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Post by Christian Soldier on Mar 19, 2008 14:33:07 GMT -5
My wife, Jamie, is currently in the hospital. She was admitted because she is having a stroke, a TIA most likely. So far, it hasn't stopped. This is completely unlike her previous TIA's so it worries me. The good news is that the doctor's are running a full battery of examinations and tests to see what it could be. When I heard last, she was having an MRI done.
BTW, right after this I will be on my way back to the hospital. I had to run home to care for the dogs.
All that said, please pray for Jamie as she recovers and is examined. Also, please pray for me and our family as we deal with this as best we can.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and your support. I couldn't have made it this far without it nor could I continue.
God bless you all -- CS
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Post by Teskas on Mar 19, 2008 15:17:35 GMT -5
It was very distressing to read of your wife's health problem. You both will be in my prayers.
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Post by rwley on Mar 19, 2008 20:13:30 GMT -5
You and Jamie both are in my prayers. If you need anything, I'm just up I-35 in DFW. Let me know if there's anything I can do.
Robi
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Post by Christian Soldier on Mar 19, 2008 20:44:45 GMT -5
Thank you both so much. We talked to the neurologist and he gave the oddest diagnosis. . . it was a migraine. Once you put your tongue back in I'll explain. Yeah, I did the same thing. Apparently, a migraine can cause severe numbness and weakness in the face and hands, or in this case, the left side of her face and her left arm... and it can do it without any pain what so ever.
So... how does he know it's a migraine? Elimination. Her heart was doing everything it was supposed to during the whole thing(this time). Her CT scan came back normal, as did her MRI. After a TIA or stroke, the MRI should have shown some damage, especially when the stroke is on going at the time of the scan. In her case there was nothing but the norm. . .
All that said, she is still going to stay in the hospital tonight just to make sure. By morning time, everything should be in and she should be released. So we are ... shocked and relieved. My entire family has suffered from migraines for years and we have never heard of such a thing, but Jamie's sister had had a similar experience, but with much less worry.
All that said, I thank you all again. And speaking of closeness, one of these days all of us here in TX ought to get together and meet in person some day. Preferably while I'm in-country.
God bless -- CS
PS: Isn't God cool?
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Post by torainfor on Mar 19, 2008 21:32:00 GMT -5
Wow. I've never been so thankful for a migraine before!
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Post by Divides the Waters on Mar 19, 2008 22:33:24 GMT -5
CS, it might behoove you to do an elimination study to see what's causing those migraines. That sounds pretty severe. I had a co-worker once who said that they started eliminating things from his diet to see what was causing his; turned out that simply cutting salt out of his diet stopped them dead.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Mar 20, 2008 8:26:25 GMT -5
What a scary ride, Glyn. I'm very relieved she's okay and is getting good care. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Scary for a new husband, huh? As if the first year isn't intimidating enough without the medical drama!
Jeff
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Post by rwley on Mar 20, 2008 8:39:51 GMT -5
My husband suffers from migraines, and his are all pain. I don't think he's ever had one that made one side of his body numb though. His just seem to last forever and none of the medications or injections work. We think his might be linked to his keratakonis in his eyes, but we haven't been able to get that confirmed.
You both are still in our prayers.
I like the Texas get together idea. Count me in!
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Post by Christian Soldier on Mar 20, 2008 8:43:37 GMT -5
Scary... that's one way to describe it. As for an elimination study... I can pretty much tell you what causes them: stress. Jamie's life is filled with stress that she has trouble managing. It could be some other things also, we'll see. As it is now, she doesn't have them often enough for there to be an elimination study. So, the neurologist has her on some new-fangled drug for migraines. Supposedly it works really well and even helps with weight loss. So, now we've got a plan to deal with them, somewhat.
Once again, thankyou all so much for your love and support. It means a lot to us both.
-- CS
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Post by rwley on Mar 20, 2008 9:17:03 GMT -5
What's the name of the drug? I want to tell Scott so he can ask his doctor. Again, it may be one we've already tried, but I'd like to know anyway. Thanks.
Robi
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Post by torainfor on Mar 20, 2008 12:10:33 GMT -5
rwley,
Just to throw it out there, I have a friend who went through a major health crisis in her twenties. It completely changed her entire life, and she carried all the stress in her shoulders. Before long, it moved into a muscle on the side of her head. Now, when she gets stressed or for no reason in particular, this muscle clamps down. It's not a migraine and the only way to kill it is muscle relaxants. The only other side effects besides pain is she gets really grouchy and pouty.
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Post by rwley on Mar 20, 2008 14:55:22 GMT -5
We've actually been that route as well. No luck. But thanks. I'm always looking for answers.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Mar 20, 2008 20:56:58 GMT -5
The drug is Topomax, and be advised that it is brand new. It's only been on the market for about three years... well, as a migraine drug anyway. It was an anti- seizure drug.
So... this morning, another doctor comes in and says that it was a TIA after all, and that was the official diagnosis. This is... irritating. No, beyond irritating, aggravating. Fortunately, I won't waste my time getting mad. There's no point.
Anyway, so we're back onto that track and proceeding down the path of TIA treatment as well as getting drugs for the migraines. They do run in the family and they could be involved... I think. She's due to check back with the neurologist in two weeks and her PCM next week.
The good news is that we've already begun the steps to help prevent these TIA's. It was one of the first things we did when we got married was talk to the doctor about the lap-band procedure. Everything I have heard about it says that it works, especially in cases where Jamie's weight is causing other health issues. We take the next step in that process Monday when we go to a seminar about it and make the first appointment with the surgeon. From there... who knows?
*Sigh* So yeah.. we're back to where we were, but at least she's out of the hospital and feeling better. There is some residual weakness in the left side, but it is negligible. She also had a brief dizzy spell this after noon, but it only lasted a few minutes. We still have a lot to be thankful for, you guys are part of that.
Thank you so much, all of you.
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Post by rwley on Mar 24, 2008 13:05:36 GMT -5
How's Jamie doing? Just wanted to check in.
Robi
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Post by Christian Soldier on Mar 25, 2008 5:00:58 GMT -5
Thankyou for asking, Robi. She's doing well and is already back at work. There is still some residual weakness in her left side, but she's due to go to the physical therapist for that. She also has doctor's appointments strung out over the next few weeks.
Last night, we also took the first step in getting Jamie the lap band surgery. We had to attend this seminar in order to get the ball rolling. Hopefully, Jamie will be able to lose some of her excess weight and be able to prevent another TIA or stroke. In addition, next week she switches to part time, so her stress level should lower.
Thanks again for asking, Robi! Say, how are you doing these days?
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