's have said it's not migrains. Add to that my mom's condition, and the symptoms being nearly identicle (she had left side numbness, I have right side).

Either way, I'm trying not to look into it too much until I go in and start talking to my mom's doctor next week. Well, NP actually. She is the one who finally caught on to my mom's symptoms, and got her in for an MRI that showed the diagnosis.

They had done several CT scans and 2 MRI's before a 3rd MRI was done. On the third one, they were looking specifically for it, and the radiologist who did it had seen it on a few other patients, and was easily able to pick it out.


Is it bad to feel like I -need- an MRI done to put my mind at east? I'm normally very anti-doctor, and don't get sick often. The headaches are things that I've ignored for around 4 years, along with numbness, backaches, neckpains, anxiety, depression, and light sensitivity.

Blah. I really need to stop thinking about this, and just wait to see the doctor.

Thanks for all the responses and comforts, though. :)

[hungry]

nothing wong with putting your mind at rest. You are right in what as there is nothing you can do know. stay foucused in the now and enjoy whay you have. if there is more you would like to talk about you can e-mail me.

[Gilly]

So, I just got back from GR and the doctor's appt.

They put me on Midrin for tension headaches and migrains, and we are all praying that works.
They also stuck me on welbutrin (sp?) for panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. Again, hoping that works.
I have another appt in 2 weeks for a full physical (apparently, my sheet and a half of complaints was too much for 1 day ;)), and a CT scan. If the meds don't knock the headaches, and the CT shows nothing, then an MRI will be scheduled.

-sighs- I don't like being sick. :(

[MilkToast]

Gilly, hang in there... I am sure that things will look up! We're all pullin' for ya!

[PantyFanatic]

I’m happy for you Gilly. You’ve started the first step of doing a job. Hope the meds are all that’s needed.;)

If not,….. I’m happy as hell that there are immediate options to swing into to.:)


(now if you want to “practice” for the tests………….. I’m available to for the next two weeks to give you exams.):lust:

[Lilith]

Gilly~ let me know how the Midrin works. I have some but after my experience with Imetrex I am scared to take it. Anxious to hear how it works!

[Gilly]

I haven't had to take the midrin yet, but it sounds like it's a MUCH lower dose than imetrex. My doc wasn't certain it would do anything at all, but wanted to give it a try first.

In fact, I think I may take one soon, cause as I'm writting this, I feel my head starting to pound. -grumbles-

I also took my first wellbutrin. I finally read the label. I was put on 300 mg's a day! That seems like a lot to me, cause when I was on zoloft for a brief stint, it was only 50mg a day to start, then up to 100 a day after a month. 300 seems like a lot. :)


As for that exam... -grins- I can always use some good one on one time. ;)

[Irish]

Gilly---My wife&youngest daughter have suffered from migraines,
for years.My wife has taken many things that were prescribed,for
her.Most are nothing but pain killers.The latest one is Zomig(2.5mg)I think that it opens up the blood flow,which, supposedly,
is one of the causes of migraines.She gets almost blind,on one side of her head,often sees light flashes,etc.She has been happiest with this for a few years.They are still trying,new things.
I hope this helps!I suggest asking your Dr. about this medication!
Irish
P.S.My youngest daughters,youngest son,is Autistic.He can't fend
for himself,so the knockout medicines are out.She has to be somewhat alert!They both even get nauseas(sp?)sometimes!

[Gilly]

I'm glad you found something to help your wife, Irish!

After discussing with them yesterday, and previous times with OB's, we're all pretty certain the headaches are coming more from tension than migrains. I don't get most of the 'classic' migrain symptoms.

Lilith, I took a midrin what, about an hour and a half ago? I just sat down to eat, and got semi neasous (sp?), so I stopped eating. I sat down on the couch for a few minutes to re-read my perscription help sheet thing, and started feeling a bit shakey, not bad. When I stood up, I got dizzy.

The drug is a combination analgesic, vasoconstrictor (???), and a sedative.

I feel buzzed right now, like I just drank down a shots of high proof liquer. I'm not feeling the headache, though, which is nice for once.

It does say that over time the symptoms are supposed to be a lot less. It might even be worse because I started the wellbutrin today, as well, and that warns of many of the same side affects.

I definatly don't think I'd need to take two of these at once, though. I advise taking it when you don't have to worry about going anywhere, or doing anything. I was supposed to do groceries today. No way in hell I'm driving, or even taking the kids anywhere.

[Gilly]

Quick update... I have a ct scan scheduled for thursday afternoon. I called on Monday when I hadn't heard from them yet, and they called back asking if I could be there in an hour. Mind you, I live just over an hour away, and to get there in an hour, I'd have had to leave 20 or 30 minutes before they called.

Anyway, I go in thursday.

I know it's not something I can just diagnose myself, but I have very strong feelings that it's an ACM. The Wellbutrin is currently fucking with my system. I'm queasy all the time, I can't sleep real well, and wake up feeling like I didn't sleep at all. My headaches haven't gone away. If anything, they've gotten worse. Sitting up at the computer makes my neck and shoulder ache from holding my head upright. That's new, and more than a little disconcerting.

The midrin I stopped taking. It was dulling the edge of my little headaches, but not getting rid of them. It made me sleepy, without being able to really sleep, and I was really queasy on it. I have very little faith that it would do any good when a big headache hits. If it can't get rid of a small throb, what's it going to do to the big bangs?

Also as a side note, my neck and back were hurting so much yesterday that I resorted to taking a vicoden again. Big mistake. Gave me the shakes, made me feel like I was going to toss my cookies every time I moved, and my face went numb. Course, my face has been going numb now and then anyway, so that might have been coincidence.

Lastly, since I've noticed the quick tiring in my neck muscles, I've also noticed it in my arms. It starts to hurt holding my arms up enough just to type, and they are half supported when I do that. :(

I'm torn on the ct scan. On one hand, I hope nothing shows up, because an ACM won't show up on one. If it doesn't, then I can get the MRI done to either reassure me it's not there, or to prove to me that I'm not nuts. On the other hand, I'm terrified that something WILL show up on it, like a tumor or something. We don't have cancer running in the family, but...

-sighs- So, that's why I haven't been around much as of late, and likely won't be still. I have to lay flat on the floor for about 30 minutes to combat the 10-15 of sitting at the computer. :(

[PantyFanatic]

Originally posted by Gilly

I have another appt in 2 weeks for a full physical (apparently, my sheet and a half of complaints was too much for 1 day ;)), and a CT scan. If the meds don't knock the headaches, and the CT shows nothing, then an MRI will be scheduled.:(
So tell us the good news.:) How can I try to crawl up your skirt when I don't know if you "have a headache".:rolleyes:






;)(bet you thought I only paid attention when you bend over)

[Cheyanne]

**I wonder why they gave you a prescription for 300 mg of Wellbutrin and then the Midrin for headaches**....

Wellbutrin, as an anti-depressent, has a side-effect of headaches... as do most anti-depressents. I went the same route for depression and migraines, but with another well known brand..... (of which I weaned myself from) The medicine I was on for my migraines (Imitrex) caused me to have a "mini-stroke", so I was immediately taken off of them and have another alternative.

Now, I am not on any anti-depressents, and when I do have a migraine, I can give myself a shot in the ass.... ummmmmmerrrrrrr rather, Cobalt does the "shooting"... ;) I have noticed that I do not get the migraines as often as I did when I was taking the anti-depressent though....

Gilly - I hope that all goes well for you - it isn't fun being sick, and not knowing why you are feeling that way. ((HUGS))

[Gilly]

I had my CT last week, and a full physical thursday. The ct came back clear (but, I knew it would). I got perscribed a new anti-depressant, Lexaprol (i think that's the name), as well as a pain killer designed specifically for period cramps, and flagyl for a "stress and anxiety related bacterial infection". Yeah, don't ask, I didn't understand what the hell she was talking about.

The wellbutrin was giving me MASSIVE headaches for the first week I was on it. During that time, I went from 150 a day to 300. I did find, though, that when I dropped back from 300 to 150 again, the headaches stopped. I actually woke up one day without a headache. *does a lil dance, makes a lil noise, you know, get's down tonight*

The lexapro is in the same type of family as Zoloft, though, so she warned me to watch for the same listless feelings, the loss of the ability to orgasm, etc, while I was on it. She told me to go ahead and switch back to Wellbutrin if that happens.

I have a pelvic ultrasound next tuesday because I have a lump on the left side near my pelvic bone that has been there since my tubal 2 years ago. Doesn't hurt or anything, but that, coupled with my cramps, is something she wants checked out. Also, while she was doing the pap smear, she asked if I had ever been diagnosed with edimetriosis (spelling??). I haven't, and she -thinks- that might be something else I have to couple with everything else.

She didn't really address anything new for the back, neck, and head pain, though. -grr- She keeps insisting that all these antideressants and migrain meds will nix them. Granted, I haven't had any -bad- headaches in that time, but I wasn't exactly pain free in that 2 weeks, either. -grumbles-

So, pelvic ultrasound tuesday, then on the 20th, another doctor's appt. My insurance company is going to hate me.