A Hospital Stay

As most of you know I was admitted to an inpatient head pain clinic here in Michigan on Tuesday of last week.  I've been going through different procedures and trying different medications to get a handle on my everyday migraines.

So far I've had an MRI/MRV which determined that the vascular malformation in my brainstem in not an issue.  It does not cause the headaches nor does it limit me in any way.  In fact, they think it might be shrinking.  

On Thursday and Friday I had occipital nerve blocks.  These are basically 6 injections in the neck to a) numb the back of the head and b) decrease inflammation in the head.  Results usually aren't felt for 4-6 days so we'll see.

This afternoon they put in my 7th IV of the week.  Later this afternoon they installed a PICC line - basically a tube through my vein into my heart area that allows the medication in without the pain of an IV.  They are also able to do blood draws from here.  The doctor had a hard time getting it in because my veins are sneaky.  But the third try was successful.

We've discovered that my headaches get better when I lay down.  The current theory is that I might have a small leak of spinal fluid that would cause the headaches.  When I lay down the pressure eases.  When I work out (and get a really bad headache after) then I am increasing the pressure on the leak.  I did a Trendelenberg test this morning.  Basically they tilted my bed 6 degrees with my head down and my headache eased.  They did a lumbar puncture this afternoon to check the fluid and the level of the pressure.  My pressure is good, 15 in and 10 out - well within the normal range.  If there is a leak there are a few ways to treat it, first to try medications.  Second they can do a blood patch (basically injecting blood into the spinal column to seal the leak).  They didn't explain the third option so I can't share that with you.  

Tomorrow or Wednesday they are going to try facet nerve blocks.  These are blocks that are a little deeper in the neck.  I'll actually be sedated for these, thank God.  

My boys came to visit me on Saturday for Luke's birthday and I was so happy to see them.  I've also been watching videos of their Christmas program on YouTube videos that Mark has posted.  They all seem to be doing well and I know they are in good hands.  

I'm hoping to be released Friday or Saturday so I can be home for Luke and Jonah's party on Sunday.  We are doing a combined birthday party with all of their friends from school and church.