I could have told you all yesterday what was wrong with me, but really what is the fun in that? Yesterday’s post was a lot more fun than this one, trust me!
Wait a minute. Before I go any further, I have to tell you one thing. I didn’t poop my pants!!
First, here’s what happened at work… I went to work and felt relatively ok. I got a patient ready for surgery, and then I was recovering another patient when I started feeling strange. The entire left side of my face was numb, I was dizzy, and I had a bad headache. When I started going over the patient’s discharge instructions, I couldn’t do it. I know these instructions by heart because they’re the same for every patient, and I’ve been doing it for 6 years. But, like I said, I couldn’t do it. I could read the paper, and I wasn’t confused, but I couldn’t say the words.
I went and found my boss, and that’s when nurse are-you-losing-a-lot-of-fluids also assessed me. After her assessment, said nurse diagnosed me with Bell’s Palsy. To which my boss said, “I know Bell’s Palsy, and she doesn’t have Bell’s Palsy!”
So, I sat down in a chair for awhile, drank some water, ate some crackers…and felt worse. I finally agreed to have someone call Shawn to pick me up, but I protested going to the ER the whole time. At some point one of the anesthesiologists came out and talked to me and then called the ER to tell them I was coming. (Did I miss something? I thought I said I wasn’t going?)
Longish story short, Shawn finally showed up, he took me to the hospital where there was a flurry of activity because they wanted to make sure I wasn’t having a stroke. I had a CT scan, talked to an annoying neurologist, took a Xanax, and was then transferred to another hospital.
The second hospital looked something like this: admitted to super awesome private room with a flat screen TV and a huge bathroom, went for an echocardiogram, ate crappy dinner quickly because nurse OMG-I-Can’t-Believe-You’re-A-Nurse was pushing Ativan as fast as she could in my IV so I could go for the MRI/MRA, came back from MRI to find someone had left me delicious cookies, my fabulous husband and kids brought me Qdoba to eat, I attempted to sleep but was awakened all night for God knows what, woke up and took a shower, argued with a new neurologist about what my Lyrica dosage was, and then went home.
Phew! Does that answer all your questions? Good.
Oh wait. What was wrong with me?
Again, long story short, the headache and speech thing-a-ma-jig were diagnosed as a Complex Migraine. The numbness on the side of my face (which is STILL there!) is thought to be from my Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) from having shingles. In addition to the numbness I’m also having the stabbing pain normally associated with PHN, so that’s why they think it’s all related. The sad thing is, there is no cure for PHN, and it will probably come and go my whole life. Luckily the symptoms can be treated with medications, which I’m taking…for now.
And just to prove this whole story is true:
(Me looking stoned, but totally poop free!)
29 comments:
glad you're okay. my mom had the same problems this summer. she went to a neurologist and they told her the same thing that it was probably just a migrane and it could come and go the rest of her life. there was really nothing she could do for it. do you mind if I ask what meds you're on to help "prevent."
wow that is quite the story and thanks for filling in the details. I am glad you are sort of feeling better and are at least poop free (for now)
Glad you are okay and that they figured out what was going on! I've had the migraines with numbness and all too, it's scary and does feel kind of like a stroke or what I imagine a stroke would feel like.
so glad you did not poop your pants.. glad you are ok and hope that you can keep it under control!
BEST.BLOG.TITLE.EVER.
I do think you should have held us in suspense re: pooping your pants though.
When you and the girls came over I didnt realize you had spent the night in the hospital, holy crappoly.
You do look stoned in that pic. and that is a very fancy hospital blanket.
Wow what a day! I'm glad to hear you are ok...and that you didn't poop your pants!
I have suffered migraines for years, and if I could find one doctor to give me a medication that would stop or even decrease the amount of pain I go through when I have a migraine I would be very happy with life.
So glad you decided to share and so glad you did not poop your pants and you so looked stoned in that picture and I love it.
Glad you are okay! My Grandpa had shingles a little over a year ago and still gets severe headaches sometimes too.
Wowie Kazowie! That doesn't sound like much fun, nor does the pain and numbness! Boo to that!
I will admit that I enjoy hospitals and being a patient. I like the attention and being cared for. But still, your "condition" and experience doesn't sound all that fun!
I'm glad you didn't poop on yourself! I'm not sure you would have lived that down!
I'm so glad you didn't poop your pants. I didn't say I wouldn't laugh if you did, I'm just glad you didn't... I realized shingles had such after effects. I hope you feel good as new soon!
Well, that is something. I am not a doctor or nurse, but I totally thought Bell's Palsy when you described that. What a scary mess. But you are so funny when you recap. I wish I knew you in person because your outlook is always awesome. I picture you spending the whole time, not worried, but thinking about how entertaining this story will be later.
Isn't it scary that once you're over 30, all those symptoms everyone used to dismiss with "oh, i'm sure you'll be fine tomorrow" actually bear looking into???
How scary!!! I am thrilled you are okay.
I'm so sorry, Tami! My cousin (www.jennbsays.com) was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy when she was pregnant, which is what I started thinking, too.
Hugs to you, friend! XOXO
Pretty much the best way to explain it -- but I was kinda hoping you had actually pooped your pants. Seriously -- you have my number ANY time you need anything! I take baked-goods requests.
Sorry you went through that! And so glad you didn't poop you're pants - now that would have ruined your day! Glad you're better!
Oh my gosh. I am SO glad you didn't poop your pants. And that you're okay. But I am super duper sorry that you went through all this. How do you manage to still look good in the hospital?
Holy crap Mama, hope you're feeling better!!
My bff suffers from complex migraines too. The first one she ever had she called me on to take her to Emerg because she thought she was having a stroke!!!
Yikes! That was one heck of a medical adventure and I'm sorry that it may happen again. :(
Oh my gosh! What a bad couple of days---but am so relieved they figured out what it was and took care of you. Thank goodness you didn't just go home like that one guy initially told you to!
cute pic, but sorry you had to spend the night in the hospital!
FEEL BETTER SOON!
HUGS!
Glad you are ok. Being on the other end of the hospital bed must be really frustrating for a nurse!
You poor thing! I hope you are feeling better soon and won't have to struggle with this too often. On a lighter note, Xanax is the bomb and so is your blanky :)
Bell's Palsy was a dx they tossed around briefly for me, too. I used to take Lyrica but it made me too sleepy. Now I take Savella (sp?) and I lurve it.
OH Wow! Tami, how scary!
Although, you work in a hospital, so I am sure you're not the freak out master like I am.
As I was reading your symptoms, I automatically thougt: stroke.
Not that I have ANY medical basis for this diagnosis, but those symptoms are scary! I'm glad you got some answers and are feeling better.
I'm also glad you didn't poop your pants, because...well, no one would ever let you live that one down!
OMG, I am so glad you are o.k. what you described really sounded like a stroke. I am sorry you have the pain and PHN but hopefully meds can help the pain and numbness, it's finding the right ones that take the time. It amazes me that a drug commonly prescribed for depression added to my other meds really relieves the pain caused by the cyst on/near my spinal cord.
Will keep you in my prayers.
Dollycas
Wow Tami! I am so glad that you are ok but it sucks big monkey ballz that the symptoms may came back again. I hope that the meds keep them at bay for a long time. I hate taking long-term meds. I did for 17 years for my heart. Love ya!
Holy Shit!
You poor dear. What a nightmare, but thank goodness there were so many people to take care of you.
BTW, you look absolutely fabulous after what you have gone through.
wow. what a story (awesome lead-in, by the way).
hope you are feeling better.
I cannot believe I missed this!
Really, if we are going to be LP's Shawn should email me and let me know when things like this happen. Really, I need to be on a calling tree or something!
I am glad you are doing better!
OMG! How scary!!!
I'm so glad you're okay and it wasn't anything serious.
And why in the hell do you look fantastic even in the hospital?
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