24 March 2011

A Little Bit About Me

Most of my regular visitors will know that I suffer with kidneys problems which causes me a lot of pain and time off work. A few months ago I was given some extra antibiotics (I take regular ones everyday) to get rid of a particular bad kidney ingfection I was having. A rare side effect of these antibiotcs is that it can cause intracranial hypertension. I suffered with this for over five years during my teenage years but thankfully it went away never to return again ... until I took these antibiotics that is.

I ended up in A&E with bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, severe headaches and nausea. I was admitted to the medical admissions unit and given pain-killers. I had a CT scan to rule out brain tumours and sent home waiting for a Neurology appoinment with the diagnosis given that my Benign Intracrainial Hypertension (BIH) had returned query due to the antibiotics.

BIH affects one in 100,000 people, usually females around my age range. There is no known cause but it basically causes the pressure in the brain and spine to go up. One theory is that the body is making too much of the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) and this means that the pressure increases. The only way to effectively get this pressure down is to have it drained off via inserting a needle into the spine (a lumbar puncture) and getting some of the fluid drained off. BIH itself causes severe headaches and visual distrubances - this being the most serious; it can lead to blindness if not corrected.

I have my Neurology appointment today and I am hoping that they can sort something out for me. I am guessing that I will need another lumbar puncture and I am crossing all my fingers and toes that it will work and my BIH will go away again.

I am sharing this information with you as some of you lovely people are so caring and loyal and I wanted you to know. If I am not around for a little while you know why but hopefully I will be.

**UPDATED** I have been for my appointment and I will be going into hospital for the day on Tuesday for a lumbar puncture and to see the opthalmologists. It's not at my local hospital but one in London where they have a specialist unit for Neurosciences, at least I should be in good hands! Thank you for the support messages, they are so so appreciated :0) xxx

Best wishes to you all,

23 comments:

  1. Michelle, sorry to hear about your BIH, I will be praying for your health down here in Australia. Hugs Tanja

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  2. Michelle just do exactly as you're told and rest plenty please luvvi. I'll be thinking of you and hoping that you will soon be fit and well again. Take Care Hunni and Loads of Love & Gentle Hugs.

    Pam xx

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  3. Hi Michell, thinking about you today, hope you feel better soon xx Jan

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  4. I'm so sorry to here this Michelle. I do hope your Neurology appointment has better news for you, poor you.

    (((((((BIG HUGS))))))) to you and wishing you a speedy recovery. Please keep us informed of your progress when you can.

    Kathy
    xxxx

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  5. I hope your appointment goes well today and they are able to find a solution for you to ease your pain.
    Take care.
    Jane
    x

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  6. Hi Michelle, I haven't been visiting your blog in a while. Shame! You've made quite lovely cards recently. So sorry to read that your BIH has returned. Sounds horrendous. Hope everything goes okay today. Hugs, Pauline x

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  7. Michelle,
    I really hope it all works out for you, I can not begin to imagine how you must feel and what a crazy scary time it has been for you and your family.
    I sincerely hope they fix you and quick.
    I love visiting your blog, your creatins are fantastic, inspiring and all round lovely.
    In the mean time take it easy and look after yourself.
    Sally. xxx

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  8. I hope your Dr. appt goes well and you get better soon!

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  9. Saying prayers for a speedy recovery and continued good health. Love your cards. Most importantly take care of YOU!! Sending well wishes from the United States!

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  10. Hope everything goes ok on Tuesday. Hugs Pam x

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  11. Poor you, I really hope your appointment next week goes well and that they sort out your health issues. Sending you a big (((hug))) xx

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  12. Hi Michelle, will be thinking of you.

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  13. I hope everything goes well, I'm thinking of you sweetie ((((hugs)))) Stephanie xxx

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  14. Hi Hun,
    Hope you're okay. I'm glad your appointment went well and you'll be receiving treatment next week. I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday and hoping that it goes well. Looks like we're both getting the needle next week!
    Thank you for your lovely message this week.
    Sarah xx :0)

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  15. Hi Michelle,
    will be thinking of you and hope they find a remedy so you donot have to suffer for long x
    hugs
    Suzie qx

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  16. Will be thinking of you. For now just concentrate on getting better!
    R/

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  17. Hi Michelle

    Left a comment yesterday but not sure if I did it right so I am trying again. Wishing you all the best for Tuesday and a very speedy recovery. Thankyou for sharing your story, you are very brave.

    Best Wishes

    Diane

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  18. Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your BIH but at least they are going to do something about it. I will be thinking of you and keep my fingers crossed for you, Carrieanne x

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  19. So sorry to hear you're not well again! Hope the appointment on tuesday goes well! I will be thinking of you!
    Hugs, Vicky ~x~

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  20. ah Michelle :( im so sorry to hear this, I will keep you in prayer ♥ thinking about you, huge hugzz Marlou xx ps loving the beauy of a card!!! :)

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  21. Prayers and good wishes are being sent your way from Texas. I will look forward to hearing how your doing soon~

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  22. Oh Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear that you are poorly again! Big hugs for Tuesday hope you get on okay and feel better soon!

    Hugs Roni :O) xoxox

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  23. Michelle, I hope very much that all will be good at you !

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