For those that didn't already know, the reason why I asked for good thoughts sent my way was this...
On the first of November, I had an MRI of my head. I have been suffering from constant headaches, and quite frequent Migraines. Since none of the medications seemed to be working, preventative and otherwise, the Dr. I go to decided that perhaps I should get a scan done, and they could see what might be causing these quite frequent pains.
On Monday, the results returned, and the Doctor noticed what looked to be two cysts in my brain. I didn't get more information than this, other than the nurse was going to schedule me an appointment with a Neurologist. No comforting words, absolutely nothing. I was called Tuesday morning to be told I had my appointment with the neurologist this morning at 9:30 a.m. I have now had over a week of worrying about what the MRI said, and two days of worrying about these cysts. Needless to say, if I was short with anyone in camp and it seemed unnecessary, I am sorry.
The student Doctor who saw me first at my appointment this morning, informed me that I have arachnoid cysts, two of them on my arachnoid granulations (small protrusions of the arachnoid (the thin second layer covering the brain) through the dura (the thick outer layer). They protrude into the venous sinuses of the brain, and allow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to exit the brain, and enter the blood stream.) Now, these cysts, are very common he said, out of all cysts that happen on or within the brain, these are the most common. They aren't fatal, they barely cause anything, (think of them like pimples, but on my brain). Since there are many arachnoid granulations in the brain to continue to drain CSF from my head to my spinal cord, these minor cysts really do not stop anything from leaving or entering. They said most likely I was either born with them, or they perhaps occurred during one of my three concussions when I was younger. They are NOT causing my perpetual headache, and the migraines that ensue.
So that is one issue down. My migraines, there is no real way to prevent Migraines. A migraine is caused when vessels in your brain sudden dilate, and oxygen rushes in. Normally your vessels are constricted, allowing just enough oxygen to your brain, when they constrict too much, this is what causes a headache, however, a migraine is just the opposite of that. Now, they said I should quit smoking, and quit drinking caffeine, as these two may be contributing to my migraines. I will try to do such. Can't promise anything, because I don't have any vices, so we will see how that goes. Another thing to help fix them is a steady sleep pattern: Which they have decided I probably will not get (8 month old baby and all). Other than that, I was prescribed a medicine called Topamax. Topamax is a daily medication, that will help prevent Migraines, and should I suffer from a migraine, I still have my prescription for Maxalt which is taken at the onset of a migraine.
So, there you all go. Thank you so much for thinking of me, I appreciate the well wishes that came across on the other thread, but now that it is over, I felt a few were owed an explanation of what was going on with me.
Amber
