Another EEG

The sleep-deprived EEG came back inconclusive. Since my last brain surgery in 2016, my sleep hours have increased (on average) from seven to eight-and-a-half hours. Sometimes I sleep ten-plus hours a night. Since November, I always feel fatigued. Now waiting for scheduling of a 3-day EEG. That just sounds nasty. Imagine sleeping with electrodes on your brain for three nights.

EEG Test Improved Immensely During the Past Twenty-Five years

Sleep EEG Wednesday, in the afteenoon!! I had to be awake from 3:30pm Tuesday until 3:30 pm Wednesday. It was more like from 11:30am Tuesday. I did sneak in two hours of "rest" from 1:30am-3:30am Wednesday. Late Wednesday morning my Mum phoned to make sure I was still awake. I told her:

"This is the worst medical test I've ever had." Her response:

"That's saying a lot. You've had a lot of horrible things done to/for you throughout your life."

I responded "I think I prefer brain surgery."

Probably the lack of sleep, talking. The test wasn't too bad. They paste the eletrodes to your head now. Back in the day ('70s, '80s) they used superglue.

Selling Wristbands to raise research money for hydrocephalus

I have blue wristbands that have the words "Strong and Brave" imprinted on them.

Anyone who has hydrocephalus is strong and brave.  These wristbands would work for anyone who's current or former military, a firefighter, a police officer, or has gone through any emotional trauma.

The cost is $5.00 each, free shipping within the USA.

Please contact me at Felicity.Gorham@comcast.net if interested.

Some Sage Advice I Heard Recently

1. Get Up
2. Move On
3. Keep Fighting
4. Don't Get Exhausted by Your Efforts

I Swear I Have Two Brains

The first one is the one everyone else has.  The second one is in charge of my headaches and has a mind of its own!

Since 2013 I've had an adjustable shunt, it's changed me into a walking barometer.  Right now the sky is blue and the sun is shining, but I have a weather migraine.  Because of these migraines I usually know, with more accuracy than our local tv weather guy, if there's a thunderstorm approaching.

I'm betting there's going to be one later today.

My 'other brain' is responsible for: regular migraines, which I usually get after eating something on my 'do not eat-it will give you a migraine' list.  Until recently I couldn't eat cheese without getting a migraine two days later.  However, now I appear to be able to eat most white cheeses?  Why only white cheddar and not yellow cheddar?  Ask my 'other brain'.  How did I suddenly become able to eat pizza at all (including triggers of cheese, cured meats, etc.)? Why can I eat some pizza and not get a migraine and still get a migraine if I eat others? I'm not in charge of that.

I've also suddenly developed a sensitivity to gluten, which by-the-way only exists in wheat, barley and rye.  Why can I eat whole barley (as in the rice-looking grain) but not something made from barley?  Why can I eat some wheat bread and not others.  These gluten headaches appear immediately after I've eaten something that offends-you guessed it-my 'other brain'.

My 'other brain' has also decided I can't lie on the back of my head, or sit in a recliner without getting a headache.  I have to put a tiny pillow behind my head while in the recliner, and use a small travel tempur-pedic-like pillow to sleep with.  Just the sort of thing you want to deal with while getting a massage, or about to try to meditate your poisonous thoughts away.  Apparently the 'other brain' doesn't understand these headaches aren't relaxing, and they add more to the poisonous thoughts.😒

I don't think an 'other brain'- ectomy is available currently, but maybe with the advances in modern medicine, who knows anything can happen.  I survived infant viral meningitis, I'm thriving well for someone who acquired hydrocephalus as an infant.  I'm actually blessed.😇

A Treatment for a New Type of Headache

I went to my latest tri-annual neurologist appointment.  All appears well in my migraine world .   In fact apart from a spate of bad headaches over the past few days, and a week of them at the end of May, my migraines (all three types) appear to be diminishing. 😊

However, I've developed yet another rare type of headache; Occipital Neuralgia.  This headache is caused by a tightening of your Occipital nerve.  The nerve runs from the back of your skull all the way to your eyes.  However, I also feel the pain in my trapezius muscles, the back of my neck and my right eye.  😩

I tried all manner of home remedies; cold compress for my eye, warm compress for my back and neck, neck exercises to loosen the tight muscles, meditation, relaxation exercises and lastly taking muscle relaxers. Although I am careful not to take too many, remember the end of the movie Sixteen Candles? Woops, might've just dated myself there. 😮

My neurologist suggested I see a physician in Pain Management (been there before!).  The treatment for Occipital Neuralgia appears to be injecting a long-lasting pain reliever at the point where the Occipital nerve starts at the base of your skull.  Now doesn't that just sound lovely? 😒

Yeah! Back To My Normal

I went to see my neurosurgeon yesterday.  Having two shunt revisions in one year, I was seeing my neurosurgeon more often than my neurologist.  It's almost been another six months since my last shunt surgery (11/22/2016) and I'm feeling no symptoms of a malfunction.

As a result, my neurosurgeon declared I was free and clear from seeing him for another year.  Of course, we agreed within that year if I start to have symptoms of another malfunction I will make an appointment to see him sooner.

I was told by someone close to me "Hope for the best but expect the worst."  I've decided to hope for the best.  I hope this shunt lasts at least the average of  ten years, if not more.