Happy New Year All!
How fast did 2013 go by?! Seems like every year with kids makes time fly!
I am dealing with some health stuff again and figured blogging will be a good outlet and also keep those who want to be in the know, in the know.. Here's some background.. I was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma on my Pituitary Gland. It is small and my old endocrinologist said it would not grow or shrink and that we were "managing symptoms" the symptoms being lactating from elevated Prolactin levels. The medicine I was on was making me cray cray, like super hormonal and not fun to be around. My cycles were like those of a teenage girl and it drove my husband crazy, even though he is sweet enough to only mention it a couple times.. :) So, I quit taking the medicine...
I had also seen a neurologist who diagnosed me with Pseudo Tumor Cerebri.. ( this is when you are showing all signs of a brain tumor but there is no mass found) because my eye exam showed a swollen optic nerve. This is was not confirmed by testing just, guessed and so, my eye doc fought the neuro's diagnosis and requested a second opinion. I was seen by some neuro P.A's and they took me off the diamox because they didn't see any sign of PTC. They only way it can be diagnosed is by a spinal tap to measure the pressure in the fluid in your spinal with corresponds with the fluid surrounding your brain.
About a month ago I had an annual eye exam and when I got there I ended up waiting about an hour before I was even called back. This was because I was on the schedule to have a Field Vision Test before the actual Dr saw me. Well, I was grumpy after waiting and for the mix up and told them I don't need that test done because the diagnosis that required it (PTC) had been tossed out and so I just needed the eye exam. During the eye exam my eye doc noticed my optic nerve was still swollen. So, I ended up going back for the Field Vision Test (which is done to see if you have lost any peripheral vision) My results were only mildly abnormal in my left eye --I missed a spot this year that I had seen last year.
My Opthamologist strongly urged me to go find a Neurologist and get the spinal tap done to see if I do have Pseudo Tumor Cerebri and if not, help figure out why my optic nerve is enlarged. My uncle and my cousin both recommended a Neurologist for me to see and I do really like her and trust her. She ordered another MRI since it's been a year, referred me to an endocrinologist and ordered the lumbar puncture aka. Spinal Tap.
The MRI is to check up on the pituitary adenoma and overall health of my brain and the Spinal is to check the pressure in my spinal fluid and if its high they will drain it to normal pressure and start me on medicine. They don't know what causes Pseudo Tumor Cerebri but, said its common in woman of childbearing age and overweight women or women on acne medications. She said losing 5% of my weight could help but, would like me to lose more, especially if this is what my diagnosis ends up being. So, the medicine we have discussed is also approved for weight loss as well as keeping the pressure to normal in my brain.
I am so stressed just writing that all out and trying to keep it straight. I am scheduled for my MRI and Lumbar Puncture on Jan 15th. Its an outpatient procedure but, I will be laying flat the rest of the day she said. The only thing I am worried about besides getting poked in the spine and being pressured to lose a ton of weight.. Avery has school that day and Nate will be driving me to the appointments.. So, I need help getting her to and from school. I have Ethan taken care of. I have been avoiding talking about it cause its overwhelming and people never like to hear about health issues or know really what to say, I dont know what to say either.. I just wanted to share on a public forum cause its easier to get it all out and then I can answer questions instead of explaining it over and over.
I just need my family & friends to support me and make me laugh. I'm having a hard time dealing with life while having this is in the background of my mind constantly. I am trying to really rely on God and know all will be revealed and taken care of in time. I just hate the waiting and testing game... Hoping my pit tumor has not grown and hope we can get me back to normal again... thanks for reading! Ill keep this updated.
