I've been taking my anti-seizure meds for one week now, and here is what I have to report.
Isn't this tree beautiful? God sure is the best artist I know!
I've been taking my anti-seizure meds for one week now, and here is what I have to report.
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Yesterday morning, I should have eaten a live frog! My appointment was stressful and long, but I'm gonna skip the stressful part and just share the doctor's recommendations.
He will be referring me for a neuropsych evaluation. I should find out early next week when that appointment will be. Tomorrow is my follow-up appointment with my neurologist. We will be asking for him to schedule the neuropsych evaluation. We will talk about my EEG results and why I haven't been taking the medication he prescribed. He may schedule an angiogram. We will ask about CBD oil (keep reading!). We will ask about a referral to physical therapy (for my leg/foot mobility).
When I take my vitalbiome regularly, my brain is clearer, my anxiety is toned down, and I have fewer depressive thoughts. I've also noticed when I take it regularly, the weird "all the problems of the world are my fault" thoughts when my side goes numb aren't as strong. When I take my CBD oil regularly, my side goes numb fewer times a day, and when it does go numb, it seems to not be as severe. I don't have a lot left, so I'm looking for a high quality source. I've been taking 75 ml of this almost every morning for the past 4 weeks, hoping it helps with my side going numb. The EEG was normal (meaning no electrical seizures), but there is a type of seizure that there are no electrical charges with. Some research suggests CBD oil helps with these, so I figured, what can I lose? This CBD has zero THC (which besides being illegal in my state, I'd say is a slippery slope I don't want to get on!), and whether it's a placebo effect or it really is working, my side goes numb about 1-2 times a day, down from 3-6 times a day just a month ago.
The doctor called today and said my EEG was normal. Meaning...I'm not sure what. My side *did* go numb during the test, so if it was caused by electrical charge seizures, it would have shown up. I have read of non-electrical charged seizures, so I will be doing more research into these.
With no electrical charge, the medicine he prescribed isn't gonna do anything, so I won't be taking it. I do have some thc-free cbd oil that I will begin taking twice a day, as I read that cbd oil can help with brain stuff. (Did you know we have a cannibinoid system, like our nervous system or endocrine system?! Cbd oil helps balance this system when it gets out of whack.) Praises: -they found my EEG results! -no seizure activity (meaning I won't have my license suspended) -I already have some good quality cbd oil I can start taking immediately Prayer requests: -the headache is still hanging on, but it is calmer; keep praying! -neuropsych evaluation to be scheduled soon, as I feel this may help shed light on some of my problems (I don't know how. Just a gut feeling) -neurologist as he decides if I need other tests (he mentioned angiogram at my last appointment--I had one 15 years ago) Bill called my neurologist today. He sat on hold and talked to three different people and had to leave a message for a fourth. Apparently no one can find my EEG results!
Someone from "risk management" called us earlier today. (It's similar to patient advocate.) I had to laugh at the name, though. Bill went through everything that happened last week, and this guy was 100% agreeing that what Diane did was unacceptable and needs addressed. He said he would be contacting the CEO of the hospital and probably our copay would be refunded at the least. Praises: -the hospital is taking Diane's actions seriously (I'm still praying for her heart, too!) -I have enjoyed a little more energy the past few days Prayer requests: -someone to call with my EEG results as I *really* don't want to repeat that! -my headache to go away (I've had one nonstop since last Tuesday--not hugely in the way, but anytime I pause I can feel it) I have been struggling with how much I should share about my EEG appointment yesterday. So here's the super short version for anyone who needs to keep their BP down or you don't have time to read a long story: I do believe they got what they were looking for! My side DID go numb during, which is a HUGE praise to God and answer to prayer! Now we wait for my neurologist to read the scan and get back to us with the results and the next step.
And now for the long story. My goal is to follow Romans 12:18 and “live peaceably with all men." But the first part of that verse is just as important, I think. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you...” There comes a point where it is no longer possible to roll over and allow people (in authority) to disrespect you and walk all over you. I want to be clear about this. If I were being disrespected and treated like garbage because I am a Christian, I would wholly embrace the persecution. I would hold my head up and smile through the pain, knowing my Lord was persecuted worse and it is my pleasure to go through suffering for Him. That is not what is happening. By the time you're reading this, my test will be over, but I will still accept any and all prayers!
Please pray my neurologist works with me about the results and medication and what the next test will be. He rattled off a couple more possible tests during my last appointment, and I'd love to NOT have some of those! I will update about my test tomorrow. For today, I'm going home to wash my hair and be a couch potato until church (we have revival this week). But also please pray for Bill. He usually has low blood pressure and he's had some dizziness on and off for the past few weeks, and we can't both be sick at the same time! Although we did manage with having Covid together...it does make it easier when only one of us deals with medical issues at a time. I took this selfie yesterday. Sometimes I just feel pretty, and all that pink did it for me yesterday. Did you know any of these statistics? Feel free to share these graphics to raise awareness. I have been blown away by the care and acceptance of my friends when they learn of my brain damage.
My EEG is in two days, right in the middle of our church revival! So there's a praise right there--that this EEG is just a couple hours long, not a couple days long, because I do NOT want to come to church with wires sticking out of my head! Today is also World Mental Health Day. It is a day to check in on your friends and make sure they are okay. As a Christian, I recognize that there is a fine line between "embracing mental health" and replacing Jesus/the Bible with self-love and care. In fact, when I was struggling the hardest with my mental health (in high school), it was the Bible that brought me back into equilibrium. Since my stroke, I've struggled with anxiety and depression on and off. Every bit of the depression has been spiritual (my focus gets off God and onto myself), but the anxiety is physical (based on an imbalance in my gut/brain). No amount of "casting my care onto Jesus" makes this anxiety go away, because I'm not wringing my hands, worried about stuff. It's more of a brain overwhelm brain shutdown. My gut/brain probiotic helps! And I recognize some triggers and can prepare/prevent some anxiety, but ever since my stroke, I've dealt with this. So on a scale of ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 where ❤️ is amazing and 💜 is terrible, today I am 💛. After an emotional weekend that spilled into Monday, I finally feel calm. I *know* God has this. I know it! But oh how hard it is to remember in the midst of the battle! And I know many of my friends are also enduring their own battle, and I in no way want to minimize their pain or struggle. In fact, I would love it if I got five or six messages from various people asking me to pray for them in their time of need. Not only does it help keep my mind off *my* troubles, but I also feel uplifted when I bring a friend to God's throne.
I got my anti-seizure meds yesterday, and woo-ee those listed side effects are enough to make any grown man yell uncle! After all the terrible possibilities listed, there in the fine print it says, "Your doctor has prescribed this medication because he has determined that the benefits outweigh the risks." Y'all, pray that if I do take this, the benefits truly do outweigh the risks! In three different places in my paperwork and on the bottle itself, it warns that a potential side effect is "suicidal attempts." Not a good thing for anyone, much less for someone with a history of suicidal thoughts and plans. Praises: -several friends have reached out with encouragement this weekend -the rest of this week has nothing planned (until Saturday ) so I can relax and recharge Prayer requests: -EEG on the 12th--for my side to go numb so they can for sure know if this medication would even provide any benefit at all -wisdom about taking this medication if electrical charges are noted |
Who am I, you ask?
In 2006 I had a stroke, and every day my husband encourages me to use my remaining brain cells to the best of my ability. I love to organize, make crafts, and go on adventures (safe ones). I hope that through my blog posts, you will be encouraged to accept and make the best of challenges God throws at your life. Categories
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